Remarks by H.E. Mr Peter Thomson, President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly at 9th Global Governance Group (3G) Ministerial Meeting with G20 Troika and the President of the General Assembly
22 September 2016
H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here with you at this 9th Ministerial Meeting of the 3G (Global Governance Group) with the G20 Troika (China, Turkey and Germany), and I thank Dr. Balakrishnan for inviting me to speak.
Today’s meeting takes place at a pivotal moment for the international community.
Through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Paris Climate Agreement, we have at hand a universal masterplan that, if implemented urgently, effectively and at scale, will eliminate extreme poverty, build prosperity, sustain peace and combat climate change.
It is an ambitious agenda, and one that will only be realized with the full engagement of Member States, the UN system and all stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, the financial sector, academia, and local communities.
I have made the principle objective of the 71st Session of the General Assembly, driving a universal push to see meaningful progress in implementing all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Your critical role in supporting these efforts will be vital.
Given the impact that G20 decisions have on global economic and financial markets, it is vital to the effectiveness of these decisions that they are widely understood and supported.
The engagement of the G20 presidencies with the 3G is an important step to strengthening coherence between Member States and with the United Nations.
Tackling the global challenges of our time will require strong and coherent partnerships, including between key intergovernmental bodies, such as the G20 and the UN.
The G20 Presidency briefings to the UN membership are a good practice which should be maintained.
Encouragingly, coordination between the G20 and the UN has steadily increased in recent years, in no small part thanks to the 3G Group and their efforts to give increased voice to the interests of small States in global economic policy.
The results of such coordination were seen earlier this month, at the Hangzhou G20 Ministerial Conference, where G20 countries explicitly aligned themselves behind the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
I welcome the emphasis in the Hangzhou Consensus to fostering an innovative, interconnected and inclusive global economy that takes into account the commitments in the 2030 Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Paris Climate Agreement.
During their presidencies of the G20, Turkey and China have worked closely with the General Assembly, and I look forward to continuing this practice with Germany. Indeed, I am happy to invite the outgoing Chinese and incoming German presidencies to brief all UN Member States in the General Assembly at a time convenient to you.
I would also encourage the incoming German presidency to maintain the strong focus on the 2030 agenda and the climate agreement.
Indeed, the G20 has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the global financial system is transitioned to a sustainable one geared to ensuring the financing of the universal masterplan that these agreements constitute.
Additionally, if we are to implement the 2030 Agenda and tackle climate change, it is crucial that the investments – to the tune of trillions of dollars – that will take place over coming years into infrastructure –energy, housing, roads, ports, telecommunication – are sustainable and low carbon.
The G20 should make this a cornerstone of their future cooperation.
Excellencies, strengthening coordination and collaboration between the G20, the 3G, and the UN, is vital to each of us in tackling global challenges, and achieving our shared goals.
I am looking forward to continuing to engage with you throughout the 71st session.
Thank you.