Madam Chairperson,
Distinguishes Delegates,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 56, (a-i), "Sustainable Development".

Allow me, first of all, to thank the Secretary General for presenting various reports under this Agenda item.

2. The G-77 and China has consistently called for simultaneous action to address the challenges related to all the three pillars of sustainable development in a coordinated, integrated and balanced manner. At the national and international levels, the economic, social and environmental goals should be promoted in complementary and consistent ways. Therefore, progress in the environmental pillar of sustainable development should be matched by simultaneous progress on the economic and social pillars as well.

3. The fact that poverty is rampant globally and on the rise in some countries and regions only lends greater urgency for seeking sustainable and development oriented solutions to the challenges we face. In our endeavours to promote solutions to the challenges of sustainable development, we must ensure that the priority problems of poverty, hunger and under development remain the center of our attention.

a. Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme of further implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development

4. This year in May, the Commission on Sustainable Development during its Fifteenth Session concluded the second implementation cycle of its programme of work on thematic cluster of Energy for Sustainable Development; Industrial Development; Air Pollution/ Atmosphere; and Climate Change. The critical importance of these four issues in the context of global development agenda and their relevance to the global endeavours to eradicate poverty and achieve sustained economic growth and sustainable development is well recognized. However, we are disappointed to note that the Commission was not able to reach an agreement on these important subjects. We hope that such a situation will not constitute precedence.

5. Undoubtedly, CSD with its outstanding convening power is uniquely placed to provide policy guidance and coordination as well as to review and monitor the progress made in the implementation of Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the Barbados Programme of Action and Mauritius Strategy of Implementation as well as the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building. It is, therefore, very important to enable the Commission, consistent with its mandate, to serve as an effective forum for ensuring full and effective implementation of commitments and to promote the integration of the three pillars of sustainable development i.e. economic development, social development and the environmental protection.  

6. Human-induced activities, particularly in recent decades, are putting unprecedented strain on ecosystems. The ability of the planet's ecosystems to sustain future generations must be ensured. The stakes are high for the entire world and it is important to involve all stakeholders in efforts towards sustainable development. The United Nations and the international community have successfully declared a variety of commitments and formulated time bound goals and targets in the arena of sustainable development. The full and speedy implementation of these agreements is key.

7. We look forward to fruitful discussions on the important issues of "Agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa" during the sixteenth session of CSD (CSD16). We fervently hope that the future sessions of CSD will be able to agree on development oriented policy options and actions, together with an in-built mechanism for their follow-up and implementation that can provide effective and early solutions to the challenges of sustainable development.

b. Follow up to and the implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for further implementation of the Programme of Action for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

8. The Group of 77 and China continues to attach high priority to the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius Strategy. The vulnerability and challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are increasing, and without the support of the international community their sustainable development efforts will be placed in greater jeopardy. A coordinated, coherent, and systematic approach, with the necessary financial and technical support from the international community is critical to the full and effective implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action and Mauritius Strategy. In this regard, the Group reiterates its call to the international community and in particular the developed countries to honour their commitments contained in the Barbados Programme of Action and Mauritius Strategy to increase the level of financial and technical resources available to Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

9. The G-77 and China remains concerned that no action has been taken to implement the mandate coming from the General Assembly to strengthen the SIDS Unit in UNDESA in order to enable it to effectively provide SIDS with the assistance required for the implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius Strategy.  We also call for support from the donor community for the revitalization of SIDSNet which has served as an effective means of sharing information and best practices among SIDS.

c. International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

10. We note with concern that natural disasters are increasing in terms of both frequency and severity. We recall the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 and emphasize the full implementation of the provisions of the Framework aimed at building the resilience of nations and communities to disaster. Due to rapid population growth, especially in urban areas, environmental degradation, growing poverty, the social and economic impacts of disasters have become greater. The adverse consequences on the affected populations and the environment as well as social and economic development of affected countries are a long lasting phenomenon. It is, therefore, important to examine the measures that need to be taken to improve the response capacity of affected nations and the assistance that can be provided by the international community in this regard. It is encouraging to note that many developing countries are making efforts to build resilience of their communities and to reduce disasters. These efforts need to be supported by international community.

11. The Group of 77 and China calls for developed countries to assist developing countries through support, the provision of resources, and capacity building in order to be better prepared for forthcoming natural disasters. We also urge our development partners to help developing countries to set regulations which are appropriate, in order to materialize the five priority areas of the Hyogo Declaration. We further urge for financial support from developed countries to enhance national capacities of developing countries to build resilience of nations and communities.

d. Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind

Madam Chair,

12. Climate Change poses serious risks and challenges particularly to developing countries including LDCs, SIDS, LLDCs, countries in Africa, and disaster prone developing countries and, therefore, demands urgent global action and response. Working together, in partnerships, premised on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, is, therefore, an important and indispensable principle that we need to adhere to. The challenge of environmental degradation and climate change is huge and clearly beyond the capacity of the developing countries to address it on their own.

