GA/EF/3556
14 OCTOBER 2021
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SECOND COMMITTEE
SEVENTY-SIXTH SESSION, VIRTUAL MEETING (AM)
With the COVID-19 pandemic upending financial positive aspects and hampering efforts to push ahead with country-level objectives, audio system highlighted the necessity to harness South-South cooperation and ramp up funding for the United Nations improvement and resident coordinator programs, because the Second Committee (Financial and Monetary) took up operational actions for improvement right this moment.
Talking for the Group of the Landlocked Growing Nations, Kazakhstan’s delegate mentioned the worldwide group should guarantee sustainable funding for United Nations nation groups, whereas deepening effectivity in addition to accountability. Pointing to rising financing gaps, she known as on the worldwide group to extend official improvement help (ODA) and overseas direct funding (FDI), in order that operational actions will be carried out.
A repositioned United Nations improvement system ought to give attention to the priorities of weak nations, she pressured, together with landlocked creating, least developed and small island creating States. Including that her bloc is searching for transit alternatives, financial interlinkages and technological spill-overs, she mentioned these prospects achieve life underneath South-South cooperation.
Equally, Nigeria’s delegate underscored the necessity for a reinvigorated resident coordinator system, spotlighting the significance of elevated funding in addition to South-South and triangular cooperation to handle COVID-19’s devastating influence. “The United Nations should subsequently proceed for instance its various modalities to combine South-South and triangular cooperation as an space of engagement into organizational work plans …,” she mentioned, stressing the necessity to problem the generally held notion that Africa is just a recipient of help.
The consultant of Malaysia, additionally emphasizing the significance of South-South cooperation, mentioned her nation has supplied capacity-building and technical help programmes to 144 companions in well being, schooling, agriculture, sustainable improvement, poverty eradication, diplomacy and economic system. Noting that South-South commerce elevated from $0.6 trillion in 1995 to $4 trillion in 2016, she mentioned the rise is a robust reminder of alternatives current within the South, which could possibly be prolonged to companions within the North.
Adel Abdellatif, Director of the United Nations Workplace for South-South Cooperation, famous that an upswing in South-South and triangular cooperation allowed many creating international locations to acquire urgently wanted drugs, vaccines and medical provides from companions through the pandemic. Presenting the Secretary-Basic’s report on South-South cooperation for improvement, he mentioned aiding nations to get well means putting partnerships, particularly to fabricate COVID-19 vaccines and different medical provides, in Africa and different areas of the worldwide South.
On a extra upbeat notice, Marion Barthélemy, Director of the Workplace of Intergovernmental Assist and Coordination, mentioned COVID-19 unveiled what the United Nations improvement system can obtain amidst a significant disaster. Instant response plans rolled out, overlaying 139 international locations and territories, whereas over $3 billion was repurposed and a further $2 billion mobilized to prioritize efficient, fast help, she mentioned, presenting the Secretary-Basic’s report on “Implementation of Basic Meeting decision 75/233 on the quadrennial complete coverage evaluate of operational actions for improvement of the United Nations system”.
Whereas noting progress in assembly targets for total core assets and inter-agency pooled funds, she joined others in lamenting that the share of voluntary funding, the undercapitalization of the joint Sustainable Improvement Targets Fund and overreliance on a small variety of contributors stay regarding, as does the shortfall in funding for the resident coordinator system. To maximise influence, stronger cooperation is required with worldwide monetary establishments and regional improvement banks, she mentioned.
Different audio system underscored the unsure scenario now dealing with the worldwide group, with Cameroon’s delegate stating that humanity should “break down or break by” the multifaceted crises threatening its very existence. The United Nations should be reformed for the safety and prosperity of all, he mentioned, stressing the necessity for an efficient, seen and audible improvement system with satisfactory and sustainable funding.
Additionally talking right this moment have been the representatives of Guinea (for the “Group of 77” creating international locations and China), Thailand (for the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)), Fiji (for the Pacific Islands Discussion board), Trinidad and Tobago (for the Caribbean Group (CARICOM)), Antigua and Barbuda (for the Alliance of Small Island States), China, India, Mexico, Morocco, Cuba, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Indonesia, El Salvador, Russian Federation and Belarus.
