Biodiversity Protection, Responsible Land Management Critical to Post-2015 Agenda, Delegates Stress, as Second Committee Concludes Sustainable Development Debate
Ending poverty was not just about boosting incomes but about efforts “to empower and enable the human spirit to reach its highest destiny”, Indonesia’s representative told the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today as it continued its discussion of sustainable development.
To achieve the eradication of poverty, there must be a stronger global alliance, stressed Nicaragua’s representative, urging States to redouble their efforts to facilitate means of implementation and adequate financing for developing countries.
Several delegates spoke about climate change and associated disaster risks. Samoa’s representative said that “as an existential issue to SIDS [small island developing States] low lying islands, sympathy and pity will not provide solace nor halt the devastating impacts of climate change”. Since 1990, her country had experienced more frequent and severe weather events costing millions of dollars and forcing relocation of communities.
“In just a few hours, a disaster can wipe out years of development,” stated the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in 2013, disasters affected more than 96 million people, causing $192 billion in global economic losses. He stressed that the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction must prioritize building the resilience of poor and marginalized groups, and be backed by adequate, targeted and long-term funding.
Energy-related issues were discussed by several delegates. Tajikistan’s representative said that it would be impossible to achieve development goals without ensuring reliable and universal access to energy. An integrated development of hydro-energy, coupled with the use of other types of renewable energy, ensured sustainability, enhanced efficiency, and reduced emissions.
The representative of the United Arab Emirates pointed out that his country had the largest solar energy plant in the world, and it produced clean energy while contributing to emission reductions of around 20 per cent. Georgia’s representative stated that more than 80 per cent of her country’s electricity was provided by renewable sources. On the other hand, Jamaica’s representative said that while his country had made some advances in renewable energy, for success in the long run, a better international framework was needed, including reliable transit of energy.
Protection of biodiversity was highlighted as an important issue for the post-2015 development agenda by the representative of Brunei Darussalam. With 75 per cent of its land area covered by tropical rainforests, her country had been actively involved in forest conservation. Pointing to an irreversible degradation of forest ecosystems and biodiversity loss, Senegal’s representative said the illicit trade in timber worsened that situation, and called for an International Fund for Forests and a legally binding agreement to help with protection.
Several delegates talked about the problem of desertification, highlighted by Namibia’s representative as a major concern for his country. He emphasized the need for land-based approaches to adaptation to build climate shock resilience. Similarly, Botswana’s representative noted that the severe threats of climate change, desertification, land degradation and drought not only reversed the economic and social gains his country had made, but debilitated its efforts to address the needs of its population.
Many countries now recognized the need for sustainable land management, said Iceland’s representative. An area “equivalent to the size of South Africa” was lost to degradation each decade, while the global population continued to grow — most quickly in the worst hit areas. Thus, a response was needed in the post-2015 agenda.
Also speaking were representatives of Singapore, Algeria, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Mozambique, Guatemala, Iran, Kuwait, Ukraine, Nepal, Angola, Congo, Monaco, Libya, Morocco, Russian Federation, Lesotho, Philippines, Niger, Mongolia, Montenegro, United States, Micronesia, Turkey, Solomon Islands, El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Zambia, Serbia, Burkina Faso and Cameroon.
A representative of the Holy See also spoke.
Also speaking were representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Second Committee will meet again at 3 p.m., 20 October to discuss the agenda item 23: Eradication of poverty.
Background
The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this morning to continue its discussion of sustainable development. For background information, see Press Release GA/EF/3400 of 15 October.
Statements
WILFRIED I. EMVULA (Namibia), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China and the African Group, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to achieving neutral land degradation as a sustainable development target. Poverty eradication should remain the central and overarching objective of the post-2015 development agenda. He reiterated the importance of strengthening global partnerships in order to achieve a transformative sustainable development, and urged for the negotiation of a new, legally binding agreement in 2015. Noting that decertification was a major concern for his country, he called for the implementation of the Plan of Action and the Namib Declaration adopted at the eleventh Conference of Parties. He emphasized the need for land-based approaches to adaptation to build climate shock resilience.
CLARE CHOW (Singapore), aligning with the Group of 77 and China, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Alliance of Small Island States, said achieving sustainable development was about “learning to achieve more with less”. Calling for clear, pragmatic and measurable targets under the post-2015 development agenda, she said Singapore would chart a path forward in the areas of urbanization, water and sanitation. Singapore shared similar vulnerabilities with other small island developing States and, to implement the Samoa Pathway outcome document, had prepared a three-year technical cooperation package to provide customized assistance and fellowships in areas relevant to islands’ capacity-building needs. It also had placed sustainable development at the core if its own nation-building efforts.
