Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Dennis Francis,
5th Meeting with LLS Advisory Board,
Thursday, 11 July 2024, 1:15 p.m., Delegates Dining Room
[As Delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to convene this LLS Advisory board once again – and indeed to so on the occasion our final meeting for the 78th session.
I say a special welcome to Ms. Cecilia Ugaz Estrada the Deputy Director General of UNIDO.
As we know, countries in special situations – namely, LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS – face unique challenges.
The key question before us is: how can the General Assembly – and the UN system as a whole – best support them on their path to sustainable development?
This week’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) presents an ideal opportunity not to be missed – to refocus global attention and cause the crafting of evidence-based policy responses.
Its theme – “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: Delivering Sustainable, Resilient, and Innovative Solutions” – is highly pertinent to these vulnerable countries.
We must build on its momentum.
The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (or ABAS) specifically calls for repurposing the HLPF’s SIDS segment to annually review progress of ABAS commitments that are aligned with the SDGs.
How can we better use this platform to promote the sustainable development of countries in special situations?
The priorities of these countries also align well with the objectives of the Pact for the Future – a key outcome anticipated from the most pivotal event on our calendar, the Summit of the Future in September.
The Pact will address several issues that are critical to LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS – from the sustainable development financing gap and creation of a vulnerability assessment to digital innovation, climate change, reform of the international financial architecture, and debt sustainability, to name a few.
How can we ensure the voices and representation of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS are heard and respected?
Beyond the HLPF and Summit of the Future, we have several other opportunities on the horizon to ensure the voices of countries in special situations are heard – and that there is meaningful global action that more closely aligns with their realities.
The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing States, scheduled now rescheduled for December in Botswana, will be a significant moment of inflection on this journey.
Likewise, the High-Level Meeting on Sea Level Rise, the 2025 UN Oceans Conference, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, and the Second World Summit for Social Development will all offer crucial opportunities to advance the priorities of countries in special situations.
For its part, the General Assembly must build on the success of its first-ever Sustainability Week – by ensuring the participation of leaders from LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS in all its deliberations.
This is essential to foster the political will needed to drive tangible actions and progress that leave no one and no country behind.
In the spirit of fostering robust discussion and a frank exchange of views, I now look forward to hearing your responses to the guiding questions for this meeting.
I thank you.
