GROUP OF 77
NAIROBI

Statement by H.E. Mrs. Bibiana L. Jones, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of Kenya, and Permanent Representative to UNEP, UN-HABITAT and UNON. Chairperson of the Group of 77 and China, Nairobi Chapter, at the 60° regular meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) (Nairobi, 23 March 2016)

Mr. Chairman, Distinguished delegates and colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of 77 and China.

The Group would like to welcome the newly elected Rapporteur and wish the Bureau of the CPR a fruitful and productive year of work.

We welcome the briefing made to the Committee by the Executive Director, as well as the briefings by the Secretariat on the report on the financial state of UN-Habitat, the Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the Strategic Plan 2014-2019 for the year 2015, and the Progress Report on the preparation of the Strategic Framework 2018-2019.

Member States of the G77 and China have actively participated in the formal meeting recently held by the CPR Working Group on Programme and Budget. We believe that the issues dealt with throughout the meeting are of utmost importance to the work of UN-Habitat. We would like to highlight the engagement of the Executive Director, the Secretariat and Member States in the deliberations, all of which contribute to the transparency, accountability and the strengthening of the role of the Governing Council and the Committee of Permanent Representatives.

Mr. Chairman,

We consider that more predictable, efficient and effective funding will be to the benefit of all. As developing countries, we share concerns regarding resource mobilization and financing, as we face specific vulnerabilities and development challenges. It is indeed of great relevance that UN-Habitat ensure an efficient allocation of its resources.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China is closely following the ongoing preparatory process for Habitat III as well as the Third Meeting of the Preparatory Committee to be held in Indonesia next July.

The Group believes that the outcome document of Habitat III should address the development challenges which the management of sustainable cities and human settlements entails. It should also explore innovative methods of coping with the recent demographic trends and rapid rates of urbanization that are constantly placing tremendous pressures on cities, especially in developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The sharp growth of world's population which is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050 with an estimated two thirds living in cities should be a matter of concern. The outcome document should lay the foundation for an ambitious and inclusive urban development agenda which might provide a framework for making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

As was pointed out in the Ministerial Declaration of G77 and China, we understand the objectives of the Conference are to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable urban and rural development, assess accomplishments to date, address poverty and identify new and emerging challenges. We also believe this is a good opportunity to renew the mandate of UN-Habitat, based on the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the New Urban Agenda.

Regional experiences and good practices will enrich this process providing key elements to reinforce sustainable urbanization as a driver for sustainable development.

The active participation of our Governments by contributing and partaking along the different stages on the preparatory process of Habitat III outcome is of vital importance.

That said Mr. Chairman, we reiterate the need to provide financial support for delegates from developing countries to participate in the Preparatory Meetings, Regional Meetings and in the Conference itself with the aim of ensuring an equitable representation of all the regions.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.