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STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MINISTER CLAUDIO ROSSELL, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE FIFTY-SECOND SESSION OF THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (New York, 11 February 2014)
Madam Chair,
Excellencies and Distinguished Delegates,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, please allow me to extend our Group's deep congratulations to you as Chair of the 52nd session of the Commission for Social Development and to the members of your Bureau. The Group of 77 assures you of its full support and cooperation in this session.
I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for the report on Promoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for all, submitted under agenda item 3a, which will certainly contribute to enrich our discussions on the matter.
Nineteen years after the World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen, poverty is still a major challenge for all Governments and the United Nations system. Poverty eradication is one of the three interrelated pillars of the Copenhagen Declaration, and the Group of 77 and China remains fully committed to the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the Summit, as well as to the further initiatives for social development adopted by the General Assembly, including the Millennium Development Goals.
Despite the progress made since the World Summit for Social Development, much more needs to be done to achieve our mutual goals in the field of social development. In the view of the Group of 77 and China, poverty is a complex problem involving a set of economic as well as social development issues that cannot be solved automatically through economic growth only. We must place people at the centre of development, as recognized by the principles and goals of the Copenhagen Declaration and promote actions aimed at fostering pro-poor growth and social protection.
In this context, the Group of 77 and China is deeply concerned about the constraints on our fight against poverty arisen from current global crises, in particular the world financial and economic crisis, the world food crisis and continuing food insecurity, the energy crisis and the challenges posed by climate change.
Madam Chair
The Group recognizes that over the last years, the Commission has made important contributions and progress in guiding social policy to open opportunities for those who would otherwise be marginalized. The participation of the otherwise marginalized, through the formulation of inclusive social policies has allowed the creation, achievement and maintenance of social and political stability, as well as contributing to a favorable environment for economic growth. However, despite this progress, we are still faced with continuing and emerging challenges that require the Commission's attention in order to support national efforts.
Madam Chair,
The priority theme in this session: "Promoting empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for all" is correctly chosen. The Group believes that focusing on this area will guarantee that social policies will be maintained at the central part of international development with an enhanced action-oriented policy outcome on the three key pillars of sustainable development. An enabling environment that expands choices and enables empowered participation in decision-making is crucial. The Group of 77 calls for synergy between empowerment policies on the one hand and the ongoing work on the social pillar of the Rio+20 Outcomes and developing the post - 2015 goals on the other.
As stated in the Secretary-Generals report, the Group of 77 and China considers that an empowering approach calls for comprehensive strategies that go beyond group-specific approaches. It is important that we all develop comprehensive policy frameworks that adopt universal approaches, in order to empower and meet the needs and aspirations of all members of society.
Also, supportive national institutional structures and participatory mechanisms are required for empowering people. There is too much work to be done in order to improve or develop participatory mechanisms that promotes the engagement and active participation of all members of society in public life, and the United Nations System should be prepared to assist member States in this regard.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China stresses that strengthening of the social capital that exists in poor communities have to be adequately addressed. These formal and informal networks and strategies upon which the poor and most vulnerable group base their livelihoods include indigenous knowledge and practices that most communities have used as survival strategies for many generations. The Group emphasizes the urgency for an inclusive and participatory social research method to ensure that commercialization of indigenous knowledge and practices is fairly and equitably compensated.
The Group of 77 stresses the need to further mainstream sustainable development at all levels, integrating economic, social, and environmental aspects and recognizing their inter-linkages, so as to achieve sustainable development in all its dimensions. Madam Chair,
Since 1994, the international community has undertaken a range of activities and commitments in support of its objectives. Further efforts and initiatives of Governments, the United Nations system and civil society are necessary to ensure the further promotion and continuous implementation of the mandated objectives of the International Year of the Family. The twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2014 is on the horizon. In this context, the Group of 77 and China will present a draft resolution on the Observance of the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family and beyond, give due consideration to the role of family policy development in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda
As population ageing continues, with its positive effects and its challenges, we must prepare to better respond to this new reality, including it in the context of our efforts to eradicate poverty. The implementation of the Madrid Plan of Action is determinate, we should looking the most appropriate ways and means of achieving the development, well-being and full enjoyment of all human rights of older persons as well as the second review and appraisal of the implementation. The Group of 77 reiterates the commitments made for meeting the special needs of Africa at the 2005 World Summit. The Group requests the Commission for Social Development to continue to give due prominence in its work to the social dimensions of the New Partnerships for Africa's Development.
Madam Chair,
The Group underscores the need for a strengthened and scaled-up global partnership for eradication of poverty, based on the recognition of national leadership and ownership of development strategies. International cooperation must be enhanced; including fulfillment of commitments of internationally agreed official development assistance, debt relief, market access, financial stability, capacity building and technical support, including technology transfer.
The Group of 77 firmly believes that alleviation of poverty requires a development-oriented strategy focused on building rural infrastructure, bolstering income and basic services such as medical care and insurance and investment in education. It is essential to increase efforts to ensure that all segments of society, including youth, elderly and persons with disability have access to resources and opportunities.
The Group of 77 would like to stress, once again, the importance of removing obstacles to the realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, in particular of peoples living under colonial or other forms of alien domination or foreign occupation, which adversely affect their social and economic development.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 share the opinion of the Secretary-General when referred that to ensure policies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting employment and social integration and those intended to foster the empowerment of people are mutually reinforcing to Governments should allocate adequate funding to ensure universal access to social services, including quality education and health services, and implement social protection floors or extend the scope and effectiveness of social protection programmes
In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China hopes that this session will provide a constructive effect that contributes to the empowerment of people in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work for all.
I thank you.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MINISTER CLAUDIO ROSSELL, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: “OCEANS AND SEAS, FORESTS, BIODIVERSITY” (New York, 3 February 2014)
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
At the outset, I wish to thank you for the excellent work that you have been doing in the previous seven sessions of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, as well as reiterate our trust in your ability and wisdom for conducting us, in a seamless manner, to the next phase of this work.
Co-Chairs,
Regarding the issues that we have in front of us in this first day of the eighth session, the Group of 77 and China wants to stress that we recognize that oceans, seas and coastal areas form an integrated and essential component of the Earth's ecosystem and are critical to sustaining it, and that international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources. We also stress the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas and of their resources for sustainable development, including through their contributions to poverty eradication, sustained economic growth, food security and creation of sustainable livelihoods and decent work, while at the same time protecting biodiversity and the marine environment and addressing the impacts of climate change. Therefore we count on the commitment of all Member States to protect, and restore, the health, productivity and resilience of oceans and marine ecosystems, to maintain their biodiversity, enabling their conservation and sustainable use for present and future generations.
Regarding sustainable use, one of the major elements, the Group strongly believes that access, and the exclusive exploitation by a few, to genetic resources of sea-bed and ocean floor, and the subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of the national jurisdiction, as well as its resources, which are the common heritage of mankind have serious global economic and social implications. We would like to stress once again that this manner of exploitation is inconsistent with the principle that the Area and its resources are to be explored and exploited for the benefit of mankind as a whole.
The health of oceans and marine biodiversity are negatively affected by marine pollution, including marine debris, from a number of marine and land-based sources. In Río we committed to take action to reduce the incidence and impacts of such pollution on marine ecosystems, including through the effective implementation of relevant conventions adopted in the framework of the International Maritime Organization, and the follow-up of relevant initiatives such as the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, as well as the adoption of coordinated strategies to this end. We also have committed to take action to, by 2025 achieve significant reductions in marine debris to prevent harm to the coastal and marine environment.
It is a matter of serious concern for the Group that sea-level rise and coastal erosion are serious threats for many coastal regions and islands, particularly in developing countries, and in this regard in Río we called upon the international community to enhance its efforts to address these challenges.
We call for support to initiatives that address ocean acidification and the impacts of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems and resources. In this regard, we reiterate the need to work collectively to prevent further ocean acidification, as well as to enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems and of the communities whose livelihoods depend on them. The Group calls for implementation of paragraph 166 of the Rio+20 outcome document entitled 'The future we want' and relevant paragraphs of the Oceans and Law of the Sea Resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly.
Given the importance of area-based conservation measures, including marine protected areas, consistent with international law and based on best available scientific information, as a tool for conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components, we recall decision X/2 of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Nagoya, Japan, that, by 2020, 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are to be conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.
Co-Chairs,
For the Group of 77 and China it is crucial to raise global awareness of the importance of forests in order to mobilize support for sustainable forest management (SFM) and its contribution to socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. We recall that the outcome of Río+20 also underscores the contribution of SFM to sustainable development across all its pillars, including respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and rural communities that live and survive on the forest, and invited the Collaborative Partnership on Forests to continue its support to the Forum and encourage stakeholders to remain actively engaged in the work of the Forum.
The Group understands that the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) process should contribute towards enhancing inter-sectorial coordination to integrate forests into the UN system's work on sustainable development. Also, The Group of 77 and China reiterates its call for the establishment of a new Global Forest Fund in line with the principles of sustainable development. We consider this necessary in order to concentrate on the financing needs of developing countries to sustainably manage their forests, as well as to comply with their commitments under the UN Non-Legally Binding Instrument on all Types of Forests (NLBI). The establishment of the Global Forest Fund in the framework of the United Nations to address financing gaps in SFM takes on greater urgency in the follow-up to the Rio+20 Summit. We recognize and reiterate the significance of the NLBI, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007 in Resolution 62/98, which is the guide for all regions and countries when addressing conservation, protection and sustainable management of forests.
We believe that capacity development through technical assistance and the transfer of technology remain a serious challenge for many developing countries, and efforts should be made to address those challenges through international cooperation. The Group urges all developed countries and international agencies to ensure that private commercial interests must be in line with the development agenda of developing countries.
Co-Chairs,
The Group of 77 and China reaffirms the intrinsic value of biological diversity, as well as the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values of biological diversity and its critical role in maintaining ecosystems that provide essential services, which are critical foundations for sustainable development and human well being.
Given that the severity of the global loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems undermine global development, affecting food security and nutrition, the provision of and access to water and the health of the rural poor and of people worldwide, including present and future generations, we want to highlight the importance of the conservation of biodiversity, enhancing habitat connectivity and building ecosystem resilience. We also recall that indigenous peoples and local communities are often the most directly dependent on biodiversity and ecosystems and thus are often the most immediately affected by their loss and degradation. In this regard, we reiterate our commitment to the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and call for urgent actions that effectively reduce the rate of, halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. Therefore, we reaffirm the importance of the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the active involvement of all stakeholders in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as access to and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, with the vision of living in harmony with nature.
The Group recognizes the inter-relationship between climate change, loss of biodiversity and desertification and the need to intensify efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management, and stress the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination among the Secretariats of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity, while respecting their individual mandates. We reiterate our call on all Parties to fully support the implementation of these Conventions in all their aspects, including the promotion of the exchange of knowledge on best practices and lessons learned from global and regional cooperation.
The Group of 77 and China supports mainstreaming the consideration of the socioeconomic impacts and benefits of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its components, as well as ecosystems that provide essential services, into relevant programmes and policies at all levels, in accordance with national legislation, circumstances and priorities. Investments, through appropriate incentives and policies, which support the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and restoration of degraded ecosystems, consistent and in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity and other relevant international obligations should be encouraged.
The Group strongly urges the urgent implementation of the commitment made by Parties to the CBD at the 11th Conference of Parties in Hyderabad, India for doubling total biodiversity-related international financial resource flows to developing countries, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, by 2015 and at least maintaining this level until 2020.
I thank you, Co-chairs.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MINISTER CLAUDIO ROSSELL, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION OF THE UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS EXECUTIVE BOARD (New York, 27 January 2014)
Mr. President,
I take the floor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset, let me warmly congratulate you for your recent election as President of this Executive Board. I also wish to thank the UNDP Administrator for her statement on the work of the UNDP and all the relevant associated matters.
Mr. President,
The importance that the Group of 77 attaches to the United Nations Development Programme is reflected in its active participation in the consultative process before the adoption of the Strategic Plan 2014-2017. The Group has submitted detailed comments on relevant aspects of each of the drafts of the Strategic Plan, and has appreciated the efforts made to duly take into account the Group's suggestions and demands. This consultative approach was appreciated particularly given the importance of the Strategic Plan in guiding UNDP's work going forward in the current context.
The period this Strategic Plan will cover will see major developments in the world, notably in the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda. The latter will no doubt give UNDP political guidance on developmental priorities and on the implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 2012, which the Strategic Plan should be fully aligned with. It is therefore important to recall in this context that the QCPR gave the mandate to the UN Development System to give "the highest priority to poverty eradication" and we hope that UNDP will not lose sight of this overarching objective in all the areas covered by the Strategic Plan.
The Group of 77 and China wishes to recall that the mandate of the QCPR about the strategies for the definition and implementation of the concept of "Critical Mass" of resources by 2013 was not fulfilled in time, as well as the fact that the balance between core and non-core resources is a matter still pending. Constructive and flexible discussions on these matters should lead to the best possible outcome.
Let me reiterate that the Group remains confident that the Strategic Plan's guidance of the work of UNDP will also be important in making the UNDP's work more accessible and understood by the countries it serves. Accordingly, it must be clear that the Vision for the Strategic Plan must find implementation paths in a transparent manner, so it is clear how the process is being conducted. Major institutional changes should be discussed. We also request UNDP to keep its focus where there are development needs, as well as in meaningfully and substantively achieving its own vision of poverty eradication and inclusive growth.
Last year, the Group had made its position known on the use of concepts that have not been agreed to by the UN membership, either as goals or as approaches in the Strategic Plan. The Group therefore continues to urge caution in the use of such a concept in UNDP's strategic approach. The Group would continue to recommend instead that the engagement principles be those of prioritising the needs and approaches identified by programme countries in terms of what is best for their individual situations, and for individual programmes.
Mr. President,
With regard to two of the agenda items for discussion at this Board Session, i.e. Regional Programmes for Asia and Pacific and UNDP's response to EB Decision 2013/28, the Group would like to flag two key concerns and hope that these are addressed:
One, the indicators in the Results Resource Framework for the Regional Programme Document, especially for the Asia Pacific Region, give an explicit impression that UNDP is passing judgments on the legal aid systems in developing countries. Moreover, resource allocations of UNDP have been indicated against outcomes with which UNDP has no relation, and may be achieved by member states either on their own or through partnerships with other stakeholders. We would therefore urge that for the sake of transparency, the RRF indicators should reflect only those projects and programmes which have been implemented with UNDP's assistance in programme countries and not take credit for what other member states or agencies might have achieved on their own. This distinction must be brought about and therefore the need to further refine these indicators in the outcome level.
