59 ASAMBLEA GENERAL
DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS
1311 Sesion de la Comision de Desarrollo Sostenible
Perspectivas Regionales
Intervencion de la Delegaeion Argentina ante las Naciones Unidas
EN NOMBRE DEL GRUPO DE RIO
59th UNITED NATIONS
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
131 Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development
Regional Perspectives
Statement by the Delegation of Argentina to the United Nations
ON BEHALF OF THE RIO GROUP
Permanent Mission of the Argentine Republic to the United Nations
One United Nations Plaza 25 th Floor
New York, NY 10017
ARGENTINA 2005
XIX CUMBRE DEL GRUPO DE RIO
SECRETARIA PRO TEMPORE
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Nueva York, 11 de abri l de 2005
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New York, April 11 2005
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Mr. Chairman
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the nineteen countries members of the Rio Group,
namely Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and
Venezuela
During the negotiations leading to the JPOI the countries of the Rio Group, individually and through our
participation in different negotiating groups, supported that document to include a clear regional
Following the same line, our region supported CSD 11 decision to channel the contribution of regional
commissions through regional implementation meetings, for which the relevant assignment of funds was
as well provided for.
At the beginning of the final phase of the first cycle of CSD we believe it is necessary to assess the
implementation of the approach adopted in 2003. Such exercise should include the regional component .
The Rio Group has the conviction that a regional instance cooperating with countries in the
implementation and , assessment of the commitments assumed in Johannesburg constitutes a
fundamental pillar.
From this perspective we should reinforce the use of mechanisms so that the regional consideration of
sustainable development related issues be established in documents produced through a process of
debate, negotiation and intergovernmental approval at the regional level .
Within this mind frame, mechanisms to be adopted should be established in an explicit manner in order
for the regional institutions and their member states to be able to reach proposals y develop actions
addressing priorities identified by the relevant national authorities . This will strengthen coordination and
interagency and intergovernmental cooperation in the region .
The Rio Group acknowledges the contributions that have been received so far from the different regional
institutions . The impact of such contribution will be increased in the measure that they receive the
effective support of the relevant national authorities in accordance to mechanisms established to this
end. Any resolution on this matter should have an appropriate process of previous negotiations and lead
to intergovernmental agreements at the regional level, in our case within ECLAC, supporting the building
of qualitative consensus in implementation related matters .
The similarities existing within different regions may allow further deepening would enable deepening the
debate related to the implementation of the commitments assumed in Johannesburg ; they could
generate an exchange of experiences among countries facing similar situations ; they provide an
opportunity to establish natural channels of cooperation and they facilitate the participation of non
governmental actors of the region interested in each issue accepted by the states in accordance to the
procedures decided in each case .
On the other hand, from a systemic point of view, regional contributions have as well the potential
capacity to enrich the debate at the global level that takes place at CSD .
The countries of the Rio Group acknowledge the steps undertaken since CSD-11 by the different
regional institutions, in our case ECLAC, in order to fulfill the role assigned to them by JPOI .
Poverty eradication is an indispensable requirement of sustainable development . In this respect, agreed
measures at all levels in order to allow countries of our region to achieve their sustainable development
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goals are being elaborated as part of poverty eradication strategies promoted by the countries
themselves in a manner concordant with the Internationally agreed goals and objectives .
At the level of our region the mobilization of additional financial resources to achieve sustainable
development goals is a historic challenge . Investments required by our countries are in many cases
significant and compete with priorities in the assignment of resources in other fundamental areas such
as education, health, urban security, transport, etc .
Both the transfer of technologies adequate to our realities and capacity building are fundamental aspects
to achieve development and implement the JPOI commitments .
Concerning water and sanitation the countries of the Rio Group are interested in strengthening regional
cooperation focused in the following aspects : water resources assessment, increasing of institutional
capacity in water management and changes in unsustainable patterns of consumption and production in
the use of water.
At the same time, we consider important to continue to improve interagency coordination for the
consideration of water related issues. It is necessary to continue to seek resources for the
implementation of pilot projects, as well as for spreading lessons learned through those projects and
increase horizontal cooperation .
These aspects have already been identified and a regional strategy is being implemented within the
framework of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean of UNEP.
To conclude, Mr. Chairman, the Rio Group would like to reiterate its firm commitment with the
implementation of JPOI, and we will provide our contribution at all levels to that end .
