Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea Statement
by
Honourable Leo Dion, GCL, CMG, QPM, MP,
Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Inter-Government Relations
of Papua New Guinea
to the
United Nations General Assembly Post-2015 Summit
for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda
New York, United States of America
26 September 2015
"Check against delivery"
Co-Chairs;
Excellencies;
Distinguished Delegates.
Papua New Guinea welcomes the adoption of the Post-2015 Sustainable
Development Goals and acknowledges the collective efforts of all stakeholders to
chart this transformative universal development roadmap, which shall ensure
that the 2030 Agenda leaves-no-one-behind.
Co-Chairs,
The MDGs galvanised the global community to take action on key development
concerns of the developing world.
The 2030 Agenda is therefore a significant landmark at this point in time when we
celebrate the Seventieth Anniversary of the United Nations.
1
My Government therefore pledges its support and commitment toward the full
realization of the 17 SDGs.
Co-Chairs,
Papua New Guinea recognises that this is a people-centered and transformative
Post-2015 Development Agenda which must be nationally-owned and driven, and
supported by global partnerships. We can only succeed, when countries truly
own and lead their national development plans and strategies whilst integrating
the 2030 Agenda.
Consistent with our 2014 National Strategy for Responsible Sustainable
Development, Papua New Guinea recognizes that a healthy, well-educated
population is the underlying driver for development.
The principles of responsible sustainable development mean that we do not
conduct ourselves in a manner that compromises our future generations.
2
Co-Chairs,
We must ensure that the High-Level Political Forum adequately support national,
regional and global SDG efforts to avoid the pitfalls of its predecessor.
Papua New Guinea has also invested heavily in the achievement of the MDGs in
Government interventions enabling national policies and plans for Free Basic
Health Service, National Population, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and
energy. We are also developing an energy policy. Tuition Fee Free education has
resulted in the enrolled of an additional two million children in the last two years.
We have laid a strong foundation that is now witnessing unprecedented
economic growth. My Government is fully committed to ensuring that we manage
this transformation carefully and effectively to deliver the maximum benefit to all
our citizens whilst protecting our natural resources for our future generations.
The challenge for us is to translate the enhanced growth into improved human
development outcomes to achieve our National Vision 2050, with the resultant
achievement of the SDGs.
3
Co-Chairs,
We the peoples of the Pacific Island countries are pleased with the inclusions of
SDG 13 on climate change and SDG 14 on the conservation and sustainable use of
the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
The Pacific Island countries’ individually as well as collective ability to successfully
achieve the SDGs depends largely on the effective and sustainable management
of our natural environment and resources.
Climate change is here. Even with the current average global warming of less than
1 degree, Pacific island states are already dealing with serious consequences. The
recent Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Papua New Guinea, reiterated the
concern that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihood,
security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific.
4
The 2015 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Declaration on Climate Change Action
expresses:
1. An expectation of an ambitious and legally binding climate
agreement be adopted in Paris;
2. Recognition of the special circumstances and vulnerability of Small
Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly those in the Pacific, and
Least Developed Countries (LDCs);
3. Agreement that an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius would severely
exacerbate the particular challenges facing the most vulnerable
smaller island states of the Pacific and that all effort be made to stay
within the global temperature goal;
4. Support for “inclusion in the Paris Outcome of loss and damage as a
critical and stand alone element”, and “builds on the ongoing work
of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage”;
5
5. Expectation that there be access to financial resources to support
climate change action and resilience in vulnerable developing countries;
and,
6. Recognition of impacts of climate change on women and youth, the
elderly, disabled, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable and
marginalised groups, and acknowledge their contributions to the effective
implementation of the Paris outcome.
Co-Chairs,
In closing, Papua New Guinea has set in place the necessary foundation and using
the combined lessons learned from the MDGs and the past 40 years as a country
with economic opportunities – we welcome the Sustainable Development Goals
and pledge our commitment to achieving better results.
Thank you.