NASREDDINE RIMOUCHE (Algeria), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China and the African Group, noted the failure of industrialized countries to honour commitments on means of implementation of Agenda 21. The proposal for a stand-alone sustainable development goal on means of implementation would help ensure commitments were met after 2015. The intergovernmental committee on financing for development should conclude its work on establishing a facility for technology transfer. The United Nations Framework Convention to Combat Desertification had “not fully achieved its goals” in its first decade and the strategy for 2010-2020 aimed to heighten efforts. Algeria was a pilot country and had hosted a regional meeting. The absence of international support for consolidation of national plans of action, particularly in Africa, had made it impossible to achieve the strategy’s goals. Algeria was particularly exposed to desertification and was committed to tackling it. He underlined the potential contribution of the biodiversity convention to development and called for greater recognition of the seriousness of biodiversity loss. Partnerships and resources were vital to ensure the sustainable use of biological resources and Algeria had a law that would align with the Nagoya Protocol. New and renewable sources of energy were at the heart of the Government’s action and the country ranked fifth in the world on capacity to provide solar power.
MOHAMED ALSAHLAWI (United Arab Emirates), aligning with the Group of 77 and China and the Arab Group, said, “We have to provide the resources necessary for enhancing international cooperation.” His country was investing in sources of green energy and had been for more than 40 years. There had been extensive investment in renewable energy, especially wind and solar power and great results had been recorded. The United Arab Emirates had the largest solar energy plant in the world and it produced clean energy while contributing to emission reductions of around 20 per cent. Developing countries needed “prompt solutions in order to achieve our development programmes while preserving the environment”, he said, noting that his country had contributed around $500 million in aid in that regard. The International Renewable Energy Agency was located in Abu Dhabi and he pointed to the Africa Clean Energy Corridor and the small island developing States Lighthouses initiative as examples of its work. He noted the 2020 Dubai Expo would help establish new partnerships on new and renewable energy and on water.
IBRAHIMA SORY SYLLA (Senegal), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China and the African Group, noted that the July meeting of the High Level Political Forum had made clear the need for “a review of the way this institution operates”. It had to improve its decision taking mechanism and should make clearer the different roles of participants in the Forum. It further needed to adjust its agenda, and establish a better framework for follow-up. The Forum should also discuss a technology transfer facilitation mechanism aiming to support developing countries, and could serve as a useful framework in which to discuss financing for development, a “crucial matter for countries in the South”. Pointing to an irreversible degradation of forest ecosystems and biodiversity loss, he said the illicit trade in timber worsened that situation, and called for an International Fund for Forests and a legally binding agreement to help with protection.
HAZEERAH ARIFFIN (Brunei Darussalam), associating herself with the Group of 77 and China and with ASEAN, said that other areas than the eradication of poverty were also important to the post-2015 development agenda. One such area was the environment, and the protection of biological diversity. Seventy-five per cent of her country’s land area was covered by tropical rainforests, and Brunei Darussalam had instituted several policies on environmental matters. With Malaysia and Indonesia, the country was actively involved in a forest conservation initiative called the “Heart of Borneo”. Another initiative aimed to protect marine biodiversity. At a juncture where global demands were increasing, partnership and focus had to be increased on matters that could unite the international community.
GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), said the post-2015 development agenda must, among others, address the impacts of climate change, negative effects of energy demands, preservation of biodiversity, and sustainable forest management. States must have the capacity to meet the goals, and must put the human being and the protection of human dignity at the core of the agenda. Coming from a diverse country, he highlighted the importance of the sustainable use of biodiversity, and expressed concern about biopiracy. Climate change had increased the frequency and intensity of disasters around the world, and it endangered the existence of societies and countries. In view of that, he invited everyone to be part of the results of the upcoming Lima Conference.
