H.E. Mr. Anifah Aman
1
Intervention from the Floor
“Leaders Dialogue: Global Partnership for Development to
Create Jobs and improve Sustainable Lifestyles”
by Honourable Mr. Anifah Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia at the First Meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development,
24 September 2013, 5.15 – 6.45 p.m., UN Headquarters, New York
______________________________________________________________________
Mr. President,
At the outset, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to thank you for convening this inaugural meeting of the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development, which remains one of the most important outcomes of Rio+20 Conference. My appreciation also goes to the co-facilitators and negotiating parties who have undergone a long and difficult negotiation process before reaching a compromise in defining what is the best format and organizational aspects of the High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development that will replace the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
2. I also would like to align my intervention, with the statement made by the distinguished Prime Minister of Fiji, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. President, 3. The world is faced with multiple inter-linked challenges – food, energy, water, climate, finance, jobs, development – and the High-level Political Forum that we have build for the future must be prepared to address these in a coherent and integrated way in the post-2015 development agenda.
4. Since, this is the first meeting of the High-level Political Forum, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to briefly share some of our thoughts on the important elements which the Forum should have to transform the Rio+20 outcomes into action in
2
the context of post-2015 sustainable development agenda, before touching on the second elements of the dialogue.
5. For the High-level Political Forum to address new and emerging sustainable development challenges in an effective manner, it should have the following elements:
One, we underscore the importance of paragraph 85 of the Rio+20 outcome document that affirms twelve important functions including for the High-Level Political Forum to be a dynamic platform for regular dialogue; stocktaking and agenda-setting; to have an action-oriented agenda including considering new and emerging sustainable development challenges; to follow up and review the implementation of commitments contained in Agenda 21, Johannesburg Plan of Action and other related outcome documents; provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development; and enhance the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environment;
Two, the thematic focus of the Forum would be to reflect the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development and consistent with the post-2015 development agenda;
Three, the Forum must not be just a “talk shop” made up of roundtables or panel discussions, without taking decisions and devoid of decision-making authority;
Four, the high-level event with high political involvement, should provide the leadership and the catalytic role to enable actions, that are earlier planned by representatives, or that are proposed by the leaders themselves, to proceed;
3
Five, High-Level Political Forum could oversee progress on the sustainable development goals and to make recommendations on how they may be more effectively implemented;
Six, the key development issues including Means of Implementation (MoI) should be given prominent place in the structures of the High-level Political Forum and in its priority issues, meetings, and implementation mechanisms; and
Finally, the High-level Political Forum should take stock from lessons learnt from the Commission on Sustainable Development and build upon the good elements of the Commission.
6. On the second element of the dialogue, Malaysia believes the High-Level Political Forum can play a central role in strengthening global partnership for development, including to create jobs and improve sustainable lifestyles. We recognise the importance of national ownership, and emphasise that if the creation of jobs and improving sustainable lifestyles are to be achieved, national efforts of developing countries need to be assisted by international support and an enabling international environment. In this regard, the mobilisation and effective use of all resources, public and private, domestic and international, will be crucial. This is where we count on the strong support of the UN system and other stakeholders of the Major Groups to the work of the High-Level Political Forum.
7. Changing global consumer attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable ways of consuming and producing is key to creating a sustainable lifestyles. How to deliver sustainable consumption habits is a challenge to all of us. This is where the High-Level Political Forum can help to further our understanding of how to influence consumer and producer behaviour by bringing together representatives from civil society from all major groups involved in sustainable lifestyles and consumption projects, consumer change
4
specialists and businesses who have partnered successfully with governmental and non-state-actors to promote sustainable consumption and production.
8. Further, this High-Level Political Forum can provide an excellent avenue for all relevant stakeholders to showcase the very latest ideas and initiatives on how to influence consumer and producer behaviours, as well as provide a platform for the creation of partnerships to affect the changes in consumption and in achieving sustainable lifestyles.
Mr. President,
9. The establishment of High-Level Political Forum that will be led by Heads of State and Government to oversee the United Nation’s new mandate in sustainable development, is indeed, a critical starting point. The success or failure of the High-Level Political Forum, in this regard, lies in the hand of Member States. For the Forum to succeed, we must all demonstrate political will at the highest level to ensure that we can move beyond rhetoric.
10. To conclude, let me assure you, Mr. President, of my delegation’s full commitment and support to the work of the High-Level Political Forum in the years ahead.