The Committee will meet once more on Monday, 18 October, for a dialogue with regional commissions and to take up the problem of everlasting sovereignty of the Palestinian folks over their pure assets.
Introduction of Stories
MARION BARTHÉLEMY, Director, Workplace of Intergovernmental Assist and Coordination, introduced the Secretary-Basic’s report on “Implementation of Basic Meeting decision 75/233 on the quadrennial complete coverage evaluate of operational actions for improvement of the United Nations system” (doc A/76/75–E/2021/57). She famous that COVID-19 unveiled what the United Nations improvement system can obtain when it genuinely comes collectively to help creating international locations amid a significant disaster. Instant socioeconomic response plans have been rolled out, overlaying 139 international locations and territories, whereas over $3 billion have been repurposed and a further $2 billion mobilized to prioritize efficient, fast help. Some 91 per cent of programme international locations’ Governments agreed that resident coordinators ensured a coherent United Nations response to the pandemic.
The report additionally reveals that the United Nations system is evolving in direction of supporting built-in insurance policies for implementation of the Sustainable Improvement Targets, she mentioned. It’s reinforcing efforts to help international locations, enhancing collaboration amongst humanitarian, improvement and peacebuilding actions, and strengthening cooperation and partnerships. Progress is being made on assembly targets for total core assets for improvement and for inter-agency pooled funds. However the share of voluntary funding, the undercapitalization of the joint Sustainable Improvement Targets Fund and overreliance on a small variety of contributors stay regarding, as does the shortfall in funding for the resident coordinator system. To maximise influence, there should even be stronger cooperation with worldwide monetary establishments and regional improvement banks.
ADEL ABDELLATIF, Director of the United Nations Workplace for South-South Cooperation, introduced the Secretary-Basic’s report on South-South cooperation for improvement (paperwork A/76/39 and A/76/403). The report focuses on efforts of United Nations entities to advertise South-South and triangular cooperation initiatives on the world, regional and nationwide ranges from January 2020 to August 2021. It additionally supplies suggestions on methods to additional use South-South cooperation to speed up progress in direction of attaining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Improvement through the present decade of motion.
Highlighting new developments in South-South and triangular cooperation, the report notes that it enabled many creating international locations to acquire urgently wanted drugs, vaccines and medical provides from Southern companions through the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and its influence of reversing progress in eradicating excessive poverty, in addition to the obtrusive disparity in entry to COVID-19 vaccines, together with excessive climate occasions, have highlighted the improved worth and heightened want for strengthened multilateralism and simpler South-South cooperation. To assist international locations get well after the pandemic, the report stresses the necessity for partnerships, particularly these to fabricate COVID-19 vaccines and different medical provides in Africa and different areas of the worldwide South.
Statements
The consultant of Guinea, talking on behalf of the “Group of 77” creating international locations and China, mentioned the United Nations improvement system should act in a versatile method, adjusting its work to nationwide wants and enhancing its capabilities to help native capacities, whereas respecting nationwide sovereignty and possession. He pressured that extra sustainable funding is required for the event system to step up poverty eradication.
His bloc emphasizes that non-core contributions must be elevated in enhancing the standard and substance of help, he mentioned. Expressing concern in regards to the sustainability of financing for the United Nations improvement system, he known as on conventional donors to resume their commitments. On South-South cooperation, he mentioned this should complement North-South cooperation, relatively than substitute it. South‑South cooperation has by no means been as very important as it’s now, he mentioned, in decreasing poverty in all its dimensions and attaining the Sustainable Improvement Targets.
