Statement on behalf of Group of 77 and China
by Mr. Jamil Ahmad of Pakistan on Inter-linkages and cross cutting
issues including means of implementation
During the Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting (IPM) of
Fifteenth Session of Commission on Sustainable Development
(CSD-15)
New York, March 01, 2007 (Morning session)
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I have the honour to make this contribution on behalf of Group of 77 and
China to our discussion on ?Inter-linkages and cross cutting issues including
means of implementation?. We thank the Panelists for their important
presentations.
The themes of CSD-15 are defined by close inter-linkages and cross cutting
issues. Among these the Means of Implementation stand out as the most
important and critical one to the realization of our common objectives of
promoting sustained economic growth and sustainable development.
The topicality of the issues on our agenda and their relevance to our
endeavors to eradicate poverty and achieve sustained economic growth and
sustainable development is well recognized. The fact that poverty is rampant
globally and on the rise in some countries and regions only lends greater
urgency for seeking sustainable and development oriented solutions to the
challenges we face.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China believes that the urgent and full implementation
of the international commitments relating to the means of implementation in
the areas of Energy for Sustainable Development, Industrial Development,
Air Pollution and Climate Change must be based on the Rio principle 7 of
common but differentiated responsibilities. In this regard, we have noted the
slow progress on the implementation of Bali Strategic Plan for Capacity
Building and Technology Transfer. We call for its immediate, full and
effective implementation. UNEP must act in cooperation with CSD on this
urgently now and without sparing any effort.
Adequate policies must take into consideration the special needs of
developing countries, particularly those in Africa, LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
We would also like to emphasize the needs of countries emerging from
conflict in the areas of capacity building, technical cooperation and
infrastructure development.
Mr. Chairman,
As we seek ways to build capacities, foster the transfer of knowledge and
technology to developing countries, enhance coordination, strengthen
scientific knowledge, assessment and cooperation, we also realize the need
for a fully supportive and enabling international environment to facilitate
and promote the implementation of national development strategies.
Mr. Chairman,
In order to effectively cope with the challenges we face in the means of
implementation, Group of 77 and China suggest the following policy options
to be endorsed by CSD-15:
? Scale up efforts to effectively implement the global partnership for
development as set out in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey and
the JPOI and to effectively operationalize the World Solidarity Fund for
Poverty;
? Work towards an early conclusion and development oriented outcome of the
Doha Round of Trade negotiations and to specifically undertake concrete
measures to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers on imports from
developing countries as well as the removal of tariff escalations and tariff
peaks on exports from developing countries. This is critical to enable
developing countries to make full use of their comparative advantages;
? Implement debt relief measures to enable developing countries to meet the
goals and targets in the JPOI;
? Consciously direct Foreign Direct Investment flows to the weaker
economies, through various measures, such as investment guarantee
schemes;
? Early and full realization of 0.7% ODA target;
? Establish financial mechanisms including disbursal of loans with extended
repayment timeframes, microfinance schemes and revolving funds;
? Encourage simplification and streamlining the rules as well as improve
accessibility of developing countries to all the existing financial mechanisms
including GEF, as well as identify new and additional sources of financing;
? Greater involvement of the private sector through promotion of publicprivate
partnerships,
? Adopting a more coherent approach on the corporate, environmental and
social responsibility and accountability;
? Promote responsible entrepreneurship, particularly among Small and
Medium Enterprises (SMEs);
? Facilitate access to and transfer of technology;
? Promote technical capacity building and know-how, including
through support from multilateral financial institutions;
? Immediate, effective and full implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan for
Capacity Building and Technology Transfer;
? The renewed commitment of the international community, especially
financial institutions, is essential to support national efforts of developing
countries for capacity building. In this context, a global campaign should be
initiated for human resource training particularly in the area of sustainable
development;
? World class Centers of Excellence in areas relevant to sustainable
development should be established in the developing countries through
international cooperation;
? High quality ?virtual universities? and virtual means of research could be
created to spread knowledge, innovation and technological application;
? Investment and trade policies should be structured in ways designed to
acquire technological capabilities;
? International rule making and standard setting activities should respond to
the concerns of developing countries and not discriminate against them;
? The agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS),
and other intellectual property laws, should be reviewed and, where
necessary, revised to enhance their contribution to sustainable development.
This should be pursued both in WIPO and the WTO;
? More direct endeavours should be made to utilize global scientific and R&D
capabilities for sustainable development. In this regard research and
developmental needs and priorities of developing countries should be
identified together with possible niche opportunities for specific countries
and regions;
? Strengthen South-South and triangular cooperation in investment, trade,
technology, research and development;
? Enhance regional cooperation, through: establishment of regional/subregional
arrangements, strengthening cooperation between national and
regional institutions, strengthening and facilitating as appropriate, regional
cooperation arrangements;
Mr. Chairman,
We are satisfied at the discussions over the week under your able leadership.
Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting has been useful in bringing to the
fore a number of policy options which will form basis for CSD-15 to agree
to a set of action-based and development oriented policy options preferably
with an in-built mechanism for follow up and implementation.
I thank you.
