G77 Introduces 13 Draft Resolutions on the UN’s Development Agenda

By an IPS Correspondent Reprint | | Print |

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 4 2016 - The Group of 77 introduced 13 draft resolutions at the current sessions of the UN’s Economic and Financial Committee.

The resolutions, introduced by the Thai delegate, covered a wide range of socio-economic issues on the UN agenda, including the protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind and ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Additionally, the Group introduced a resolution on the “Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development”, and sought to recognize and account for the ongoing commitments and mandates being implemented towards the achievement of sustainable development as a concept.

The purpose of the resolution was not meant to detract from the primacy of the 2030 Agenda, but instead to focus on the complementary work being done, the Thai delegate said.

Other resolutions included: “Disaster Risk Reduction” which sought to ensure the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and “Effective global response to address the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon” noting that the 2015-2016 phenomenon was the third strongest on record and affected more than 60 million people, particularly in developing countries.

The resolution put great emphasis on the common interest of nations to transcend the humanitarian assistance approach towards a multidisciplinary and articulated development-based response.

Also tabled was a resolution on “Implementing of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa”, which emphasized the commitment to combating desertification in the 2030 Agenda and a resolution on “Convention on Biological Diversity” (A/C.2/71/L.7) reflecting the relevant recommendations in the Secretary-General’s report.

Additionally, the Group introduced a resolution on the “Report of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme” described as a biennial resolution borrowed largely from the last one adopted in 2014.

Other resolutions include the following: “Oil Slick on Lebanese Shores,” a roll-over from last year’s resolution which reflected the conclusions of the Secretary-General’s report on the matter, plus “Combating sand and dust storms” emphasizing the role of the UN system in advancing international cooperation to combat sand and dust storms, and inviting all relevant bodies, agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations system, including the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the World Meteorological Organization and all other related organizations to integrate measures to that effect.

The Group also tabled two other resolutions: “Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations.” This was a biannual resolution that called on the international community to continue to support that important regional initiative, including through the provision of finance, technological support and capacity-building, and a “Follow up to and implementation of the SIDS [small island developing State] Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States” took stock of the progress made on the implementation of commitments made in the Samoa Pathway, and called for a mid-term review.

The other draft resolutions included: “Harmony with Nature,” which welcomed the Agreement with Bolivia and the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs to contribute to the earmarked activity related to Harmony with Nature; requested the President of the General Assembly to hold an interactive dialogue to discuss the recommendations of the expert’s summary report; and invited States to consider, as appropriate, the findings and recommendations of the reports of the Secretary-General on Harmony with Nature and the experts’ summary report.