Lebanon
Statement
by
H.E. Dr. Nawaf Salam
Permanent Representative of Lebanon
to the United Nations
at the
Post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations
“Means of implementation and global partnership
for sustainable development”
New York, April 21, 2015
Check against delivery
Lebanon aligns itself with the statement delivered by South Africa on behalf of the
Group of 77 and China.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
The linkages and synergies between the Post-2015 and the FFD processes cannot be
understated, and the closer we progress towards a consensus on the Addis Final
Document the closer we get to an agreement on the Means of Implementation for the
Post-2015 Agenda. Means of Implementation, both as a stand-alone goal and also
within goals, is an integral part of the agenda and an essential component towards its
effective realization.
While recognizing that the current discussion within the FFD framework has
expanded beyond the traditional components of financing, trade, debt and systemic
issues towards tackling other components as identified within Means of
Implementation by the Open Working Group Report, such as capacity building and
technology, we believe that more elaboration of the two latter components is required
in both processes.
We acknowledge that the implementation of the Post-2015 Agenda requires a
comprehensive approach that bolsters the financial and non-financial capacities of
developing countries, drawing on resources in the public and private spheres, and on
the domestic and international levels. Each country will remain responsible for setting
its sustainable development priorities and policies, but an enhanced global partnership
is necessary to strengthen those national efforts. This global partnership must be
complemented by a multi-stakeholder partnership that includes the private sector, civil
society, academic and research institutions and local authorities.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
It is our conviction that ODA flows remain a key source for financing sustainable
development, particularly for LDC’s, and play an effective role as catalysts for private
investment; hence the necessity for developed countries to meet their ODA
commitments.
We also underscore the importance of domestic resource mobilization for financing
sustainable development, through enhancing tax revenues, improving the efficiency of
public expenditures and developing domestic capital markets in ways that promote
growth and equity.
Domestic efforts must be accompanied by international support for capacity building,
as well as increased global cooperation in addressing harmful tax practices that erode
domestic resource bases in developing countries.
The need to leverage private finance for long term investment in developing countries
must also be emphasized, particularly for infrastructure, Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises (SME’s), and public goods. It should be noted here that this requires
creating an enabling investment environment and improving risk intermediation
through the involvement of Multilateral Development Banks (MDB’s).
The creation of an enabling domestic environment is not only crucial for attracting
private finances, but also for drawing public finances, building capacities, technology
facilitation and fostering innovation, all of which are paramount for the successful
implementation of the Agenda. An enabling environment means ensuring peace and
security, the respect and protection of human rights, gender equality, inclusiveness,
good governance, and national accountability based on the rule of law. It also means
the existence of sound and transparent national policies and effective regulatory
frameworks.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the necessity of addressing the growing challenge
of financing the response to humanitarian crises within the framework of both the
FFD and the Post-2015 Agenda. Today, and in different parts of the world, whether in
South East Asia, or East Africa, or the Middle East, humanitarian crises continue to
have a devastating impact on the sustainable development and security of countries
affected by natural disasters, conflict and cross border mass displacement of refugees.
Tackling these crises through the narrow channel of humanitarian assistance has
proven to be insufficient and inadequate in the past few years. There is a growing call
on donors, international financial institutions and UN agencies to provide affected
countries, including middle income countries, with adequate development assistance
that would meet their needs, strengthen their resilience and alleviate the impact of
those crises.
Thank you.
by
H.E. Dr. Nawaf Salam
Permanent Representative of Lebanon
to the United Nations
at the
Post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations
“Means of implementation and global partnership
for sustainable development”
New York, April 21, 2015
Check against delivery
Lebanon aligns itself with the statement delivered by South Africa on behalf of the
Group of 77 and China.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
The linkages and synergies between the Post-2015 and the FFD processes cannot be
understated, and the closer we progress towards a consensus on the Addis Final
Document the closer we get to an agreement on the Means of Implementation for the
Post-2015 Agenda. Means of Implementation, both as a stand-alone goal and also
within goals, is an integral part of the agenda and an essential component towards its
effective realization.
While recognizing that the current discussion within the FFD framework has
expanded beyond the traditional components of financing, trade, debt and systemic
issues towards tackling other components as identified within Means of
Implementation by the Open Working Group Report, such as capacity building and
technology, we believe that more elaboration of the two latter components is required
in both processes.
We acknowledge that the implementation of the Post-2015 Agenda requires a
comprehensive approach that bolsters the financial and non-financial capacities of
developing countries, drawing on resources in the public and private spheres, and on
the domestic and international levels. Each country will remain responsible for setting
its sustainable development priorities and policies, but an enhanced global partnership
is necessary to strengthen those national efforts. This global partnership must be
complemented by a multi-stakeholder partnership that includes the private sector, civil
society, academic and research institutions and local authorities.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
It is our conviction that ODA flows remain a key source for financing sustainable
development, particularly for LDC’s, and play an effective role as catalysts for private
investment; hence the necessity for developed countries to meet their ODA
commitments.
We also underscore the importance of domestic resource mobilization for financing
sustainable development, through enhancing tax revenues, improving the efficiency of
public expenditures and developing domestic capital markets in ways that promote
growth and equity.
Domestic efforts must be accompanied by international support for capacity building,
as well as increased global cooperation in addressing harmful tax practices that erode
domestic resource bases in developing countries.
The need to leverage private finance for long term investment in developing countries
must also be emphasized, particularly for infrastructure, Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises (SME’s), and public goods. It should be noted here that this requires
creating an enabling investment environment and improving risk intermediation
through the involvement of Multilateral Development Banks (MDB’s).
The creation of an enabling domestic environment is not only crucial for attracting
private finances, but also for drawing public finances, building capacities, technology
facilitation and fostering innovation, all of which are paramount for the successful
implementation of the Agenda. An enabling environment means ensuring peace and
security, the respect and protection of human rights, gender equality, inclusiveness,
good governance, and national accountability based on the rule of law. It also means
the existence of sound and transparent national policies and effective regulatory
frameworks.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the necessity of addressing the growing challenge
of financing the response to humanitarian crises within the framework of both the
FFD and the Post-2015 Agenda. Today, and in different parts of the world, whether in
South East Asia, or East Africa, or the Middle East, humanitarian crises continue to
have a devastating impact on the sustainable development and security of countries
affected by natural disasters, conflict and cross border mass displacement of refugees.
Tackling these crises through the narrow channel of humanitarian assistance has
proven to be insufficient and inadequate in the past few years. There is a growing call
on donors, international financial institutions and UN agencies to provide affected
countries, including middle income countries, with adequate development assistance
that would meet their needs, strengthen their resilience and alleviate the impact of
those crises.
Thank you.
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