10 role in international development cooperation with special emphasis put on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). And in the period between 2010 and 2015, Turkey accelerated its efforts to achieve MDGs. Turkey reached the MDG targets in the area of mother and infant health, registering sharp reductions in infant, children under five years of age, and maternal mortality rates with ease by the year 2015. Another area in which Turkey showed a remarkable improvement has been Goal 8. Turkey has considerably increased its Official Development Assistance (ODA) given to developing countries. Some specific goals such as the reduction in the proportion of children under five who are underweight, under-five mortality per 1,000 live births and access to improved water source– the ODA Progress chart has recognized Turkey to be among the top ten performers as measured by average annual rates of relative progress. The box below presents a brief summary of progress in terms of implemantaiton of specific goals: Box 1: A Brief Summary of Progress by MDG Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger The proportion of the population living under $1.25 a day, which was 1.1% in 1994 and 0.2% in 2002, was reduced to nil in 2006. The food poverty ratio, which was 1.35% in 2002, declined to 0.48% in 2009. Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education Increasing access to quality education on the basis of equality of opportunity has been the main focus of Turkey. In this context, net enrollment rate in primary education for 2015-2016 has reached to 96.44%. In the last few years , important developments have been achieved in primary education, and the net enrolment ratio has nearly reached 100%. Moreover, the gap between the enrolment ratios for boys and girls has almost been closed. In secondary education this rati o has reached 95.5% in 2015-2016 from 74.4% level of 2000. 11 Box 1: A Brief Summary of Progress by MDG (cont’d)1 1 In 2014, labor market series based on Household Labor Force Survey ( HLFS) was changed to ensure full compliance with the European Union. Hence, data on the participation of female labor force before and after 2014 were not comparable. On the other hand, the share of female wage employment in non -agricultural sector is 26% in 2013 (the latest figure before the break in labor market series) , which supports the fact that female participation in wage employment has been increasing over time. Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women The share of women in wage employment in non-agricultural sectors shows an increase from 17.7% in 2000 to 26.6% 1 in 2015; though the increase was not very rapid during this period. On the other hand, after the global financial crisis that hit Turkish economy in 2008, the participation of women in the labor force has started to increase more rapidly. This is not only due to the increase in educational attainment of female citizens and declining fertility levels over time but also to the employment subsidies towards females. In fact, since 2008 , employers are exempted from social security contributions for a limited period of time provided that they hire additional female workers. Still, labor force participation of women is relatively low in Turkey due to the low labor force participation of less educated women in urban areas. Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Based on the data issued by the Ministry of Health, child mortality rate for children under the age of five per 1,000 live births, which was 52.1 , and infant mortality rate, which was 42.7 in 1998, declined to 9.7 and 7.6 respectively in 2014. Goal 5: Improve maternal health The success achieved regarding the rate of infant mortality was also achieved in that of maternal mortality, and similarly, in the last 10 years , Turkey has reached the same le vel of progress made by the OECD countries in the last 20 years in terms of maternal mortality . The maternal mortality rate per 100.000 live births, which was 132 in 1993 and 64 in 2002 , declined to 15.2 in 2014. Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases Based on the data issued by the Ministry of Health, the total number of HIV infected cases diagnosed with AIDS in Turkey reported in the period between 1985 and 2013 is 1,103. The number of HIV infected cases diagnosed was 158 in 2000 and 93 in 2013. 12 Box 1: A Brief Summary of Progress by MDG (cont’d) Following the first Millennium DevelopmentGoals Report on Turkey issued in 2005, Turkey’s 9 th Development Plan, covering the period between 2007- 2013, was prepared. In the process of drafting the 9 th Development Plan, the aim of achieving the MDGs was taken into consideration, and Turkey’s development goals were designed in line with MDG targets. National policy documents prepared within the framework of the 9 th Development Plan had also been in line with the Millennium Development Goals. It should hereby be noted that integrating MDGs into national policy documents had contributed to policy coherence to the development challenges of the country. Building upon the MDG experience, Government of Turkey will ideally follow the same path to integrate SDGs into the existing national policy-making process and use the already established governmental structures. Goal 7: Environmental Sustainability It is observed that the land area covered by forests in Turkey is increasing. While total forestland in 1973 was 26.1%, it went up to 26.6% in 1999 and to 27.7% in 2012. Turkey’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions also illustrate an increase. Main reasons for this upward tendency are economic growth, population growth, increase in energy demand and industrialization. While the ratio of municipal population who benefit from drinking and using water supplies was 95% in 2001, this ratio increased up to 97% in 2014 due to the extension of investments in that area. When the rate of using sanitation system s is considered, 75% of municipal population benefited from these services in 2001, while this rate increased up to 91% in 2014. Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development Turkey has expanded the scope of its development assistance to developing countries in 2000s. Turkey’s development aid increased from 85 million USD in 2002 to 3.6 billion USD in 2014. Turkey is also one ofthe biggest donors in humanitarian aid and the figure for 2014 in humanitarian aid is 1.8 billion USD. In 2014, Turkey’s development aid increased in real terms with respect to the previous year by 8.2 per cent. 13 Monitoring the process of MDGs has also improved the capacity of public institutions . During the preparation of the MDG Progress Reports of Turkey, relevant goals and targets were analyzed. For each of the eight MDGs, the indicators for Turkey were described, starting with the oldest available data since 1990. Some important surveys carried out byuniversities have contributed to the monitoring process for filling the data gap . In the progress reports of Turkey, national policies of the country regarding MDG targets have been steered and the challenges have been identified. Developments anticipated in the near future have been predicted according to the available information and data; areas of weakness have been pinpointed, and expectations for the future have been set out. All th ese efforts have contributed to the enhancement of the country ’s capaci ty to respond to globally set development agenda s. This very capacity is considered an asset for the achievement of SDGs by 2030. Government of Turkey firmly aims to build on and address the unfinished business of the MDGs inorder to implement SDGs in the best possible way for the 15 years to come. 14 3 The Concept of Sustainable Development in Turkey’s Policy Environment In Turkey, sustainable development policies are already incorporated within numerous laws, legislations, regulations, policy documents and action plans in a variety of policy fields and sectors.Being defined as the highest-level national policy document in Turkey, Turkey’s National Development Plan (NDP) sets and puts forth all macro-level national policies and priorities. NDPs lead the society to achieve higher levels of prosperity and set long-term objectives and priorities beyond short-term approaches. NDPs are prepared by using a holistic and participatory planning approach that is consistent with long-term targets and takes into consideration inter-sectoral balance. During the NDPs’ preparatory period, Ad-hoc Committees (namely Special Expertise Committees) are convened in order to gather diverse viewpoints of the experts from various policy fields. Through these committees, the economic and social policy views, recommendations and targets of the diverse stakeholders in society are reflected in the NDP. Turkey has prepared ten development plans so far and MoD has launched the process of preparing the long terms vision of 11th Development Plan in 2016. For effective implementation of the Development Plan s, medium term programs, annual programs, strategic plans, regional development plans and sectoral strategies have been prepared in accordance with the Plan. Public institutions determine their policies, investments, institutional and legal arrangements accordingly. The Medium Te rm Program (MTP), which initiates budget preparation processes, are annually prepared in compliance with the policies in the Plan for a three-year-period. It provides an opportunity for reviewing and sometimes renewing the priorities of the plan. The annual programs cover the measures that enable the implementation of the policies that are declared in NPD and MTP in the corresponding year. 15 The principles and methods related to monitoring and evaluation of the Plan is set by a Cabinet Decree and performed by the Development Plan Monitoring and Direction Committee . This committee is chaired by the Undersecretary of the MoD and embodies high level administrators from related ministries. The development approach of the plans is inclusive and sustainable. It is based on strategic priorities, has a holistic view, and takes the country’s potential and requirements of being a social state. MoD has the duty to plan the development process with a participatory approach , and advise the Government, and provide guidance to all groups within the society in order to achieve sustainable development. Turkey has introduced the concept of sustainable development for the first time in 7th Development Plan in 1996 following 1992 Rio Conference. Recently, Rio+20 outcomes have been integrated into 10 th Development Plan of Turkey. One of