Secondly, while we welcome the paper presented by UNDP on the explanation for additional resources for security measures on 'new and emerging security mandates', contained in document DP/2014/6, it may be noted that since 2003, all the four instances cited in the paper itself, on when such requirements were foreseen by UNDP, not even once was a dollar spent or utilised towards addressing these. At a time when a shrinking resource envelope for UNDP's programming activities is a cause for worry, to keep USD 30 million locked and unutilised for more than 10 years, without any provision for review, is indeed a cause for deep concern.
Mr. President,
The Group welcomes the Strategic Framework of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, 2014-2017 and looks forward to see how the operational approach translates focus areas into action, as committed to in the Strategic Plan. Also, an important contribution of UNDP in this regard would be to help and assist developing countries in implementing South-South projects, wherever such help is requested and wherever UNDP's resources so permit.
The Group of 77 and China looks forward to constructive discussions during this Executive Board session.
I thank you Mr. President.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMB. SACHA LLORENTTY SOLíZ, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, ON THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ON "CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION" (New York, 9 January 2014)
Co-Chair,
1. I have the honour, as the new Chair of the Group of 77 and China, to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group.
2. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a fruitful 2014. The Group acknowledges the issue brief prepared by the Technical Support Team and thank Mr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the World Resources Institute for his keynote address on "climate change and disaster risk reduction" and also the one made by Professor Jiahua Pan.
Co-Chair,
3. Climate change and disaster risk are serious threats to poverty eradication and sustainable development. Developing countries are facing significant risks from the adverse impacts of climate change, and are already experiencing increased impacts, including persistent drought and extreme weather events, massive flooding, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, glacial retreat, land and forest degradation, loss of biodiversity, desertification and ocean acidification. For many developing countries, climate change and disaster risk represent one of the biggest threats to food security in the 21st century. Their impacts are already causing disruptions in the livelihoods in many parts of the world, particularly for those that are dependent on predicable weather and arable land. For small island developing states for instance, climate change and sea level rise represents the gravest of threats to their survival and viability, including for some the loss of territory.
4. We are deeply concerned that more than 226 million people globally are affected on average by disaster associated with natural hazards every year. While hazards are natural, disasters are preventable. We have been informed by the scientific community that the current drivers of risk are linked to poor policies and practices in land-use planning, governance, urbanisation, natural resource management, ecosystem management as well as increasing poverty levels. We recognise therefore, that the current model of development needs to be realigned to the changing world in order to address climate change and disaster risk reduction. It must be a model that is inclusive, equitable, risk sensitive, adaptive and disaster resilient.
Co-Chair,
5. With regard to climate change, the Group reiterates its view that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the primary international, inter-governmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change. We stress that the international community, particularly the developed countries, given their historical responsibility, need to take the lead in addressing the climate change challenge within the UNFCCC and its principles and provisions, particularly, the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and provide financial and technology support to developing countries.
6. To mitigate damage from climate change and to reduce disaster risk, we call for the fulfillment of climate-related and environmental commitments by developed countries, in particular those under the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, as well as all commitments made under the various sustainable development frameworks applicable to developing countries, including the MDGs. Moreover, we urge our development partners to honour their commitments made through the Cancun Agreement at the 16th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC. These include a work programme on Loss and Damage; a Technology Mechanism; and the establishment of the Green Climate Fund which developed countries have expressed broad agreement to mobilise 100 billion US dollars per year both for adaptation and mitigation by 2020.
7. It is important that we proceed with a sense of urgency in the climate change negotiations in accordance with the principles and provisions of the climate change Convention. It is important to ensure coherence between climate negotiations and other inter-governmental agreements such as a successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action. In the context of the SDGs, we should give due consideration for a global goal and targets to address disaster risk and resilience in the context of sustainable development.
Co-Chair,
8. The Group underscores the importance of global efforts to strengthen action on climate change and disaster risk reduction as part of the international sustainable development agenda. The climate change challenges are multi-dimensional while disaster risk reduction is cross-cutting, both of which are intricately linked to different elements of the three dimensions of sustainable development. To address climate change and build resilience to disaster and climate impacts, the international community should embrace a multi-stakeholder, multi-sector approach within the global development agenda. This requires coordinated policies and actions across all sectors and at all levels of decision-making with all aspects of sustainable development.
9. Lastly, the Group recognises the inter-relationship between climate change, loss of biodiversity and desertification and the need to intensify efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management, and stress the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination among the Secretariats of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity, while respecting their individual mandates. We reiterate our call on all Parties to fully support the implementation of these Conventions in all their aspects, including the promotion the exchange of knowledge on best practices and lessons learned from global and regional cooperation.
I thank you!
DISCURSO DEL EXCMO. PRESIDENTE CONSTITUCIONAL DEL ESTADO PLURINACIONAL DE BOLIVIA, EVO MORALES AYMA, EN OCASIóN DEL TRASPASO DE LA PRESIDENCIA DEL G77 MáS CHINA A BOLIVIA PARA EL AñO 2014 (Nueva York, 8 de enero de 2014)
Con enorme satisfacción, con mucha alegría, empezamos ahora declarada abierta la segunda parte de esta Ceremonia.
Hermano Ban Ki-moon, Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, hermano Presidente de la Asamblea de las Naciones Unidas, a todas las hermanas y hermanos Embajadores del G77+China; para el pueblo boliviano, 8 de enero de 2014 es un día histórico, inédito por confiarnos a todos ustedes de presidir, de coordinar este año que cumple 50 años de aniversario el G77+ China. De verdad, para mi es una enorme satisfacción que con los 133 del G77+China compartir experiencias, vivencias todo un trabajo conjunto en Bolivia con todos ustedes, todo pensando por la dignidad, por la unidad de nuestros pueblos, especialmente en una tarea que es tan importante: reducir o acabar la pobreza.
Autoridades electas y designadas en nuestros Estados, en nuestros pueblos, pero también en los organismos internacionales tenemos esa responsabilidad como buscar cierta igualdad de nuestros pueblos, pensando siempre en los más abandonados en la historia de nuestros países.
Vengo acá a compartir algunos principios, valores, programas para bien de toda la humanidad por tanto tenemos un pequeño planteamiento, todo por la hermandad universal de nuestros pueblos en harmonía con la Madre Tierra.
Hemos visto y estamos convencidos que el sistema capitalista enfrenta su crisis más profunda, es una crisis financiera, energética, climática, alimentaria, institucional y de modelo de vida. El mundo sufre los efectos de esa debacle provocada por el capitalismo que convierte a la Madre Tierra y a las personas en objeto de su despiadado dominio depredador.
Vivimos una crisis financiera porque los países del centro capitalista concentraron la riqueza en élites excluyentes y magnificaron la pobreza y el hambre.
Vivimos una crisis energética marcada por el consumo excesivo y contaminante de fuentes de energía y el acaparamiento de éstas por parte de transnacionales para satisfacer la demanda de los estándares de vida y alto consumismo de los países capitalistas del Norte.
Vivimos una crisis climática que obedece a un modelo de desarrollo cuyos niveles de consumismo e industrialización han generado un exceso de emisiones de gases contaminantes que han provocado el calentamiento global y los desastres naturales que afectan al mundo entero, pero particularmente a los pueblos del Sur.
Vivimos una crisis alimentaria que es causada por la desertización y degradación de las áreas productivas de alimentos, los desequilibrios entre el campo y la ciudad, el monopolio en la comercialización de semillas, insumos agrícolas, la especulación en el precio de los alimentos, el consumismo y el derroche de alimentos.
El año 2008, el 15,5% de la población mundial padecía hambre, más de 850 millones de personas se encontraban desnutridas. 788 millones de hambrientos estaban en Asia y África. Para el año 2011, el número de personas desnutridas ascendió a casi mil millones de personas.
En definitiva, vivimos la crisis de un modelo económico en el que las recetas del Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI), el Banco Mundial y los organismos multilaterales (privatizaciones y restricción de las políticas sociales) ya no pueden resolver los problemas de los países del centro capitalista.
Sin embargo, los tiempos de crisis son también tiempos de oportunidades, son tiempos de transformación del pensamiento y de las ideas para construir un mundo diferente. Los cambios necesarios nos exigen escuchar la voz de la conciencia de los pueblos y su espíritu crítico sobre las imposiciones del imperialismo y del colonialismo.
Estos también son los tiempos de los países del Sur y de los llamados países emergentes y de todos aquellos que tenemos la responsabilidad de construir juntos solidaridad, complementariedad y apoyo mutuo.
Para hacer realidad estos cambios, los Estados deben conducir la economía y los gobiernos deben adoptar políticas de servicio a favor de los pueblos, socializar la riqueza y erradicar la pobreza y concebir el desarrollo de manera integral para universalizar los servicios básicos, efectivizar los derechos colectivos y ampliar la democracia más allá del ámbito de las instituciones políticas.
El Sur tiene ciertamente una creciente economía, importantes riquezas en recursos naturales, conocimientos y tecnologías, destrezas y habilidades, culturas y una gran diversidad de naciones y pueblos. En este contexto, el G77+China es uno de los principales actores de cambio en este momento histórico.
Proponemos adoptar como base las Conclusiones de la Conferencia Mundial de los Pueblos sobre los Derechos de la Madre Tierra y el Cambio Climático realizado en Tiquipaya, Bolivia el año 2010.
Pedimos eliminar las herencias coloniales en nuestros países donde se ha negado las identidades culturales, nuestros conocimientos, nuestros alimentos y medicinas, nuestras prácticas y tecnologías. Por ejemplo, no entendemos cómo en el mundo los grupos de poder han criminalizado la producción y el consumo de la sagrada hoja de coca que es uno de los alimentos y medicinas milenarias de nuestros pueblos.
Como prueba de la reversión de esos prejuicios capitalistas, mencionamos con orgullo que la quinua, despreciada por el imperialismo como "alimento de indios" se ha convertido hoy en una alternativa real de nutrición para todo el mundo. Es como si nuestra Pachamama, nuestra Madre Tierra, nos regalara en su generosidad una solución alimentaria que beneficie a todo el mundo, incluso a los países capitalistas que destruyen su medio ambiente.
Hermanos y hermanas, el derecho al desarrollo, los derechos humanos, sociales y colectivos así como los derechos de la Madre Tierra, integrados y complementarios, se expresan en el respeto a la diversidad de visiones y enfoques de modelos de desarrollo, sin imposiciones, sin exigencias paternalistas ni coloniales sin monarquías, oligarquías ni jerarquías.
Permítannos, en este momento en que asumimos esta gran responsabilidad como es la Presidencia del G77+China, plantearles con humildad pero con la fuerza de nuestras convicciones y el espíritu de nuestros pueblos, 10 TAREAS FUNDAMENTALES.
1. DEL DESARROLLO SUSTENTABLE AL DESARROLLO INTEGRAL EN EQUILIBRIO CON LA MADRE TIERRA.
El desarrollo debe estar orientado a eliminar las brechas de riqueza material, las economías diversas deben potenciar los bienes comunes y satisfacer a la vez las necesidades materiales, culturales y espirituales de las sociedades en un marco de armonía con la naturaleza. En Bolivia, esta cosmovisión se resume en el "Vivir Bien".
Sabemos también, que esta carrera de enriquecimiento, que ha generado el cambio climático, afectará principalmente a los países del Sur. Del total de costos económicos estimados por los impactos del cambio climático, entre un 75% y 80% serán asumidos directamente por nuestros países.
Por ello:
- Debemos implementar las políticas y acciones necesarias que prevengan y eviten el agotamiento de los recursos naturales. La vida depende del sostenimiento de la capacidad de regeneración de los sistemas de vida de la Madre Tierra y del manejo integral y sustentable de sus componentes. Por ello junto con los derechos individuales, los derechos colectivos de los pueblos, debemos incorporar en todas las legislaciones los derechos de la madre tierra. La naturaleza puede existir sin el ser humano; pero el ser humano no puede existir un solo segundo sin naturaleza. Por el, tenemos que naturalizar al ser humano y humanizar responsablemente a la naturaleza.
- Desarrollo integral significa también cambiar el orden de prioridades de la generación de riqueza. De la economía para el lucro, la ganancia y el acaparamiento, debemos pasar a la economía de la satisfacción de necesidades humanas. La economía del lucro va a aniquilar las condiciones naturales de la vida humana, y encima dividiendo al mundo en ricos, muy ricos, y en pobres.
- Desarrollo integral es respetar las distintas actividades individuales y colectivas, pero priorizando la producción de bienes comunes, de riqueza compartida entre todos los habitantes de un país y luego entre todos los habitantes de un continente y el mundo. La mejor riqueza es la riqueza que es de todos. La mejor economía, la mas duradera y justa es la que se distribuye entre todas las personas.
- Debemos desde el G77+China avanzar de forma contundente en la creación de mecanismos que no estén basados en los mercados de carbono y las funciones ambientales de la naturaleza sino en la complementariedad y solidaridad de los Estados con transferencia de financiamiento, tecnología y desarrollo de capacidades.
2. REFUNDAR LA DEMOCRACIA: DE LA DEMOCRACIA REPRESENTATIVA A LA DEMOCRACIA PARTICIPATIVA y COMUNITARIA QUE DEMOCRATIZA LA RIQUEZA.
Hoy por el mundo entero se consolidan las formas democráticas de elegir gobernantes. Sin embargo, también se apodera el desánimo y el ausentismo. Cada vez menos gente acude a las votaciones electorales; y no es porque el pueblo no quiera participar en las decisiones de gobierno. Lo que pasa que el pueblo siente que depositar su voto cada 4 o 5 años no es suficiente. Siente que su voto cada 5 años es cambiado cada día por la dictadura de mercados financieros. Los jóvenes quieren participar pero más continuamente y de manera directa en los asuntos comunes; los trabajadores y las trabajadoras quieren ser oídos a cada momento a través de sus organizaciones sociales; los indígenas y campesinos queremos que se respete nuestras tradiciones comunitarias. El pueblo necesita nuevos mecanismos democráticos para cambiar el mundo. Pero las democracias meramente electorales son insuficiente para esta nueva demanda participativa; las democracias electorales se muestran cansadas fósiles, sin fuerza para cobijar las ganas de democracia real de los pueblos.
La historia nueva reclama pasar de la democracia representativa en la que el poder está mayoritariamente al servicio élites, a la democracia participativa y comunal donde los jóvenes, profesionales, indígenas, mujeres, campesinos, trabajadores participemos activamente en las decisiones sobre nuestras vidas, sobre nuestros derechos, sobre nuestros bienes comunes.
