THE PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 18 May 2016 Excellency, Thank you for the letter dated 16 May, 2016. I share the concerns raised in your letter but must also stress that I am working Within the constraints de?ned by the decision of the General Assembly. On 23 December 2016, the General Assembly adopted resolution 70/228 entitled ?Organization of the 2016 high-level meeting on by which it decided to convene the high-level meeting on 8-10 June 2016, in New York. The General Assembly requested me, as per paragraph 12 in the resolution, to I?'draw up a list of representatives of other relevant non?governrnental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector who may participate in the high-level meeting, including its panel discussions, taking into account the principles of transparency and of equitable geographic representation, to submit the propOsed list to Member States for their consideration on a non- objection basis and to bring the list to the attention of the Assembly;11? including the foot note 1The list will include proposed as well as ?nal names.? On 30 March 2016, I circulated a list of non-govemmental organizations, academic . institutions and the private Sector which had applied to participate in the high-level meeting for the approval of Member States. On 27_April 2016, I circulated a ?nal list of non? governmental organizations, academic institutions and the private sector which had been approved for participation in the 2016 high-level meeting on During the process, I received 39 objections to the ?rst list from a number of Member States. Based on paragraph 12 and the principle of tranSparency, I and my of?ce engaged with those Member States on the basis of their objections and managed to reduce the number of objections to 22. In total, 439 non?governmental organizations, academic institutions and the private sector will be participating in the high-level meeting in addition to non?governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. Based on the mandate and modalities, I have done everything in the power given to me by Member States to ensure the highest number of and broadest participation by non- governmental organizations, academic institutions and the private sector possible, which I believe is key to the strong outcome of the high-level meeting. [As per the modalities resolution, I have not been given the mandate to share the names of the speci?c Member States who have made objections nor the rationale for their objections. Therefore, I unfortunately cannot accommodate your request]. That being said, personally I would have preferred to have been. given a stronger mandate by Member States, especially in relations to ensure transparency on objections from Member States. It is with concern, that I experience a trend towards limiting the openness and inclusiveness of the United Nations. Therefore, in order to live up to the aspirations for partnership?driven implementation contained in the 2030 Development Agenda, I urge concerned Member States to continue to work to increase the participation and transparency around participation of non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and the private sector and other stakeholders in UN meetings. My of?ce and I stand ready to help in any way possible, within the rernits of my mandates. Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration. Mogens Lykketoft HE. Mr. Marc?Andre Blanchard Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations New York