New York – April 15, 2015

The Chairman of the G77 and China, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, Permanent Representative of South Africa,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am pleased to address the G77 and China. I would like to commend Ambassador Mamabolo and the delegation of South Africa for your able stewardship of the Group. I also pay tribute to Ambassador Sacha Llorenty and the delegation of Bolivia for ably leading the Group last year.

2. The G77 and China plays a crucial role in the work of the United Nations by advocating and presenting the development needs, interests and aspirations of developing countries, as well as promoting South-South cooperation. Through its collective engagement, the Group continues to make important contributions in various negotiation processes on socio-economic, financial and environmental issues.

3. As I have said before, this year is both historic and momentous. We are engaged in three critically important processes – on the post-2015 development agenda, financing for development, and climate change.

4. My interaction with you today will focus on these important issues, and I will be glad to hear your views and comments.

Post-2015 development agenda negotiations

5. Overall, in my view, the negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda are proceeding well. There is an emerging consensus that the proposed SDGs will largely be kept intact.

6. During the recent session, there were divergent views on the proposal for “technical proofing” of some limited targets (19).

I understand there is support for working on those few targets that have x% figures to make them more specific. The co-facilitators will make a revised proposal for the membership’s consideration. I would like to hear your views regarding the way forward on this matter.

7. On indicators, it is recognized that the work is technical and should be carried out and finalized by the UN Statistical Commission. It is also important to note that while a global indicators set can be prepared, some indicators will have to be developed at national level.

8. Though the work on indicators is expected to be completed in March next year, it is essential to have language in the post-2015 development agenda outcome referring to indicators, given their importance in monitoring, review and follow up of implementation.

9. One of the key issues on which we still need greater clarity is how the outcome or the deliverables from the Financing for Development Conference will be incorporated in the post-2015 development agenda. This is critical given the limited time between the Addis Ababa Conference and finalization of the new development agenda. I have had discussions with the four co-facilitators on this, and would like to hear your views.

10. There is also need for clarity regarding the technology facilitation mechanism. I understand that the G77 and China would like to consider this issue in the context of the post-2015 negotiations, although there was a proposal to deal with it in the FfD process.

Financing for Development negotiations

11. The successful implementation of a transformative post-2015 development agenda will largely depend on the mobilization of adequate means of  implementation.

12. We have to ensure, in this regard, that the outcome of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Addis Ababa in July is ambitious with concrete deliverables.

13. In the ongoing second drafting session on the Zero draft of the outcome document, and the subsequent sessions, it is essential to work on concrete proposals and deliverables that can support the implementation of the new agenda.

14. I will be attending, together with the Secretary-General, the forthcoming Spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in Washington DC, including the Joint Ministerial Development Committee. I also intend to hold a number of bilateral meetings with Ministers responsible for Finance and Development Cooperation. In all these and other engagements, I will underscore the need for an ambitious and action-oriented outcome with deliverables to mobilize the necessary resources. I will also call for participation at the highest possible level.

15. As you may be aware, the World Bank, IMF and the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have issued a joint Note entitled “From Billions to Trillions: Transforming Development Finance: Post-2015 development financing for Development: Multilateral Development Finance” which will be considered by the upcoming Development Committee on 18 April.

16. In the Note, the WB, IMF and MDBs commit, inter alia to:

  • explore increasing available financial resources;
  • expand policy guidance and technical assistance to increase the amounts, quality and efficiency of resource mobilization and public expenditure by national, subnational and municipal entities;
  • promote and catalyze private investment, addressing risk and uncertainty, helping to mobilize and scale up resources and co-investment from traditional, institutional and other public and private investors;
  • support international action on regional and global development issues;
  • further improve coordination and alignment, continuing to strengthen working relationships with each other and with existing and new development partners.

17. In the context of the FfD process, we also need to consider how inputs by IFIs, and other stakeholders, will be taken into account.

Conclusion

18. I would like to commend the co-facilitators for post-2015 development agenda and Financing for Development negotiations from the G77 and China, Ambassador Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya, and Ambassador George Talbot, Permanent representative of Guyana, respectively for their dedication, together with Ambassador David Donoghue of Ireland and Ambassador Geir Pederson of Norway.

19. The negotiations have reached a critical phase. I call upon you individually and collectively to approach this stage with a constructive spirit. We all have a great stake in ensuring successful and win-win outcomes.

Thank you for your attention.