19. In our quest to shape a global sustainable development agenda for the years
beyond 2015, the international community has embarked upon an unprecedented process.
Never before has so broad and inclusive a consultation been undertaken on so many
matters of global concern. In two short years since the Rio + 20 Conference laid the
cornerstone for the Post-2015 process, all Member States, the entire UN system, experts,
and a cross-section of civil society, business and—most importantly-- millions of people
from all corners of the globe, have travelled this crucially important journey. This, in
itself, is reason for great hope. The creativity and shared sense of purpose that has
emerged from across the human family is proof that we can come together to innovate
and collaborate in search of solutions and the common good.
20. Having now opened the tent wide to a broad constituency, we must recognize
that the legitimacy of this process will rest in significant measure on the degree to which
the core messages that we have heard are reflected in the final outcome. This is no time
to succumb to political expediency, or to tolerate the lowest common denominators. The
new threats that face us, and the new opportunities that present themselves, demand a
high level of ambition and a truly participatory, responsive and transformational course of
action.