FRANCELLA STRICKLAND-SIMONET (Samoa), associating herself with the Group of 77 and China, Alliance of Small Island States, Group of Pacific Small Island Developing States, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said that “as an existential issue to SIDS [small island developing States] low lying islands, sympathy and pity will not provide solace nor halt the devastating impacts of climate change”. For her country, sea-level rise was of serious concern, given that 70 per cent of its population and infrastructure were located on low-lying coastal areas. Since 1990, Samoa had experienced more frequent and severe weather events costing millions of dollars and forcing relocation of communities. Thus, disaster risk reduction was of great importance. As its heavy reliance on fossil fuels was a major source of economic vulnerability, Samoa was committed to achieving 20 per cent carbon neutrality by 2030, and would reduce its fossil fuels dependence by 10 per cent by 2016.
RUEANNA HAYNES (Trinidad and Tobago) associated herself with the Group of 77 and China, CARICOM, Alliance of Small Island States, and CELAC. She said that the post-2015 agenda should maintain a focus on monitoring and implementation with a view to building the capacity of developing countries to improve their data collection and statistical systems, so as to improve evidence-based decision-making. Critical issues for small island developing States, such as the challenges related to graduation from the least developed country status, access to financing for sustainable development, energy security, trade imbalances, climate change, and sovereign debt, could only be addressed in the context of an effective global partnership for sustainable development.
ANTONIO GUMENDE (Mozambique), endorsing the statements made on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, African Group and the Group Least Developed Countries, said that given his country’s vulnerability to extreme climate events, its commitment to sustainable development and disaster risk reduction was not an option but a necessity for the population’s well-being. As a result, current national strategies for poverty and disaster risk reduction addressed those issues in a crosscutting manner, promoting institutional coordination within the country and with other countries with which it shared waterways. Improvement in early warning, preparedness, rapid response and resettlement for cyclones and floods had already been seen. Under the climate change strategy, some 14 per cent of the population had been reached with renewable energy. Supporting such efforts required strengthening international cooperation with particular attention to the transfer of technology, financing and capacity-building. Those areas were the pillars for a sustainable and transformative post-2015 development agenda.
MAHMADAMIN MAHMADAMINOV (Tajikistan), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, said it would be impossible to achieve development goals without ensuring a reliable and universal access to energy. It was also necessary to encourage the transfer of modern and advanced technologies and increase the efficiency in energy supply and conservation. An integrated development of hydro-energy, coupled with the potential of other types of renewable energy, allowed not only increased capacities but also ensured sustainability, enhanced the efficiency of energy systems, and reduced emissions. His country possessed the huge potential for hydro-energy and made every effort towards ensuring the integrated development of its energy sector.
MARÍA SOLEDAD URRUELA ARENALES (Guatemala), endorsing statements by the Group of 77 and China and CELAC, noted faithful compliance with efforts to implement Agenda 21, notably through the report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals and the report on dialogues on a facilitation mechanism for the transfer and dissemination of environmentally friendly technologies. The link between Agenda 21 and the post-2015 development agenda had to be acknowledged and the proposed facilitation mechanism could be a key means of implementation in achievement of the new agenda. Disaster reduction was becoming a more and more prominent issue, with climate change increasing the regularity and severity of disasters. Many people in Guatemala had been affected, with the State declaring a “public disaster” in the wake of huge gross domestic product (GDP) losses. The upcoming conference on disaster risk reduction was therefore timely and its results would contribute to the post-2015 development agenda. Guatemala was a biologically diverse country with a “rich cultural and natural legacy” and, though a low emitter of greenhouse gases, was making big changes to combat climate change.
ALI HAJILARI (Iran), associating with the Group of 77 and China, focused on issues that would “bug us down”, in the implementation of the post-2015 agenda. Capacity-building should receive priority attention, notably through the exchange of experience, technology transfer and preferential policy treatment. Systemic issues, such as policy space for developing countries or reform of the global financial system, should play a central role, while the root causes of slowed development, such as the imposition of unilateral economic measures, should be a focus. Desertification, land degradation and drought were a serious concern for developing countries. Sanctions imposed on Iran had impeded its ability to achieve the Hyogo Framework strategic goals.
ABDULLAH A KH A KH ALSHARRAH (Kuwait), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, and the Arab Group, urged the international community to continue its work on the three pillars of sustainable development. His country had participated in all regional and international efforts under the auspices of the United Nations to achieve the post-2015 development agenda. There must be an enhanced cooperation between all stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society and academic groups, and it was necessary to apply the results and outcomes of all conferences in the economic, social and environmental fields. He also highlighted the need to focus on developing statistical systems and provide the data needed to measure the success of the sustainable development goals.
