Seventieth Session,
36th Meeting (AM)
GA/EF/3444

Concluding Its Session, Second Committee Unanimously Approves 18 Resolutions

Sustainable Development, Poverty Eradication at Centre of Agreed Texts

Concluding its work for the main part of the General Assembly’s seventieth session today, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) unanimously approved 18 draft resolutions on topics ranging from international financial systems to women in development and beyond.

Keeping in theme with the newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, many of the texts underscored the importance of eradicating poverty and taking into account economic, social and environmental considerations in their implementation.

Along those lines, the Committee approved a draft resolution titled, “International financial system and development”, by which it would have the Assembly emphasize that that system should bolster sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, sustainable development and job creation.  Also by its terms, the Assembly would reiterate the need to act decisively to tackle the challenges confronting the global economy in order to ensure balanced, sustained, inclusive and equitable global growth.

A draft resolution, titled, “International trade and development”, was among those approved texts that referenced the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.  By its terms, the Assembly would reaffirm the commitments made through the adoption of the Addis Ababa outcome in international trade as an important action area for sustainable development.

Delivering a statement that would be repeated several times throughout the morning session, the representative of Canada, also speaking on behalf of Australia and the United States, expressed concern that that resolution had been submitted past the Committee’s deadline.  The delays had resulted in a shorter schedule with insufficient time to consult with capitals.  Therefore, the three countries had decided not to engage in negotiations on the text.

By the terms of a draft resolution titled, “Financial inclusion for sustainable development”, the Assembly would decide to give consideration to financial inclusion in the follow-up and review framework of the 2030 Agenda and in the follow-up process of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

Also approved today was a draft resolution titled, “Women in development”, by which the Assembly would recognize the mutually reinforcing links between gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and poverty eradication.  It would further emphasize the need to connect policies on economic, social and environmental development to ensure that all people — in particular women and children living in poverty and in vulnerable situations — benefitted from inclusive economic growth and development.

The representative of Rwanda expressed support for the text, saying it was the only resolution before the Committee which made the link between women and development.

Other texts approved today touched on issues such as external debt, science and technology, disaster risk reduction and harmony with nature, among others.

In concluding remarks, several delegates underscored the Committee’s vital role in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which would make a “huge impact” in bridging global economic disparities and inequalities.  In that vein, the representative of Maldives, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States, said that, following a “triumphant year for multilateralism”, the next step — implementation – would be the hardest.

A discussion also emerged about the Committee’s agenda and working methods, which would be reviewed in 2016.  In that connection, Liechtenstein’s representative, who also spoke on behalf of New Zealand, said the Committee’s work this session had been “highly problematic” due to a lack of respect for deadlines and a lack of transparency in proceedings.  She hoped the Committee would continue to reflect the universal nature of the General Assembly and not turn into a “platform for exchange among major groups only”.

Committee Chair Angrej Logar (Slovenia) said that, in the years to come, the body should continue to contribute to the implementation of the newly adopted development agenda.  The Committee must continue to review its working methods, he said, announcing that it would commence informal consultations on those and other matters in January 2016.

Also speaking as action was taken on the draft texts were the representatives of the United States, Bolivia, Australia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Colombia and the European Union.

Also delivering closing statements were the delegates of South Africa (on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China), Japan (also speaking on behalf of Australia, United States, Canada and Mexico), Venezuela, Russian Federation and Bangladesh (on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries).

Thomas Gaas, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, also made a statement.

Action on Drafts

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) met this morning to conclude its action on 18 draft resolutions.

As the meeting opened, the Committee first took up a draft resolution entitled “International trade and development” (document A/C.2/70/L.69), approving it by consensus.

The representative of Canada, speaking on behalf of his country, Australia and the United States, said that the resolution was submitted past the deadline which was why the three countries decided not to engage in its negotiations.  He was disappointed that the issuance of six draft resolutions was delayed and informal negotiations were cancelled numerous times which had resulted in an unproductive use of time.  The postponements also resulted in a supressed schedule with insufficient time to consult with capitals.  The Committee’s inability to stick to deadlines remained of significant concern.