La revitalización de la democracia en este nuevo siglo requiere que la acción política se constituya en un completo y permanente servicio a la vida, que es, a su vez, un compromiso ético, humano y moral con nuestros pueblos, con los más humildes, recuperando los códigos de nuestros ancestros: no robar, no mentir, no ser flojo y no ser adulón.
La democracia no es solo decidir quién nos gobernara durante 5 años; democracia es participar en el destino de nuestra vida en común, comenzando por los bienes comunes que tiene cada sociedad. Por eso, no hay democracia real sin democracia económica, sin distribución de la riqueza que es de todos.
3. LOS SERVICIOS BASICOS COMO DERECHO HUMANO UNIVERSAL.
Hoy la humanidad ha alcanzado tal capacidad de producción de riqueza material que es capaz de garantizar alimento, agua, luz, educación y salud para todos sus habitantes. Pero sin embargo, millones de personas van a dormir cada noche con hambre; millones de personas pasan sed, no cuentan con apoyo médico y se mueren por enfermedades de pobreza y abandono.
Y es que en el planeta todavía sigue existiendo una realidad insultante y abusiva que es la de las brechas que existen entre los ricos y los pobres. Esto se debe a una desigual distribución de los ingresos pero también a un acceso desigual y discriminador a los servicios básicos. El capital y el mercado no resuelven la inequidad y la pobreza, solo privatizan los servicios y lucran con las necesidades. Ya hemos vivido catastróficamente la privatización de los servicios básicos y en especial del agua.
Para resolver las graves inequidades sociales es necesario emprender entre otras las siguientes acciones:
Es un imperativo avanzar en el reconocimiento, en la legislación internacional y en la normativa nacional de los países del mundo, de que los servicios básicos: el agua, electricidad, comunicaciones y el saneamiento básico son un derecho humano fundamental de las personas en todos los rincones del planeta.
En particular el agua debe constituirse en un derecho humano esencial de las personas porque aporta directamente al desarrollo de la vida de todos los seres del planeta, y es un insumo fundamental para la movilización de todos los procesos productivos.
Conjuntamente con el reconocimiento de los servicios básicos como un derecho humano se debe avanzar en la nacionalización de estos servicios ya que las administraciones privadas marginan a la mayoría de la población de su acceso a estos servicios fundamentales para la vida de las personas al darles un valor económico inalcanzable para muchos.
4.- DESCOLONIZAR LA ECONOMIA; DESCOLONIZAR LA CULTURA; DESCOLONIZAR LOS SABERES; DESCOLONIZAR EL MUNDO.
En pleno siglo XXI no puede haber ningún país que usurpe territorio de otro país, ni potencia que utilice territorio extranjero para depositar sus tropas. Esa es una indigna herencia colonial del siglo XVI que tiene que erradicarse del mundo entero. Cada pueblo tiene el derecho a gobernase a sí mismo y nadie tiene la autoridad moral ni histórica de invadir territorio ajeno.
Todos los pueblos somos dueños de nuestros destinos y no hay pueblos superiores ni inferiores. Todos tenemos un aporte para el mundo y un mundo de paz y bienestar se ha de construir con el aporte democrático de todos los pueblos y Estados
Pero nos solo hay el colonialismo territorial, también hay el colonialismo económico, el colonialismo cultural, el colonialismo tecnológico, todos ellos tan aborrecibles como el primero. Mientras haya cualquier colonialismo, no habrá paz duradera. Mientras haya colonialismo no habrá igualdad ni justicia. El colonialismo es la más brutal y arcaica forma de dominación que destruye a la humanidad. Ella es la madre del fascismo, del racismo de toda discriminación. Y su superación exige el respeto a la libre determinación de cada pueblo, el intercambio complementario de saberes y la solidaridad entre Estados.
El mundo sabe que existen temas no resueltos, asuntos como el de las islas Malvinas, la situación de Palestina y el enclaustramiento boliviano. Estos temas deben ser resueltos pacíficamente y en el marco del Derecho Internacional competente.
El destino de la humanidad es la hermandad universal de los pueblos.
5.- ERRADICAR EL HAMBRE EN LOS PAISES DEL SUR CONSOLIDANDO NUESTRA SOBERANIA CON SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA Y ACCESO A LOS ALIMENTOS SANOS Y SALUDABLES PARA UNA SALUD DIGNA DE LOS PUEBLOS
Tenemos que eliminar los monopolios en la provisión de insumos agrícolas para garantizar la seguridad alimentaria con soberanía. Por eso proponemos que cada uno de nuestros países garantice los alimentos básicos y propios que consume su población a partir del fortalecimiento de sus prácticas productivas, culturales y ecológicas así como del intercambio solidario entre pueblos.
6. CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA AL SERVICIO DE LOS PUEBLOS Y DE LA HUMANIDAD PARA VIVIR BIEN
La ciencia, el conocimiento y la tecnología son un patrimonio de la humanidad, son creación de la humanidad y deben servir a la felicidad de la humanidad; porque con el desarrollo científico y tecnológico, se crean las condiciones para el desarrollo integral, para erradicar la pobreza y el hambre, para producir alimentos, para dar servicios básicos, para desarrollar nuevas industrias, para tener nuevas fuentes energéticas limpias y accesibles a los pueblos y naciones.
La ciencia y el desarrollo tecnológico no pueden ser una mercancía, negociable en los mercados bajo la forma de patentes y licencias, que beneficia a pocos y enriquece a los más ricos. Como patrimonio de la humanidad, no puede ser monopolio de ciertos países, no puede ser un instrumento de poder y control económico.
La ciencia y la tecnología deben ser instrumentos para liberar a los pueblos; para fortalecer la solidaridad, la complementariedad, el intercambio justo; deben ser los medios más importantes para las relaciones de respeto entre las naciones y de armonía con la Madre Tierra.
Desde el G77+China tenemos que consolidar la liberación del conocimiento, de la ciencia y la tecnología moderna; al mismo tiempo, proteger y fortalecer los saberes, conocimientos, ciencia y tecnologías ancestrales de los pueblos y las naciones indígenas.
Debemos ser capaces de diseñar e implementar alianzas y mecanismos de transferencia tecnológica que democraticen la economía y permitan el desarrollo integral de todos los pueblos, sobre la base del respeto a la diversidad de visiones, enfoques y sistemas de conocimiento, desechando las visiones mercantilistas y monopólicas.
La tecnología, que tanto bien podría brindar a la humanidad, es usada para violar los derechos de millones de personas a través del espionaje masivo y selectivo. El espionaje es una muestra de la soberbia y del desprecio con que desde el imperio ven al resto del mundo. Un desprecio que puede llegar incluso al secuestro de presidentes violando las normas sobre inmunidad e inviolabilidad de los Jefes de Estado.
7.- FRENTE A LA CRISIS DEL CAPITALISMO, NUEVA ARQUITECTURA ECONÓMICA FINANCIERA MUNDIAL
Las últimas crisis del capitalismo han presentado, en los diferentes países, efectos cada vez más fuertes y profundos. Estas crisis, están cuestionando las estructuras del sistema económico y financiero capitalista, están cuestionando al nuevo poder de los bancos y el poder financiero mundial responsable de la pobreza y el hambre de los pueblos.
Los grandes bancos y sistemas financieros han debilitado nuestros sistemas nacionales, especialmente allí donde los Estados son vulnerables por su dependencia económica y desregulación financiera, allí donde los organismos financieros internacionales han presionado para la libertad bancaria, el libre mercado financiero y la ruptura de la soberanía, producto de los condicionamientos e imposiciones de políticas económicas neoliberales.
Como alternativa a la profunda crisis de capitalismo, tenemos que construir y poner una nueva arquitectura económica financiera al servicio de los pueblos y las naciones. Los organismos financieros y bancos mundiales que han controlado la economía mundial y nos han llevado al empobrecimiento extremo, dejaron de tener la moral para decirnos lo que debemos hacer, deben dejar de existir como instituciones reguladoras, como orientadores de la economía de los Estados, deben dejar de crecer a costa de la pobreza y el hambre de los indígenas, de los trabajadores, de los pueblos.
Esta nueva arquitectura económica financiera debe sustentarse en la integración, en el desarrollo integral en armonía con la Madre Tierra; debe promover mecanismos de complementariedad Sur-Sur liderado por el G77+China.
Debemos promover la creación de fondos financieros solidarios y en beneficio de los pueblos y las naciones, fortalecer las monedas regionales, la regulación soberana de las actividades financieras en el marco de acuerdos integradores.
Debemos respetar las decisiones soberanas de los Estados en el uso de sus recursos naturales, así como en su utilización e industrialización para beneficio pleno de los pueblos, sobre la base de un desarrollo económico que brinde las condiciones para el Vivir Bien, en armonía con la Madre Tierra y con respeto a los Estados.
8.-SOBERANÍA SOBRE LOS RECURSOS NATURALES
La soberanía sobre los recursos naturales es la condición para la liberación de la dominación colonial y neoliberal. Un Estado que no aprovecha los recursos naturales priva a su pueblo de la riqueza necesaria para su desarrollo.
En muchos países del mundo la principal fuente de riqueza económica se basa en el aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales. Sin embargo, en la mayoría de los países esta riqueza ha sido saqueada y apropiada por manos privadas y potencias transnacionales que se enriquecen a costa de los pueblos.
Los recursos naturales en manos privadas profundiza la diferencia entre pobres y ricos. Los pobres, dueños de los recursos naturales pasan a ser los peones de los ricos. Ningún pueblo puede ser libre si sus recursos naturales están en manos de los poderosos. La garantía de la libertad, de la democracia económica y de la industria creadora de riqueza es el dominio estatal sobre esos recursos naturales.
Pasar la propiedad de los recursos naturales al Estado en beneficio de los pueblos para que ellos estén orientados al goce y beneficio de todos.
Ha quedado en evidencia histórica que los pueblos saqueados son pueblos esclavizados por el capital transnacional. Por ello la nacionalización de los recursos naturales es la fuerza poderosa que libera no sólo el freno al desarrollo sino también la industrialización y la diversificación económica. La nacionalización puede quebrar los procesos de colonialismo económico y garantizar el fortalecimiento del Estado.
9.-INSTITUCIONES INTERNACIONALES PARA EL PUEBLO
Los pueblos deben ser gobernados por los pueblos. Los pueblos diseñan sus instituciones, sus reglas, su futuro libre de dominación. Cuando los pueblos son gobernados por empresas transnacionales, por corporaciones financieras o por organismos internacionales burocratizadas se produce la injusticia, la desigualdad y la guerra. Debemos construir una institucionalidad mundial de los pueblos, de los pobres, de la madre tierra. No aceptamos ni permitimos el intervencionismo ni el neoliberalismo de las naciones unidas y de la institucionalidad del imperio del capital.
No se debe permitir ni admitir la construcción de bases militares e industria bélica para dominar a los pueblos con el pretexto de la seguridad nacional. Primero está la seguridad de los pueblos, la vida y la Madre Tierra. El armamentismo es el negocio de la muerte que enriquece al capitalismo y destruye el planeta.
Para construir una nueva institucionalidad de los pueblos del mundo hacia el Vivir Bien debemos construir las condiciones institucionales y jurídicas para que nuestros pueblos y países vivan con dignidad y soberanía sin intervencionismo y sin bases militares extranjeras.
Liberarnos de las ataduras ideológicas y políticas de los organismos mundiales financieros como el BM y el FMI y de sus satélites e intelectuales de la dominación neoliberal construyendo nuestras propias instituciones para el diseño y asesoramiento de políticas hacia el Vivir Bien.
Construir una Organización Mundial de los Pobres, una Organización Mundial de la Justicia, una Organización Mundial de la Soberanía de los Pueblos, una Organización Mundial de la Madre Tierra, una Organización de la Asamblea de los Pueblos del Mundo.
La construcción de esa nueva institucionalidad implica una lucha frontal y conjunta contra la todas las formas de corrupción. La corrupción le resta recursos a nuestra lucha contra la pobreza, la corrupción socava los pilares de nuestras sociedades. Por tanto, en esa lucha frontal contra este mal, no pueden existir países que alberguen y cobijen a personas procesadas por actos de corrupción.
10.- INTEGRACIÓN COMPLEMENTARIA, PAZ Y RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES
El mundo de hoy está gobernado por un pequeño club de países poderosos que se han encargado de imponer sus reglas de juego en la economía, en las finanzas internacionales, en los intercambios comerciales, en la industria, la ciencia y la tecnología. Este club ha dejado a la mayoría de los pueblos del mundo a merced del imperio del capital, del intervencionismo imperial y de la voluntad caprichosa para explotar los recursos naturales. Se ha hecho un habito terrible invadir pueblos, destruir civilizaciones en procura de ejercer monopolio sobre recursos estratégicos. Las grandes potencias han logrado legitimar supuestas amenazas como el narcotráfico, la subversión, el terrorismo o la posesión de armas de destrucción masiva para desestabilizar gobiernos democráticos y pueblos soberanos.
Frente a la arrogancia del poder imperial y de sus aliados privilegiados los países del sur debemos unirnos. La unidad permitirá preservar las intervenciones coloniales, el saqueo de los recursos económicos y la imposición de la voluntad de unos cuantos sobre la mayoría de los países que persiguen su independencia.
El nuevo orden global neoliberal ha impuesto como premisa la competitividad que no es otra cosa que la ley de la selva donde solo se salvan los poderosos dejando a los débiles a merced de los aventajados. Nuestros pueblos ancestrales siempre vivieron integrados en culturas, integrados en comercio, integrados en solidaridad y en redes de colaboración. Fuimos complementarios porque allí radica la fuerza del pueblo. Hoy tenemos que construir y fortalecer nuestros acuerdos de integración entre los pueblos y comunidades, entre los Estados y gobiernos, en un marco de apoyo, colaboración y solidaridad para fortalecer la vida y la humanidad.
Frente a la diplomacia de la muerte y de la guerra, del mercantilismo, de la privatización, del saqueo de los recursos naturales, los pueblos del G77 debemos construir la diplomacia de los pueblos.
El Sur no es ni puede ser un obediente y servil peón de las potencias del Norte. No somos el depósito de la basura industrial ni nuclear de las potencias del Norte, ni somos la fuente inagotable de materias primas para ellas. El Sur está emergiendo con la potencia de los pueblos y los gobiernos patriotas y soberanos, y está construyendo proyectos de integración comercial, productiva, cultural, tecnológica, económica financiera y social. Este es un momento en el que los pueblos del Sur, y también con los pueblos del Norte, debemos compartir, apoyarnos y fortalecernos social, económica y culturalmente.
