STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY AMBASSADOR MUNIR AKRAM, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF PAKISTAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON THEMATIC CLUSTER IV, "PROTECTING OUR PLANET AND BEING PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE", AT THE INFORMAL THEMATIC CONSULTATIONS AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ENTITLED "OUR COMMON AGENDA" (New York, 3 March 2022)
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY AMBASSADOR MUNIR AKRAM, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF PAKISTAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON THEMATIC CLUSTER IV, "PROTECTING OUR PLANET AND BEING PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE", AT THE INFORMAL THEMATIC CONSULTATIONS AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ENTITLED "OUR COMMON AGENDA" (New York, 3 March 2022)
President of the General Assembly,
Deputy Secretary General,
Excellencies,
1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of G77 and China.
2. I would once again express my gratitude to the President of the General Assembly for convening these consultations in a structured manner and the Secretary-General for his consistent engagement.
Mr. President,
3. The Group believes that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the agreed framework for safeguarding the prosperity of both current and future generations.
4. We stress that creation of forums and processes to protect the interests of future generations should avoid overlapping of mandates.
5. To this end, the Group requests clarification on the inter-operability of “Proposed Futures Labs” and the “Office of Special Envoy for Future Generations” as well as on the proposed mandate of the Special Envoy’s Office.
6. The Group also seeks clarity on the modalities for the formulation of the proposed “Declaration on future Generations”.
Mr. President,
7. The Group believes vaccines should be declared a global public good. We also support the Secretary-General’s proposal for a global vaccination plan and seeks clarification on its interlinkage with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strategy to achieve global Covid-19 vaccination by mid 2022.
8. The Group seeks clarity regarding the emergency task force including its structure, mandate, and scope of work.
9. Immediate access is required for developing countries to health technologies for COVID-19, including through flexibilities contained in the TRIPs agreement and enhanced support through the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (CTAP).
10. We believe that intellectual property rights should be interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of the right of states to protect public health and promote access to medicines for all.
11. Beyond the Pandemic, we need to enhance productive capacities of the developing countries through access to health technologies and finances for both communicable and non-communicable disease.
Mr. President,
12. The Group takes notes of recommendation of Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR).
13. We seek further clarity regarding universal periodic peer review process and emphasize the need to avoid duplicating existing processes.
14. We support strengthening of WHO through predictable and adequate financial resources.
Mr. President,
15. The Group emphasizes the primacy of existing multilateral framework for cooperation on Climate Change, namely United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
16. We underscore that the existing framework was founded on the principles of Equity and “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)” of countries, their different national circumstances, and historic responsibilities. Adherence to these principles is vital in any discussion on climate change.
17. In the transition to global net-zero emission, the Group emphasizes that developed countries must take the lead in achieving global Net-Zero by 2050, fully recognizing that under Article 4 of Paris Agreement, developing countries will take more time to peak.
18. Effective climate actions would require enhancement in the means of implementation such as expanding climate finance, greater balance between financial support for mitigation and adaptation and financial facility for loss and damage, capacity building of developing countries to access climate finance and to prepare bankable projects, as well as technology transfer.
19. The Group requests further clarity with regard to the Secretary-General’s proposal for convening leaders in 2023 ahead of the global stocktaking.
20. The Group would like to mention that the concept of territorial threats of climate change is not multilaterally agreed.
21. The Group also believes that water is critical for sustainable development. In this regard, the Group recalls the upcoming United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action.
Mr. President,
22. The Group looks forward to the adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework and stresses the need for provision of adequate means of implementation.
23. The Group emphasizes the need for a universal, open, non-discriminatory, and equitable multilateral trading system to facilitate access to safe, diverse, and nutritious food.
24. With regard to the upcoming Stockholm +50 international meeting, the Group underscores that the scope of the meeting must be consistent with resolutions A/RES/75/280 and A/RES/75/326.
25. The Group also requests further clarity on the network of “best thinkers and data” which the Secretary-General intends to draw upon to present a “Strategic Foresight and Global Risk Report”.
Mr. President,
26. With regard to the proposed “Emergency Platform” to respond to complex global crises, the Group stresses that more clarity is needed on this Platform and on its terms of reference. There is also a need to enhance existing mechanisms and platforms and avoid duplication.
