Minister Medelci,Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha,Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola,President of the General Assembly,Mr. Secretary-General,Miss Clark,Excellencies,
It is a privilege to join you today.
This is the first time I address the Group as Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. I hope to have many more opportunities to engage with you all.
Allow me to join the previous speakers in commending Minister Medelci for his successful stewardship of the Group of 77 and China this year.
I would also like to thank Ambassador Mourad Benmehidi, who has led the group with skill and wisdom.
Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola of Fiji, for assuming the chairmanship in the coming year.
We look forward to your leadership and to working closely with the G77 Secretariat Executive Secretary Mr. Mourad Ahmia in support of your chairmanship. We appreciate Mr. Ahmia’s dedication and achievement.
Excellencies,
The Secretary-General has identified sustainable development as one of his top priorities of his five-year action agenda.
The momentum for change is already set in motion.
In this regard, let me briefly highlight areas where we look to the G77 and China for guidance in the coming year.
First, follow-up to Rio+20.
The decision to launch a process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals is a major outcome of Rio.
The SDGs will build upon the MDGs and converge with the post 2015 development agenda.
The September 2013 meeting of the General Assembly on the post-2015 agenda will be an important opportunity for the SDG and post-2015 processes to converge.
We seek the Group’s active engagement and guidance in these two processes.
Rio+20 also adopted ground-breaking guidelines on green economy and on means of implementation.
Member States decided to establish an intergovernmental process under the General Assembly to prepare a strategy for sustainable development financing and to identify options for a facilitation mechanism for technologies.
Governments further agreed to strengthen UNEP and will take action during the current session of the General Assembly.
They also agreed to establish a universal high-level political forum for sustainable development with decisions on its detailed form to be taken during this General Assembly. The forum is expected to convene its inaugural meeting at the beginning of the 68th session of the General Assembly.
In addition, Rio+20 decided to convene a Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in 2014. Much of the preparatory work will be carried out in 2013.
Once again, we look forward to the G77 and China’s leadership and engagement in moving ahead on these important follow-ups.
Excellencies,
Another task ahead is the review of the General Assembly resolution on strengthening ECOSOC. This process is important for two immediate reasons: it promises a stronger, more powerful voice for the Council to carry out its mandates, and it supports system-wide coherence.
The Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review – or QCPR – will also be high on the agenda of the General Assembly. With an emphasis on results and accountability, the QCPR promises to enable the UN system to work coherently across entities, programmes and operational activities.
Excellencies,
We are at an important juncture – with the Secretary-General’s unswerving commitment to sustainable development and with the occasion for developing a transformative global development agenda beyond 2015.
Let us seize the opportunities before us. But, more importantly, it is your active support – your guidance – that is crucial in forging ahead.
I would like to reassure you of my Department’s continued support to your efforts. We are here to serve so that together we can promote sustainable development for all.
Thank you.
It is a privilege to join you today.
This is the first time I address the Group as Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. I hope to have many more opportunities to engage with you all.
Allow me to join the previous speakers in commending Minister Medelci for his successful stewardship of the Group of 77 and China this year.
I would also like to thank Ambassador Mourad Benmehidi, who has led the group with skill and wisdom.
Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola of Fiji, for assuming the chairmanship in the coming year.
We look forward to your leadership and to working closely with the G77 Secretariat Executive Secretary Mr. Mourad Ahmia in support of your chairmanship. We appreciate Mr. Ahmia’s dedication and achievement.
Excellencies,
The Secretary-General has identified sustainable development as one of his top priorities of his five-year action agenda.
The momentum for change is already set in motion.
In this regard, let me briefly highlight areas where we look to the G77 and China for guidance in the coming year.
First, follow-up to Rio+20.
The decision to launch a process to develop a set of Sustainable Development Goals is a major outcome of Rio.
The SDGs will build upon the MDGs and converge with the post 2015 development agenda.
The September 2013 meeting of the General Assembly on the post-2015 agenda will be an important opportunity for the SDG and post-2015 processes to converge.
We seek the Group’s active engagement and guidance in these two processes.
Rio+20 also adopted ground-breaking guidelines on green economy and on means of implementation.
Member States decided to establish an intergovernmental process under the General Assembly to prepare a strategy for sustainable development financing and to identify options for a facilitation mechanism for technologies.
Governments further agreed to strengthen UNEP and will take action during the current session of the General Assembly.
They also agreed to establish a universal high-level political forum for sustainable development with decisions on its detailed form to be taken during this General Assembly. The forum is expected to convene its inaugural meeting at the beginning of the 68th session of the General Assembly.
In addition, Rio+20 decided to convene a Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States in 2014. Much of the preparatory work will be carried out in 2013.
Once again, we look forward to the G77 and China’s leadership and engagement in moving ahead on these important follow-ups.
Excellencies,
Another task ahead is the review of the General Assembly resolution on strengthening ECOSOC. This process is important for two immediate reasons: it promises a stronger, more powerful voice for the Council to carry out its mandates, and it supports system-wide coherence.
The Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review – or QCPR – will also be high on the agenda of the General Assembly. With an emphasis on results and accountability, the QCPR promises to enable the UN system to work coherently across entities, programmes and operational activities.
Excellencies,
We are at an important juncture – with the Secretary-General’s unswerving commitment to sustainable development and with the occasion for developing a transformative global development agenda beyond 2015.
Let us seize the opportunities before us. But, more importantly, it is your active support – your guidance – that is crucial in forging ahead.
I would like to reassure you of my Department’s continued support to your efforts. We are here to serve so that together we can promote sustainable development for all.
Thank you.
File date:
Saturday, September 29, 2012