The representative of the European Union delegation said that the Committee required two extensions mainly because several resolutions were only made available two to six weeks after the deadline set by the Committee bureau.  The delays witnessed that year demonstrated that the Committee must get its work attune to the challenges of the time.  Without a change in its work it would be impossible to expect the Committee to meet challenges in an all-encompassing political environment.

Next the Committee took up a draft text entitled “International financial system and development” (document A/C.2/70/L.66), approving it by consensus.

The representative of the United States regretted the insertion of language on unilateral economic sanctions, which he said could be a successful means to achieve foreign policy objectives and promote a return to the rule of law and prevent threats to international security.  Targeted economic sanctions could be a legitimate option to the use of force, he added.

Also under its cluster item of macroeconomic policies, the Committee took up the draft resolution entitled “Financial inclusion for sustainable development” (document A/C.2/70/L.71), approving it by consensus, before moving on to take action on “External debt and sustainability and development” (document A/C.2/70/L.63), also approving it as orally amended.

The Committee then approved the text on “External debt and sustainability and development” and a draft text entitled “Commodities” (document A/C.2/70/L.65), both as orally amended.

The Committee then moved to take action on the draft resolution entitled, “Follow-up to the International Conference on Financing for Development” (document A/C.2/70/L.74), as orally amended.

On sustainable development, the Committee took action on a draft text entitled “Combating sand and dust storms” (document A.C.2/70/L.62), approving it by consensus.

The Committee then took note of the report of the Secretary-General on “International Day of Forests” (document A/70/214).

Resuming its consideration of sustainable development, the Committee took action on a draft text entitled “International Strategy for Disaster Reduction” (document A.C.2/70/L.68), approving it as orally amended.

Before concluding its consideration of sustainable development, the Committee approved a draft text entitled “Harmony with Nature” (document A/C.2/70/L.70).

The representative of Bolivia said that she would have liked to have included references to “no one left behind” and said it was beyond her understanding why only 14 resolutions had that language.  It was important to remember that the detachment of humanity from the earth must be overcome by reconsidering how societies interacted with nature. 

The representative of Australia requested that the statement delivered by Canada earlier be reflected as his position in the meeting’s record.  T

The Committee then turned to a draft text entitled “Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and strengthening of the United Nations Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)” (document A/C.2/70/L.61), approving it by consensus. 

The Committee then took action on a draft resolution entitled “Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and independence” (document A/C.2/70/L.73), approving it by consensus. 

The representative of Canada, speaking on behalf of her country, Australia and the United States, requested that the explanation of position delivered earlier by her State be included in the meeting’s official record. 

Taking up a draft text entitled “Science, technology and innovation for development” (document A/C.2/70/L.72), the Committee approved it by consensus. 

The representative of Canada, speaking on behalf of her country, Australia and the United States, requested that the explanation of position delivered earlier by her State be included in the official record as the sentiments applied equally.

Taking up a draft text entitled “Culture and sustainable development (document A/C.2/70/L.59, the Committee approved it by consensus.

The Committee then took up a draft resolution entitled “Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries” (document A/C.2/70/L.64), approving it as orally amended.

The representative of Turkey said that the draft text addressed a number of challenges faced by least developed countries including the launching of a technological bank.

The Committee then took action on a draft text entitled “Follow-up to the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries” (document A/C.2/70/L.60), approving it by consensus as orally amended.

The representative of Azerbaijan said that the follow-up to the Conference was crucial in mobilizing the necessary input to help shape a national sustainable development agenda in landlocked developing countries.  Regional disputes caused many economic challenges, especially for such States, which the United Nations must take a closer look at.

Turning to draft texts entitled “Implementation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017)” (document A.C.2/70/L.67) and “Women in development” (document A.C.2/70/L.58), the Committee approved both as orally corrected.

The representative of Rwanda said that the latter draft resolution was important as it was the only one to make the link between women and development.

The Committee then moved to a draft text entitled “Operational activities for development of the United Nations system” (document A/C.2/70/L.75), approving it by consensus.

On that item, the representative of Colombia said that the Spanish version needed to be corrected in accordance with the other versions.

Under “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly”, the Committee approved without a vote a draft resolution entitled “Draft programme of work of the Second Committee for the seventy-first session of the General Assembly” (document A/C.2/69/L.68).

