Brazil and Nicaragua
11th Session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals
Statement by Brazil and Nicaragua
05/07/2014
Focus area 9 - Industrialization and Promotion of Equality among Nations and Focus area
10 - Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements
[Focus area 9 - Industrialization and Promotion of Equality among Nations]
Mr. Co-chair,
Nicaragua and Brazil support the statement by the Plurinational State of Bolívia on behalf
of G77 and China.
Only through economic growth, productivity increase and structural transformation will
developing countries be in a position to meet sustainable development. When devising
targets on this area, we must also acknowledge the differentiated responsibilities and
specific challenges of developing countries.
However, the gap between developing and developed can not be restricted to
industrialization. Multiple dimensions of inequality among Nations should be taken into
account. In this regard, Nicaragua and Brazil reiterate their request for "Promotion of
Equality" to be redrafted back as one separate focus area.
Regarding the proposed targets, Nicaragua and Brazil would like to present the following
comments:
We could accept merging the areas of industrialization and infrastructure into one goal,
while the promotion of equality should be considered a stand along goal, as well as a
structural dimension of the set of goals.
In item a), we support the reference made to policy space of developing countries to
conduct industrial policy. We would like to request this reference to be preserved in future
amendments. We also reiterate the need to strengthening the reference to the differentiation
between developed and developing countries on this matter and we suggest the following
language: "ensuring adequate policy space for industrial development, especially in
developing countries".
We also propose a new target, focusing on other aspects that relate to infrastructure and
industrialization. It reads: "support the development and improve the provision, in
particular in developing countries, of reliable and sustainable transport, including road and
rail links, ports, air and trade routes, financial services, and ICT connectivity".
Regarding items e) and f), we believe such items could transfer the cost of reducing
emissions from industrial processes to developing countries. We must acknowledge the
difference between developing and developed countries on such matters, if we are to
achieve a consensus on numeric targets.
In item e) the reference "to decrease by z% the intensity of carbon emission from industrial
sector" could not be agreed upon, since it prejudges ongoing negotiations under UNFCC
and does not take into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The need of resource or energy efficiency, chemicals, waste and pollution are contextual,
and the target does not take into account other environmental and social aspects of
industrialization.
Item f) is contrary to the WTO principle of non-discrimination among similar products and
does not take into account the principle of special and differential treatment. Furthermore,
it could be used to justify new and illegal trade barriers against products from developing
countries.
In face of such inconsistencies with prevailing principles in the fields of trade and climate,
Brazil and Nicaragua need request the deletion of both targets.
Mr. Co-chair,
Domestic technological development and innovation deserve more emphasis due to their
relevance for structural transformation in developing countries. In this regard, we suggest
the following targets:
i) “Achieve sustained industrial development in developing countries especially low
income countries by raising the share of manufacturing and upgrading industrial
technology and capability.”
ii) “Promote endogenous technology development and the growth of domestic innovation
in developing countries.”
Mr. Co-chair,
Inequality among nations has also a relevant institutional dimension. In this regard, I would
reiterate our proposal for the following target under the goal on Promotion of Equality:
"concluding by 2020 reforms for increasing effective participation of developing countries
in international financial institutions, including the implementation of the quota and
governance reforms of the International Monetary Fund".
[Focus area 10 - Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements]
Mr. Co-chair,
Nicaragua and Brazil support target a), on universal access on housing and basic services.
However, we would like to reiterate our request for amending the language regarding
"slum-like conditions".
Bearing in mind the reality of many developing countries, we should avoid creating further
stereotype and stigma associated to slums. This issue should be considered from the point
of view of the regularization of land tenure and ensuring legal and public services for
dwellers. In this regard, I would request to replace the expression "slum-like conditions"
for "informal settlements".
In item d), there is a reference to the concept of ecological footprint, which has never been
agreed multilaterally. Such concept is not in Rio+20 outcome document and has no
consensual definition. Taking into account the fact that other targets already address
concerns with urban sustainability, as item a) and e), Nicaragua and Brazil would like to
request the deletion of item d).
We support the inclusion of item f), on social cohesion, personal security and public
spaces. Nicaragua and Brazil believe that target on participatory decision-making at the
local level, should also be placed under focus area 9, and not associated to organized crime,
human trafficking and discriminatory laws - as currently happens in focus area 16. For this
reason, we request moving item c) from focus area 16 to focus area 9).