The consultant of Kazakhstan, talking on behalf of the Group of the Landlocked Growing Nations, mentioned her bloc is especially centered on transit alternatives, financial interlinkages and technological spillovers, that are attainable underneath South-South cooperation. She expressed appreciation for the actions and initiatives of the United Nations our bodies geared toward selling the pursuits and issues of least developed, landlocked creating and small island creating States, in addition to different creating international locations of the South. Equally, she mentioned the repositioned United Nations improvement system must be up to date to give attention to the priorities and desires of probably the most weak creating international locations, together with landlocked creating, least developed and small island creating States.
Continued efforts are additionally wanted to deepen effectivity and accountability, and guarantee sustainable funding of the United Nations nation groups. Noting rising financing gaps, she known as on the worldwide group to offer extra help by way of official improvement help (ODA) and overseas direct funding (FDI), in order that operational actions for improvement will be carried out effectively and by 2030. The Funding Compact shall be key within the course of. Noting the significance of sturdy and sustainable health-care programs and economies in gentle of the pandemic, she mentioned her bloc is worried that the Funding Compact’s commitments for 2021 nonetheless have to be doubled to fulfill this yr’s threshold.
The consultant of Thailand, talking on behalf of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and aligning himself with the Group of 77, mentioned the pandemic has underscored the necessity for a collective world response in combating it. The reinvigorated resident coordinator system and new era of United Nations nation groups have been leveraging assets from throughout the Group to offer efficient and fast help to international locations. It’s essential that the United Nations regional structure proceed their work in direction of a extra demand-driven and coordinated response to boost possession of nations in furthering key precedence areas of the area. The worldwide group should safe the sustainability of the resident coordinator system and generate satisfactory and predictable ranges of assets, to make sure the extent of help wanted by international locations to attain their nationwide improvement targets.
The pandemic has uncovered and exacerbated inequalities each inside and amongst international locations, he mentioned. To get again on monitor in direction of attaining the 2030 Agenda, the worldwide group should improve motion on the native, nationwide, regional and worldwide degree, making full use of all instruments out there, together with North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation. Mutual helpful cooperation has been the spine of the Affiliation since its inception and laid the inspiration for its advancing regional integration, and improvement of an ASEAN Group with three pillars of cooperation — political and safety; financial; and sociocultural. In transferring ahead, ASEAN will proceed to advertise finest practices, and technical cooperation by South-South and triangular cooperation.
The consultant of Fiji, talking on behalf of the Pacific Islands Discussion board, welcomed the progress made to date within the implementation of the suggestions on the multi-country workplace evaluate. Noting the institution of the brand new multi-country workplace within the North Pacific, she appeared ahead to the operationalization of that workplace to additional improve the supply of providers on the bottom in her area. Additionally noting discussions on the funding modalities of the resident coordinator system, she reiterated the significance of predictable and sustainable financing. Stressing the significance of enabling creating international locations to enhance their productive capacities in strategic sectors, similar to agriculture and trade, she underscored the worth of South-South and triangular cooperation.
Outlining areas that required capacity-building, she highlighted digitalization, local weather resilience, social safety and participation in world worth chains. Sustainable improvement should mirror and think about the particular context, and prioritize the usage of particular experience, she mentioned, calling for sharing of excellent improvement practices and experiences throughout the Pacific. Drawing consideration to the Samoa Pathway, the Addis Ababa Accord, the International Partnership for Efficient Improvement Cooperation and regional Pacific frameworks, she mentioned that her group will take the teachings realized by voluntary nationwide evaluate processes and promote finest practices.
The consultant of Trinidad and Tobago, talking on behalf of the Caribbean Group (CARICOM), welcomed the efforts to make sure extra centered and tailor-made programmatic help to international locations and territories by multi-country workplaces, drawing on the management and capacities of the resident coordinator workplaces, and the total property and experience of all the United Nations improvement system. In that regard, he recommended the swift response of the United Nations following the eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the earthquake that struck Haiti in August. Noting the significance of strengthening experience on the bottom, he mentioned staffing profiles within the multi-country workplaces ought to embody the related ability units, expertise and data that might higher help nationwide governments in addressing their improvement challenges. Additionally necessary is strengthening information and statistical capacities in international locations lined by multi-country workplaces, together with strengthening of the Financial Fee for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) subregional workplace for the Caribbean.