NINO SHEKRILADZE (Georgia), noting that her country was vulnerable to climate change, said the 2015 agreement should be legally binding, placing the world on track to achieve the “below 2°C” objective. Committed to mitigating climate change, Georgia’s low-emission development strategy would offer an integrated pathway for sustainable development, while national appropriate mitigation actions were being prepared. Vertical integration between the central Government and subnational and local governments was being enhanced. More than 80 per cent of the country’s electricity was provided by renewable energy.
YAROSLAV GOLITSYN (Ukraine) said his country welcomed the “Implementation of the Rio Conventions into National Sustainable Development Policy of Ukraine”. The initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ukraine and the Global Environment Facility, integrated sustainable development goals into the Ukrainian socioeconomic framework. His country’s commitment to such development had been articulated through various multi-stakeholder initiatives. As examples, he cited the international forum “Green Mind”, which served as a platform for discussing the national sustainable development strategy and the project “Local Community-oriented Development, which aimed to improve living conditions in the regions through a collaborative effort of local Governments, civil society organizations and the private sector.
RITA DHITAL (Nepal), associating herself with the Group of 77 and China, as well as the Group of Least Developed Countries, said the means of implementation outlined in Agenda 21, Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Monterrey Consensus, among other documents, were “indispensable” for translating commitments into sustainable development outcomes. The post-2015 agenda should be based on the principles of universal human rights, inclusiveness and sustainability, placing poverty eradication at the centre of such work. Nepal looked forward to the creation of a legally binding climate instrument by 2015, having prepared a national adaption action programme. Citing the need for technology transfer, knowledge sharing and innovation, she urged enhanced North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.
COURTENAY RATTRAY (Jamaica), endorsing statements made on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, CARICOM, CELAC and the Alliance of Small Island States, said the three dimensions of sustainable development must be addressed in a balanced manner for the post-2015 agenda to be transformative. As a small island developing State, Jamaica placed particular importance on the effective implementation of the programme for such States adopted at the Samoa conference. He welcomed, in addition, support for efforts to manage the coastal and marine resources of the Caribbean Sea. His country had made some advances in renewable energy but for success in the long run a better international framework was needed, including reliable transit of energy. A global framework was also needed for greater progress in disaster resiliency. He supported a strong climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mobilize resources for adaption of vulnerable countries. On the post-2015 agenda, he called for an implementation strategy that included a full exploration of options for development financing and attention to debt sustainability and trade issues.
Mr. MUNUNGI (Democratic Republic of the Congo) associated with the Group of 77 and China, African Group, and the Group of Least Developed Countries, discussed several topics relate to natural disasters and risk reduction. Disasters were occurring more regularly and their associated “consequences and losses of human life undermine the economy and ecology”, he said, noting their contribution to hunger and food insecurity. “In just a few hours, a disaster can wipe out years of development,” he stated, pointing out that least developed countries were the most vulnerable and stressing the need to close the gap. There was collective commitment to tackling disasters and he described efforts by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to establish a strategy on risk reduction and disaster management, and to adopt the Yaounde action plan for disaster response 2012-2017. He described how the Yaounde plan approached the problem and also described several national and local level policies.
MARGARIDA IZATA (Angola) noted that as the Millennium Development Goals had “not fully helped achieve” the international community ambitions, it was now necessary that the post-2015 development agenda provide the means for a more sustainable world. Noting that her country lagged behind in the reduction of illiteracy rates by 2015, she welcomed the upcoming United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Conference on Education. Angola had executed programmes to promote entrepreneurship, provide access to credit, and the means to convert the informal economy, and it had delivered acceptable results, creating new jobs, increasing tax revenue, and diversifying domestic production. Drawing attention to energy as the driving force for sustainable development, she said that her country had been diversifying its national electric matrix through solar energy since 2011.
MARÍA RUBIALES DE CHAMORRO (Nicaragua), associating herself with the Group of 77 and China, and CELAC, said that to achieve the eradication of poverty, there must be means of implementation and a stronger global alliance based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Accordingly, she called on States to redouble their efforts to facilitate means of implementation and adequate financing for developing countries. With extreme phenomena becoming more frequent and intense, they were all shouldering the costs of their adaptation and mitigation efforts. A binding agreement must be reached in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention to meet the challenges of climate change and protect the world’s ecosystems.