Una condición para lograr la integración es contar con Estados y pueblos fuertes pero al mismo tiempo con economías que se rijan por precios justos. Comercio justo y precios justos convierten a los Estados en actores proclives a la complementariedad.
Una integración real entre pueblos sólo es posible si los propios pueblos deciden la forma de desarrollar su comercio. El comercio en manos de pocos se convierte en una tiranía internacional.
Es imperativo conformar coaliciones y alianzas poderosas para suscribir Tratados de la Vida compartir conocimientos, tecnología y provisión de recursos financieros y no Tratados de Libre Comercio que son tratados de la muerte para los pueblos del Sur y también para los pueblos del Norte.
Hermanas y hermanos, necesitamos construir un mecanismo para el desarrollo integral y la integración sobre los Estados y pueblos del Sur que incluya las áreas de conocimientos, tecnologías, energía, producción de alimentos, financiamiento, salud y educación entre otros.
Finalmente, quiero aprovechar esta oportunidad, hermano Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, hermano Presidente de la Asamblea de las Naciones Unidas, que este año celebramos los cincuenta años de la fundación de nuestro grupo quiero que conmemoremos conjuntamente este aniversario. Para ello, quiero pedirles que juntos convoquemos a la Cumbre de Jefes de Estado del Grupo de los 77 más China, en Santa Cruz, Bolivia el 15 de junio de 2014, el día de la fundación, de esta manera recordar los cincuenta años de vida de nuestro Grupo G77 más China.
Hermanas y hermanos, vengo aquí con mucha responsabilidad para compartir nuestras experiencias al servicio de los pueblos. La experiencia que tenemos es que la política no debe ser negocio ni beneficio, la política, especialmente para las autoridades electas debe ser servicio, compromiso y más sacrificio para los pueblos.
De verdad, personalmente deseo desde Bolivia, con todo el equipo de trabajo, deseo que el mundo no puede ser gobernado por sistemas financieros ni transnacionales, el mundo no puede ser dominado por pequeños grupos militarmente intervenidos.
Tengo mucha esperanza en el G77 más China y en resumen, cómo cambiar, tener un mundo con la humanidad, con dignidad y para bien de todas y todos.
Muchas gracias.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. PETER THOMSON, AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FIJI TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE 7TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ON "SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT" (New York, 6 January 2014)
Co-Chairs,
1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2. At the outset, allow me to use this opportunity at the beginning of the new year to wish everyone a fruitful 2014. The year ahead will be a challenging one in the context of formulating the SDGs. It is our sincere hope that 2014 will mark a major milestone in our collective quest for a set of global and universally applicable sustainable development goals that aim at eradicating poverty and advancing sustainable development. The Group is committed to work collaboratively and cooperatively with partners towards this noble objective.
3. The Group wishes to thank you, co-chair, for convening this seventh session of the Open Working Group meeting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We appreciate the issue briefs prepared by the Technical Support Team and would like to thank the keynote speakers, Dr. Joan Clos and Ms. Adriana de Almeida Lobo, for their interesting presentations and thought provoking remarks. We also acknowledge the important work of UN-Habitat, including its assistance to members in implementing the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlement and the Habitat Agenda. This statement focuses on the first cluster of issues: "sustainable cities and human settlements, sustainable transport".
Co-Chairs,
4. Sustainable cities and human settlement will be a major development challenge over the next several decades. As we have heard today, humanity is now half urban, with projections that some 70 per cent of the world's population will live in cities by 2050, with rural-urban drift occurring largely in developing countries especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America, where the bulk of extreme poverty is concentrated. The grim reality of approximately one billion people living in urban slums highlights the gravity of the challenges. Poor people living in slum houses in unhealthy environments, which co-exist with modern high-rise buildings in many developing countries, is a stark contrast that depicts poverty and inequality - two important issues that should have priority in the post-2015 development agenda.
5. Urbanisation in developing countries has serious implications for their urban development challenges. Inequalities occur in many areas but are frequently consolidated in the spatial trap of slums. Slum dwellers living in poor housing conditions, away from basic services and jobs face economic, social and physical exclusion. The lack of access to education, health, adequate food, employment opportunities and personal security often further entrenches slum dwellers in poverty. With the overarching objective of poverty eradication in the post-2015 development agenda, the Group encourages Governments and UN-Habitat agenda partners to use planned city extension methodologies to guide the sustainable development of cities experiencing rapid urban growth, in order to prevent slum proliferation, enhance access to basic urban services, support inclusive housing, enhance job opportunities and create a safe and healthy living environment for all city dwellers.
Co-Chairs,
6. At the 2012 Rio+20 Summit, our political leaders recognised the importance of sustainable cities and sustainable development as essential to poverty eradication and moving to a sustainable future. We hold the view that cities, if well-planned and developed through a holistic approach, integrating proper planning and management, can promote all the three dimensions of sustainable development resulting in the creation of sustainable cities and urbanisation.
7. Cities are, as we know, the primary engines of economic activity, growth, development, research and innovation. With urban areas set to expand and be built by 60 per cent before 2030, cities also represent unparalleled opportunities to transform the social and economic fabric of nations. However, if current trends continue with the 'business as usual' approach where many local governments and cities are in general not well equipped, are under-resourced and disempowered to address emerging urban challenges, many countries do not stand to reap the benefits of sustainable urban development. How the SDGs address the multi-dimensional challenges of urban development in order to improve the lives of slum dwellers, provide access to basic services, including infrastructure services, how they protect local and regional ecosystems, and strengthen urban resilience and adaptation is all of paramount importance to the post-2015 development agenda.
8. The Group believes that policies and development efforts targeted at poverty eradication must be responsive to the challenges as well as opportunities of sustainable development at both international and national levels. In the context of sustainable cities and urbanisation, it is important that all United Nations system organisations, including the international community, financial institutions, UN-Habitat agenda partners and all relevant stakeholders play a constructive role in assisting developing countries to address the multiple challenges facing cities. It is imperative that adequate resources are mobilised and allocated for the attainment of development goals such as those highlighted in the Habitat Agenda, the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation relevant to human settlements, as well as relevant commitments contained in the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, entitled 'the future we want'.
9. Sustainable urban development and human settlement require transformative policies at multiple levels of governance. It requires a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder approach that engages all relevant stakeholders. In this regard, we call for new modalities of interaction between nations at the international level, as well as between central and local governments at the national level, in order to fulfil their respective roles as governmental stakeholders in global efforts on sustainability. Other non-state actors such as the private sector, civil society, foundations, academia, regional and global networks of cities also play important complementary roles in ensuring the sustainable development of cities which are responsive to the needs of their citizens. At the local level, city planners should tackle urban development challenges through inclusive policies that favour people-centred objectives and participatory decision-making that include the disadvantaged and marginalised members of society.
Co-Chairs,
10. As cities remain large-scale consumers of water, energy and natural and processed products as well as significant generators of greenhouse gas emission and waste, the future sustainability of cities in a world of resource scarcity demand our urgent attention and appropriate responses. The greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector are growing faster than any other sector and are estimated to increase from one quarter today to one-third of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Outdoor air pollution, with the transport sector as a major contributor, is estimated to result in more than 3.2 million premature deaths annually. Many cities in all regions of the world have serious traffic congestions resulting in major impacts on economic development and human mobility. All these challenges call for our serious actions to implement paragraph 133 of the Johannesburg Plan of Action for the development of 'sustainable transport systems, including energy efficient multi-modal transport systems, notably public mass transportation systems, clean fuels and vehicles, as well as improved transportation systems in rural areas'.
11. To this end, transport infrastructure investments require a long time horizon and international efforts must support developing countries to achieve this objective. Transport infrastructure projects should not only focus on highways but include dedicated bus lanes for rapid transit systems, and integrate safe walking and cycling facilities when building or upgrading urban roads. A sustainable society and a healthier environment is possible if we shift towards a more sustainable transport path and move away from our dependence on individual car use to greater utilisation of public transport and other environmental-friendly modes of transport.
12. Lastly, the Group of 77 and China is proud to play an instrumental role in the recent United Nations' decision to proclaim 31 October of every year, beginning in 2014, as World Cities Day. We are convinced that the proclamation of the World Cities Day and its subsequent observance and celebration will raise global awareness on the importance of sustainable cities and human settlement, as well as the need for sustainable transport. We look forward to the outputs of the World Urban Forum to be held in Medellin, Colombia in April 2014. We also welcome the offer by the Government of Ecuador to host the UN-Habitat III conference in Quito in 2016.
I thank you, Co-Chair!
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEMS 128 AND 132: PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2014-2015, PROGRAMME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/69/L.42, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 18 December 2014)
Mr. Chairman,
1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 132, Proposed Programme Budget for the Biennium 2014-2015, on the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/69/L.42, on the investigation into the conditions and circumstances resulting in the tragic death of Dag Hammarskjöld and of the members of the party accompanying him.
2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Jan Huisman, Director of Programme Planning and Budget Division, for introducing the statement of programme budget implications submitted by the Secretary-General, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Group also wishes to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for his introduction of the relevant report of the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Chairman,
3. With regard to the PBI arising from the draft resolution A/69/L.42, on the investigation into the conditions and circumstances resulting in the tragic death of Dag Hammarskjöld and of the members of the party accompanying him, the Group supports the provision of additional resources in the amount of $ 451,000 under the program budget for the biennium 2014-2015.
Mr. Chairman,
4. The Group of G 77 and China calls for all mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations to be provided with adequate resources from the regular budget for their implementation.
5. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage constructively on the negotiations on those very important agenda item.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 133: FIRST PERFORMANCE REPORT ON THE PROGRAMME BUDGET BIENNIUM 2014-2015; AND AGENDA ITEMS 132 AND 17 (C), PROGRAMME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/C.2/69/L.4/REV.1, MODALITIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION 68/304, ENTITLED "TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MULTILATERAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR SOVEREIGN DEBT RESTRUCTURING PROCESSES", AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 17 December 2014)
Mr Chairman,
1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 133, in particular on the First Performance Report on the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015, and agenda items 132 and 17 (c), Programme budget implications of draft resolution A/C.2/69/l.4/REV.1, Modalities for the implementation of resolution 68/304, entitled "Towards the establishment of a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring processes".
2. I would like to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Officer-in-Charge, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, for introducing the Secretary-General's report contained in document A/69/661 and the statement contained in document A/C.5/69/13, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for presentation of the Committee's associated reports.
Mr Chairman,
3. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the effective and smooth functioning of the Organization. The performance reports are a particularly important benchmark of the proper implementation of the budget process.
4. The Group notes that the revised estimates under the expenditure sections for 2014-2015 amounts to $5,573.3 million, which represents an increase of $34.7 million. The Group also note that Programme Budget Implications (PBIs) resulting from the decisions adopted by other Main Committees will affect the level of the revised appropriations. The General Assembly has the responsibility of approving the corresponding appropriation and determining the necessary assessment to cover the legitimate expenditures already incurred by the Organization.
Mr. Chairman,
5. The Group of 77 and China recalls that recosting is an integral part of the budget procedures as established by General Assembly resolutions 41/213 and 42/211. Previous decisions to differ the post-related recosting directly jeopardized the implementation of programmed activities. The Group continues to reject any attempt to undermine the compromise achieved more than 20 years ago with regard to the budget procedures in all their aspects.
Mr. Chairman,
6. Turning to the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/C.2/69/l.4/REV.1, the Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the resolution 68/304 on the establishment of a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring processes, through a process of intergovernmental negotiations at the General Assembly, with a view to increasing the efficiency, stability and predictability of the international financial system and achieving sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth and sustainable development.
7. In the same vein, the Group is deeply committed to the resolution about the modalities for the implementation of resolution 68/304, which contains the basic elements to allow the General Assembly to discuss the issue in an open and democratic manner in the year 2015.
8. The Group notes the additional requirements in the amount of $251,900 under the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015, under section 2, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council affairs and conference management, to be charged against the contingency fund.
9. The Group fully supports the provision of the resources requested by the Secretary-General, which were endorsed by ACABQ, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/C.2/69/L.4/Rev.1.
Mr. Chairman,
10. The Group of G77 and China call for all mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations to be provided with adequate resources from the regular budget for their implementation.
11. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage constructively on the negotiations on these very important agenda items.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 132: PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2014-2015, REQUEST FOR A SUBVENTION TO THE EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS IN THE COURTS OF CAMBODIA, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 15 December 2014)
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 132: programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015 on the request for a subvention to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Officer In-Charge, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Masieu the Chair of the Advisory Committee for introducing respective reports on this important agenda item.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the efficient and effective operation of the Extraordinary Chambers-both national and international components, in the Courts of Cambodia in discharging given mandate. Consideration of the financing of the Chambers form part of our key interests.
The Group of 77 and China recalls that by its resolution 68/247 B, the General Assembly noted with concern the adverse cash position of the Extraordinary Chambers and its difficult financial situation. The Group also recalls that the Assembly affirmed the high priority accorded to the work of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
The Group of 77 and China further recalls that, the General Assembly authorized the Secretary-General, as an exceptional measure, to enter into commitments in an amount not to exceed US$ 15.5 million to supplement the voluntary financial resources and requested for a report on the use of the commitment authority as well as information for proposal on comprehensive examination of the future financing of the Chambers for 2015 and beyond. The Group appreciates the timely response by the Secretary General in this regard.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China has taken note of the information related to progress made by the Chambers to date; its completion strategy and the related road map; the use of approved commitment of authority as well as mechanism for future financing of the Chambers.
The Group of 77 and China would like to commend the Chambers and the Government of Cambodia for their continued commitment to implement the given mandate under the challenging financial environment. Furthermore, the Group of 77 and China would like to commend the Secretary General for his efforts to address the issues related to the Chambers-including his personal engagement with the Prime Minister to address the specific issues related to the Chambers. The Group encourages efforts in this regard.
The Group of 77 and China welcomes the Secretary General's proposal on request for subvention of up to US$ 29 million for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2015. We strongly believe on the need for collective effort of international community through the Assembly to address the considerable political and financial challenges that have faced the Courts in recent years. In this regard, the Group is prepared to endorse the Secretary General's resource proposal to enable the Chambers to finalize the given mandate.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China would like to assure you of our readiness to engage in constructive deliberations with the aim of finalizing this item as quickly as possible taking into account the time constraints.