13. The United Nations has always been at the center of the Sustainable Development debate, including on its environmental protection pillar. The UNFCCC, and its Kyoto Protocol, remains the central multilateral framework for cooperative actions to address climate change. The momentum generated by the initiatives such as; Thematic debate convened by the President of 62nd General Assembly and Secretary General's High Level Event on Climate Change should contribute to promoting a united response of the General Assembly to this important issue. Our discussions should provide impetus and political support to the ongoing processes by promoting global consensus on Climate Change and contribute to a successful conclusion of the forthcoming 13th Conference of Parties (COP.13) of UNFCCC/Third Meeting of Parties of the Kyoto Protocol, to be held in Bali, Indonesia in December 2007.

e. Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa

14. Desertification and land degradation in general continue to pose a threat to sustainable development in general and to the environment in particular in many developing countries. Human factors such as overgrazing, deforestation, and overexploitation of land due to demographic pressure, compounded with climate change, are turning once fertile soils into unproductive and barren patches of lands. Poverty is widespread in those areas. We, therefore, call for adequate and predictable resources to implement UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). We are concerned that Eighth Conference of Parties (COP-8) of UNCCD could not be concluded due to lack of agreement on budget.  

15. The crucial element of resource mobilization in the success of the Convention must be addressed. The affected developing countries need support in capacity building to gain more access to financial resources and technology transfer. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its support for the Global Environment Facility as the financial mechanism for the Convention and we reiterate our request for the GEF and its implementing agencies to work with the countries concerned to build capacity to facilitate ease of access to GEF funding and avoid complexities and conditionalities involved in accessing these funds. It is clear that complying with the Convention would support developing countries' efforts in eradicating poverty.

f. Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD)

16. The Group of 77 and China considers it vital for greater progress to be made in implementation of all three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and for the achievement by 2010 of a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity, in line with the commitments made at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. We remain concerned that current efforts are woefully insufficient to achieve the 2010 target, and therefore extraordinary efforts must be taken to achieve this target, given its importance to achieving the MDGs, in particular the reduction of poverty.

17. The Group of 77 and China recognizes that biodiversity can contribute significantly to poverty reduction, and to this end considers it extremely important for the negotiations on the international regime on access and benefit-sharing to be completed within the established timeframe. Indeed conservation, of biological diversity cannot be achieved without the sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefit arising from genetic resources

g. Report of the Governing Council of UNEP on its twenty fourth session

18. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its support for UN Environmental Programmes's Governing Council and for the decisions adopted at its 24th session. We recognize the progress made so far on the implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, particularly through its Quick Start Programme. The Group welcomes the recommendation of the Governing Council to declare 2010-2020 as the UN Decade of deserts and the fight against the desertification. We hope that this recommendation will be endorsed by the Member States during the 62nd General Assembly.

h. Promotion of new and renewable sources of energy

Madam Chair,

19. Energy is crucial for sustainable development, poverty eradication and achieving the MDGs. We are faced with formidable task of meeting the increasing demand for energy to achieve the goals of sustainable development. The increased use and promotion of all forms of new and renewable energy for sustainable development could make a significant contribution towards the achievement of sustainable development and the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. Substantial increase in the global share of renewable energy sources is an urgent imperative; with the objective of increasing it's contribution to total energy supply.

20. We are also cognizant of the need to diversify energy supply and developing advanced, cleaner, more efficient affordable and cost-effective energy technologies, including fossil fuel technologies and renewable energy technologies, hydro included and their transfer to developing countries on concessional terms as mutually agreed.

Other Matters

Madam Chair,
21.     We take this opportunity to express our concern about the delay in the issuance of Secretary General's report on the implementation of the resolution on "Oil slick on Lebanese shores", which was requested by the General Assembly at its sixty-first session. Through you, Madam Chair, we would seek clarification about the delay in the provision of this document.

Madam Chair,

22. It is no secret that implementation has been the Achilles heel of the global development agenda. Ironically, the implementation of what has already been agreed to globally also remains the biggest challenge to sustainable development. To allow the developing countries to fully cope with the challenges of sustainable development, it is important to scale up efforts to effectively implement the global partnership for development as set out in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey Consensus, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Equally critical is the early, successful and development oriented conclusion of the Doha Round of Trade negotiations, greater investments, ODA and other financing flows as well.

23.       The Group of 77 and China believes that urgent and effective implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building will be a good measure to judge our seriousness in translating our commitments into action. They are particularly relevant to building capacities, enhancing coordination and strengthening scientific knowledge and assessment and cooperation, and fostering the transfer of knowledge to developing countries.

Madam Chairperson,

24.       Before concluding, let me reiterate our strong expectation and hope that the challenges of global sustainable development will be addressed in an integrated and coordinated manner. We look forward to participating actively in discussions on sustainable development including during the sixty second session of General Assembly, as we seek to retain the focus on eradication of poverty as an indispensable prerequisite for sustained economic growth and sustainable development in developing countries.

I thank you.