He mentioned his bloc is presently partaking with the United Nations system on the event of a brand new multi-country sustainable improvement cooperation framework that’s based mostly on the multi-country widespread nation evaluation. As the brand new regional framework can even information the nation implementation plans for every State and territory, he pressured that these plans should be tailor-made and guided by nationwide possession and management. Expressing appreciation for the steps taken to implement the Secretary-Basic’s suggestions on the multi-country workplaces, in addition to the broader supply of help to small island creating States, he mentioned these steps will contribute to their regional and nationwide efforts to attain sustainable improvement, significantly in addressing the impacts of the pandemic.
The consultant of Antigua and Barbuda, talking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, mentioned ongoing efforts to reform the United Nations improvement system want monitoring and reporting to make sure wanted providers are supplied by the system. She emphasised that supply on the bottom is crucial, as nations battle to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 and absolutely implement the 2030 Agenda. The event system is required now greater than ever she famous, to help weak international locations in navigating these unprecedented occasions.
Small island creating States have been the toughest hit by local weather change, she mentioned, regardless that they’ve contributed the least to it. Calling on developed international locations to honour their local weather guarantees to undertake mitigation for local weather motion, she pressured that the world should reply extra appropriately to this phenomenon. The pandemic has strengthened the assertion that the present improvement system stays insufficient and outdated, she added, underscoring its significance in making certain that every one have the wherewithal to fight the pandemic and obtain improvement.
The consultant of China, noting the extreme challenges confronting the worldwide group, known as for extra worldwide cooperation in making certain accessibility and affordability of vaccines in creating international locations. Consideration also needs to be given to the particular wants of these international locations, with improvement on the centre and poverty eradication because the precedence. Stressing the necessity for sensible actions and synergies for improvement, he mentioned that North-South cooperation must be the principle channel, with South-South cooperation as a complement, not a substitute. Developed international locations ought to fulfill their due worldwide obligations and honour their ODA commitments, he underscored, including that United Nations entities ought to work in accordance with their mandates. Resident coordinators and nation groups ought to stick with their improvement mandates and keep shut communication and cooperation with the Governments of programme international locations, he added.
The consultant of India mentioned it is crucial that the United Nations improvement actions revolve round nationwide possession and management and provides due consideration to nationwide improvement priorities. The United Nations should give attention to these duties that it’s uniquely certified to ship and people must be supported with an satisfactory and predictable quantity of versatile assets. Additional, the United Nations improvement system must amplify its influence, whereas working to boost help for South-South cooperation. If Member States are to be on monitor to attain the 2030 Agenda, she mentioned, it should be ensured that assets meant for core improvement programmes aren’t repurposed and, in that case, then they have to be introduced again on monitor. Noting that the pandemic has examined the resilience of multilateral establishments, she mentioned the worldwide South has been largely fending for themselves and, in that regard, South-South cooperation has turn into much more essential. Referring to her Prime Minister’s name for a “one Earth, one well being” method, she affirmed her nation’s continued dedication to the worldwide South, including that it has supplied medical help to over 150 international locations, and vaccines to many countries within the creating world.
The consultant of Malaysia, associating herself with the Group of 77 and ASEAN, emphasised that South-South cooperation has turn into extra necessary than ever in gentle of the continued world well being disaster. Malaysia continues to offer capacity-building and technical help programmes to its companions in such areas as well being, schooling, agriculture, sustainable improvement, poverty eradication diplomacy and economic system. To this point, 144 international locations have benefitted from these programmes. Noting that South-South commerce elevated from $0.6 trillion in 1995 to $4 trillion in 2016, now making up virtually 29 per cent of worldwide commerce, she described that rise as a robust reminder of the chance that exists within the International South, which could possibly be prolonged to companions within the North. “The pandemic has served as a litmus take a look at for the repositioning of the United Nations improvement system, together with its new resident coordinator system,” she mentioned, noting that system’s complete response amid the COVID-19 disaster and pledging to proceed to work carefully with it.