I thank you Mr. Chairman
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEMS 142, 143 AND 144 IN PARTICULAR ON THE FIRST PERFORMANCE REPORTS ON THE BUDGET OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA, YUGOSLAVIA AND INTERNATIONAL RESIDUAL MECHANISM AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 15 December 2014)
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on the behalf of the Group-77 and China on agenda items 145, 146 and 147 in particular on the first performance on the budget of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Yugoslavia and International Residual Mechanism for the biennium 2014-2015.
At the outset the Group of 77 and China would like to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Officer In-Charge, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Masieu the Chair of the Advisory Committee for introducing respective reports on these important agenda items.
Mr. Chairman,
With regard to the reports of the Board of Auditors on the accounts of the tribunals, the Group of 77 and China has taken note that in all entities , the Board of Auditors issued an unqualified audit opinions on the financial statements for the biennium ended 31 December 2013.
We have also noted the observations of the Board that there a number of areas with scope for improvement, including the uncertainties of completing pending cases and handing over given mandates within the specified time frame, delays in the archiving of records, inadequate procurement management and contract management, weak access controls as well as lack of adequate oversight of the ITC system and high turnover of staff as they lack incentive to remain in posts which are about to be abolished.
The Group would like to emphasize the need to address all observations of the Board issued to tribunals including on IPSAS implementation and looks forward to detail discussion on some of these matters during informal consultations.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China has taken note the general increases under adjustment to standard costs in respect to all three entities. The Group notes that increases reflect the adjustment related to payroll averages experienced during the biennium, primarily owing an upward shift in the composition of the staff in General Service and related categories as well as slightly increase in the staff with dependent status.
The Group has also taken note of the information related to abolishment the two tribunals. The notes with concern on the high vacancy rates in the tribunals and residual mechanism and stresses the need to fill the vacancy posts as approved.
Mr. Chairman,
With regard to the performance report for ICTR, the Group of 77 and China has taken note of the proposed revised appropriation in the amount of US$ 94.9 million gross representing an upward increase by US$1.3 million from the initial appropriation. The Group trust that every effort will be made to ensure timely completion of the ICTR's given mandate under as per the completion strategy and full transition to the Residual Mechanism.
Turning to the to the first performance rep[ort for ICTY, the Group of 77 and China has taken note of the proposed revised appropriation in the amount of US$ 201.3 million gross representing a decrease by US$ .35 million from the initial appropriation. We would like to emphasize the need for ICTY to expedite its completion strategy including focusing shift of its staffing to general temporary categories during the drawdown phase and transition to the Mechanism.
The Group of 77 and China has further taken note of the proposed revised appropriation for the International Residual Mechanism, in the amount of US$ 117.6 million representing the decrease by US$ 2.7 million from the initial appropriation. We have careful studied the comments of the Advisory Committee related to vacancy rates for the Mechanism and looks forward to learn more details of this observation during informal consultations.
Furthermore, the Group would appreciate to be updated on the status of the construction of the new facilities for the Mechanism, in Arusha during our informal consultations.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, allow me to assure you of our continued readiness to engage constructively on these important agenda items.
I thank you.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. PAMELA LUNA TUDELA, MINISTER COUNSELLOR OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA, AT THE SECOND ROUND OF SUBSTANTIVE INFORMAL SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY PROCESS FOR THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT ON LEARNING FROM PARTNERSHIPS (New York, 12 December 2014)
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset I would like to thank the cofacilitators for convening this substantive informal session and also the moderators and speakers for their presentations.
Regarding the item of 'Learning from partnerships'
The Group stresses the need for a new and stronger commitment by developed countries to international cooperation aimed at supporting the fulfilment of the development aspirations of developing countries.
As part of the Millennium Development Goals, a commitment was made to a global partnership for development, which was the international cooperation dimension of the Millennium Development Goals framework. However, we note with concern the significant shortfall in the partnership under the Goals, which contributed to the lack of achievement of many goals and targets.
We therefore call for the urgent implementation of all commitments under the global partnership for development.
The Group reminds the need of developed countries to agree and commit to a new phase of international cooperation through a strengthened and scaled-up global partnership for development, which should be the centrepiece and anchor for both the sustainable development goals and the post-2015 development agenda.
Such an enhanced global partnership should include the issues of providing financial resources to developing countries, official development assistance, debt relief and debt restructuring, trade, technology transfer and greater participation of developing countries in global economic governance.
Regarding the 'Follow-up process'
The Group believes that there is need to stay fully engaged to ensure an effective follow-up process and would like to express again its commitment to participate constructively in the following stages of the preparatory process in order to set this and other aspects towards the Addis Ababa Conference.
Thank you.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY GILBER MAMANI, SECOND SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE SECOND ROUND OF SUBSTANTIVE INFORMAL SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY PROCESS FOR THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT ON ENABLING AND CONDUCIVE GOVERNANCE, INCLUDING GLOBAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE (New York, 14 December 2014)
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset I would like to thank the cofacilitators for convening this substantive informal session and also the moderators and speakers for their presentations.
Regarding the item of "Enabling and conducive governance, including global economic governance"
The Group reaffirms that the current world financial and economic crisis and its consequences for development have exposed the gaps and failures in global economic governance, including within the international financial institutions, and the urgent need for a global, universal and integrated response by the international community.
We note with deep concern that seven years after the outbreak of the global crisis, there has been little progress made to strengthen the systemic, regulatory and structural aspects of the global financial system. Moreover, the lack of participation by developing countries in general in global economic issues and governance persists; this is a matter of grave concern because the workings of the global system affect all countries, and this democratic deficit has even more serious consequences for developing countries when the global economy is slowing down or in recession.
The Group strongly calls on the international community to redress the democratic deficit in global economic governance and provide developing countries their rightful place and participation in the governance and decision-making of all the institutions and forums where discussions and decisions are taken on global economic and financial issues.
We affirm that efforts to reform the international financial architecture should therefore be seriously strengthened, should be internationally coordinated and should lead to the full participation of developing countries in international financial and economic decision-making and norm-setting. We call for comprehensive reform of the Bretton Woods institutions, including enhancement of the voting powers of developing countries in a time-bound manner, in order to enable greater equity between developed and developing countries and to eliminate all types of conditionalities tied to aid.
We call for the urgent completion of the 2010 IMF quota formula reform in order to ensure that the quotas and governance of IMF better reflect the relative weight of emerging and developing countries in the global economy.
However, the redistribution of voting rights to reflect reality alone will not resolve the structural problems of financial instability and the lack of liquidity for developing countries in need to generate the necessary sustainable growth and development. Also the reform should encompass liquidity creation, including improvement in the special drawing rights for developing countries. IMF must provide more comprehensive and flexible financial responses to the needs of developing countries, without imposing procyclical conditionalities and respecting their need for adequate policy space.
Thank you.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMB. SACHA LLORENTTY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON THE LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 10 December 2014)
Mr President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. President, for organizing the Launch of the International Decade for Peoples of African Descent as mandated by Resolution 68/237, on the International Human Rights Day.
The Group of 77 and China reaffirms that the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination as well as the outcomes of the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the 2009 Durban Review Conference, are the fundamental legal frameworks for the effective elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In this context, the Group reemphasizes that resolute and renewed political will, adequate funding as well as sustained international cooperation are indispensable to address all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The Group welcomes the adoption of the Programme of activities for the Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent; and welcomes recent efforts on the elaboration of complementary standards to strengthen and update international instruments on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in full support of the full and effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Mr. President,
The 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was a historic opportunity to acknowledge the on-going challenges faced by people of African descent as a result of the legacies of slavery, the slave trade and colonialism. Despite efforts to mobilize political will at the national, regional and international levels, 13 years after the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, Related Intolerance, discrimination faced by people of African Descent continue to manifest in situations of insufficient access to quality education, employment, and security as well as vulnerability to violence based on colour, nationality or ethnicity. These challenges are also caused by social and economic inequalities and lack of national legislation and specific public policies on combating these scourges.
The members of the Group have worked hard, in Geneva and New York towards a firm agreement on the Programme of Activities that will serve as a roadmap for promoting racial equality worldwide.
To the Group public policies and the engagement of the States are essential. Many of our Members have implemented affirmative action programmes and national policies aimed at ending extreme poverty and the reduction of inequalities among different racial and vulnerable groups, in particular.
The Group attaches immense importance to the International Decade for People of African Descent and to the Programme of Activities, which, we expect, will contribute to the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and raise awareness in combating prejudice, intolerance and racism.
The Group is pleased to note the progress towards the completion of the UN's permanent memorial to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, and takes note of the successful fundraising luncheon just held. We encourage all Member States and stakeholders to make good on the commitment to financially support the completion of the Ark of Return, which will stand as a symbol of our collective resolve to counter racism and racial discrimination.
The theme for the International Decade is "People of African Descent: recognition, justice and development".
We expect that by launching the Decade and implementing its Programme of Activities, Member States along with the civil society, the UN and all other relevant stakeholders will show their resolve in promoting respect, protection and fulfillment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for people of African descent.
We also expect that we will be able to raise awareness in respect of the rich cultural legacy of people of African descent, their knowledge, diverse heritage and culture.
Ten years from now, we hope our work will have contributed to ensuring justice for people of African descent, honored their culture and history and rectified the social and economic inequality they have been subjected to.
We believe diversity is an asset. By promoting respect for the human rights of all peoples irrespective of their race or ethnicity, we are strengthening our common bonds as human beings.
Thank you.
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STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MINISTER CLAUDIO ROSSELL, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: “PROMOTING EQUALITY, INCLUDING SOCIAL EQUITY, GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT” (New York, 5 February 2014)
Distinguished Co-chairs,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset, I want to highlight the presence of the keynote speakers, who have shared such insightful information. I thank Dr. Stiglitz and Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka for that. I also want to highlight the presence of Mr. Lenin Moreno, Secretary General's Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility in this meeting, who is going to address this audience in this afternoon's panel. Finally, let me thank you once again for the way you have been conducting this eighth session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals.
Co-chairs,
Equity is an important ingredient of social cohesion and development. An equitable distribution of income is also important for providing the demand basis for economic growth.
There is widespread concern over the trends of greatly widened inequality between and within countries. In many countries, the share of income of the top 1% to 10% of the population has gone up very significantly, while the share of the bottom 40% has declined greatly and in some countries the incomes of the bottom segments of society have declined or stagnated. Inequality is also, and even more, prevalent. As we all already know, a recent Oxfam report estimates that almost half of the world's wealth is owned by 1% of the population, and the wealth of this one per cent is 65 times the wealth of the bottom half of the world's population. Establishment organizations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Economic Forum have also identified inequality as a major global problem to be tackled.
The Group of 77 and China wants to recall that this widening inequality, especially when accompanied by poverty and unemployment, has been a cause of social discontent and protests in many countries, especially those affected by economic crisis.
Reversal of the universal trend of growing income inequality should be also a global goal. This calls for reversing the secular decline in the share of labor income in most countries. For the Group, this goal could be pursued through various means to establish a level playing field between labor and capital, including greater international mobility of labor, regulation of international financial markets and capital movements, more equitable taxation of wage income and incomes from capital and financial assets, prevention of tax competition and a code of conduct for TNCs. Pursuit such a goal calls for breaking the dominance of finance and corporate interest in the formulation of policies and operation of the global markets. No single country alone can do this; it should be pursued collectively at the global level.
One way to address inequality is to put a limit to the wealth and income of the economic elite, for example the moves in some developed countries to curb the bonuses or earnings of top executives, or through taxes on wealth and income. Another method is for the State to provide social protection measures including social benefits and security, including transfer payments to poor families and free or subsidized healthcare, food and other services.
In developing countries, inequality needs be tackled by pursuing policies of inclusive economic growth. This needs to be coupled with enhanced investments in socio-economic infrastructure and human resource development, in particular, education, health, housing and sanitation. Generating full and productive employment and providing access to all sections of the society to economic opportunities also needs to be prioritized. The SDG framework should encourage and support such objectives and policies.
There is a strong case to have a SDG on reducing inequality and adopting social protection policies and measures. Also, this is clearly liked to poverty eradication, which is the central and overarching goal for the Group of 77 and China.
Studies show that income inequality among countries is higher than within countries. There should be international action to reverse the trend and thus to reduce international inequality. Other aspects of international cooperation, namely means of implementation and global partnership for development, should also be agreed on under the goal of reducing inequality.
Co-chairs,
The Rio+20 Summit recognized that persistent social, economic and political inequalities prevented the realization of potential of women to benefit from sustainable development as leaders and change agents. The Outcome of Río+20, entitled "The future we want", called in paragraphs 236 through 241 for specific targets for increasing women in leadership positions, reforms to give women equal rights, and promote equal access to women and girls to social services.
Whilst there is a gender equality goal in the Millennium Development Goals, MDG3 to be precise, it is widely and commonly agreed that it has not been sufficiently broad or deep enough to deal with the wide variety of challenges facing women in the world. The MDG3 focused on gender parity in education. This does not extend to deal with the multiple and deeply entrenched structural issues of violence, biases and discrimination that women and girls must confront in their social, economic, private and public lives.
The Group of 77 and China believes that nationally determined targets for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment should be considered in these key dimensions: elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against girls and women, promotion of gender equality in the access and ownership of productive resources, assets and opportunity; better and increased participation of women in decision making in political, economic and social spheres; and equal access of all women and girls to education, health and other basic services.
I thank you, Co-chairs.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMBASSADOR SACHA LLORENTTY SOLIZ, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, ON THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION 2014-2017, AT THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION 2014 OF THE UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS EXECUTIVE BOARD (New York, 30 January 2014)
Mr. President,
1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2. At the outset, we would like to thank the UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan, as well as the Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, Mr. Yiping Zhou, for their introduction of the Strategic Framework of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, 2014-2017 (DP/CF/SSC/5), and for their commitment and strong support to South-South cooperation.
Mr. President,
3. Let me begin by recalling the Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of the G-77 and China adopted on 26 September 2013 at the UN Headquarters, in which they "stressed that the UNOSSC is the articulator for South-South cooperation in the UN System and UNDP should not duplicate, overlap or undertake the UNOSSC´s UN system-wide functions and responsibilities. In this context, the Ministers invited the UNOSSC to develop its own Strategic Framework for 2014-2017 according to its General Assembly's mandate, consistent with the principles, priorities and objectives set by Member States in the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, the Nairobi Outcome Document and other relevant General Assembly resolutions and South Summits' outcomes, taking into consideration the outcome of the review of the report of the Joint Inspection Unit on South-South and Triangular Cooperation in the United Nations system (A/66/717), the evolving Post-2015 UN agenda discussions, the UN Secretary-General's operational guidelines on UN support to South-South cooperation, and other UN entities' strategic plans."
