Palau Statement on FA 15 & 16 of the 11th OWG
May 9, 2014
Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair for giving me the floor.
We associate ourselves with the statements made by Nauru on behalf of AOSIS and PNG on behalf of the PSIDS, and make these few additional comments in our national capacity.
In FA 15, on means of implementation , we agree with all the targets developed and the additional ones suggested by AOSIS and PSIDS. We would like to highlight the fact that certain powerful tools already exist to help toward achievement of our sustainable development goals.
So we would like to suggest a new subsection called Policies or Existing Instruments, with a target which reads: “Ensure strong implementation of existing international instrument relevant to SDGs, including, Conventions on Human Rights, CEDAW, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, etc. “
Under trade, a new target (d) that reads, “Ensure strong implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and urge countries who have not ratified to ratify and implement it. Also to implement strongly the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Under Partnership, we wish to add target (w) that reads, “To ensure that basis and terms of partnership do not run counter to the goals of sustainable development, paying special attention to areas of: conflict of interest and Corporate Social Responsibility .
In Focus area 16, under ‘rule of law, capable institutions’ , first we’d like to agree with Peru and Bulgaria with regards to the role culture plays in institutions that enable sustainable development; Secondly, we would like to suggest an addition of target (g) that reads, “Ratify and implement The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. “ This protocol is an example of another existing tool that can strengthen the rule of law, at the international and local levels and can have great impact towards achievement of our goals.
Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair for your kind attention.
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H.E. Dr. Caleb Otto
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
of Palau to the United Nations
