Statement by Ambassador Achraf Ibrahim
Deputy Assistant Minister
For International Economic Affairs, MFA Egypt
CO facilitators
I would like to align my statement with the statements made by the G77 and China, African Group and Arab group.
We would also like to thank the Co-facilitators for their commitment and efforts, we appreciate and generally support the changes that were introduced to the text, and we believe that with opting for a constructive open-minded approach and a close of business deadline of 6pm tonight; we can reach the desired compromise, of course with a few tweaks here and there.
Having said that, we were surprised that last night’s session witnessed a reproduction of some issues and discussions, which we believe that they we either moved on, or reached certain agreements on, both at this IGN or in Addis. In the spirit of being constructive, we encourage delegations, to aim to conclude this document by COB tonight, and caution against the extension of the deadline. I am sure we are all not interested in replicating a very recent experience that we all went through a few weeks ago.
CO facilitators
Let me provide the following inputs on the text:
1. Concerning the preamble, we are flexible with regards to the two proposals, but request that if consensus is reached with regards to the shorter preamble that we tweak the language on peace and SD from its current formulation to bring it in line with the 1st sentence of para 34.
2. We propose the reintroduction of the following sentence in para 8 Poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions is the overarching priority and central imperative of the Agenda
3. On Para 12 we support the Co-facilitators proposal, without any changes.
4. On Para 13, we propose the deletion of the entire para.
5. On Para 20, we support the inclusion of “internationally recognized” and we stand in opposition to proposals for amendment or deletion of the term.
6. On Para 22 we do not support the inclusion of “…while remaining consistent with relevant international rules and commitments.
7. On para 26, we share the request by Cameroun, Nigeria and others for clarifications on the term “youth dividend”.
8. On Para 28, we believe a tweaking is called for in addressing the sentence “This will only be possible if wealth is shared and income inequality is addressed”, with regards to the sharing of wealth are we addressing “in countries or between countries”?
9. On Para 30, we support the proposal of the Co-facilitators, we believe this a good formulation.
10. On Para 31 and 31 alt, we believe more work can be done on para 31, and would support the G77 and China proposal on it.
11. On Para 34, we support the inclusion of the “right to development, and with regards to foreign occupation, we thank the co facilitators for the language but we believe it is missing the words “in conformity with international law”, which will bring the language in line with both OWG language and Rio+20.
12. On the issue of technical proofing, we remain flexible to the Co-facilitators proposal, but support the request made by other developing countries with regards to correctly phrasing 17.2.
13. On the MOIs, we are open to request to streamline the text, but can only accept this if we maintain paras 55 & 56/ the introduction of the whole of para 19 of Addis in para 57/ the reintroduction of para 45 of the July 26th draft and we support made by Japan and India for the introduction of para 123 of Addis on the TFM.
14. On Follow up and review, we believe good progress have been achieved, but we propose that on 70 (a) to replace “country led” with state-led, this is the agreed language from 67/290 on the principles of the reviews/ on para 83 we propose the reintroduction of the following language from para 79 of the July 26th version “Global indicators, recognizing national policy space, will provide guidance to national statistical authorities in their development of national indicators”. It is important to recognize that National Statistical Organizations will formulate national indicators, this has been the experience with the MDGs indicators, and we need to build on existing work, which have been done. Furthermore, we need to align these indicators with national circumstances in general, I am sure we all agree that a Land Locked Country will not see it feasible to include indicators on Oceans!!
Co facilitators
In concluding let me again assure you of our interest and support of all efforts to reach consensus by tonight, and encourage all delegations to follow suite.
