Informal meeting of the Plenary of the 69th General Assembly on the organization and modalities for the intergovernmental negotiations and the remaining issues related to the Summit for the adoption of the Post - 2015 Development Agenda
Intervention by:
Mr. Hassan Hussain Shihab, First Secretary
New York, 10 November 2014
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
My delegation would like to align itself with the Statements delivered by Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and Nauru on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.
Also as this is the first time that my delegation is taking the floor in this new intergovernmental process, we would like to congratulate both of you, Ambassadors in your role as co facilitators in the intergovernmental negotiations on the Post-2015 development agenda.
Under the Co-Chair’s able leadership, my delegation looks forward to finalize the Post-2015 Agenda in an open, transparent and inclusive intergovernmental process taking into account the views of all member states and other stakeholders.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
On the organizational aspects of the intergovernmental process, we would like to join previous speakers in highlighting the Open Work Group on SDGs as the most inclusive and representative process that govern the negotiations in the most democratic manner.. Its truly intergovernmental nature and spirit of openness and exchange allowed us to reach a proposal for SDGs that we now all can take ownership of.
My delegation is aware that the new intergovernmental process will take place under a much tighter timeline. Nevertheless we firmly believe it should maintain this open spirit and model its methods of work based on the success of the Open Working Group to move forward together in a transparent, inclusive and cohesive manner.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
Innovation has two phases, a divergent and a convergent one. In the Open Working Group these were mirrored in the stocktaking phase and the negotiations on the Focus Areas that followed. The different working tracks into the Post-2015 Development Agenda originate from a common source, the Outcome Document of the Rio+20 Conference. During the course of our negotiations divergence has generated a wealth of ideas and productive inputs making it even better. We believe the challenge before us is to converge these tracks again to produce the post-2015 development agenda.
The report of the Open Working Group and the proposal for SDGs as contained therein holds special importance to member states, as reflected in General Assembly resolution A/RES/68/309. It shall serve as the main basis to integrate the SDGs into the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
The Third Conference on Financing for Development scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa next year will be vital in providing the Post-2015 Development Agenda with concrete Means of Implementation. The Conference would also serve as an important step towards integrating the processes by explicitly taking into account the goal structure of the proposal for SDGs and structure its proceedings.
Distinguished Co-Chairs,
It is clear that the eradication of poverty is the overarching objective of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. It is an integral aspiration that is strongly interlinked with all other elements of the Agenda. It means continuing the unfinished business of the MDGs while implicitly addressing inequality and leaving no one behind. It also means achieving development in a sustainable manner, not endangering the capacity of future generations to develop by eroding our common natural assets.
For a small island developing state like the Maldives which is threatened by the impacts of climate change, any conceivable sustainable development agenda must urgently address climate change. It is the single biggest threat to our sustainable development. Climate change poses a major threat to our oceans and marine resources which have been the basis of our livelihood for generations.
Social development, including the empowerment of women and youth also present key priorities for my delegation, based on our strong conviction that people are a nation's greatest asset.
Last but not least, a renewed global partnership, learning from the lessons of MDG 8 will be crucial, for the success of the post-2015 development agenda. The S.A.M.O.A. outcome document provides a SIDS-specific blueprint for genuine and durable partnerships, based on mutual collaboration, respect and accountability. My delegation believes these ideas can be incorporated in the formulation of the way forward.
My delegation looks forward to working with you all to make this intergovernmental process a success.
Thank you.
