Dear Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,
Distinguished representatives of the Member States and Observers of the Commission,
Dear guests,
I have the honor to address you on behalf of Latin America and the Caribbean, in Cuba’s capacity as chair of the Committee of the Whole of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
The multiple and growing global and regional challenges emphasize the need for greater cooperation and the strengthening of the multilateral framework, as national actions are not sufficient to bridge existing gaps in the means of implementation, in order to contribute to achieving national goals in the areas of poverty eradication, capacity and infrastructure development, financing, technology and trade; to strengthen global financial governance; and to develop actions to combat the effects of climate change, among other issues.
For our region, reaffirming the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, remains vitally important. The same applies to the call on the United Nations system for differentiated attention to the specific development needs of middle-income countries, including taking into account variables that go beyond per capita income criteria and to focus on a multidimensional vision of development.
Distinguished delegates,
From 20 to 22 March, the City of Buenos Aires in Argentina will host the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (PABA+40) that based on its complementary nature and not as a substitute for North-South cooperation, will be a new opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the principles that have guided South-South cooperation within and outside our region, as well as to adopt a document to update and revitalize what was agreed in Nairobi 10 years ago.
Distinguished delegates,
In the upcoming month of April, we will also hold the Third Meeting of the Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Countries on Sustainable Development, to take place at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Santiago, Chile, as a regional mechanism agreed upon for the monitoring and review of the implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their targets, means of implementation and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development.
Recognizing the encouraging results in the region in various areas of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, we cannot ignore the existence of marked difficulties and challenges associated with the achievement of sustainable development, particularly on issues of poverty eradication, the reduction and sustainability of external debt levels, the growing effects of climate change, social inequities and the reduction of the levels of international cooperation received.
We believe that inequality remains a predominant feature in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, including those with high economic growth. It is therefore necessary to increase investment in social services and expand economic opportunities. We take the view that growth must be sustained, inclusive and egalitarian.
This underscores the need to strengthen national and regional efforts to accelerate the pace of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as to achieve renewed mobilization of resources and commitment from the United Nations system and the international community, especially the developed countries, in support of regional efforts in this regard, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Distinguished delegates,
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge ECLAC’s key contribution to these efforts, headed by its Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena, who has been able to lead common efforts to fulfill our commitments under the 2030 Agenda, as well as to propose valuable solutions and initiatives for the development of the region.
We reiterate the region's commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the fulfillment of the SDGs, taking into account the priorities we assign to the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, together with the promotion of regional integration and the search for joint solutions to the challenges we are facing.
The challenge of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals is a global issue. We invite you to continue working together for these purposes and to achieve a new world order based on justice, equity and peace.
Thank you very much.