27. We request further clarification on the proposed High-level Advisory Board to be led by former Heads of State.
28. The Group also requests more information on the proposed ‘Summit of the Future’.
29. The Group calls for further information on the proposed repurposing of the Trusteeship Council.
I thank you.
President of the General Assembly,
Deputy Secretary General,
Excellencies,
1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of G77 and China.
2. I would once again express my gratitude to the President of the General Assembly for convening these consultations in a structured manner and the Secretary-General for his consistent engagement.
Mr. President,
3. The Group believes that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the agreed framework for safeguarding the prosperity of both current and future generations.
4. We stress that creation of forums and processes to protect the interests of future generations should avoid overlapping of mandates.
5. To this end, the Group requests clarification on the inter-operability of “Proposed Futures Labs” and the “Office of Special Envoy for Future Generations” as well as on the proposed mandate of the Special Envoy’s Office.
6. The Group also seeks clarity on the modalities for the formulation of the proposed “Declaration on future Generations”.
Mr. President,
7. The Group believes vaccines should be declared a global public good. We also support the Secretary-General’s proposal for a global vaccination plan and seeks clarification on its interlinkage with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strategy to achieve global Covid-19 vaccination by mid 2022.
8. The Group seeks clarity regarding the emergency task force including its structure, mandate, and scope of work.
9. Immediate access is required for developing countries to health technologies for COVID-19, including through flexibilities contained in the TRIPs agreement and enhanced support through the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (CTAP).
10. We believe that intellectual property rights should be interpreted and implemented in a manner supportive of the right of states to protect public health and promote access to medicines for all.
11. Beyond the Pandemic, we need to enhance productive capacities of the developing countries through access to health technologies and finances for both communicable and non-communicable disease.
Mr. President,
12. The Group takes notes of recommendation of Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR).
13. We seek further clarity regarding universal periodic peer review process and emphasize the need to avoid duplicating existing processes.
14. We support strengthening of WHO through predictable and adequate financial resources.
Mr. President,
15. The Group emphasizes the primacy of existing multilateral framework for cooperation on Climate Change, namely United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.
16. We underscore that the existing framework was founded on the principles of Equity and “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)” of countries, their different national circumstances, and historic responsibilities. Adherence to these principles is vital in any discussion on climate change.
17. In the transition to global net-zero emission, the Group emphasizes that developed countries must take the lead in achieving global Net-Zero by 2050, fully recognizing that under Article 4 of Paris Agreement, developing countries will take more time to peak.
18. Effective climate actions would require enhancement in the means of implementation such as expanding climate finance, greater balance between financial support for mitigation and adaptation and financial facility for loss and damage, capacity building of developing countries to access climate finance and to prepare bankable projects, as well as technology transfer.
19. The Group requests further clarity with regard to the Secretary-General’s proposal for convening leaders in 2023 ahead of the global stocktaking.
20. The Group would like to mention that the concept of territorial threats of climate change is not multilaterally agreed.
21. The Group also believes that water is critical for sustainable development. In this regard, the Group recalls the upcoming United Nations Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Decade for Action.
Mr. President,
22. The Group looks forward to the adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework and stresses the need for provision of adequate means of implementation.
23. The Group emphasizes the need for a universal, open, non-discriminatory, and equitable multilateral trading system to facilitate access to safe, diverse, and nutritious food.
24. With regard to the upcoming Stockholm +50 international meeting, the Group underscores that the scope of the meeting must be consistent with resolutions A/RES/75/280 and A/RES/75/326.
25. The Group also requests further clarity on the network of “best thinkers and data” which the Secretary-General intends to draw upon to present a “Strategic Foresight and Global Risk Report”.
Mr. President,
26. With regard to the proposed “Emergency Platform” to respond to complex global crises, the Group stresses that more clarity is needed on this Platform and on its terms of reference. There is also a need to enhance existing mechanisms and platforms and avoid duplication.
27. We request further clarification on the proposed High-level Advisory Board to be led by former Heads of State.
28. The Group also requests more information on the proposed ‘Summit of the Future’.
29. The Group calls for further information on the proposed repurposing of the Trusteeship Council.
I thank you.