Thank you.
Intervention from the Floor
“Leaders Dialogue: Global Partnership for Development to
Create Jobs and improve Sustainable Lifestyles”
by Honourable Mr. Anifah Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia at the First Meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development,
24 September 2013, 5.15 – 6.45 p.m., UN Headquarters, New York
______________________________________________________________________
Mr. President,
At the outset, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to thank you for convening this inaugural meeting of the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development, which remains one of the most important outcomes of Rio+20 Conference. My appreciation also goes to the co-facilitators and negotiating parties who have undergone a long and difficult negotiation process before reaching a compromise in defining what is the best format and organizational aspects of the High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development that will replace the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
2. I also would like to align my intervention, with the statement made by the distinguished Prime Minister of Fiji, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. President, 3. The world is faced with multiple inter-linked challenges – food, energy, water, climate, finance, jobs, development – and the High-level Political Forum that we have build for the future must be prepared to address these in a coherent and integrated way in the post-2015 development agenda.
4. Since, this is the first meeting of the High-level Political Forum, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to briefly share some of our thoughts on the important elements which the Forum should have to transform the Rio+20 outcomes into action in
2
the context of post-2015 sustainable development agenda, before touching on the second elements of the dialogue.
5. For the High-level Political Forum to address new and emerging sustainable development challenges in an effective manner, it should have the following elements:
One, we underscore the importance of paragraph 85 of the Rio+20 outcome document that affirms twelve important functions including for the High-Level Political Forum to be a dynamic platform for regular dialogue; stocktaking and agenda-setting; to have an action-oriented agenda including considering new and emerging sustainable development challenges; to follow up and review the implementation of commitments contained in Agenda 21, Johannesburg Plan of Action and other related outcome documents; provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development; and enhance the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environment;
Two, the thematic focus of the Forum would be to reflect the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development and consistent with the post-2015 development agenda;
Three, the Forum must not be just a “talk shop” made up of roundtables or panel discussions, without taking decisions and devoid of decision-making authority;
Four, the high-level event with high political involvement, should provide the leadership and the catalytic role to enable actions, that are earlier planned by representatives, or that are proposed by the leaders themselves, to proceed;
3
Five, High-Level Political Forum could oversee progress on the sustainable development goals and to make recommendations on how they may be more effectively implemented;
Six, the key development issues including Means of Implementation (MoI) should be given prominent place in the structures of the High-level Political Forum and in its priority issues, meetings, and implementation mechanisms; and
Finally, the High-level Political Forum should take stock from lessons learnt from the Commission on Sustainable Development and build upon the good elements of the Commission.
6. On the second element of the dialogue, Malaysia believes the High-Level Political Forum can play a central role in strengthening global partnership for development, including to create jobs and improve sustainable lifestyles. We recognise the importance of national ownership, and emphasise that if the creation of jobs and improving sustainable lifestyles are to be achieved, national efforts of developing countries need to be assisted by international support and an enabling international environment. In this regard, the mobilisation and effective use of all resources, public and private, domestic and international, will be crucial. This is where we count on the strong support of the UN system and other stakeholders of the Major Groups to the work of the High-Level Political Forum.
7. Changing global consumer attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable ways of consuming and producing is key to creating a sustainable lifestyles. How to deliver sustainable consumption habits is a challenge to all of us. This is where the High-Level Political Forum can help to further our understanding of how to influence consumer and producer behaviour by bringing together representatives from civil society from all major groups involved in sustainable lifestyles and consumption projects, consumer change
4
specialists and businesses who have partnered successfully with governmental and non-state-actors to promote sustainable consumption and production.
8. Further, this High-Level Political Forum can provide an excellent avenue for all relevant stakeholders to showcase the very latest ideas and initiatives on how to influence consumer and producer behaviours, as well as provide a platform for the creation of partnerships to affect the changes in consumption and in achieving sustainable lifestyles.
Mr. President,
9. The establishment of High-Level Political Forum that will be led by Heads of State and Government to oversee the United Nation’s new mandate in sustainable development, is indeed, a critical starting point. The success or failure of the High-Level Political Forum, in this regard, lies in the hand of Member States. For the Forum to succeed, we must all demonstrate political will at the highest level to ensure that we can move beyond rhetoric.
10. To conclude, let me assure you, Mr. President, of my delegation’s full commitment and support to the work of the High-Level Political Forum in the years ahead.
Thank you.
Stakeholders