Intervention on Behalf of the Group of 77 and China By H.E. Ambassador Kingsley J.N. Mamabolo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations, Chair of the Group of 77, at the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda
New York, 30 July 2015
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Co-facilitators,
We are at the sunset of a long and intensive process to carve a development agenda with the overall aim to end poverty in all its dimensions by 2030.
A few hours ago, we received the draft outcome document, which you have prepared for adoption.
The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank you both for your untiring efforts in preparing this draft for adoption.
We agree with you that we have reached a stage, where we have all said what has to be said, and it is now time to work on placing the finishing touches on the outcome document and adopt it by tomorrow.
Co-facilitators,
Let me be clear, as far as the Group of 77 and China is concerned, the current draft is not perfect -- it does not meet all of our aspirations, expectations and concerns. It does, however, bring us close to the point where agreement has become possible.
We would caution against the making of further extensive drafting changes to the text that could take us back and unravel the basis for a delicate compromise facilitated by yourselves. As we have said a few days ago, delegations should avoid falling into the trap of making perfection the enemy of the good.
In order to further improve the text, the Group of 77 and China proposes the following suggestions:
- The Group of 77 and China has consistently indicated that we do not see any reason for the inclusion of the preamble. All issues raised in the preamble are substantively repeated in the declaration, which makes the preamble redundant.
- In paragraph 22, we do not support the deletion of the phrase, "We will at the same time take into account different national realities, including capacities and levels of development, and culture". We call for its reinsertion.
- In paragraph 57, the Group of 77 and China proposes a reference to Goal 17 through the inclusion of the word "goals" into the sentence.
The sentence should thus read: "The means of implementation contained in Goals and targets are complemented and supported by the concrete policies and actions as outlined in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda"
- In paragraph 68, the Group of 77 and China once again reiterates what we have said on numerous occasions, and which incidentally has been supported by many of our partners, that member states should honour agreements reached within the FfD negotiations regarding the Technology Facilitation Mechanism. In this regard, the outcome document should reflect the agreed language in paragraph 123 of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in its entirety, which we believe must be respected.
- We note that the paragraphs on Means of Implementation have been moved from the declaration to Chapter 3. We are sure that it is an omission that paragraph 45 of the previous draft did not make this journey. We therefore request that this paragraph also be included in its entirety.
- With regard to paragraph 65 on debt, the Group of 77 and China proposes that the language reflect what is contained in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in this regard.
- In the interest of flexibility and improving the text, the Group of 77 and China is willing to accept the limited revisions that you have made on the targets, including on 8.7 pertaining to modern forms of slavery. We would like to point out that revised target of 17,2 should mention that the commitment of 0,7 of GNI is "to developing countries".
Co-facilitators,
The Group of 77 and China is not going to comment and re-open debates on issues where we have clearly stated our positions in the past.
You are fully aware of the G77 and China's positions on the key issues, which we have raised during this process. We would thus reiterate our Group's positions (as previously stated) on:
(i) Common but Differentiated Responsibilities, where the Group continues to believe that CBDR applies to the entire development agenda that we are adopting and the text should reflect it as such. We would thus propose the deletion of the words "Principle 7" in Paragraph 12.
(ii) The importance of the reaffirmation of the overarching objective of eradication of poverty which remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development
(iii) On the outcome of the Financing for Development Conference and how it should be reflected.
(iv) On unilateral coercive measures and foreign occupation.
(v) On Climate Change, where we continue to believe that work that needs to be done on the language in the outcome document.
(vi) On MICs, we request to bring paragraph 71 of the Addis Outcome as new paragraph 60bis.
(vii) It is important to retain references to "migratory status" in paragraphs 20, 24 and 26.
I thank you.