Cyprus
Post-2015 Intergovernmental Negotiations, 17-20 February 2015
Discussion Document for Declaration
Statement By CYPRUS, 20.02.2015
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator.
Cyprus aligns itself with the statement made yesterday by the European Union and wish to make some additional points from a national perspective. Let me also thank you for the discussion paper which we think represents a good reflection of our discussions earlier in the week on the elements paper.
Like others we appreciate the short and concise text that you presented to us. We believe that it contains many of the key elements that we consider important to be included in the declaration like the objective of completing the unfinished business of the MDGs, the importance of fundamental values including respect of all Human Rights, tolerance and shared responsibility and the need for action to combat climate change, to name a few.
More specifically, we would like to make the following observations:
- We would like to see a stronger emphasis of the elements of universality and sustainability both in the title and the declaration, as these two notions are the two new characteristics of the post 2015 development agenda
- Poverty eradication and sustainable development in all its 3 dimensions are the two sides of the same coin therefore we would like to see this interconnected and mutually reinforcing relation, be better reflected in the text
- We strongly support paragraph 2 of the text. However, as Canada said, we prefer a more positive tone, to also recognize the significant progress in the last 15 years, what has been achieved and the lessons learned from the implementation process of the MDGs
- We share the views of Guatemala, Mexico and others that we need to strengthen the notion of inequality because to end poverty we need to tackle inequality first and give emphasis to gender inequality as Switzerland said
- In paragraph 6 we welcome the mentioning of the 3 dimensions of sustainable development and wish to highlight the importance of their interlinkages. With regard to the reference to economic growth this should not only be sustained but also inclusive and sustainable
- In paragraph 11 we welcome the reference to the 6 essential elements of the UN SG synthesis report but the language used in the discussion paper, needs more clarity as to what should be the purpose of the 6 elements. We need to explain clearly that they are to be used as a means for communicating the agenda in a simple manner to the people around the world
- On paragraph 14 we consider very important the reference to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter but we also wish to add reference to full respect to International Law as both the UN Charter and International Law are indispensable foundations for peace, prosperity and justice. We also think that reaffirmation to these principles should be placed higher in the text and it should not be put on the same footing with outcome documents of conferences and summits
- Finally we would like to support the idea expressed by some delegations of strengthening the notion of resilience and to support France, Benin and Mexico on the concept of sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems.
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator.
Discussion Document for Declaration
Statement By CYPRUS, 20.02.2015
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator.
Cyprus aligns itself with the statement made yesterday by the European Union and wish to make some additional points from a national perspective. Let me also thank you for the discussion paper which we think represents a good reflection of our discussions earlier in the week on the elements paper.
Like others we appreciate the short and concise text that you presented to us. We believe that it contains many of the key elements that we consider important to be included in the declaration like the objective of completing the unfinished business of the MDGs, the importance of fundamental values including respect of all Human Rights, tolerance and shared responsibility and the need for action to combat climate change, to name a few.
More specifically, we would like to make the following observations:
- We would like to see a stronger emphasis of the elements of universality and sustainability both in the title and the declaration, as these two notions are the two new characteristics of the post 2015 development agenda
- Poverty eradication and sustainable development in all its 3 dimensions are the two sides of the same coin therefore we would like to see this interconnected and mutually reinforcing relation, be better reflected in the text
- We strongly support paragraph 2 of the text. However, as Canada said, we prefer a more positive tone, to also recognize the significant progress in the last 15 years, what has been achieved and the lessons learned from the implementation process of the MDGs
- We share the views of Guatemala, Mexico and others that we need to strengthen the notion of inequality because to end poverty we need to tackle inequality first and give emphasis to gender inequality as Switzerland said
- In paragraph 6 we welcome the mentioning of the 3 dimensions of sustainable development and wish to highlight the importance of their interlinkages. With regard to the reference to economic growth this should not only be sustained but also inclusive and sustainable
- In paragraph 11 we welcome the reference to the 6 essential elements of the UN SG synthesis report but the language used in the discussion paper, needs more clarity as to what should be the purpose of the 6 elements. We need to explain clearly that they are to be used as a means for communicating the agenda in a simple manner to the people around the world
- On paragraph 14 we consider very important the reference to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter but we also wish to add reference to full respect to International Law as both the UN Charter and International Law are indispensable foundations for peace, prosperity and justice. We also think that reaffirmation to these principles should be placed higher in the text and it should not be put on the same footing with outcome documents of conferences and summits
- Finally we would like to support the idea expressed by some delegations of strengthening the notion of resilience and to support France, Benin and Mexico on the concept of sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems.
Thank you Mr. Co-facilitator.
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