Mr. President,
Cuba associates itself with the statements delivered by Ecuador on behalf of the G77 and China; Maldives on behalf of AOSIS and El Salvador on behalf of CELAC.
We take note of the reports presented by the Secretary-General under agenda item 25.
We look forward to the next report on the repositioning of the United Nations Development System with more elaborate proposals. We will constructively involve in its consideration by States, within the most appropriate framework to do so.
Mr. President,
The United Nations Development System and its bodies are called upon to play an essential role in delivering national development priorities and implementing the 2030 Agenda, to advance sustainable development of the peoples of the South.
In this regard, it is necessary to reinforce the contribution of the System in fighting off the pressing and specific development challenges facing the most vulnerable countries, particularly African countries, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. Moreover, the difficulties facing conflict and post-conflict countries, peoples and countries under foreign occupation and middle-income countries require particular attention.
Mr. President,
The United Nations Development System has embarked upon an ambitious reform process that must strictly observe the principles guiding the operational activities of the System in our countries, namely: its neutrality, intergovernmental nature and strictly development-related objective. The reform should aim at strengthening the Organization´s development pillar.
In addition, the United Nations System should be more proactive in eliminating poverty, achieving sustainable development and responding effectively to national priorities, under the mandates of each entity.
It must also ensure the decisive participation of developing countries in the governance of the System and promote flexible and inclusive policies based on the principle of voluntarism, respect for sovereignty and leadership at all levels of the receiving State. It should not be forgotten that it is the countries of the South which best know their needs and it is up to them to determine the assistance priorities they can receive.
It is our greatest hope that this review will contribute to strengthening the principles of multilateralism and international cooperation as a result of an open, transparent and inclusive negotiating process.
Mr. President,
The 2030 Agenda compels to cooperate from any latitude to preserve the universal right to development. We thus ratify our commitment to the principles of South-South Cooperation. We strongly support this demonstration of solidarity among the peoples and countries of the South in generating strengthened and inclusive regional and global alliances and schemes.
However, we note with concern the emphasis placed on South-South cooperation, resorting to it as salvation and false justification for the continued failure of the developed countries to meet their ODA commitments. Although we acknowledge that South-South cooperation remains a concrete encouragement for development, it is not and cannot be a substitute for North-South cooperation. It has a complementary, not a substitutive nature.
Mr. President,
Cuba supports the strengthening of neutral, non-politicized and efficient development international institutions, which respect national sovereignty, self-determination of peoples and the leadership of national governments over their own processes. These institutions should also promote development in its three dimensions and must have increasing, predictable and unconditioned resources.
My delegation further expresses its willingness to work constructively in order to achieve these goals.
Thank you very.