4. Before commenting on the UNOSSC Strategic Framework document, I wish to put on record, on behalf of the G-77 and China, our deep appreciation to the UNOSSC and its very dynamic leadership for being an all-around and responsive partner with the Group, and for the achievements during its pervious framework period ending 31 December 2013. Over the years, we have all witnessed the dramatic transformation in the way the United Nations system meaningfully supported the multilateral agenda for South-South cooperation.
5. We have all seen that South-South cooperation today is not only a topic in most of the UN deliberations, but a practice in most of UN system organizations' policies, strategies and programmes. It is only fair to say that the UNOSSC has played a critical role in leading such a system-wide transformation. The UNOSSC has indeed created a much needed multilateral South-South support architecture that enabled all relevant UN system organizations, national South-South cooperation entities and the civil society to meaningfully engage in promoting expertise, sharing successful development solutions and transferring appropriate technologies to achieve the MDGs and sustainable development.
6. In this regard, the G-77 and China is pleased that the UNOSSC Strategic Framework 2014-2017 is built upon its past successes with a clear vision and strategy (1) to enable Member States to make informed decisions on South-South cooperation; (2) to enable national governments, the UN system organizations and other partners to effectively use such a multilateral support architecture to build or strengthen their own mechanisms and capacities for SSC and triangular cooperation; and (3) to enable and assist all relevant partners to develop their own innovative, self-sustained and mutually beneficial South-South and triangular partnership initiatives to scale up such cooperation to achieve the remaining MDGs and the Post-2015 sustainable development objectives.
7. The G-77 and China finds the UNOSSC Strategic Framework 2014-2017 responds very well to Member States concerns and priorities. It is consistent with the principles and objective set by Member States in the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, the Nairobi outcome document, as well as relevant GA resolutions. The G-77 and China, therefore, fully supports the approval by this Board of the UNOSSC Strategic Framework 2014-2017.
8. As the Group has underscored before, as a host for UNOSSC, UNDP's own contributions to South-South cooperation lies not in trying to represent, duplicate, overlap or replace the mandate and functions of the UNOSSC given by the GA as an independent entity and coordinator for SSC on a global and UN system-wide basis. Rather, UNDP's comparative advantage for support to South-South cooperation is through its own global, regional and country programmes within the mandate and areas of focus approved by this Board. The G-77 and China is pleased to note that this issue has been addressed first in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017 and now further clarified in the UNOSSC Strategic Framework 2014-2017 and UNDP's Global Programme along with its five regional programmes for RBA, RBAP, RBLAC, RBAS, RBEC, as well as in the UNDP Gender Strategy and the UNCDF's Strategic Framework 2014-2017 before the Board.
Mr. President,
9 The G-77 and China wishes to recall General Assembly resolution 67/227 of 21 December 2012 (Op. 3), in which the Assembly "Encourage[d] the funds, programmes, specialized agencies and other entities of the United Nations system to take concrete measures to effectively mainstream support to South-South and triangular cooperation in their policy and regular programming work, and in this context requests those organizations and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation to leverage each other's institutional and technical capacities."
10. In this regard, we are therefore extremely pleased to note, in the Strategic Framework, that UNOSSC is establishing a multi-agency Outcome Board consisting of representatives from UNDP and other UN agencies to ensure the coherence and coordination of UN support to South-South cooperation during the Strategic Framework period. We are also pleased to note that UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa, likewise, also invited UNOSSC to its Advisory Board. We would like to encourage UNDP's other programming units and UN system organizations to do the same. This is especially important since the QCPR GA resolution 67/226 (Op.79) also "Request[ed] the heads of the specialized agencies, the United Nations funds and programmes and the regional commissions to pay special attention to the implementation of South-South cooperation projects managed or supported by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation."
Mr. President,
11. In conclusion, the G77 and China wishes to thank UNDP for having provided the UNOSSC with the policy space, institutional infrastructure and financial and operational support that enabled the Office to carry out its responsibilities in promoting, coordinating and facilitating South-South and triangular cooperation on a global and UN system-wide basis as mandated by the General Assembly. The Group considers that sufficient and sustainable funding of the UNOSSC is extremely critically for the successful implementation of its Strategic Framework 2014-2017. We therefore strongly urge Member States, in a position to do so, to contribute more generously to the work of the UNOSSC through its United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation, as reiterated in General Assembly resolution 60/212 in which it designated the UNFSSC "as the main United Nations trust fund for promoting and supporting South-South and triangular cooperation."
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMB. SACHA LLORENTTY SOLíZ, PERMANENT REPRESENATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, IN THE FORMAL MEETING OF THE ECOSOC REGARDING THE THEME AND THE DATES OF THE HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO BE HELD IN 2014 (New York, 14 January 2014)
Mr. President,
1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2. At the outset, since this is going to be the last meeting of the Economic and Social Council that you will be chairing, allow us to praise for your work as President of this Council, for your dedication and your wisdom in conducting the negotiations, along with your team, on several issues that were not always easy to solve, namely the 2013 Ministerial Declaration. We thank you for your efforts.
3. Mr. President, regarding the issue of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and its theme, I have received the mandate to express the following: We, as G77 + China, acknowledge that this is a transitional time, from the Annuam Ministerial Review (AMR) to the HLPF, and that this is the context in which we have to see the issue we are debating today. We, as all the member states of the UN, want to have a seamless transition, from now on to 2016.
4. We recall that the mandate of the AMR and of the HLPF are different. They can be complementary, but different. We stress the capital importance of the HLPF and its role in sustainable development. It is our earnest desire to strengthen the ECOSOC and ensure that it plays a central role in the implementation of sustainable development agenda. In this context, we as G77 + China wish for a strong outcome of the HLPF, agreed in accordance with what is already established in resolutions 61/16, 67/290 and 68/1.
5. We want to repeat that the G77 + China doesn't want the theme to prejudge the discussions, nor the modalities and, of course, the outcome. In this regard, we want to ask you to give more time to discuss both the theme and the outcome of these two processes. We are ready to look at these issues in a creative manner and with open mindedness.
6. The Group of 77 plus China attaches great importance to all the issues related to development, the very reason of the creation of this Group. That's why we insist in having more time to discuss, among the Group and with the partners, both the theme and the outcome.
7. Finally, Mr. President, let me stress that the G77 + China will engage as actively and creatively as possible to ensure that the outcome of the HLPF and its preparatory process reflects the needs and wishes of the developing states.
I thank you, Mr. President.
STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY RATU INOKE KUBUABOLA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI, CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77 FOR 2013, AT THE HANDOVER CEREMONY OF THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA (New York, 8 January 2014)
Your Excellencies, the President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Honorable Ministers and Ambassadors,
The Executive Secretary of the Group of 77 and China,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. At the outset, allow me to extend a warm welcome to you all at this handover ceremony of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China, and to extend to all of you our best wishes for this new year, 2014.
2. A year ago, you gave Fiji the great privilege of chairing the Group of 77 and China for 2013. In taking on that momentous role, we committed our country to honour the great responsibilities you put upon us, with full respect for the duties entailed, holding the Group's interest sacrosanct during Fiji's chairmanship.
3. As we draw the curtain on our term as Chair, it is now my pleasure to present to you a summary report of the Group's achievements in 2013, and to provide some reflections on the experience accumulated, as well as some of the challenges facing our way ahead.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
4. Fiji's chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China in 2013 coincided with a challenging agenda in the United Nations. It was a year when Member States were tasked to implement the follow-up processes to the Rio+20 conference; a year when our political leaders reaffirmed their collective commitment to accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015; and a year that required us to deliberate on the creation of Sustainable Development Goals in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. It was also a year when we had to decide on the UN Budget for the biennium 2014-15 in the face of severe financial constraints.
5. The magnitude of the challenge was reflected in the G77 Chair's convening of over 400 coordination meetings of the Group's hard-working experts of the UN's various committees in 2013. The Chair also convened 26 G77 ambassadorial meetings during the year, and prepared and delivered more than 150 statements on behalf of the Group.
6. In 2013, the Group sponsored 32 resolutions in the Second Committee covering a wide spectrum of macroeconomic policy issues and sustainable development challenges. We also sponsored 5 resolutions in the Third Committee covering racism, women, family issues, aging and international cooperation on humanitarian assistance. Both committees covered crosscutting socio-economic issues like employment, international migration and development. In the Fourth Committee, the Group was successful in advancing our position on matters of UN public information policies and activities. We worked long and hard in the Fifth Committee to safeguard the development pillar of the work of the UN, to ensure adequate financial resources will be provided to enable the UN system to carry out its development mandates and responsibilities. Our experts covering oceans and Law of the Sea matters worked diligently to preserve the Group's interests. And for the first time in the Sixth Committee, 2013 saw the Group coordinating with a common position on the issue relating to the UN Programme of Assistance on the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law.
7. The convening of a series of monthly G77 ambassadorial meetings throughout the past year, dedicated to information sharing and brainstorming on the SDGs and the post-2015 development agenda, was an initiative of the Chair aimed at preparing the Group for the negotiations that will dominate work at the UN over next two years. Those ambassadorial meetings were addressed by eminent persons who gracefully shared their experience and insights with the Group. Amongst others, they included the President of the General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the Director-General of UNIDO, the Director-General of FAO, the Secretary-General of UNCTAD, the Executive-Director of the South Centre, and the Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing.
8. To advance and defend the Group's interests in 2013, the Chair participated at special events and meetings around the world, including when:
(i) the Prime Minister of Fiji, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, delivered the Group's statements at:
- the Special High-level Meeting of ECOSOC in New York in April with the Bretton Woods Institutions, the WTO and UNCTAD;
- the Special High-level Meeting of ECOSOC in New York in April on External Debt Sustainability and Development;
- the Inaugural Meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, in New York in September; and
- the Special Event to Follow-up on Efforts Towards Achieving the MDGs in September.
(ii) As Fiji's Minister of Foreign Affairs, I delivered the Group's statements at:
- the World Anti-crisis Conference in Kazakhstan in May; and
- Chaired the 37th Annual Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77 in New York in September.
(iii) Fiji's Minister for Women, Dr Jiko Luveni, delivered statements on behalf of the Group at:
- the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March;
- the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC in Poland in November; and
- the 15th Session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Peru in December.
(iv) Fiji's Minister responsible for Forests, Mr Inia Seruiratu, delivered the G77 statement at the 10th Meeting of the United Nations Forum on Forests in Turkey in April.
(v) Fiji's Minister responsible for Immigration, Mr Joketani Cokanasiga, conveyed the Group's views and position at the High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development held in New York in October.
(vi) Fiji's Ambassador to China delivered a G77 statement and participated at the High-level Symposium on Sustainable Cities and Sustainable Urbanisation in Yangzhou, China in December. While Fiji's High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa represented the Chair at the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Namibia in September.
(vii) Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs represented the Chair of G77 at the 46th session of the Commission on Population and Development in New York in April. He also led the Group in the climate change negotiations in Bonn in May, as well as COP19 in Warsaw in November.
(viii) In all those meetings, the diplomats of Fiji's New York Mission also attended to support the G77 Chair. In addition, Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations convened in Vienna in May a coordinating meeting of the G77 chapters from Nairobi, Paris, Washington, Vienna, Rome and Geneva. He also represented the Chair at the ECOSOC Substantive Session-High-level Segment in Geneva in July. The Fiji Mission's DPR represented the Chair at the High Level International Conference on Water Cooperation in Tajikistan in August.
(ix) An important initiative of the Group that was facilitated by the Chair in early 2013 was the visit to Washington DC by a delegation of G77 experts, led by two Counsellors from the Fiji Mission, to hold interactive and open discussions with senior officials of the World Bank and the IMF.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
9. Our unity, solidarity and collective effort remain as the guiding principles in promoting our common interests.
10. We are all aware of the magnitude and complexity of the challenges facing the Group in the next two years as we accelerate the achievement of the MDGs, formulate the SDGs and elaborate on a universal global development agenda beyond 2015. It was due to the Group's insistence that we now have an inter-governmentally negotiated outcome document for the Special Event of the MDGs, which sets out the roadmap for the post-2015 development agenda. At that high-level special event, our political leaders reaffirmed that the implementation gaps of the MDGs must be addressed in the post-2015 development agenda. While we look ahead, we must draw on the lessons learned from the implementation of the MDGs and the continued impacts of the global economic and financial crisis.
11. We should also take pride knowing that it was due to our collective demand that the Open Working Group on the SDGs process began with a member-driven conceptualising and mapping exercise. It was the Group's call for openness and full participation that the OWG is now operating in an inclusive manner with universal participation. While we endeavour to preserve the inter-governmental nature of discussions in the UN, we should remain steadfast in ensuring that other tracks of development quests, such as the creation of a technology facilitation mechanism to promote the development, transfer, dissemination, adaptation and capacity building of environmentally-sound technologies remain on target. We must ensure that effective and realistic means of implementation are an integral part of the SDGs and the post-2015 development agenda.
12. It is equally important that the negotiations on the modalities and scope of the Conference on Financing for Development, scheduled to take place this year, must identify and set the appropriate parameters that will lead to a development-oriented Conference. The outcome of the Conference should result in a financing strategy that focuses on the development challenges of developing countries.
13. All these processes are taking place in a world that is still recovering from the global economic and financial crises, which have shaken the foundations of the international economic system and created instability and uncertainty. The challenges ahead demand our strong response and innovative approaches to address systemic and global problems. It is imperative that we continue to call for an international development architecture that is conducive and responsive to the needs and priorities of the developing world.
14. In this context, we believe we should stay vigilant on the need for institutional reforms of the United Nations system, including the Bretton Woods institutions as well as the World Trade Organization, in order to ensure a greater voice and full participation for developing countries in all international discussions and policy making. It is our hope that the reformed Economic and Social Council will be able to discharge its sustainable development mandates more effectively under the political guidance of the newly established High-level Political Forum.
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
15. We continue to stress that poverty eradication remains the overarching and central objective of the post-2015 development agenda. We must ensure that policies and development efforts targeted at poverty eradication are responsive to the challenges as well as to the opportunities of sustainable development at both the international and national levels.
16. In this regard, we believe the Group should continue to monitor and engage with the WTO process through close collaboration with colleagues in Geneva. The Group should also enhance its working relations with UNCTAD, the South Centre, and other development organizations, networks and think-tanks to ensure our deliberations in the UN and the resolutions we sponsor, are backed by sound technical advice and scientific evidence.
