GROUP OF 77
GENEVA

STATEMENT OF HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DIAN TRIANSYAH DJANI, AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, AT THE 25TH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD, UNCTAD
(Geneva, 19 March 2012)

Mr. Chairman, H.E. Mr. Anthony MARUPING ,
Permanent Representative of Lesotho
Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD,
Distinguished Colleagues,

First of all, I should like to extend our appreciation to you for convening this important meeting, as well as to the Secretary General for his insightful expose.

We appreciate the interventions of our partners, and we admire and share their commitment to a stronger, more effective UNCTAD. The Group of 77 and China is likewise committed to an UNCTAD which delivers on our expectations, in the most effective and professional manner possible. As time immemorial, we have always placed UNCTAD as near and dear to our heart. The Group of G77 and China was established within the ambit of UNCTAD and therefore we would like to see a prosperous and healthy UNCTAD.

At the same time, we place particular importance on the intergovernmental machinery. In order for the intergovernmental machinery to operate effectively, we must ensure that we proceed in a correct manner, ensuring that all partners have an equal opportunity to participate in its deliberations, in the appropriate forums within UNCTAD. We have an equal stake in the functioning of UNCTAD in the best possible way. As members of the UN, we all pay for UNCTAD through our contribution to the UN.

We recognize the importance of addressing the JIU report, once it is finalized and officially circulated. Thus far, we only have before us an unedited advance copy. This unedited draft is not a sufficient basis for informed discussion, let alone taking action upon.

I assure our partners that we are ready, willing, and eager, to discuss the report once it is made available, officially, and when our group has had a chance to consider it carefully, and weighed its important contents. We believe that the time now is premature to consider the draft report. To do so would not do justice to the importance of the task.

Discussing the report at the Conference in Doha, which will start in around 4 week time, will be denying us the time to reflect on it and digest it carefully in order to make decision on it. As our development partners have referred to, we should remain focused on our preparation for Doha. If we discuss a report that is not in the final version, we will be detracting from that.

We therefore look forward to seeing the final version of the report, and to discussing it in the appropriate body of the Trade and Development Board, in accordance with the established rules and procedures. Anything less would undermine the purposes, principles, and objectives to which our partners profess important.

Thank you Mr. President.