the main axes of the 10 th Development Plan is sustainability and the Plan is based on a “human-centered development” approach. The 10th Development Plan was prepared with a participatory approach by convening 66 ad-hoc committees and working groups on macroeconomic, sectoral and regional issues. More than three thousand academicians, public employees, private sector and non -governmental organi zation (NGO) representatives participated in and contributed to these committees. The planning process es were also carried out at the local level. Views of local administrations and local actors about development priorities of Turkey were received through Regional Development Agencies. More than seven thousand individuals and organizations across Turke y contributed to this task. When drafting the Plan ad-hoc committee reports, results of consultation meetings were utilized and all background documents were made available to public. The 10th Development Plan, covering the 2014-2018 period, is a milestone in advancing the Turkish society to high prosperity levels. The 10th Development Plan is designed to include not only high, stable and inclusive economic 16 growth, but also issues such as the rule of law, information society, international competitiveness, human development, environmental protection and sustainable use of resources. As a part of this Plan, economic and social development processes of Turkey a re discussed with a holistic and multi - dimensional view. In order to accelerate the development process by mobilizing potential, regional dynamics and human capabilities of Turkey, improving position of Turkey in international division of labor and value c hain hierarchy progressively to higher levels in the reshaping the world economy is aimed. Compliance of the development plan with medium and long -term objectives, basic principles, targets and priorities of public institutions and resource allocation is important for effective implementation of development policies. With the aim of ensuring compliance and integrity among all respective actors from the public sector actors, a policy set is formed that will lead and help them in determiningtheir implementation programs by adopting an inclusive approach. The purpose of development is to permanently improve the well -being of people and raise the living standards, establish a fair, safe and peaceful living environment by strengthening fundamental rights and f reedoms, which all constitute the pillars of sustainable development. The Plan consists of four main axes. The policies, which aim to adopt a participatory development approach with human focus and to extend the progress to different segments of the society, are covered under the “Qualified People, Strong Society” title. Objectives and policies for structural t ransformation of production and increase in welfare are discussed under the “Innovative Production, High and Stable Growth” title. Objectives and policies in the context of increasing social and economic benefits of environment-friendly approaches, enhancing urban and rural life quality in a sustainable way and reducing disparities between regions are placed under the title “Livable Places, Sustainable Environment”. 17 Main priorities and policies regarding the external dynamics of development and bilateral, regional and multilateral relations are examined under the “International Cooperation for Development” title. To achieve the objectives of the 10th Development Plan, 25 Priority Transformation Programs on crosscutting areas that require coordination and responsibility among institutions are designed, in order to solve main structural problems and contribute to the transformation process. In this context, the programs have been designed in a limited number of priority issues to facilitate monitoring and evaluation process of the 10th Development Plan, to make the programs manageable and their impacts measurable. In the context of these programs which have been prepared with a sectoral and cross-sectoral approach, central enforcement mechanism and intervention tools have been designed; institutions responsible for implementation and coordination have been determined; objectives have been set. Turkey believes that sustaining the existence of human beings in a strengthened way is only possible by realizing the principles of equity and sustainability. Turkey will further enhance the economic and social transformation programs implemented in the last 10 years which are compatible with and contribute to sustainable development goals in the forthcoming period. Turkey will maintain its important mission to accomplish global targets for sustainable development by utilizing the advantages of its increasing income and prosperity to the whole country by giving importance and priority to relatively disadvantaged segments of the society, and offering its experience and knowledge on sustainable development through bilateral and multilateral cooperation and aid programs to the world, especially in its region. The Government of Turkey regards the new sustainable development agenda as a unique opportunity to advance its development objectives both at national and international levels. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, having SDGs at its core, is closely reflects the objectives of Turkey