The UN-facilitated ‘post-2015 consultations’ included a survey (‘MyWorld’), in which several million people participated, national consultations in almost 100 countries, and 11 global thematic consultations on topics that were deemed relevant at that point in time. The Global Thematic Consultation on Governance and the Post-2015 Development Framework was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), with support from the Federal Republic of Germany, between October 2012 and March 2013.

The global consultation on governance was guided by a reference group with 20 representatives from civil society. It included a series of five regional dialogues  in Johannesburg, Dhala, Manila, Brasilia, Cairo, and an expert meeting on measurement in New York. In addition, a moderated online discussion was launched which helped elicit inputs from representatives from both local and international civil society, governments, the private sector, international multi-lateral institutions and academia. The consultations culminated in a global meeting on governance and the post-2015 agenda hosted by the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, between 28 February and 1 March 2013. The event brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including slum dwellers, grassroots activists, youth representatives, faith leaders, researchers, UN experts and politicians .

The Global Thematic Consultation on Governance and the Post-2015 Development Framework resulted in 14 key messages, which were shared with member states continuously while they drafted and negotiated the SDGs. The messages were: 

1. Responsive and effective governance is multi-dimensional and a critical means to achieve development goals, but it is also important as an end in itself and for people to interact and exercise their rights.
2. Governance is an enabler for socio-economic transformation and the improvement of lives through the eradication of structural inequality.
3. Coherence among policies within and across governance levels, including national ownership of an international framework, is imperative.
4. Policy and democratic space are required for social service delivery and policy implementation.
5. Accountability and transparency, underpinned by international human rights standards and principles, are essential for ensuring that development is sustainable and responsive to the needs of people.
6. Combating corruption is essential to safeguard and promote better development outcomes.
7. The empowerment and meaningful participation of individuals and civil society in governance systems are necessary to tackle inequality and promote social inclusion.
8. Strengthening local governments and local development is critical for ensuring empowerment, civic participation and better service delivery.
9. Power relationships between public and private actors, as well as communities, need realignment.
10. Youth concerns are critical for the post-2015 agenda.
11. Gender responsive and rights-based governance systems are central for enabling the realization of women’s rights and implementation of gender equality goals, which must address structural issues of discrimination.
12. The role and regulation of the private sector is pivotal and businesses need to be accountable to the public, especially for the management of public goods and services.
13. Access to justice and effective justice administration are enablers for development and human rights.
14. Governance and human rights are measurable and can be monitored; thus, ensuring a measurable implementation, accountability and monitoring framework for the post-2015 development agenda is critical.