I thank you, Mr. Co-chair.
Statement by Brazil and Nicaragua
05/07/2014
Focus area 9 - Industrialization and Promotion of Equality among Nations and Focus area
10 - Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements
[Focus area 9 - Industrialization and Promotion of Equality among Nations]
Mr. Co-chair,
Nicaragua and Brazil support the statement by the Plurinational State of Bolívia on behalf
of G77 and China.
Only through economic growth, productivity increase and structural transformation will
developing countries be in a position to meet sustainable development. When devising
targets on this area, we must also acknowledge the differentiated responsibilities and
specific challenges of developing countries.
However, the gap between developing and developed can not be restricted to
industrialization. Multiple dimensions of inequality among Nations should be taken into
account. In this regard, Nicaragua and Brazil reiterate their request for "Promotion of
Equality" to be redrafted back as one separate focus area.
Regarding the proposed targets, Nicaragua and Brazil would like to present the following
comments:
We could accept merging the areas of industrialization and infrastructure into one goal,
while the promotion of equality should be considered a stand along goal, as well as a
structural dimension of the set of goals.
In item a), we support the reference made to policy space of developing countries to
conduct industrial policy. We would like to request this reference to be preserved in future
amendments. We also reiterate the need to strengthening the reference to the differentiation
between developed and developing countries on this matter and we suggest the following
language: "ensuring adequate policy space for industrial development, especially in
developing countries".
We also propose a new target, focusing on other aspects that relate to infrastructure and
industrialization. It reads: "support the development and improve the provision, in
particular in developing countries, of reliable and sustainable transport, including road and
rail links, ports, air and trade routes, financial services, and ICT connectivity".
Regarding items e) and f), we believe such items could transfer the cost of reducing
emissions from industrial processes to developing countries. We must acknowledge the
difference between developing and developed countries on such matters, if we are to
achieve a consensus on numeric targets.
In item e) the reference "to decrease by z% the intensity of carbon emission from industrial
sector" could not be agreed upon, since it prejudges ongoing negotiations under UNFCC
and does not take into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The need of resource or energy efficiency, chemicals, waste and pollution are contextual,
and the target does not take into account other environmental and social aspects of
industrialization.
Item f) is contrary to the WTO principle of non-discrimination among similar products and
does not take into account the principle of special and differential treatment. Furthermore,
it could be used to justify new and illegal trade barriers against products from developing
countries.
In face of such inconsistencies with prevailing principles in the fields of trade and climate,
Brazil and Nicaragua need request the deletion of both targets.
Mr. Co-chair,
Domestic technological development and innovation deserve more emphasis due to their
relevance for structural transformation in developing countries. In this regard, we suggest
the following targets:
i) “Achieve sustained industrial development in developing countries especially low
income countries by raising the share of manufacturing and upgrading industrial
technology and capability.”
ii) “Promote endogenous technology development and the growth of domestic innovation
in developing countries.”
Mr. Co-chair,
Inequality among nations has also a relevant institutional dimension. In this regard, I would
reiterate our proposal for the following target under the goal on Promotion of Equality:
"concluding by 2020 reforms for increasing effective participation of developing countries
in international financial institutions, including the implementation of the quota and
governance reforms of the International Monetary Fund".
[Focus area 10 - Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements]
Mr. Co-chair,
Nicaragua and Brazil support target a), on universal access on housing and basic services.
However, we would like to reiterate our request for amending the language regarding
"slum-like conditions".
Bearing in mind the reality of many developing countries, we should avoid creating further
stereotype and stigma associated to slums. This issue should be considered from the point
of view of the regularization of land tenure and ensuring legal and public services for
dwellers. In this regard, I would request to replace the expression "slum-like conditions"
for "informal settlements".
In item d), there is a reference to the concept of ecological footprint, which has never been
agreed multilaterally. Such concept is not in Rio+20 outcome document and has no
consensual definition. Taking into account the fact that other targets already address
concerns with urban sustainability, as item a) and e), Nicaragua and Brazil would like to
request the deletion of item d).
We support the inclusion of item f), on social cohesion, personal security and public
spaces. Nicaragua and Brazil believe that target on participatory decision-making at the
local level, should also be placed under focus area 9, and not associated to organized crime,
human trafficking and discriminatory laws - as currently happens in focus area 16. For this
reason, we request moving item c) from focus area 16 to focus area 9).
I thank you, Mr. Co-chair.