PURNOMO A CHANDRA (Indonesia), associating his delegation with the Group of 77 and China and ASEAN, said ending poverty was not just about boosting incomes but about efforts “to empower and enable the human spirit to reach its highest destiny”. Globalization had led to emergence of several challenges that were now taking new forms and had “a sharper bite”. The trend of middle-income poverty showed that inequality and inequity had increased markedly and could persist even after graduation from poverty. The post-2015 agenda could tackle inequality through poverty eradication policies and inclusive, democratic global economic governance structures that effectively represented all regions. It should be transformative, leaving no one behind, and should exist in an international economic environment conducive to its aims. That meant multilateral cooperation on means of implementation, including finance, technology transfer and capacity building. In that regard, he looked forward to successful discussions of the high level political forum on a technology facilitation mechanism. The effects of climate change also needed to be addressed. Despite the shortcomings of globalization, it had also given birth to a “cyber-aware generation” that was more exposed to global issues.
APPOLINAIRE DINGHA (Congo), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China and the African Group, said that Africa had the largest number of countries that would not reach certain Millennium Development Goals by the 2015 deadline. He welcomed progress made on the General Assembly resolution 68/210 on the implementation of Agenda 21, which was one of his country’s priorities. In that context, Congo had set up a structural framework for developing a national sustainable development strategy, which involved all parties, including the public sector, civil society, and local and indigenous populations. His country had been a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity since 1996, and had signed the Nagoya Protocol, whose provisions benefited Congo’s local and indigenous communities. Congo was also committed to the preservation of its natural resources, and to the conservation of its parks and natural reservations.
CELINE VANKLAVEREN-IMPAGLIAZZO (Monaco) said his country would contribute to the Green Climate Fund and would actively participate in climate negotiations in Lima and Paris. The Government would strengthen its national policies which included a climate and energy plan. She supported a sustainable development goal on oceans and seas in accordance with the proposals of the Open Working Group, underscoring that global survival was linked to oceans. People around the world depended upon them for food security and other issues vital to sustainable development. Oceans had to remain healthy and productive but they suffered from acidification because of greenhouse gases. An expert report had shown that the world economy could lose up to $1 trillion if urgent measures were not taken to deal with acidification. Monaco was working in the Mediterranean Sea to conserve protected marine areas. An ambitious development agenda would depend upon financing and she looked forward to the upcoming conference on financing for development.
ABDULMONEM A.H. ESHANTA (Libya), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, African Group, and the Arab Group, supported the Economic and Social Council Ministerial Declaration from July 2013 along with several other processes and conference outcomes. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) needed enhancement and support, while it was necessary to ensure support for the Green Climate Fund. Libya was a semi-desert country and suffered from a lack of water and suffered the effects of desertification and land degradation. He called for efforts to tackle the issue through the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa.
Mr. ACHARGUI (Morocco), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, African Group, and the Arab Group, stated that, without strong political will based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, aspects of sustainable development would remain “an elusive dream” for developing countries. Small island developing States faced difficulties in applying the Mauritius and Barbados agreements and he appreciated the work done to formulate the Samoa Pathway. His Government had implemented several policies related to sustainable development, including laws that had been embodied in the 2011 Constitution, which confirmed the right of citizens to live in a healthy environment. Investment in solar energy was extensive and aimed to ensure that 20 per cent of energy would come from that source by 2020. Other projects were geared towards the preservation of natural resources and protection of ecological resources, oceans and forest.
TLHALEFO MADISA (Botswana) said his country was committed to the protection of its natural environment as evidenced by the 17 per cent of land area it had set aside as national parks, wildlife management areas, and game and forest reserves to ensure the protection and conservation of biodiversity. It was also party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance for which the Okavango Delta had been designated as the country’s first Ramsar site. His country, like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, faced the severe threats of climate change, desertification, land degradation and drought. That not only reversed the economic and social gains it had made thus far, but debilitated its efforts to address the needs of its population. As such, it had embarked on the development of a comprehensive national climate change policy and strategy for sustainable development, both of which would chart a transition towards a low-carbon, climate resilient environment for his country.
