Distinguished Members of the Committee for Development Policy,
Mr. President,
Mr. Chair,
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to participate in the opening session of the CDP plenary. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new membership of the Committee.
I also thank Ambassador Kelapile for sharing ECOSOC’s perspective on the work of the CDP, and its contribution to the Council’s programme.
The CDP is our own “think-tank” of independent experts and innovative thinkers here in the United Nations. Many decades after its inception, the CDP remains at the forefront of international development thinking.
As Secretariat of the CDP, My Department, UN DESA provides a broad range of analytical products, policy advice and technical assistance, to support implementation of the 2030 Agenda. And, to help translate global commitments for sustainable development, into national action. The CDP’s analysis and recommendations, have inspired our own work and engagement with countries on some of the most pressing socio-economic issues.
This year’s plenary takes place in the shadow of an enormously difficult period, for us all.
According to DESA’s 2022 World Economic Situation and Prospects, launched last month, the global economic recovery – already uneven - is facing significant headwinds. Adding to the downside risks, include:
- new waves of COVID-19 infections,
- persistent labour market challenges,
- lingering supply-chain constraints, and
- rising inflationary pressures.
After expanding by 5.5 per cent in 2021, the global output is projected to grow by only 4.0 per cent in 2022, and 3.5 per cent in 2023. However, economic recovery is uneven across countries.
Our most recent projections show the lingering economic impacts of the pandemic. In 2023, 107 out of 126 developing countries, will have GDP levels that will fall short of the pre-pandemic expectations for that year. Among LDCs, the situation is even more dire, with 41 out of 45 LDCs in our sample, still below the 2023 levels projected before the pandemic.
With the Omicron variant of COVID-19 unleashing new waves of infections, the human and economic toll of the pandemic are increasing again.
A coordinated and sustained global approach to contain COVID-19 must include universal access to vaccines, and action to expand fiscal space for LDCs. Without these, significant risks to an inclusive and sustainable recovery will continue.
Closing the inequality gaps – within and among countries during the pandemic recovery – will deliver long terms benefits for all.
I invite you to reflect on ways in which the Committee can be even more relevant and influential, including in the context of the ECOSOC review of subsidiary bodies. I invite you to discuss this topic and present the results of your discussion to ECOSOC, for Member States’ consideration.
I note with interest the work that the CDP is undertaking with regard to graduating LDCs. While graduation from the category is a remarkable accomplishment, graduating LDCs still face development constraints and challenges. They require continued access to international support.
I encourage you to continue discussing better ways for the UN system and international partners to support these countries. Bearing in mind, the draft new Programme of Action on the LDCs. And, we must continue to focus on developing country level capacity. I am pleased to learn that you will discuss several important new initiatives.
I also encourage you to continue your valuable work related to the annual theme of ECOSOC and on the voluntary national reviews. Your analysis will provide helpful guidance for ECOSOC and its Member States.
With its new membership, I expect the Committee to continue playing a critical role in shaping the global development agenda, towards an equitable and transformative recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and recommendations, and to working with you in the coming years.
I thank you.