17. We acknowledge the important role of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation in addressing the many development challenges of the 21st century. The clear message we continue to emphasise is that development cooperation from the South is complementary to, and not a substitute for North-South cooperation.
18. Towards that end, and as part of preparations for the Group's 50th anniversary celebration this year, the Chair convened a High-Level Panel of Eminent Personalities of the South to examine the future landscape of South-South Cooperation, as a means of further enhancing the Development Platform for the South. Fiji's Prime Minister convened that meeting in Fiji in May 2013 where he had the honour of hosting the invited High-level panelists during their discussions, which was graced by the in-coming Chair, President Evo Morales.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
19. As far as the climate change debate is concerned, I am happy to report that the unity of the Group as a negotiating bloc remains intact; this despite the protracted negotiations, in particular those taking place under the Durban Platform. COP19 in Poland last year, tested the solidarity of the Group. Some are eager to dismantle the emphasis this Group places on its traditional principles of CBDR, Equity and Respective Capabilities under the framework of the UNFCCC. The Group has to remain vigilant in defending those principles that are the cornerstone of its unity and provide strength to our negotiating strategies.
20. The Group may wish to revisit and strengthen its role under the United Nations Convention on Desertification. While discussions under that Convention remain primarily the prerogative of the three regional Groups of Africa, GRULAC, and Asia-Pacific, our unity as G77 will and must continue to be the force that binds regional developing countries' interests on issues concerning desertification.
21. On the subject of the United Nations budget, the Group as always played a critical role during the negotiations of the Administrative and Budgetary Committee of the UN General Assembly. The Assembly managed to agree on a Resolution on the Senior Advisory Group Report on the UN Peacekeeping Allowances. The Assembly also delivered the 2014-15 Biennial Budget in the closing days of 2013. We believe it would be in the interest of the General Assembly for the working method of the 5th Committee to be revisited, in particular the practice of last moment, all-night negotiations. We also emphasise that for the good of UN service delivery to our developing countries, the Group must give positive focus over the next three months to the Secretary-General's initiatives regarding Partnership and Mobility.
22. We move into 2014 assured that the many challenges we face will be overcome through the Group's firm unity and solidarity. We will celebrate several International Day and International Year of particular interest to members of the G77. We will be required to work together to tackle the diverse and unique challenges faced by our members and sub-groupings of G77. The convening of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa this year will require the Group to work closely together in support of our SIDS members.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
23. In conclusion, let me express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the Member States of the Group of 77 and China for your constructive engagement, guidance and support to the Chairmanship of Fiji. My sincere thanks go also to the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations for their presence here with us today and their continued support and commitment in advancing the global development agenda.
24. I would like to pay tribute to the Executive Secretary of the G77 Secretariat, Mr. Mourad Ahmia and his hard-working team for the untiring support they have provided us in servicing and supporting the Chair in the Group coordinations in various committees and Ambassadorial meetings during this Chairmanship. On your behalf, I thank the G77 Secretariat staff of Arturo Lozano, Suzanne Maikarfi, Vincent Wilkinson, and Mahmoud Ablan for their dedication throughout the year. Thanks also go to Jeffery Howard and Paolo Dua who supported us during the course of 2013.
25. Finally, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the team of hard-working Fijian diplomats of Fiji's Permanent Mission to the UN. Led by Ambassador Peter Thomson, they were a professional and dedicated team throughout. Using the terminology of rugby, Fiji's national sport, they promised not to drop the ball during the Chairmanship. They kept their promise, and as I have reported to you today, they scored some goals along the way.
26. The time has come to handover the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China to the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. We have every confidence that under the leadership of Bolivia, the Group's collective effort and perseverance will reach new levels in continuing the advance of the development agenda of developing countries during this critical juncture in the history of the United Nations. I would like to take this opportunity to renew to the President of Bolivia and his representatives, the full support of Fiji as his proud nation takes up this high mission on behalf of the Group.
I thank you.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. LUKE DAUNIVALU, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FIJI TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE 7TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ON "SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION (INCLUDING CHEMICAL AND WASTE)" (New York, 8 January 2014)
1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2. Allow me to thank Dr. Weizsacker, Co-chair of the International Resource Panel for his informative presentation. We also welcome the panel discussion this afternoon on the theme focusing on "sustainable consumption and production (including chemical and waste)".
Co-Chairs,
3. Regarding the topics under consideration today, we would like to underline that both issues, sustainable consumption and production and chemicals and waste, should be addressed through distinct approaches. Sustainable consumption and production is an overarching framework that encompasses a wider range of issues related to the way our societies and economies produce and consume, including consumer behavior, lifestyles, resource use efficiency, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, among others. Through the lens of sustainable consumption and production we are prompted to find new solutions to challenges related to sustainable development and their relation to the current prevailing economic models and inequalities. Alongside the issues of sustainable consumption and production, chemical and waste represent a very specific and concrete challenge that has been addressed in several international conventions, which should be taken into account by this group. Furthermore, the promotion of sound management of chemical and waste demands focused and effective action, especially, by means of capacity-building and technology transfer for developing countries.
4. The Group believes that achieving sustainable patterns of consumption and production is essential to the sustainable development agenda. This view is consistent with the call made by our political leaders more than twenty years ago at the 1992 Earth Summit. Chapter 4 of Agenda 21 recognised that "the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, particularly in industralised countries" and Principle 8 of the Rio Declaration urges states to reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of consumption and production. This call was subsequently reaffirmed in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the Rio+20 Summit, which led to the adoption of the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (the "10 YFP") in 2012 at Rio.
5. With a global human population projected to reach 9.5 billion by 2050, and in which about 1.2 billion people currently live in extreme poverty and deprivation, there is great urgency for us, the present generation, to adopt sustainable production and consumption patterns that safeguard the rights of future generations. We must change the current unsustainable patterns of consumption and production in which increasing resource use, waste and pollution are undermining efforts for poverty eradication, global equity and prospects for future sustainable development.
6. As economies expand and populations grow, material extraction and food demand are expected to increase. However, such an increase could be avoided if the current consumption and production patterns are changed, including the prevention of high rates of food losses and waste. We express deep concern on the current inequitable and severe imbalance in global consumption and call for time-bound effective implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, with developed countries taking the lead. The 10YFP is a concrete and operational outcome of the Rio+20 Conference and is firmly based on Rio Principles, including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Co-Chairs,
7. Chemicals and waste management are closely related to sustainable consumption and production. The release of chemicals adversely affects the atmosphere, water, soil, wildlife, our ecosystems and food chain, with serious consequences for the environment and on human health. Waste generation on the other hand, is projected to increase from 1.3 billion tones per year today to 2.2 billion tones per year by 2025. Such rapid increases on waste generation complicate global and national efforts for sustainable waste management. Some of the wastage impacts can be addressed through innovative disposals with positive economic returns. For example, with developing countries generating approximately 50-70 per cent of organic waste, much of this waste can be used to produce energy or as fertilizers through methanisation and composting.
8. We welcome the implementation of several multilateral environmental agreements, including those targeting on the depletion of the ozone layer, hazardous waste, persistent organic pollutants, and those relating to the production and usage of chemicals in ways that help to minimize significant effects on human health and the environment. We note, however, that many developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and Small Island Developing States, lack the capacity for sound management of chemical and waste. In this regard, we call upon the international community, the UN system and other development agencies to assist the efforts of developing countries to better manage chemicals and waste, including through technology transfer and capacity building.
Co-Chairs,
9. The Group holds the view that embracing sustainable consumption and production policies and practices offer great opportunities for all countries to enjoy more sustainable paths of development. To this end, enabling conditions must be created for new and innovative solutions by using a mix of regulatory and economic instruments, existing and new technologies, empowerment of stakeholders and a governance structure that entails decision-making founded upon inclusive and participatory approaches. International cooperation on financing, innovation and technology transfer is essential to assist developing countries to progress towards sustainable development goals.
10. In the context of the SDGs, the Group holds the view that the 10YFP should serve as a global cooperative framework to help accelerate the shift towards sustainable patterns of consumption and production, including sound chemical and waste management. Making this global shift requires strong leadership from developed countries, as recognised in a number of international declarations. With developed countries taking the lead and developing countries following a similar pattern, we are convinced that our collective efforts could mitigate or even reverse the damage to the global environment, thereby preserving a sustainable future for our children.
I thank you, Co-Chairs!
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY INGRID SABJA, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, INTRODUCING DRAFT RESOLUTION A/69/L.49 ENTITLED "INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE FIELD OF NATURAL DISASTERS, FROM RELIEF TO DEVELOPMENT" (New York, 23 December 2014)
Mr. President,
It is my honour to introduce on behalf of the Group of 77 and China the Draft Resolution in document A/69/L.49 entitled "International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development''.
First, I would like to express the gratitude of the Group of 77 and China to Mr. Omar Rabi, from the Permanent Mission of Morocco, who successfully coordinated the negotiation of this draft document.
Mr. President,
By introducing this resolution, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms the importance of international cooperation in support of the efforts of the affected States in dealing with natural disasters in all their phases, in particular in preparedness, response and the early recovery phase. At the same time, it is recognized that the affected State has the primary responsibility in the initiation, organization, coordination and implementation of humanitarian assistance within its territory. The importance of the humanitarian principles contained in resolution 46/182 are also highlighted in this resolution.
The resolution also recognizes the clear relationship between emergency response, rehabilitation and development, and reaffirms that, in order to ensure a smooth transition from relief to rehabilitation and development, emergency assistance must be provided in ways that will be supportive of short- and medium-term recovery leading to long-term development.
Mr. President,
Given the fact that the Hyogo Framework for Action is coming to an end in 2015, the Draft resolution calls upon Member States, the United Nations system and other relevant humanitarian and development actors to accelerate the full implementation of this framework , in particular those commitments related to assistance for developing countries that are prone to natural disasters.
Mr. Chairman,
The text in document A/67/L49. is the result of the consensus reached through five informal consultations that were convened over the past few days, and which includes the most proposals made during those consultations. The Group has made a concerted effort to include the concerns of other groups and member states.
The text of this year's Draft resolution contains new elements based on the recommendations of the secretary general's report. Noting the determination of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in its decision 2/CP.18, to adopt a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties at its twenty-first session, due to be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015, and for it to come into effect and be implemented from 2020;
It emphasizes the fundamentally civilian character of humanitarian assistance and reaffirming in situations where military capacity and assets are used as a last resort to support the implementation of humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, the need for their use to be undertaken with the consent of the affected State and in conformity with international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as humanitarian principles,
The text references and notes with concern that persons with disabilities, the elderly, women and children are disproportionately affected by natural disasters.
Encourages innovative practices, which draw on the knowledge of people affected by natural disasters to develop locally sustainable solutions and to produce life-saving items locally, with minimal logistical and infrastructure implications;
Mr. President,
This year's text urges Member States, the United Nations, humanitarian and development organizations to prioritize risk management and shift towards an anticipatory approach to humanitarian crises in order to prevent and reduce human suffering and economic losses;
Encourages the United Nations, humanitarian and development organization to work towards a common understanding of underlying risks, clarify roles and responsibilities according to respective mandates and establish joint objectives and programmes to strengthen coordination and coherence among short, medium and long term activities;
Mr. President,
In closing, I would like to express the appreciation of the Group of 77 and China for the spirit of cooperation and collaboration shown by all our partners during the informal consultations which enabled us to agree upon the important issues addressed by this resolution.
The Group also wishes to thank all the Member States that are co-sponsoring this important resolution and looks forward to its adoption by consensus once again.
I thank you.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEMS 132 AND 66, PROGRAMME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/69/L.43, ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS SUMMIT FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA; AND DRAFT DECISION A/69/L.44, DATES FOR THE MEETINGS OF THE PROCESS OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 18 December 2014)
Mr. Chairman,
1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda items 132 and 66, Programme budget implications of draft resolution A/69/L.43, Organization of the United Nations Summit for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda; and programme budget implications of draft decision A/69/L.44, Dates for the meetings of the process of Intergovernmental Negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda.
2. The Group would like to thank the Officer in Charge of the Office of Programme Planning Budget and Accounts, Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, for introducing the statement A/C.5/69/15, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Group also wishes to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for his introduction of the draft statement of the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Chairman,
3. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the Organization of the United Nations Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda that will be held from 25 to 27 September 2015, in New York and convened as a High-level Plenary meeting of the General Assembly;
4. The Summit will culminate negotiations aimed at fulfilling a central mandate stemming both from Rio+20 and from the Special Event on the MDGs held in 2013 to renew our collective efforts towards poverty eradication by achieving sustainable development in all its dimensions on the basis of a set of goals and targets that are global in nature and universally applicable to all countries.
5. The Group supports the additional requirements in the amount of $1,314,900 under the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015, including $1,108,800 under section 2, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council affairs and conference management, $153,200 under section 28, Public Information, and $52,900 under section 34 Safety and Security.
6. The Group fully supports the provision of the resources requested by the Secretary-General, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/69/L.43 and draft decision A/69/L.44.
Mr. Chairman,
7. The Group of 77 and China call for all mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations to be provided with adequate resources from the regular budget for their implementation.
8. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage constructively on the negotiations on this very important agenda item.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEMS 65 AND 132, REVISED ESTIMATES RESULTING FROM THE REQUESTS CONTAINED IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 69/2, ENTITLED "OUTCOME DOCUMENT OF THE HIGH LEVEL PLENARY MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY KNOWN AS THE WORLD CONFERENCE ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES", AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (New York, 16 December 2014)
Mr. Chairman,
1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda items 65 and 132, revised estimates resulting from the requests contained in General Assembly resolution 69/2, entitled "Outcome document of the high level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples."
2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Officer-in-Charge, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, for introducing the document A/69/521. The Group also wishes to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for his introduction of the related report of the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Chairman,
3. The Group attaches great importance to the development of a system-wide action plan to ensure a coherent approach to achieving the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and specific proposals to enable the participation of indigenous peoples' representatives and institutions at the United Nations on the issues affecting them.
4. The Group fully supports the provision of the resources requested by the Secretary-General, and endorsed by the ACABQ.
5. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage constructively on the negotiations on this very important agenda item.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEMS 132 AND 66, PROGRAMME BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF DRAFT RESOLUTIONS A/69/L.32, ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN MYANMAR AND A/69/L.29, ON OCEANS AND THE LAW OF THE SEA, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE SIXTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 15 December 2014)
Mr. Chairman,
1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda items 132 and 68 c, programme budget implications of draft resolution A/C.3/69/L.32, on the Human Rights situation in Myanmar and A/69/L.29 on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.
