Podcast Summary: "What Will America Do Differently Once It Adopts the SDGs?"

Podcast: The CGD Podcast
Host: Center for Global Development
Episode Guest: Tony Pipa, US Chief Negotiator for the SDGs
Date: September 1, 2015
Host: Rajesh Merchandani

Overview

In this episode, Rajesh Merchandani interviews Tony Pipa, the US Special Coordinator for the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the chief US negotiator for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion centers on the SDGs' comprehensive framework, the US role in their negotiation and implementation, the challenges and opportunities posed by their universality and breadth, and how the US will adapt both globally and domestically to pursue these goals over the next 15 years.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From MDGs to SDGs: A More Comprehensive Agenda

• Comparing MDGs and SDGs:

  • The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) had 8 goals; the SDGs have 17 goals and 169 targets.
  • Tony Pipa describes the MDGs as "the cornerstones of development," while the SDGs are "the comprehensive blueprint... for development that any country should aspire to" (01:05).

• Breadth and Inclusivity:

  • The SDGs address gaps left by the MDGs – specifically, by emphasizing inclusivity, gender equality, peace, justice, and effective institutions (01:35).
  • "The inclusive nature of this particular agenda is extremely important," says Pipa (01:39).

2. Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Importance of Goal 16:

  • Rajesh emphasizes the US’s support of Goal 16: "Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development..." (02:26).
  • Pipa replies: “We’re very happy to see goal 16… we saw that as a transformational element… to development.” (02:40)

• Democracy and Development:

  • While Goal 16 implies support for democracy, Pipa is careful to note that every nation sets their own benchmarks, but from the US perspective, “we’re about promoting resilient, democratic societies” (03:15).

3. Measurement Challenges: Data, Indicators, and Aspirations

• Progress in Data and Evidence:

  • Pipa anticipates a significant focus on improving both the quantity and quality of data for tracking SDG implementation: “We're going to see a lot of focus on ensuring... better quality data to understand what our progress looks like" (04:10).

• Indicator Development:

  • Full indicators for SDGs weren't expected until March 2016 – an improvement over the MDGs, which took 3-4 years for meaningful measurement tools (04:52).
  • Process for developing indicators is ongoing and open to public and civil society comment (05:14).

• Issues with Measurability:

  • Only 85 of 169 targets had clear "Tier 1" indicators at the time.
  • Pipa: “There’s 169 targets... some of them are not as measurable, as specific or precise as we would have liked.” (06:05)
  • Example given: Goal 5.1 (“end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere”) is more aspirational than practical in terms of measurement (07:37, 08:16).

• Quote:

  • "I will say that 5.1 is one of the particular targets that I think is more aspirational than concrete and practical in terms of measurement." – Tony Pipa (08:24)

4. Universal Agenda: Implications for US Policy and Practice

• SDGs are Universal:

  • For the first time, these goals apply not only to developing but also developed countries.
  • On what the US will do differently: The SDGs largely align with current US priorities, especially “ending extreme poverty,” and refocus resources toward those most vulnerable, e.g., fragile states (09:28–10:45).

• Domestic Impact:

  • The US will review and align its domestic agenda (e.g., on inequality, early childhood development, access to education) with SDG targets (11:45).
  • There’s an interagency process engaging the Department of Education, Health and Human Services, etc., to inform negotiation and implementation (13:01).

• Quote:

  • "We brought some of the best thinking from our domestic agencies as we were negotiating and engaging with other member states..." (13:09)

5. Congressional and Stakeholder Engagement

• Congressional Input:

  • Ongoing briefings and consultations with Congress and civil society were held before and during negotiations (14:55, 16:00).
  • Special excitement noted around Goal 16 (governance and peaceful societies), but input was sought on all targets (15:24).

• Key Message for Congress:

  • The SDG agenda is “a political global commitment to end poverty,” with economic, environmental, and social dimensions, achieved through partnerships among nations, the private sector, and civil society (16:34).

• Quote:

  • “…congress will get on board… because they see it as a way to promote the connection between peace and peaceful societies, the importance of governance, and governance that is responsive to their citizens…” (18:23)

6. Big Picture: What SDG Success Will Mean

• Aspirational Outcomes:
  • Tony Pipa hopes that by 2030, the SDGs will have “helped us achieve the end of extreme poverty, which to me will be an astounding achievement” (19:05).
  • He frames poverty eradication as the “moral center of this agenda” (19:35).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the shift from MDGs to SDGs:
  “The SDGs are really comprehensive. They are the comprehensive foundation, if you will, for development that any country should aspire to…” – Tony Pipa (01:05)

• On inclusiveness:
  “The inclusive nature of this particular agenda is extremely important. It focuses... much stronger [on] gender equality... peace and peaceful societies...” – Tony Pipa (01:39)

• On measurement challenges:
  “I will say that 5.1 is one of the particular targets that I think is more aspirational than concrete and practical in terms of measurement.” – Tony Pipa (08:24)

• On domestic implementation:
  “We brought some of the best thinking from our domestic agencies as we were negotiating... and helped shape this agenda.” – Tony Pipa (13:09)

• On why Congress should care:
  “This is a political global commitment to end poverty and end extreme poverty… to do it sustainably and to take into account what needs to happen in terms of resilience and protection of biodiversity and protection of the planet's resources.” – Tony Pipa (16:34)

• On hopes for 2030:
  “I think they will have helped us achieve the end of extreme poverty, which to me will be an astounding achievement…” – Tony Pipa (19:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Setting the Scene: 00:05–01:05
• MDGs vs SDGs, Breadth and Justification: 01:05–02:26
• Goal 16 and Democracy: 02:26–03:54
• Implementation Challenges & Data Needs: 03:54–05:52
• Indicators and Measurability (with examples): 05:52–08:24
• SDGs' Universality and US International Response: 09:09–11:35
• Domestic Relevance & Policy Implications: 11:35–14:22
• Congressional Engagement: 14:52–16:21
• Why SDGs Matter for US Lawmakers: 16:21–18:23
• Aspirations for 2030: 18:50–19:48

Conclusion

This episode offers substantive insight into how the SDGs are shaping global and domestic agendas, the US’s negotiation approach, the opportunities and obstacles of an ambitious, universal framework, and the steps being taken to operationalize these commitments both abroad and at home. Tony Pipa highlights both the practical and philosophical magnitude of the new agenda, emphasizing partnership, adaptability, and the ultimate aim: to end extreme poverty everywhere by 2030.