DILYARA S. RAVILOVA-BOROVIK (Russian Federation) was against a broader definition of the sustainable development concept and politicization of the agenda. Her country had consistently increased the amount of assistance given to small island developing States. Amounting to approximately $20 million over the past years, it had focused on modernizing economic infrastructure, strengthening State governance, improving education systems, health care and energy security, and increasing disaster resilience. The Russian Federation was committed to fighting desertification, supported the Convention on Biological Diversity, and welcomed measures aimed at strengthening the role of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
KELEBONE MAOPE (Lesotho), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, African Group, and the Group of Least Developed Countries, said a new set of universal sustainable development goals must be concise and strong on means of implementation. It must also respect national ownership and national conditions of each State. His country’s ecosystems were sensitive to the effects of climate change, and extreme weather patterns, such as droughts and desertification, had caused significant economic damage. He urged development partners to simplify the accessibility of funds earmarked for climate change initiatives. Lesotho’s land had been degraded due to poor land use and inability to access rain water. Such degradation had resulted in poor agricultural productivity. In that context, he called for a land-based approach to adaptation, which would seek to restore the land’s productive capacity, and would help build resilience to climate shocks.
LIBRAN CABACTULAN (Philippines), aligning himself with the Group of 77 and ASEAN, said inadequate financing and insufficient official development assistance (ODA) had been obstacles to his country’s development. Growth of its GDP had not generated new jobs fast enough, thereby limiting the country’s capacity to realize the Millennium Development Goals. However, through public-private partnerships, his country had been able to sustain its national cash transfer programmes aimed at addressing poverty and mitigating the adverse effects of disasters. As one of the world’s disaster-prone countries, the Philippines looked forward to the immediate mobilization of $100 billion per year by 2020, as agreed at the 2010 Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries.
ADA MOUSSA (Niger) aligned with the Group of 77 and China, African Group, Group of Least Developed Countries and the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries. In 1984, Niger had launched a national environment policy, establishing a national council on the environment. The “Renaissance Programme” stressed the need for action on infrastructure, basic social services, agricultural development and climate change adaptation. An economic and social development plan, the “We feed ourselves” plan and a strategy for developing the Sahel were adopted under the Programme. Niger faced many challenges, including its landlocked nature, prevalence of desert, fast population growth and modest resource endowment. The Millennium Development Goals would not be achieved “despite enormous efforts made”, while new goals would not change things without mobilization of means of implementation. The Istanbul Programme of Action should be implemented synergistically with the sustainable development goals and the upcoming landlocked developing countries conference should yield an outcome commensurate with needs of those countries.
MARÍA MJÖLL JÓNSDÓTTIR (Iceland) said many countries now recognized the need for sustainable land management. An area “equivalent to the size of South Africa” was lost to degradation each decade, while global population continued growing — most quickly in the worst hit areas. A response was needed in the post-2015 agenda. Overfishing remained problematic but could be countered with better infrastructure and management. She supported a separate sustainable development goal on oceans but stressed the need to base it on existing laws, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Harnessing renewable energy resources would allow technological progress without harming the planet. Iceland used hydro and geothermal to supply electricity and heating, but globally only 14 per cent of geothermal potential was harnessed. In East Africa alone, it could bring new, clean, sustainable energy to more than over 150 million people within a few years. Iceland joined the Geothermal Compact to transfer technology to developing countries. In addition, sustainable development could only be achieved with progress on gender equality and legal and economic empowerment of women.
ENKHTSETSEG OCHIR, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, associating herself with the Group of 77 and China, supported the High-level Political Forum as the main platform for monitoring the sustainable development goals. The Open Working Group report could have better reflected the special needs of landlocked developing countries and she looked forward to the Secretary-General’s synthesis report later this year. A transformative development agenda must go hand-in-hand with outlining its means of implementation, she said, reiterating the importance of financing for sustainable development, technology transfer and capacity-building. Mongolia was carrying out a project to enhance local capacities for disaster risk reduction, management and coordination.
MILORAD ŠĆEPANOVIĆ (Montenegro), associating himself with the European Union, said his country’s commitment to sustainable development was made evident by the establishment earlier this year of the Centre for Sustainable Development which merged the knowledge, expertise and resources of national institutions and UNDP. Its key mission would be aligned with his country’s needs and those of Western Balkan countries and focus specifically on sustainable tourism, sustainable energy, managing resources and ecosystems, as well as climate change adaptation and environmental safety. He hoped that the Centre would be recognized as an important regional mechanism and internationally as part of the post Rio+20 network of sustainable development centres. The High-Level Regional Conference on Sustainable Development would be held in his country in November 2014.
