Mr. President,
Esteemed Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP,
Esteemed members of the Executive Board and other delegations,
My delegation wishes to associate itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished delegation of Egypt, on behalf of the G77 and China, and Maldives, on behalf of the Small Island Developing States.
We thank the Administrator of UNDP for his substantive statement and the Bureau members for the preparations to hold this first session of the Executive Board in 2018.
Cuba supports all efforts aimed at strengthening the United Nations development pillar, an issue of vital importance to all developing countries. In this regard, within the framework of the repositioning process of the UN Development System, its guiding principles on the ground must be preserved: its neutrality, intergovernmental character and its objective strictly linked to development.
It is imperative that all efforts be focused on the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, as the greatest global challenge and a prerequisite for sustainable development.
The functioning of the United Nations System in its operational activities for development should ensure, from a strategic approach, greater assistance and support to the efforts of Member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each agency, fund and programme of the System should strengthen its action on the ground to promoting sustainable development in its three dimensions -economic, social and environmental-, and implementing the SDGs in a balanced and integrated manner.
The recent adoption of the new Strategic Plan, a significant document for all development-related actions, should be adapted and should meet the specific needs and priorities of each State, in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks and other planning frameworks.
Mr. President,
We regret the growing decline in the core resources devoted to development, which constitute the pillar of the United Nations operational activities and the fundamental guarantee to adequately address the needs and priorities of recipient countries. Increased involvement of non-core resources, which are targeted in a selective way and subject to specific activities, distorts the overall mandate of the funds and programmes of the United Nations System, while fragmenting the system of development entities. Contributions from donor countries should be multiannual, predictable and unconditional.
We support proposals seeking to broaden the donor base for the funding of core resources. Innovative mechanisms that may emerge to finance operational activities for development should complement by nature and definition and not be a substitute.
Partnerships with civil society and the private sector for financing operational activities for development should not undermine the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations. The resources provided by these actors must be managed in a transparent and accountable manner.
I conclude by stressing that it will only be possible to end poverty worldwide and achieve sustainable and inclusive development by 2030, through a true global partnership for development, based on the principles of global solidarity and shared responsibility; as well as on a comprehensive and effective resource mobilization policy with increased funding from the donor community and building ties under the framework of South-South and triangular cooperation as a complement to, and not a substitute for, the traditional North-South cooperation. As always, you can count on Cuba to achieve these goals.
Thank you very much.