Co-faciliÿtators,
On behalf of my delegation, I want to thank the President of the
General Assembly for convening this important meeting and I wish to
express appreciation to him and the Secretary- General for their inspiring
statements. Similarly, we welcome the election of the Permanent
Representatives of Kenya and Hungary as co-facilitators. We pledge our ful!
support to them as they lead us to a successful outcome of this process.
My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the
distinguished representatives of Fiji and Chad on behalf of the G77 and
China, and the African Group respectively.
Co-facilitators,
The lifespan of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) would
terminate in less than three years from now. Despite the challenges faced,
the MDGs have galvanized the global community to pursue, specific
development programmes. Nigeria views the MDGs as desirable and
important in addressing global cross-cutting challenges such as poverty,
illiteracy, diseases, malnutrition, and so-forth. It is our view that concerted
efforts should be geared towards supporting countries that are still off the
track in the attainment of the MDGs.
With regard to the Sustainable Development Goals framework,
Nigeria is of the opinion that it should build on the achievements of the
MDGs. To this end, we would like to reiterate that the SDGs should ensure
a balanced integration of the three dimensions of sustainable deve!opment
namely social equity, economic transformation and environmental
sustainability.
We reaffirm that the formulation of the SDGs should focus on the
core issues of poverty eradication, job creation, gender equality, sustainable
energy, environmental sustainability, qualitative education and good
governance.
Co-facilitators,
Given the fact that countries are at different levels of development, we
are of the view that the formulation of the SDGs should take due cognizance
of national priorities, circumstances and capacities. In this connection,
within the SDGs framework, we should develop programmes that are
specifically tai!ored to the needs of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs),
Landlocked and Small Island States. In doing so, the peculiar conditions of
these countries would be addressed while advancing globally agreed
development objectives in the post-am5 era.
Similarly, we believe that the categorization of countries according to
their levels of social and economic development as well as environmental
priorities would make the SDGs more focused, action-oriented and
implementable. Furthermore, my delegation would like to propose that
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) should be specially consulted on
the modalities of the SDGs framework and broader post-2olg development
objectives. This is with a view to learn from their experiences and a!so
develop viable programmes with them for the implementation of all agreed
development goals. In addition, we would like to stress that the key issue of
national ownership should not be overlooked.
Co-facilitators,
The challenges at this point in time, both regionally and
internationally, are different from what they were at the beginning of the
Millennium. For instance, many developing countries including Nigeria are
experiencing a rapid increase in youth population and lack of social safety
nets for the elderly. Nigeria is of the view that the changing demographic
dynamics could result in the exacerbation of the inequality gap, put
incredible strain on resources and infrastructure especially in the health
sector, increase levels of social volatility and political instability. Nigeria
therefore stresses that the SDGs should accommodate the yearnings of the
youth for better lifestyle including decent employment and also cater for
the needs of the elderly in the society.
Furthermore, Nigeria believes that global partnership and
mechanisms for accountability should be properly articulated and
embedded in the SDGs framework. We suggest that partnership in the
SDGs should place emphasis on relevant issues to development such as
Agriculture, Trade, Investment, Information and Communication
Technology (ICT), Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property Rights
(IPRs), Research and Deve!opment (R&D) etc.
Also, it is our firm conviction that the SDGs must be premised upon
the sovereign equality of all States and the recognition of their
interdependent and mutually reinforcing roles in ushering in and
sustaining all internationally agreed deve!opment objectives. Nigeria also
asserts that peace and security are indispensable to the achievement of
sustainable development. The proliferation of conflicts and their
debilitating effects on the promotion. of human rights and human
development must be taken into account. Factors that fuel conflicts and
drive them on interminably must be addressed within the SDGs dialogue.
Deepening of democracy at the nationa! leve! and observance of
human rights, are a much desired corollary to development. On the other
hand, the global governance architecture must also be democratized. The
reform of the UN particularly the Security Council must proceed hand in
hand with the entrenchment of the rule of law at the nationa! and
international levels.
Imposition of unilateral sanctions against States is an issue that must
be examined within the greater discourse on the SDGs. It is our considered
view that Member States should seize this opportunity to reflect on the
negative impacts of sanctions on the attainment of development objectives.
Co-facilitators,
Regarding procedural matters, Nigeria reaffirms that the SDGs
process should be guided by the principles of openness, inclusiveness,
transparency and consensus. In this regard.,- we are of the view that the
engagement of all relevant stakeholders including Member States, Regional
Grouping, Civil Society and others would significantly contribute to the
formation of goals that addresses the challenges confronting humanity and
in particular the vulnerable groups.
We would like to also emphasize the need for a consensual outcome
that accommodates the desires and aspirations of all stakeholders.
I thank you.
