Your Excellency, Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, Chair of the Second Committee,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to congratulate you, Madame Chair, as well as the Vice Chairs and Rapporteur – representing the first all-women Bureau of the Second Committee – and all Member States, on the conclusion of its session.
This session has marked the second year that the Committee had to engage under limitations, posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Committee nonetheless reached clear agreement on its methods of work. And it provided important policy guidance, despite the circumstances.
From the outset, negotiations were boosted by early agreement on cross-cutting language on COVID-19, inserted in each draft text. In it, the Committee has noted the severe negative impact on human health, safety and well-being caused by:
- the pandemic,
- its disruption to societies and economies, and
- the devastating impact on lives and livelihoods – reaffirming the ambition to get back on track to achieve the SDGs.
Importantly, the Committee also agreed that, and I quote: “equitable and timely access for all to safe, quality, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, are an essential part of a global response based on:
- unity,
- solidarity,
- renewed multilateral cooperation. and
- the principle of leaving no one behind.” Unquote.
Madame Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
The agreed modalities of the Committee allowed for consultations on only a limited number of paragraphs, in each draft resolution. But I am impressed by the inclusion of new policy recommendations, in every draft resolution.
These new proposals provide guidance which is relevant and appropriate for the current challenges we are facing; especially as we work to emerge from the pandemic and leave the old world of coal and fossil fuels, behind.
Examples of this can be found in many of the resolutions that were adopted in the past few days by the Committee.
Allow me to highlight a few of those.
Poverty remains as one of the world’s foremost global challenges. At the same time, the Committee is recognizing that, despite its devastating impact, the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to put forward policies for an inclusive and sustainable recovery. The Committee continues to underline the importance of integrated and coherent policy frameworks, in shaping poverty eradication efforts.
In the macro-economic cluster, the Committee provided detailed guidance on policy interventions, that will help the world rebuild in a more inclusive and prosperous manner. For example, on trade, the Committee underlined the importance of enhancing the capacity of the multilateral trading system, in the context of the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The Committee is recognizing the actions taken in response to the pandemic, to suspend debt service payments, and helping to attain long-term debt sustainability. It is encouraging the use of digital financial technologies – which have gained importance during the pandemic – and further promoting financial innovation, and its role in enhancing financial inclusion.
There are many examples in other areas.
I am also pleased to note that the Committee has continued to provide policy guidance on the challenges, faced by groups of countries in special situations. The Committee calls for the convening, in 2024, of a fourth international conference on small island developing States.
In another draft resolution, it decided to hold the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, also in 2024.
And the Committee welcomed the potential development, and coordination of work within the United Nations system, on a multidimensional vulnerability index, for small island developing States.
It also requested, from the Secretary-General, to develop a mapping exercise, that will provide a detailed overview of the current support available to middle-income countries – including:
- relevant indexes,
- frameworks,
- strategies, and
- tools.
Of course, the Committee is also providing guidance in preparations for the LDC-V conference in January next year, 2022. Informal consultations on an ambitious text are continuing. We were pleased to note that the joint meeting of the Committee, with the Economic and Social Council, could contribute to these preparations.
Excellencies,
One of the other highlights is the constructive, and comprehensive response of Member States, to the Secretary-General’s Food Systems Summit. Within the limited time available, delegations agreed on a comprehensive set of guidelines, that will further promote sustainable practices and balanced, inclusive, and resilient food systems.
Under the item on sustainable development, the Committee provided further guidance on important topics, such as:
- biological diversity,
- coastal zone management, as well as
- sustainable consumption and production patterns, to name just a few.
Coming shortly after the conclusion of the COP26 Conference in Glasgow, delegates worked hard to attempt that its recommendations recognized the efforts made there – and were reflected in the resolutions of the Committee, where appropriate; as we just heard this afternoon again.
These are just some of the achievements of the Committee this year.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank all Member States for your commitment and efficient work during this session of the Committee and you Madame Chair and the whole Bureau for your wise steering and timely conclusion.
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN DESA, remains committed to support the Second Committee as you continue to advance the realization of the 2030 Agenda in the Decade of action and delivery.
I wish you and your families safe and healthy holidays!
I thank you.