G77 + China Draft Statement at the first informal consultation on the Zero Draft of the political declaration to be adopted by the SDG Summit (HLPF meeting under the auspices of the General Assembly) in September 2023.
(16 May 2023)
H.E. Ms. Alya Ahmed Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar,
H.E. Mr. Fergal Mythen, Permanent Representative of Ireland,
Excellences and colleagues,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the G77 and China.
At the outset, allow me to congratulate you as co-facilitators of this process for the remarkable work done in the preparation of this zero draft, which constitutes in our view a good starting point for the negotiations ahead of us. We appreciate the fact that the document contains some of the key issues that the G-77 has put forward as inputs for the political declaration to be agreed as the final outcome of the Summit.
However, at this point, we would like to highlight a number of issues with regards to both the format and the content of the text in front of us, as our primary reaction to it, with a view to present more detailed comments and proposals at a later stage.
On the format, we would like to express our wish to continue working within the framework of a concise declaration focused on the actions to be taken to fulfill the commitments contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In order to fulfill that objective, we believe that the text could be better structured and in that sense, the Group believes that some paragraphs must be repositioned in order to gain clarity on the priorities we are targeting.
On the content, in general the Group would like to see more emphasis on the sense of urgency to implement the 2030 Agenda for the achievement of the SDGs, especially in the current context of multiple challenges and crises affecting the world today, and their impact on developing countries in particular.
The group stresses that the commitments made for the achievement of the SDGs must be adequately reflected in the document with a view to implement them over the next few years leading up to 2030, together with a clear reference to some of the principles underpinning the sustainable development agenda, in particular the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), as set out in the Rio Declaration and endorsed by subsequent major sustainable development documents.
The group also looks forward to strengthen the language of the text to make it more action-oriented, in order to better deliver on the commitments made to achieve the SDGs, specially the eradication of poverty and hunger, as stated in the overarching goals of the 2030 Agenda. In that regard, we believe that our focus should be on the provision of adequate means of implementation to developing countries and within that framework, the responsibilities of developed countries, as internationally recognized and agreed in numerous documents of this Organization, should be clearly outlined, including through the full implementation of their Official Development Assistance commitments.
Excellences,
The Group wishes to appreciate the references made in the text to the reform of the international financial architecture, the stimulus plan to achieve the SDGs and the Global Digital Compact among other proposals laid out by the Secretary General, which will be the subject of further consideration by the Group. The treatment of other issues such as trade, debt, financing, investments, infrastructure connectivity, industrialization and modernization, climate change, biodiversity, energy and technology, among others will be essential in the context of this document and we will be proposing language to further strengthen those elements in the course of our negotiating process.
On the other hand, the need to take into account different groups of developing countries with particular situations and circumstances would be key in our way forward to the fulfillment of the commitments contained in the 2030 Agenda. In that context, targeted measures should be outlined to address the special needs of African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as to cope with the special challenges
facing the Middle-income countries, conflict and post-conflict countries and people living under colonial and foreign occupation.
We would also like to see a reaffirmation of the need to respect the territorial integrity and political independence of States, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
Along the same lines, the Group wishes to emphasize that unilateral coercive measures are a major impediment to the achievement of the SDGs and sustainable development in general. In that sense, a reference should be made to this important issue in the text and we will be providing specific language to that effect.
Finally, in thanking you again for your efforts, the G77 and China reaffirms its interest to continue the fruitful dialogue with you, distinguished co-facilitators, on the overall process of negotiations, as we have done so far, and the commitment to engage constructively with a view to reach a consensual, concise, action-oriented and meaningful political declaration.
I thank you.