THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN ARCHIVED

EU Explanation of Position – United Nations ECOSOC: Adoption of Outcome Document Financing for Development Forum

24.04.2018
Teaser

24 April 2018, New York – European Union Explanation of Position delivered by Laurent Sarazin, Head of Development Financing Effectiveness, DG DEVCO, at the United Nations Economic and Social Council Financing for Development Forum on the Adoption of Outcome Document Financing for Development Forum

Text

Madam Chair,

 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia* and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

The following Member States further support this statement: Australia, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.

I would like to start by expressing our gratitude to the two co-facilitators, HE Mr Courtenay Rattray, Permanent Representative of Jamaica, and HE Mr Francisco Duarte Lopes, Permanent Representative of Portugal, for ably guiding our discussions on these intergovernmentally agreed conclusions and recommendations.

We are encouraged by the constructive atmosphere that again prevailed during these talks amid diverging opinions on many issues and thank the Interagency Task Force for having prepared another solid report as basis for our deliberations. In light of these discussions, the Co-facilitators presented their final proposal as an effort to find a balance and reflect the transformative nature of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), recognizing the need to find new ways to mobilise the resources needed to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

While the EU and its Member States join consensus on the Co-facilitators’ final proposal in a spirit of compromise, we will not hide our concern with the absence of language regarding our commitment made in Addis to promote multilateralism in the context of international trade, which we accept in this forum without prejudice to any other fora.

Moreover, the results from Addis Ababa laid the foundation of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development that should leave no one behind. We regret that this fundamental principle of Agenda 2030 is not reflected in the outcome document. The EU and its Member States remain committed to leave no one behind and endeavour to reach the furthest behind first.

We remain firmly committed to international trade as a means of achieving the AAAA. A multilateral and transparent approach to rule-making in the trade context, as provided for by the WTO, fulfills a pivotal role in supporting inclusive growth and sustainable development. Therefore, we remain committed to protecting and strengthening the integrity of the multilateral trading system and supporting an environment in which fruitful discussions can take place on issues of interest to all of us.

While this message reflects the consensus at the time when the Agenda was agreed, it does not come across in this outcome document. I call on others to join us and make sure that future conclusions and resolutions better reflect these important priorities.

I thank you.

 


* The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Category
Statements on behalf of the EU
Location

New York

Editorial sections
UN New York