STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR ARIZAL EFFENDY ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BEFORE THE ORGANIZATIONAL SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOME OF THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND FURTHER INITIATIVES

New York, 19 May 1998

Mr. Chairman,

It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate you, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, on your well-deserved election as Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Special Session of the General Assembly on the Implementation of the Outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and further initiatives. Your commitment to ensuring the successful follow-up to the Summit is widely recognized and the diplomatic skills you bring as chairman will be a most beneficial resource to us all. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to other members of the Bureau, whom we look forward to working together with.

Mr. Chairman,

We in the Group of 77 and China are committed to ensuring a truly successful follow-up to the World Summit, and that we will cooperate to ensure that the preparatory committee effectively lays the groundwork for the special session. We view that the special session as an opportune occasion for the international community to maintain the momentum generated at Copenhagen and to keep the international community on the course charted three years ago by the highest levels of our objective government.

As is known, the Summit Declaration and Programme for Action are carefully crafted documents which present the international community with an effective framework for addressing the critical issues of poverty, unemployment and social integration. For the last three years, the Commission for Social Development has taken a review on the follow-up of these three thematic issues. It has also come up with substantive recommendations and to facilitate implementation and action by the Member States and by the United Nations system. In short, ample legislative mandate are available and what is important today is really for all of us to take concrete action

In this regard the Group of 77 and China perceive that the preparatory process or the special session should not be used as occasions to renegotiate the important agreements and commitments made at Copenhagen. Rather, it should be seen as an occasion to re-energize the political will of Member States for further implementation of the Social Summit commitments. As clearly indicated in General Assembly resolution 52/25, this preparatory process should come up with further actions and initiatives to facilitate implementation of the Social Summit. After identifying the progress and constraints encountered as well as to exchange views to benefit from the various lessons learned.

Mr. Chairman,

During the Social Summit, as well as in the implementation of its outcome, the civil society, including Non-governmental Organizations, has played an important role. The role of these organizations is felt at the field level. Therefore, it is essential also for us to hear and consider their experience which we believe would enrich our deliberation on the issues.

The outcome of the Social Summit also encompasses the whole spectrum of activities of the United Nations system. It touches on the activities of its various Funds and Programmes, as well as the work of the specialized agencies, including the Bretton Woods Institutions. Accordingly, it is important to ensure that the preparatory committee could receive useful contributions from all these relevant organs of the United Nations system.

Before concluding, Mr. Chairman, I just would like to note that it is difficult to deny that the developing countries have endeavoured within their means to implement the commitments made. Unfortunately, they face serious obstacles and constraints in their effort due to the lack of financial resources. Therefore, the fulfillment of the commitments on the part of the developed countries in the field of financing is critically important. If we work together, in the spirit that was evident at the Social Summit, there is no doubt that not only the special session will be a success but also the full implementation of our shared of goals will be achieved.

To facilitate our discussion, the Group 77 and China is working on a draft decision that would be submitted to you in due course, which we hope could assist you in delivering a successful outcome of this meeting.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.