Montenegro and Slovenia
DivisionfortheSupport to theNationalCouncilforSustainableDevelopment
Date: 9 – 13 December 2013
Countries in special situations/countries with special needs
SI–MNE speaking points for 6th meeting of OWG SDGs
· Our current discussion focuses on several categories of countries, which face different challenges
in order to achieve sustainable development. Many of those have been already highlighted
during our previous sessions. On the other hand there is also a certain overlap in these
categories, which implies that there are some common challenges among those countries as
well, such as climate change and its effects on various aspects of human and economic
development. Despite important progress made in implementation of MDGs, the magnitude of
those challenges in many of these countries will demand our continuous attention and support
also in the period beyond 2015.
· It has been widely recognized that Africa made important economic progress in recent years. In
spite of this progress, African states still continue to face numerous environmental, social and
economic challenges. For instance, at our previous session it was mentioned several times that
sustainable industrialization and further investment in critical connecting infrastructure in Africa
can support the aim to reach its development potential.
· We believe that our attention should remain on LDCs. We should continue accompany LDCs in
their structural reforms to enhance productive capacity and unlock domestic potential for
sustainable and inclusive growth. In this regard the implementation of Istanbul Programme of
Action, which contains ambitious objectives for the development of LDCs and their graduation
from the group, is of significant importance.
· We also recognize the importance of the on-going preparations for the 3rd international SIDS
conference. We are aware that certain global challenges, particularly climate change and food,
water and energy security as well as access to international markets, are especially affecting SIDS
and impede their efforts towards achieving sustainable development.
· Furthermore, it will be also important to conduct constructive discussions on effective
preparations for the UN Comprehensive Ten-Year Review Conference, aiming at assessing
progress made in the implementation of the Almaty Program of Action.
· We are of the opinion that future SDGs will have to be flexible enough to allow implementation
at national levels, taking into consideration national priorities and stages of development. In this
context, we particularly have to bear in mind the differences between and within specific
categories of countries. Hence, appropriate indicators – both qualitative and quantitative –
should be used to reveal differences. Such flexibility will allow enough space to address
challenges of these countries in an effective manner. With knowledge and data on inequalities
within and between countries we can do more in our efforts to leave no one behind.
· We do realise that partnerships and international support to national efforts in most vulnerable
countries will remain an important part of their advancement towards sustainable development.
This session has already discussed importance of partnerships as well as what and how means of
implementation may be best used to support our common aim of eradicating poverty and
achieving sustainable development. Many interesting proposals and positions were presented.
· Slovenia as donor country is already focusing on promoting sustainable development through
our international development assistance. We pay special importance to promotion of good
governance and rule of law, to preservation of natural resources, especially water, and to
empowerment of women. Slovenia believes that through promotion of sustainable development
in developing countries a change towards sustainability can be made. We will continue
supporting the aspirations of developing countries, especially those of the most vulnerable ones,
for achieving sustainable development.
· Montenegro as an upper middle-income country, would like to express an expectation that
specific challenges of the middle-income countries are being dealt with special attention and
focus. Montenegro remains committed to the strengthening of its policies and institutions as
preconditions for achieving sustainable and inclusive development and calls for the continuation
of international efforts to provide adequate support to address the challenges specific to middleincome
countries.
· Allow me again to point out our belief that the SDGs should be formulated through human rights
based approach. For us the respect of human rights is an important prerequisite for achieving
sustainable development.
· Before I conclude, I would like to recall our general position towards the elaboration of SDGs that
it should be evidence-based and have measurable qualitative and quantitative indicators that will
help to ensure full implementation of the vision, which will be created through this process.
Date: 9 – 13 December 2013
Countries in special situations/countries with special needs
SI–MNE speaking points for 6th meeting of OWG SDGs
· Our current discussion focuses on several categories of countries, which face different challenges
in order to achieve sustainable development. Many of those have been already highlighted
during our previous sessions. On the other hand there is also a certain overlap in these
categories, which implies that there are some common challenges among those countries as
well, such as climate change and its effects on various aspects of human and economic
development. Despite important progress made in implementation of MDGs, the magnitude of
those challenges in many of these countries will demand our continuous attention and support
also in the period beyond 2015.
· It has been widely recognized that Africa made important economic progress in recent years. In
spite of this progress, African states still continue to face numerous environmental, social and
economic challenges. For instance, at our previous session it was mentioned several times that
sustainable industrialization and further investment in critical connecting infrastructure in Africa
can support the aim to reach its development potential.
· We believe that our attention should remain on LDCs. We should continue accompany LDCs in
their structural reforms to enhance productive capacity and unlock domestic potential for
sustainable and inclusive growth. In this regard the implementation of Istanbul Programme of
Action, which contains ambitious objectives for the development of LDCs and their graduation
from the group, is of significant importance.
· We also recognize the importance of the on-going preparations for the 3rd international SIDS
conference. We are aware that certain global challenges, particularly climate change and food,
water and energy security as well as access to international markets, are especially affecting SIDS
and impede their efforts towards achieving sustainable development.
· Furthermore, it will be also important to conduct constructive discussions on effective
preparations for the UN Comprehensive Ten-Year Review Conference, aiming at assessing
progress made in the implementation of the Almaty Program of Action.
· We are of the opinion that future SDGs will have to be flexible enough to allow implementation
at national levels, taking into consideration national priorities and stages of development. In this
context, we particularly have to bear in mind the differences between and within specific
categories of countries. Hence, appropriate indicators – both qualitative and quantitative –
should be used to reveal differences. Such flexibility will allow enough space to address
challenges of these countries in an effective manner. With knowledge and data on inequalities
within and between countries we can do more in our efforts to leave no one behind.
· We do realise that partnerships and international support to national efforts in most vulnerable
countries will remain an important part of their advancement towards sustainable development.
This session has already discussed importance of partnerships as well as what and how means of
implementation may be best used to support our common aim of eradicating poverty and
achieving sustainable development. Many interesting proposals and positions were presented.
· Slovenia as donor country is already focusing on promoting sustainable development through
our international development assistance. We pay special importance to promotion of good
governance and rule of law, to preservation of natural resources, especially water, and to
empowerment of women. Slovenia believes that through promotion of sustainable development
in developing countries a change towards sustainability can be made. We will continue
supporting the aspirations of developing countries, especially those of the most vulnerable ones,
for achieving sustainable development.
· Montenegro as an upper middle-income country, would like to express an expectation that
specific challenges of the middle-income countries are being dealt with special attention and
focus. Montenegro remains committed to the strengthening of its policies and institutions as
preconditions for achieving sustainable and inclusive development and calls for the continuation
of international efforts to provide adequate support to address the challenges specific to middleincome
countries.
· Allow me again to point out our belief that the SDGs should be formulated through human rights
based approach. For us the respect of human rights is an important prerequisite for achieving
sustainable development.
· Before I conclude, I would like to recall our general position towards the elaboration of SDGs that
it should be evidence-based and have measurable qualitative and quantitative indicators that will
help to ensure full implementation of the vision, which will be created through this process.