6
by
Honourable Leo Dion, GCL, CMG, QPM, MP,
Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Inter-Government Relations
of Papua New Guinea
to the
United Nations General Assembly Post-2015 Summit
for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda
New York, United States of America
26 September 2015
"Check against delivery"
Co-Chairs;
Excellencies;
Distinguished Delegates.
Papua New Guinea welcomes the adoption of the Post-2015 Sustainable
Development Goals and acknowledges the collective efforts of all stakeholders to
chart this transformative universal development roadmap, which shall ensure
that the 2030 Agenda leaves-no-one-behind.
Co-Chairs,
The MDGs galvanised the global community to take action on key development
concerns of the developing world.
The 2030 Agenda is therefore a significant landmark at this point in time when we
celebrate the Seventieth Anniversary of the United Nations.
1
My Government therefore pledges its support and commitment toward the full
realization of the 17 SDGs.
Co-Chairs,
Papua New Guinea recognises that this is a people-centered and transformative
Post-2015 Development Agenda which must be nationally-owned and driven, and
supported by global partnerships. We can only succeed, when countries truly
own and lead their national development plans and strategies whilst integrating
the 2030 Agenda.
Consistent with our 2014 National Strategy for Responsible Sustainable
Development, Papua New Guinea recognizes that a healthy, well-educated
population is the underlying driver for development.
The principles of responsible sustainable development mean that we do not
conduct ourselves in a manner that compromises our future generations.
2
Co-Chairs,
We must ensure that the High-Level Political Forum adequately support national,
regional and global SDG efforts to avoid the pitfalls of its predecessor.
Papua New Guinea has also invested heavily in the achievement of the MDGs in
Government interventions enabling national policies and plans for Free Basic
Health Service, National Population, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and
energy. We are also developing an energy policy. Tuition Fee Free education has
resulted in the enrolled of an additional two million children in the last two years.
We have laid a strong foundation that is now witnessing unprecedented
economic growth. My Government is fully committed to ensuring that we manage
this transformation carefully and effectively to deliver the maximum benefit to all
our citizens whilst protecting our natural resources for our future generations.
The challenge for us is to translate the enhanced growth into improved human
development outcomes to achieve our National Vision 2050, with the resultant
achievement of the SDGs.
3
Co-Chairs,
We the peoples of the Pacific Island countries are pleased with the inclusions of
SDG 13 on climate change and SDG 14 on the conservation and sustainable use of
the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
The Pacific Island countries’ individually as well as collective ability to successfully
achieve the SDGs depends largely on the effective and sustainable management
of our natural environment and resources.
Climate change is here. Even with the current average global warming of less than
1 degree, Pacific island states are already dealing with serious consequences. The
recent Pacific Islands Leaders Forum in Papua New Guinea, reiterated the
concern that climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihood,
security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific.
4
The 2015 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Declaration on Climate Change Action
expresses:
1. An expectation of an ambitious and legally binding climate
agreement be adopted in Paris;
2. Recognition of the special circumstances and vulnerability of Small
Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly those in the Pacific, and
Least Developed Countries (LDCs);
3. Agreement that an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius would severely
exacerbate the particular challenges facing the most vulnerable
smaller island states of the Pacific and that all effort be made to stay
within the global temperature goal;
4. Support for “inclusion in the Paris Outcome of loss and damage as a
critical and stand alone element”, and “builds on the ongoing work
of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage”;
5
5. Expectation that there be access to financial resources to support
climate change action and resilience in vulnerable developing countries;
and,
6. Recognition of impacts of climate change on women and youth, the
elderly, disabled, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable and
marginalised groups, and acknowledge their contributions to the effective
implementation of the Paris outcome.
Co-Chairs,
In closing, Papua New Guinea has set in place the necessary foundation and using
the combined lessons learned from the MDGs and the past 40 years as a country
with economic opportunities – we welcome the Sustainable Development Goals
and pledge our commitment to achieving better results.
Thank you.
6
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