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STATEMENT
BY HIS EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR NASSIR ABDULAZIZ AL-NASSER, PERMANENT
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE OF QATAR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIRMAN
OF THE GROUP OF 77, |
Mr. President, I am honored and proud to be here with you on this first annual celebration of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. It is my hope that what we can accomplish here today will serve as a lasting reminder on the UN Days to come, of the power that Southern countries can achieve when they work together. In designating this UN Day, the General Assembly recognized that South-South Cooperation has vast potential to influence international development. General Assembly resolution 58/220 affirms that South-South Cooperation can have a positive impact on policies and actions for socioeconomic transformation in the developing world. Furthermore, cooperation among Southern countries contributes directly to the achievement of the MDGs; indeed, this kind of cooperation may be one of the best ways for the developing countries to meet the goals by 2015. The capacity of developing countries to deal with a wide range of development problems has grown and the number and variety of stakeholders has greatly increased. The economic growth of a number of developing countries and the increased technical ability and expertise in the developing world demonstrate the magnitude of the opportunity we are presented with today. However, despite significant
progress in the South, the pattern of cooperation has not been commensurate
with the comprehensive nature of the commitments contained in the various
declarations and other documents on South-South cooperation. The existing
capabilities and capacities in the South have not been adequately acknowledged
and utilized. While the liberalization of trade has opened new doors
to Southern entrepreneurs, there are tangible risks of marginalization
that continue to threaten the most vulnerable among developing countries. Mr. President, The Group of 77 and China is committed to doubling its efforts for overcoming whatever factors have limited this cooperation. We are convinced that South-South cooperation is an effective instrument for optimizing the potential to promote development through mobilization and sharing existing resources and expertise in our countries even as we welcome complementary support from Northern partners. We believe such cooperation is imperative in the context of globalization and that it should therefore be pursued with determination and unwavering political will. The Special Unit for South-South Cooperation has exemplified this spirit of determination and commitment to our shared goals. As many of you know, the Special Unit, formerly known as the Special Unit for Technical Cooperation in Developing Countries, was created by the General Assembly to focus specifically on cooperation for Southern development. The Group of 77 and China would like to congratulate the Administrator on the recent appointment of Mr. Zhou Yiping as the new Director for the Special Unit. We look to the Director's leadership in championing a more vibrant South-South agenda both here at the United Nations and around the world. This UN Day should serve as a reminder of the need to further strengthen the Special Unit on South-South Cooperation's institutional and financial capacity. In so doing, we can facilitate its efforts to meet the international community's expectations and to play a defining role in coordinating Southern development efforts. Mr. President, The Group of 77 and China believes that South-South cooperation is an essential mechanism for promoting sustained economic growth and sustainable development and that it constitutes a vital element in promoting constructive South-South relations and in achieving self-reliance. We therefore reiterate our determination to take necessary measures, including the identification of resources and the design of appropriate follow-up mechanisms, to fully exploit its potential. No single country, even the most advanced among developing countries, can individually achieve sustained development and growth or influence the outcomes of international dialogue and the evolving global governance regime. But if we stand united behind a consolidated agenda for South-South Cooperation, we can be much more effective in promoting development and in shaping the future of international relations. Declaring a UN Day for
South-South Cooperation provides an annual rallying point to work out
practical arrangements for harnessing the full potential of South-South
approached to human development. In recommending the designation of
this UN Day to the General Assembly, the Secretary-General cites the
need to consolidate the South-South agenda. The development needs of
Southern countries can be as diverse as our different languages, cultures,
and landscapes. Nevertheless, our common obligation to address issues
such as poverty, climate change and women's' rights, cannot be overstated.
This day is a perfect opportunity for us to continue the discussion
on a unified course of action for the South. In this context, I would
like to recall the appeal made at the annual meeting of the Chairmen/Coordinators
of the G-77 Chapters held in Geneva on 9 - 11 March 2004 requesting the
United Nations Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative
for South-South Cooperation. We hope very sincerely that such appointment
will take place before the Second South Summit to be held in Doha, Qatar,
in June 2005. Thank you.
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