Ms. HAMILTON (United States) said the post-2015 development agenda was a tremendous opportunity and instrument to eradicate extreme poverty in a generation. Equally important was a commitment to put all societies on a sustainable path. Climate change was one of the highest priorities. As the international community prepared for the UNFCCC conference in Lima, the commitments already made by Governments was encouraging. Her country remained committed to an ambitious, durable and flexible agreement in 2015, and would work to ensure adaptations to the impacts of climate change got the emphasis they deserved. The United States were also committed to work in partnership to achieve sustainable development of small island developing States of all regions. She emphasized the value of discipline in the Committee’s work, which should remain focused on essentials and should defer to other processes when appropriate.
JEEM LIPPWE (Micronesia), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China and the Alliance of Small Island States, said that for small islands to survive, the rise in temperature must be kept at well below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Without urgent action, the cost of economic damage would increase and, at worst, lead to the demise of the country’s islands. In that regard, his Government had made an important proposal to amend the Montreal Protocol in order to gradually phase down the production and consumption of hydroflourocarbons. A reduction in hydrofluorocarbons could prevent the global average temperature increase by up to 0.5°C by the end of the century. In addition, reducing hydrofluorocarbons and other short-lived climate pollutants could reduce the rate of sea-level rise by 25 per cent. Such near-term climate mitigation would give all atolls around the globe a chance to survive.
YAVUZ SELIM ÇUBUKCU (Turkey) said the global population would reach 9 billion by 2050 creating “unprecedented pressure on the resources of our planet”. A billion people were still undernourished; pollution continued; biodiversity was declining; and environmental degradation was widespread. Vulnerabilities and specific challenges of countries in special situations had to be addressed without delay and the Turkish International Cooperation Agency was actively engaged in development work with such States. His country had hosted the fourth conference on least developed countries in 2011 and was ready to host the mid-term review conference. Attaching great importance to the establishment of a Technology Bank, his country supported enhanced cooperation on science, technology and innovation, particularly for least developed countries, and including hosting of the Bank.
HELEN BECK (Solomon Islands), associating herself with the Group of 77 and China, Alliance of Small Island States, and the Group of Least Developed Countries, said that by 2030, 89 per cent of the world’s coral reefs were projected to experience severe bleaching. Such events would impact tourism, among other industries, potentially driving households in small island developing States and least developed countries into “poverty traps”. Concerned about the lack of progress in climate change negotiations, she pressed the Committee to invite the UNFCCC to hold those talks in New York. Disaster risk reduction partners should support the State disaster institution, rather than provide funds to international non-governmental organizations, which had their own agenda.
RUBÉN IGNACIO ZAMORA RIVAS (El Salvador), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, and CELAC, said poverty eradication was the greatest problem facing the world, and a prerequisite for sustainable development. Thus, the international community must speed up its work to tackle the impending issues of the Millennium Development Goals. Concerning climate change, it was time to get verifiable commitments from all countries, particularly those responsible for it. He noted that El Salvador was aiming to increase the amount of electricity from renewable energy sources to 20 per cent by 2020. It already had its first national climate change plan, which included adaptation and mitigation. With support from developed countries and swift operationalization of the Green Climate Fund it would be able to counter losses resulting from climate change.
Mr. DAYEM (Saudi Arabia), noting his country was a major partner in international development, said foreign assistance and aid were major aspects of its foreign policy. During the last 40 years, his country’s foreign assistance exceeded the United Nations GDP target for donor countries. It had provided soft loans to developing countries, contributed $1 billion to the Islamic Fund to combat poverty, and had forgiven $6 billion in loans to the developing countries. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia had announced a $500 million energy initiative, which was started by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques during the Energy Conference in Jeddah.
MWABA P. KASESE-BOTA (Zambia), associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, the African Group and the least developed countries, said the creation of wealth and decent jobs was one of the challenges his Government faced. However, due to the implementation of multiple poverty interventions, it was widely anticipated that the country’s poverty levels would show notable progress when it concluded its next poverty survey in 2015. Although the degradation of land and natural resources had undermined people’s living conditions and had greatly affected the country’s capacity for food production, he said his Government had addressed such issues by promoting sustainable land management strategies, including climate-smart agriculture to ensure increased food production and food security.
LIDIJA BUBANJA (Serbia) said her country’s pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals had been “less successful” than expected, with the poverty rate — once halved — again rising due to the economic crisis, and an increase in unemployment. As such, it was imperative to pursue sustainable development. Serbia looked forward to the Secretary-General’s synthesis report. Poverty eradication remained a priority and the Government was devising a development agenda framework for 2016-2020 with the United Nations country team. “Sustainable development cannot be achieved if we do not achieve peaceful and inclusive societies”, she said, citing the need to promote the rule of law at all levels, provide justice for all and build effective institutions nationally and internationally.