2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Officer In-Charge, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, for introducing the statement A/C.5/69/11 and A/C.5/69/12, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Group also wishes to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for his introduction of the related reports of the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Chairman,
3. The Group fully supports the provision of the resources requested by the Secretary-General, which were endorsed by ACABQ, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolutions A/69/L.32 and A/69/L.29.
Mr. Chairman,
4. The Group of 77 and China calls for all mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations to be provided with adequate resources from the regular budget for their implementation.
5. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage constructively on the negotiations on this very important agenda item.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. JULIO MOLLINEDO CLAROS, MINISTER COUNSELLOR OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE DIALOGUE ON THE LONGER-TERM POSITIONING OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM (SESSION I), ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC) (New York, 15 December 2014)
Madam Vice-President,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset, the Group of 77 and China wishes to thank you for your efforts in convening this ECOSOC Dialogue on the longer-term positioning of the United Nations development system (Session I) and the presentation of the draft Discussion Paper on this issue that will provide Member States an opportunity to have a structured discussion on each of the key elements and interactive dialogues.
In general terms, the Group feels that the Discussion Paper is not balanced. We regret to say that many of the positions that the Group of 77 and China have expressed in many fora are not reflected in the appropriate depth, or in many cases are not reflected at all. We hope to see a more balanced paper for the next session of the dialogues.
The Group firmly believes that the mandate provided by GA resolution 68/6 for the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda is through a process of intergovernmental negotiations. As such, this process must be member-state driven and conducted as per standard modalities for intergovernmental negotiations in the General Assembly underpinned by the rules of procedure of the General Assembly and ECOSOC.
Madam Vice-President,
The key changes that have impacted on the development landscape and the likely changes that will be required under the new unified and universal agenda, cannot be set at the same level, as the discussion paper does.
We acknowledge that there have been changes in the landscape, that there are emerging economies. This will have implications in the setting of the new alliance for development and in the implementation of the Agenda. However, the document falls short of mentioning the persistent levels of poverty and inequality present in the Middle Income Countries (MICS). A balanced document needs to acknowledge the challenges faced by Middle Income Countries in their path to sustainable development, including the persistence of structural gaps and vulnerabilities that make poverty resilient.
The Group considers that the process we are engaged in is not about adjusting the system to the new landscape. The great task that we have before us is adjusting the system so that it is prepared for the post 2015 development agenda and to assist countries in its implementation. This is the task on which we should concentrate all our efforts.
Madam Vice-President,
The Group of 77 and China notes with deep concern the lack of mention of the gaps in technology access and transfer. In this regard, the Group highlights the four structured dialogues on possible arrangements for a technology facilitation mechanism to promote the development, transfer and dissemination of clean and environmentally sound technologies, during the 68th Session of the Assembly in accordance with the General Assembly resolution 68/210 of December 2013.
According to Rio+20 mandate, the main three functions of the mechanism should be development, transfer, and dissemination of clean and environmentally clean technology. Those 3 functions should constitute the core of the technology transfer mechanism, but they are not fully covered by the existing recommendations coming from the Structured Dialogues.
The first task of the technology facilitation mechanism should be how to address different existing gaps and fragmentation with regard to international efforts in the field of technology cooperation; different stages of the technology cycle itself; gap between technology possibilities and needs; and gap between developed and developing countries with regard to technological and innovation capacities.
The Group of 77 and China will engage constructively during the 69th Session aiming at achieve concrete results on this issue and to enhance the role of technology facilitation in the context of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Madam Vice-President,
Regarding the post 2015 agenda, it is worth reminding that the intergovernmental negotiations will have as their main basis the documents that have been produced in intergovernmental processes. In this sense, Resolution 68/309 on the "Report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 66/288", adopted by the 68th General Assembly on 10 September 2014, clearly recognizes that the proposal of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals contained in the report shall be the main basis for integrating sustainable development goals into the post-2015 development agenda, while recognizing that other inputs will also be considered, in the intergovernmental negotiation process at the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly.
The members of the Group of 77 and China attach high importance to the outcome document of the OWG containing a proposal for SDGs. This outcome was produced through painstaking and intensive work stretching for a period of almost 18 months, during which the Members States of the G77 participated constructively and in good faith.
The Group of 77 and China firmly believes that the outcome of this inter-governmental process needs to be fully preserved and should not be re-opened or re-negotiated.
In this sense, the General Assembly reached a successful conclusion for all processes established by the Rio+20 outcome document, namely: the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Open Working Group on SDGs, the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing and the process of structured dialogues leading to the establishment of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism, even though such Dialogues failed in reaching the conclusion mandated for them. The outcomes of such processes will provide Member States with the main elements for the intergovernmental negotiations for the Post-2015 Development Agenda that will take place during the 69th Session of the General Assembly.
Madam Vice-President,
The Group of 77 and China, highlights the elaboration of the synthesis report on the Post-2015 Development Agenda "The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet" by the Secretary-General that reflects upon the various post-2015 development-related processes and the outcomes of the above mentioned intergovernmental processes that have occurred during the 68th session of the General Assembly.
We understand the synthesis report as a support document that contains suggestions. It could also serve as the basis for a communication effort of the Agenda. However, it does not constitute the basis for the intergovernmental negotiations, therefore the primacy of intergovernmental processes must be borne in mind.
Madam Vice-President,
The G77 and China reiterates its position that the Monterrey and Doha conferences on financing for development provide a holistic approach and a strong foundation for a Post-2015 development agenda financing strategy. While we recognize that an effective strategy of financing for sustainable development will require the mobilization of financial resources from all sources, the Group would like to underscore the important role of ODA in leveraging and sustaining financing for development in developing countries and in facilitating the achievement of development objectives.
We expect the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to take place in Addis Ababa in July 2015, will achieve an ambitious outcome, given the need to review the progress in the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus and the Doha declaration, reinvigorate and strengthen the financing for development follow-up process, identify obstacles encountered in the achievement of the goals therein and actions to overcome these constraints, as well as support the implementation of the Post-2015 development agenda.
Madam Vice-President,
We find that proposals to integrate Official Development Aid, Remittances and Foreign Direct Investment do not positively influence the discussions. We have said over and over again that Remittances are a private flow that cannot be considered as ODA, as debt relief nor as any other source of financing for development. ODA cannot be substituted by any other source of FFD.
The issue of regular/core resources versus extra budgetary resources is not a rhetoric matter as the document states. On the contrary, it is a crucial issue for the Funds and Programs as it is regular resources that implement strategic plans and the mandates established by the UN system, instead of supporting projects that reflect the interests of a particular donor.
Madam Vice-President,
The Group of 77 and China reiterate the need to agree and commit to a new phase of international cooperation through a strengthened and scaled-up global partnership for development based on quantified and time-bound targets consistent with Millennium Development Goal No. 8 and in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This new global partnership should be the centerpiece and anchor for both the sustainable development goals and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, and should include the issues of providing adequate financial resources to developing countries, official development assistance, debt relief and debt restructuring, trade, technology transfer and greater participation of developing countries in global economic governance.
The G77 and China underscores the importance of linking international factors to an enhanced and expanded global partnership for development, the critical role of effective means of implementation, together with national actions and efforts to be taken by countries at the national level. The three-component approach is essential because the formulation of meaningful goals at the national level will not be attainable unless structural factors, including international factors, are addressed. Similarly, developing countries require continued and strengthened international cooperation in finance including the fulfillment of the commitments related to ODA, debt relief, technology transfer and capacity-building if they are expected to achieve the SDGs.
The Group believes that a strengthened and revitalized global partnership is essential for the success of the Post-2015 development agenda, and must be a priority of the intergovernmental negotiations. The discussions on a strengthened global partnership will no doubt benefit from the discussions under the FfD process, but these discussions cannot be artificially restricted to any one process, and should be discuss also in the process of the Post-2015 development agenda negotiations.
Madam Vice-President,
We would like to see a strengthened role of the UN operational activities for development and its capacity to assist developing countries in achieving their development goals, which requires continued improvement in effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and impact, along with a significant increase in resources. It is important that operational activities for development, in addressing the long-term development challenges, take into account the need to promote national capacity building in developing countries. For developing countries to address national priorities and achieve internationally agreed development goals, a continuous process of capacity building is required to which the UN system can make a significant contribution. We insist then that the UN system should make optimal use of the available national expertise by enabling and facilitating the access of the recipient countries to the full range of services available throughout the UN development system, including the regional commissions.
The UN Development System, has been explicitly called upon in the QCPR, to give eradication of poverty, the "highest priority" and that it should continue to be a core focus area for the United Nations development system and that all its development programmes and projects should attempt to address this greatest global challenge as their underlying objective. In this regard, QCPR had gone on to identify capacity building, employment generation, education, vocational training and rural development as some of the concrete means by which these challenges need to be addressed. The Group of 77 and China demands in this regard accurate reporting on the implementation done by the UN Development System so far.
The Group of 77 and China attaches high importance to the QCPR resolution A/C.2/69/L.39/Rev.1 entitled "Operational activities for development of the United Nations system", that was adopted by the Second Committee of the 69th General Assembly on 11 December 2014. Let me avail of this opportunity to highlight some issues of importance to the Group of 77 and China in the context of the implementation of the QCPR resolution:
The Group underlines the need to better reflect the multidimensional nature of development and poverty, as well as the importance of developing a common understanding among Member States and other stakeholders of that multidimensionality and reflecting it in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
Reiterates that core resources, because of their untied nature, continue to be the bedrock of the operational activities for development of the United Nations system, Notes with concern that the percentage of core resources in the overall funding for operational activities has declined, and proposes a balance between core and non core resources through the operationalization of a precise definition of critical mass.
We request all entities of the United Nations development system to consider the post-2015 development agenda, once adopted, in the context of midterm reviews and the elaboration of strategic plans and frameworks, in order to ensure consistency and alignment with the agenda;
The Group Reaffirms the importance of achieving diversification in the composition of the resident coordinator system in terms of geographical distribution and gender, and recalls the need to address the governing structures of the United Nations funds and programmes in a constructive dialogue towards a reform to ensure the legitimacy of the system.
Most importantly, the resolution calls for an early reform of the structures of governance of the UN funds and programmes, including their composition and functioning. This is an issue to which the G77 attaches the highest importance within the context of the Post 2015 development agenda. The UN development system is called to play a key role in the implementation of an ambitious, transformative and universal agenda. Structures of governance perceived as a Club of donors would not be able to address such imperative in a legitimate or effective way. The developmental landscape has changed as the world faces new realities and emerging challenges. The structures of governance of UN funds and programmes, their composition and functioning, need to reflect those realities and therefore must be reformed.
Thank You.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY AMBASSADOR SACHA LLORENTTY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE ADOPTION OF THE VIENNA PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FOR THE DECADE 2014-2024 IN THE PLENARY OF THE 69TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 12 December 2014)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
The Group would like to express its profound gratitude to the Government and the people of the Republic of Austria for hosting the United Nations Second Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries from 3 to 5 November 2014, and for providing all the necessary support for the successful conclusion of the meeting.
Mr. President,
As the General Assembly adopts the outcome for Second Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, the Group of 77 and China would like to reiterate and stress the importance of the implementation of the commitments that have been agreed in the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA) for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014-2024 in its six priority areas, namely, fundamental transit policy issues, infrastructure development and maintenance, international trade and trade facilitation, regional integration and cooperation, structural economic transformation and means of implementation at all levels, in a coordinated, coherent, and expeditious manner.
The Group underlines the importance of the successful implementation, follow-up and review of the Vienna Programme of Action at the national, subregional, regional and global levels.
Further we call upon the development partners to integrate the Vienna Programme of Action into their respective national cooperation policy frameworks, programmes and activities, to provide targeted technical and financial support towards the implementation of the specific actions listed in the Programme of Action.
Guided by the spirit of solidarity, we as the developing countries, are also engaged to provide support for the effective implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action in mutually agreed areas of cooperation within the framework of South-South cooperation, which is a complement to, but not a substitute for North-South cooperation.
The Group will also call upon the organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, relevant international organizations, regional economic integration organizations and other relevant regional and subregional organizations to integrate the Vienna Programme of Action into their programme of work, and to provide greater support to the landlocked developing countries for the implementation of this Programme of Action.
Mr. President,
The Group reiterates, once more, its strong support to the LLDCs Group and hopes that the VPoA will give place to a strengthened partnership aimed at overcoming their needs and challenges.
The Group believes that the only way to achieve the ambitious result that will truly address the special challenges faced by LLDCs and will let them overcome their geographical disadvantages, unlock their potential and become active and successful participants in the international economy, is through genuine and strong engagement and cooperation of all the international community.
I thank you.
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY GILBER MAMANI, SECOND SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE SECOND ROUND OF SUBSTANTIVE INFORMAL SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY PROCESS FOR THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRADE, INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY (New York, 10 December 2014)
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset I would like to thank the co-facilitators for convening this substantive informal session and also the moderators and speakers for their presentations.
"Trade, investment and technology"
In today's world, information and communication technologies are vital to developing countries full participation in the global economy. They hold tremendous potential for eradication of poverty and promotion of socio-economic development. ICTs have a prominent role in promoting inclusive growth and development.
There is a need to upgrade the quality and quantity of existing telecommunication infrastructure in developing countries.
It is the view of the Group that for developing countries to be able to benefit from information and communication technologies a greater emphasis should be placed on reducing the cost of such technologies, including the cost of broadband connections, and on capacity-building for greater use and application in the developing world.
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are critical enablers of economic development and investment, with consequential benefits for employment and social welfare.
However, despite the positive trends in connectivity and affordability, including increased Internet access, rapid diffusion of mobile communication and development of new services and applications since the holding of the WSIS more than a decade ago, the Group is concerned about the continuing gap in digital divide and broadband access between developed and developing countries.
We are also concerned that the persistent financial and economic crisis has negatively affected developing countries capacities to mobilize resources for ICT investment and diffusion.
The Group of 77 and China reiterates the need to provide effective, sustainably financed trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building tailored to the specific needs and constraints of developing countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework of WTO, in order to address the supply-side and trade-related infrastructure and productive capacity constraints of least developed countries.
Likewise, it is crucial for developing countries to have access to financial and technical assistance for capacity-building in order to implement effectively the new WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
In this context, special focus must be given, among other elements, to those projects and programs oriented towards developing and strengthening corridors for reducing costs in international transit.
Thank you.
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