The consultant of Mexico, lauding the progress embodied within the 2020 quadrennial complete coverage evaluate, mentioned that past the technicalities of the United Nations, Member States shouldn’t overlook that the problems they talk about influence the lives of hundreds of thousands. Noting that continued strengthening of the reforms, he mentioned sure areas, nonetheless, deserve better consideration. In that regard, his nation has pushed for the next precedence areas: 1) the event system’s response to the pandemic; 2) reform of the system; 3) financing of the system; and 4) transparency and accountability. Noting that the brand new resident coordinator system is the cornerstone of the reform, he mentioned Member States should be certain that nation groups are higher positioned to help Governments successfully. It will likely be necessary to correctly observe up on this new management mannequin, with the assistance of Governments, for added worth. As effectively, particular consideration should be given to attracting and retaining expertise. Wanting forward, he mentioned the worldwide group should seize alternatives for satisfactory, predictable and sustainable funding, in order that the system can meet the rising calls for of nations.
The consultant of Morocco, talking in her nationwide capability, mentioned the related and necessary position of the United Nations improvement system shall be demonstrated within the context of the pandemic. Expressing concern in regards to the unsustainability of the regional coordinator system, she mentioned the worldwide group should guarantee it stays viable over the approaching yr. Her nation absolutely endorses South-South cooperation as a key improvement modality for attaining the 2030 Agenda and overcoming impacts of the pandemic. Including that Morocco has used such cooperation for partnerships in technical cooperation and capacity-building, she mentioned it has benefited from triangular cooperation within the space of sustainable power.
The consultant of Cuba, aligning herself with the Group of 77, pressured the significance of full respect for nationwide sovereignty in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The management of nationwide governments is essential, she mentioned, including that the worldwide group should reply to nationwide priorities and desires. Predictable financing is the keystone for the system, she mentioned, additionally stressing the significance of widespread however differentiated accountability between developed and creating international locations. Additionally drawing consideration to the 70‑yr monetary and financial blockade imposed by america on her nation, she highlighted the obstacles posed by this within the context of the pandemic, together with difficulties within the buy of meals merchandise.
The consultant of Bangladesh, associating himself with the Group of 77, mentioned it’s heartening that new types of solidarity have emerged amongst creating international locations, given the multidimensional challenges they face. Noting that these initiatives should be additional strengthened, he mentioned that through the years, his nation has been a part of world efforts to strengthen South-South cooperation by knowledge-sharing. It has additionally included South-South cooperation in its nationwide coverage for improvement cooperation and has deliberate to arrange a South-South data and innovation centre in Dhaka. He mentioned the strengthened resident coordinator system’s maturity was evident in its swift mobilization of assets and management, within the response to the pandemic. To eradicate poverty, the sharing of improvement options should be strengthened, and investments ensured for productive capability‑constructing, job creation and gender mainstreaming. The worldwide group should create a system the place Southern international locations can share finest practices amongst themselves, with monetary and technical help from the international locations of the North.
The consultant of Tajikistan, associating himself with the Group of 77 and the Group of the Landlocked Growing Nations, expressed help for the reform and strengthening of the United Nations improvement system. “Wants on the bottom are immense and pressing as we embark on the brand new Decade of Motion,” he mentioned. Spotlighting the rising partnership between Tajikistan and the United Nations, he recalled that the nation’s resident coordinator was appointed in 2020 simply because the pandemic was spreading quickly across the globe. “It’s throughout a disaster while you really perceive how the system is working,” he mentioned, noting the Group’s profitable response. He additionally outlined a variety of strategic nationwide improvement initiatives, that are carefully aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
The consultant of Cameroon, aligning himself with the Group of 77, mentioned humanity should “break down or break by” the multifaceted crises threatening its very existence. Emphasizing that the United Nations should be reformed for the safety and prosperity of all, he pressured the necessity for an efficient, seen and audible improvement system. Furthermore, it should be supplied with impartial, satisfactory and sustainable funding to hold out very important actions it’s entrusted with. Actions on the bottom should be carried out consistent with native realities and desires, he mentioned, including that poverty eradication is the best world problem dealing with humanity. Cameroon, he mentioned, is absolutely dedicated to attaining the 2030 Agenda, particularly within the space of schooling, as it can considerably contribute to poverty eradication.