With the approval of the last draft, the Committee completed its work for the session.

Concluding Statements

THOMAS GAAS, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, said the work of the Committee had been bookended by two “momentous” outcomes for the international community, namely, the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the conclusion of the Paris Climate Change Conference.  The Second Committee was among those intergovernmental bodies “getting a head start” on adjusting to the new development agenda and its implementation.  In that regard, he was pleased to note that the Committee had taken the initiative to advance the discussion of its agenda and working methods to early 2016, a decision which would serve as a good example within the United Nations system of working pragmatically to ensure a successful transition from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals.

JEREMIAH NYAMANE KINGSLEY MAMABOLO (South Africa), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, reaffirmed that enhanced means of implementation would be critical for the realization of the 2030 Agenda.  The international community’s unwavering support for that Agenda would make a “huge impact” in bridging global economic disparities and inequalities.  Adequate financing and resources were still needed and developed countries should demonstrate leadership in that regard.  Noting that the 2012-2016 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) review was about to come to an end, he added that the Group was ready to negotiate in good faith as work on the upcoming QCPR negotiations began in 2016.

JEFFREY SALIM WAHEED (Maldives), speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States and associating himself with the Group of 77, said that, following a “triumphant year for multilateralism”, the next step — implementation — would be the hardest.  “How we act from now on will determine how successful we are in achieving the lofty ambitions we set for ourselves”, he said.  Next year, the Committee would review and rationalize its agenda to better align it with the internationally-agreed development framework adopted in 2015.  The ultimate goal of that discussion should be to effectively implement the development priorities set in the 2030 Agenda and other programmes of action including the Small Island Developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.  In those making those decisions, the Committee must ensure that the quality and substance of its work was not lost in favour of ensuring efficiency.

MICHIKO MIYANO (Japan), speaking on behalf of her delegation as well as those of Australia, United States, Canada and Mexico, said that it was with dismay that she had learned that drafts that had not yet been decided in the Second Committee were under discussion in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).  Moreover, the delegations were concerned that the presentation of budgetary estimates were inconsistent with any credible analysis.  Second Committee experts would continue to monitor the work of the Fifth Committee to ensure that its work was not pre-empted by concerns on budgetary matters.

CRISTIANE ENGELBRECHT SCHADTLER (Venezuela) recalled that her country had expressed reservations with regard to the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.  Venezuela had also expressed that all draft resolutions approved by the Second Committee should have reflected those reservations.

DILYARA S. RAVILOVA-BOROVIK (Russian Federation) expressed concern at a number of issues faced during the course of the Committee’s work, including that a significant number of draft resolutions had been submitted late.  As a result of the shortage of time, decisions had been taken not to discuss the substance of the issues.  Work in small groups should not and could not be a substitute for overall discussions.  She expected that, at the start of 2016, delegates would have a chance to discuss those shortcomings and the work of the Committee in general.

KATHRIN NESCHER (Liechtenstein), also speaking on behalf of New Zealand, said the work of the Committee had been “highly problematic” due to a lack of respect for deadlines and a lack of transparency in proceedings.  She hoped the Committee would continue to reflect the universal nature of the General Assembly and not turn into a “platform for exchange among major groups only”.

ANDALIB ELIAS (Bangladesh), speaking on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries and associating himself with the Group of 77, drawing attention to the 2016 comprehensive midterm review for the Least Developed Countries, called on all partners to engage in that process and to make it a success.

ANDREJ LOGAR (Slovenia), Chair of the Second Committee, said the body should, in the years to come, continue to contribute to the implementation of all newly adopted programmes of action, including the 2030 Agenda.  The agenda items allocated to the Committee — in particular those related to the financial aspects of sustainable development — remained crucial.  However, a transformative sustainable development agenda could not be pursued in silos, and the Committee must continue to review its working methods with a view to improving efficiency, making poverty eradication and sustainable development its overarching themes and contributing to the implementation of the newly adopted programmes of action.  “This is an exercise that will require time and dedicated efforts,” he said, announcing that he planned to commence further discussions in January.  He would soon issue a “road map” that would indicate the timing of each informal consultation and the topics that it would cover.

For information media. Not an official record.