Trade and Development Commission in its 4th session

GROUP OF 77
GENEVA

STATEMENT OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY AMBASSADOR TRIYONO WIBO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA TO THE UN, WTO AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN GENEVA, AT THE 4TH SESSION OF THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
(Geneva, 12 November 2012)

Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentleman,

1. I wish to begin by extending my gratitude and appreciation for this opportunity to address the Trade and Development Commission in its 4th session, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. This is barely my first three weeks in Geneva to assume my duty as the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and other International Organizations in Geneva. Yet, I have already been honored with this opportunity to confer with my colleagues and to work with them in ensuring the successful outcome of this meeting. You can count on us, Mr. Chairman, that the Group of 77 and China has full confidence on your able leadership to guide the work of this commission, so as to enable it contributes significantly to the overall work of UNCTAD.

Mr. Chairman,

3. As we are all aware that the second wave of global financial and economic crisis, coupled with the ongoing challenges in the areas of food security, soaring price of energy and negative impact of climate change, is presently inflicting severe economic hardships and social problems in most developing countries in various regions particularly least-developed countries.

4. Such a situation not only puts the lives of our peoples in serious jeopardy, but it also reduces their capacity in achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

5. The successful UNCTAD XIII and its outcome, the Doha Mandate, have paved the way for UNCTAD to continue its steady work and strengthen its three pillars. However, it is regrettable that in the last few months we have not been able to accomplish our work in UNCTAD's intergovernmental machinery in a timely manner with regards to the Accra Accord, resulting that there is no substantive topics to be discussed at the deliberations on the 4th Session of the Trade and Development Commission. This is far short of the mandate of the Accra Accord.

6. In this regard, we wish to again emphasize that the Group of 77 and China is looking forward to a productive deliberation on issues such as the advancement of the global trade and development agenda. This is also timely as we will soon engage in a process to prepare the 50th Anniversary of UNCTAD, and to contribute to the review of MDGs as well as the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda.

Mr. Chairman,

7. With regard to the report of expert meetings, the Group wishes to thank the Secretariat for preparing the background document, which provides us with some key issues to consider. The Group wishes to see substantive discussions on the useful recommendations put forward by the experts, with a view to enhancing the objectives of UNCTAD as stipulated in the Accra Accord.

8. The G - 77 and China would like to see this Commission succeed in its work. Therefore, the Group of 77 and China stands ready to engage in a constructive dialogue and is committed to meaningful consensus building to arrive at an agreed conclusion. We hope that our negotiating partners are equally committed to do the same, so as to enable us achieving the objective of this meeting.

Thank you