The consultant of Indonesia, aligning herself with the Group of 77 and ASEAN, known as on States to raise help for sustained and resilient restoration, emphasizing the significance of the United Nations improvement system to repurpose its programme and funds, and to synergize help within the wake of COVID-19 to assist international locations get well and obtain the Sustainable Improvement Targets. She known as for persevering with to sharpen the convening energy of the event system by the resident coordinator to assist mobilize partnerships between all ranges of related stakeholders, with a view to help improvement actions on the bottom. She went on to level out that it is very important proceed the development of South-South cooperation on each COVID-19 response and restoration, in addition to within the broader context of attaining the 2030 Agenda. In that regard, she inspired the continued mainstreaming of South-South cooperation efforts in United Nations methods and programmes.
The consultant of El Salvador, associating himself with the Group of 77, pressured the significance of worldwide solidarity. Highlighting the significance of revitalizing the system of resident coordinators, he mentioned it has a significant influence on the sector, particularly within the context of the pandemic. Stressing the worth of South-South cooperation, particularly in selling restoration from the pandemic, he famous its important position in areas that aren’t historically prioritized by donors. Nonetheless, South-South cooperation shouldn’t substitute ODA or concessionary financing, he pressured, including that North-South cooperation can even revenue from classes realized from South-South cooperation. Stressing the necessity for transparency, he known as for solidarity with out conditionality.
The consultant of the Russian Federation, referring to the report on the great evaluate and particularly the part on regional cooperation, and enhancing the actions for sustainable improvement and strengthening partnerships, mentioned that, like in earlier studies, there’s not sufficient info on the resident coordinator system’s work for 2019. In that regard, her delegation is desirous about discovering out what has modified particularly, when the resident coordinators have been moved to the United Nations Secretariat. Such info could possibly be supplied by the introduction of framework reporting parameters of resident coordinators, based mostly on a results-based administration system. Furthermore, there must be a dialogue on funding of the resident coordinators, together with the premise for the $280 million wanted for his or her funding, in addition to the prospect of that determine being lowered. She famous {that a} discount in that quantity might serve doubtlessly as additional funding for discipline actions. Additionally, it is very important have an open dialogue on the coordination of humanitarian and improvement actions, particularly as they relate to international locations in battle or post-conflict conditions, in addition to these affected by the unfavourable penalties of sanctions.
The consultant of Belarus, aligning herself with the Group of 77, famous that progress has been remodeled the previous yr in reforming United Nations operational actions. Nonetheless, she expressed concern over the present pattern away from the idea of nationwide sovereignty, as improvement should be linked to a rustic’s fundamental improvement ideas, adhering to its insurance policies and priorities. Urging the worldwide group to totally implement its financing for improvement obligations, she mentioned this is able to assure full, unprejudicial help. She added that additional enchancment of relations between the event system and host nation, in addition to resident coordinator accountability, will tremendously help in finishing up native United Nations actions.
The consultant of Nigeria, associating herself with the Group of 77 and the African Group, mentioned cooperation is crucial for the actions of the United Nations improvement system and to assist creating international locations obtain the 2030 Agenda. Reaffirming Nigeria’s unwavering help to the reinvigorated resident coordinator system and calling for adherence to the ideas of nationwide management, nationwide possession and non-politicization, she spotlighted the necessity for predictable and elevated funding. There may be additionally a better want for South-South and triangular cooperation to handle COVID-19’s devastating influence. “The United Nations should subsequently proceed for instance its various modalities to combine South-South and triangular cooperation as an space of engagement into organizational work plans, in addition to monitoring frameworks,” she mentioned, stressing the necessity to problem the generally held notion that Africa is just a recipient of help.
For info media. Not an official report.