MAMADOU COULIBALY (Burkina Faso), aligning his delegation with the Group of 77 and China, the African Group and the Group of Least Developed Countries, pointed out that one-fifth of the world’s population and thousands of hectares of fertile soil was affected by desertification, degradation and drought as a result of climate change. In the Sahel, the situation was alarming, with natural resources and environmental wealth suffering degradation. Activity, including agricultural over-exploitation, deforestation for fuel and animal husbandry had evident negative repercussions on the land and the living conditions of people living in rural areas. The National Action Plan for Adaptation included studies of vulnerabilities in various areas, and found people in rural areas living in a “vicious circle” where production methods harmed soil fertility and crop yields. More efficient strategies were needed to combat the issues properly and national strategy had been agreed upon in 1999, building capacities of local populations to combat desertification and degradation. It included efforts to encourage reforestation, environmental codes and regulation of plastic bags and packaging. He was pleased that desertification, degradation and drought were part of the Rio outcome and included in the report of the Open Working Group on sustainable development goals.
ALAIN WILFRIED BIYA (Cameroon), aligning his delegation with the Group of 77 and China and the African Group, welcomed pledges to the Green Climate Fund but noted that $100 billion was needed annually to enable adaptation and emissions reductions. Delays would increase developing countries’ burdens. Desertification, degradation and drought worsened poverty and caused multiple challenges. They irreversibly affected the earth’s capacities, increased the fragility of food security, and put at risk the very survival of biodiversity and ecosystems. National policies on forest resources were to the fore; forests were one of the “main foundations of economic development” in Cameron as the third largest contributor to the country’s GDP. The sector employed 170,000 people and forests covered 22 million hectares. The aim was to preserve forestry’s many functions and to keep alive traditional knowledge. Cameroon had an extensive biodiversity policy but was “not just bending to international pressure”. Rather, his country deliberately took personal responsibility, and more international solidarity should respond to that. Turning to poaching and the illicit trade in animals, he said support for national efforts was needed.
BERNARDITO AUZA, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, said climate change was not only an environmental question, but also a question of justice and a moral imperative. It was a matter of justice to help poor and vulnerable people suffering the most from causes largely not of their making and beyond their control. A concrete step in that regard would be to make available to them the best in adaptation and mitigation technology. The “responsibility to protect” was relevant not only in the humanitarian and human rights arena, but also in climate change. Noting that everyone shared the responsibility to protect the planet and the human family, he encouraged all to conscientiously refrain from lifestyles and behaviour that would worsen the state of the planet and, instead, promote initiatives that would protect and heal it.
DINO CORELL, International Labour Organization (ILO), said two of today’s most pervasive challenges included averting the destructive threats posed by climate change and delivering decent work to all, especially to unemployed youth and working poor. The transition to a greener economy was not only critical from an environmental perspective, but also made perfect economic and social sense. A greener economy could lead to gains in terms of improved livelihoods, social inclusion and more and better jobs. Stressing that people must be placed at the core of policymaking, he said the Decent Work Agenda offered a coherent policy framework that integrated macroeconomic employment and the social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
AJAY MADIWALE, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that in 2013, disasters affected more than 96 million people, causing $192 billion in global economic losses. The post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction must prioritize building the resilience of poor and marginalized groups, focus on the community and local levels, emphasize the implementation of risk management laws and be backed by adequate, targeted and long-term funding. “Without this, it will simply be words on a page,” he said.
NARINDER KAKAR, International Union for Conservation of Nature, said work carried out under the Convention for Biological Diversity, especially the elaboration of indicators for the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, must be an integral part of the indicator framework for tracking progress towards achievement of the sustainable development goals. More coordination was needed to ensure policy coherence between those goals and national biodiversity strategies. Further, the means of implementation for attaining the goals must include appropriate investment into conservation, restoration and biodiversity management.
MICHELE KLEIN SOLOMON, International Organization for Migration, said the inclusion of migration in the report of the Open Working Group marked a critical step towards ensuring a place for that issue in the post-2015 agenda, properly reflecting an understanding of human mobility and its contribution to development. Migration was among the most powerful and immediate strategies for poverty reduction, offering a lifeline for more than 1 billion people today. Diaspora groups and transnational communities were vital to the facilitation of trade and investment among countries. At the global level, migration was a key factor mediating the supply and demand of labour.