Statements in International Organisations

EU Speaking Points - Development Follow-up

Informal Consultations of the United Nations General Assembly Plenary on the Follow-up to Development Commitments contained in 2005 World Summit Outcome. Statement by Minister Alexander Marschik, Deputy Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union

1) general

• On behalf of the European Union I would like to thank you for convening this new round of consultations on the follow-up to the development commitments contained in the World Summit Outcome.
• The European Union has already outlined its position on the project of setting up a process for the follow-up to and implementation of the development commitments made in the World Summit Outcome. This resolution should focus on follow-up without repeating or renegotiating commitments agreed a few months ago in the 2005 World Summit. We agree with others that we should make best use of existing mechanisms and avoid duplication.
• The European Union considers a timely fulfilment of this task an important step in strengthening the fundamental role the United Nations should have in the promotion of international cooperation for development and the coherence, coordination and implementation of development goals and actions.

2) specific comments: *

a) The preambular part:

• To the EU’s understanding pp1 to pp4 form the core of the preambular part of this resolution.
• The World Summit should be treated in the same way as other major conferences and summits. Therefore we propose to reaffirm the Summit Outcome in pp1 in a single para.
• The EU could accept pp5alt of G77 proposal but not pp5bis, since pp5bis draws only partially on the 2005 World Summit Outcome.
• G77 proposed an interesting formulation in pp6alt, which we will study further.
• EU can entertain pp8 to pp18 with the amendments the EU brought forward in the last meeting:
  • Pp 14: As we already indicated, it should be completed with the first sentence of para. 48 of WSO.
  • Pp15 to 18: We strongly prefer the language initially tabled by the co-chairs.

b) The operative part of the draft resolution

• The EU considers that many ops proposed by the co-chairs (namely 1, 3, 4, 7, 15, 16, 21 and partially 8, 9, 14) do substantially set up the follow up process to the development outcome of the World Summit. Agreement on most of these paragraphs seems within reach.
• Many comments to the first draft were referring to elements from the framework on integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields, resolution 57/270B. We should consider a general approach, integrating the 2005 World Summit Outcome in the framework of this resolution, thereby streamlining the present draft. (and could delete those paragraphs paraphrasing para.s 1, 3, 5, 6, 17, 37, 40, 47, 50, 52 and 72 of this resolution, namely op 22, op5 and op15alt, op11, op10, pp16, op9, op6, pp17 (op5quat), pp18 (op5quint), op16 and pp5alt). We would need a further analysis to assess whether the package of paragraphs drawn from 57/270B is indeed balanced.
• Op1: The EU can accept the proposal as it stands but is flexible regarding the US proposal.
• Op2: In order to not block what seems to be an emerging consensus between the US and G77, we could accept to delete that para., even though we would deeply regret the loss of responsibility put on all Member States.
• Op4: The EU attaches great importance to op4 because we consider we need to use existing mechanisms more efficiently. We assumed this a common understanding.
• Op5: The G77 request for deletion of the last part seems questionable, since this could be interpreted as a deviation from the integrated and coordinated approach agreed in 57/270B.
• 6bis: As discussed earlier, we agree that the resolution should focus on the necessary follow-up mechanisms to ensure the implementation of the Summit Outcome. EU has carefully studied the elements G77 suggested in op 6bis. Some of them relate to process, drawing on resolution 57/270B, some of them are closely related to subjects which were dealt with in GA-resolutions adopted recently, while others are formulated in such a way that they exceed the commitments contained in the World Summit Outcome. For reasons of practicality as well as for reasons of principle we can not engage in a renegotiation of questions extensively deliberated upon. The issues raised in this proposal will have to be dealt with in the appropriate fora. We should now ensure integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow up to the outcome.

The 1st indent on information by specialized agencies, BWIs and the WTO to the GA corresponds to op15 of resolution 55/162;

the 2nd indent on national development strategies draws on para. 22a) of WSO and op2 of the FfD resolution (A/RES/60/188), however in WSO Head of States and Governments resolved to adopt comprehensive development strategies by 2006, and not only endeavour to adopt them. In addition, we discussed different aspects of national development strategies in the context of 8 other GA resolutions (A/RES/60/187, A/RES/60/209, A/RES/60/215, A/RES/60/204, A/RES/60/211, A/RES/60/201, A/RES/60/205, A/RES/60/210);

the 3rd indent on support for national development strategies draws on para. 22c) of WSO, deviating in the formulation of the aim of adopting and implementing national development strategies;

the 4th indent on a monitoring mechanism could be considered on future occasions together with a monitoring on progress on governance and an index on corruption. In this context, we should also discuss how to best use the existing monitoring mechanisms on donors’ performances.

the 5th indent draws on para.26 of WSO and pp8 and op 11 and 17 of the debt resolution (A/RES/60/187) omitting substantial elements;

the 6th indent on the development needs of low-income developing countries is agreed language from para. 23 f) of WSO taken up in op19 of the poverty eradication resolution (A/RES/60/209);

the 7th indent on participation in international economic decision-making corresponds to but deviates from the commitment in para. 35 of WSO; we have reaffirmed our commitment in this regard in various resolutions, namely on IFS (A/RES/60/186), on poverty eradication (A/RES/60/209) and on globalization (A/RES/60/204);

the 8th indent on evolving needs of middle-income countries is exceeding para. 23g) of WSO on supporting the development efforts of middle-income countries;

the 9th indent on innovative and additional resources is an abbreviated version of para. 23 d) of WSO and pp11 of the FfD-resolution (A/RES/60/188);

the 10th indent on the Doha Ministerial Declaration and the completion of the Doha round combine op4 and 8 of the trade resolution (A/RES/60/184);

the 11th, 12th and 13th indent on “enhanced partnership between donor and recipient countries”, on “policy coherence” and on the United Nations systems responsibility” relate to resolution 57/270B;

the indents 14 (countries with special needs) and 15 (meeting the special needs of Africa) correspond to respective GA agenda items and take up subheadings of WSO

the 16th indent on the special needs of Least Developed Countries combines an exact quotation of para. 64 of WSO and a reformulation of resolution 60/228;

the 17th indent on the special needs of Landlocked Developing Countries is based on para. 65 of WSO and the LLDC- resolution 60/208;

the 18th indent on the role of UNCTAD relates to resolution 57/270B;

the 19th indent on the special needs of SIDS is based on para. 66 of WSO, but changes the meaning of the latter part by replacing ”further undertake to promote greater international cooperation…” with “decides to promote…”;

the 20th indent on investment flows draws on para.25 of WSO, however it omits very important elements, inter alia proper contract enforcement, the respect for property rights and the rule of law or ensuring adequate investment in a sustainable manner;

the 21st indent on quick-impact initiatives refers to para. 34 of WSO that provides the frame for such initiatives, which is not reflected in this wording;

the 22nd indent addresses the High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development which has been covered in resolution 60/227;

the 23rd indent relates to the resolutions on eradication of poverty 60/209, on FfD 60/188 and the women in development 60/210.

• Op8 and 9: We can accept them as proposed by the co-chairs
• Op12: This para. clearly reflects the fact that information on the funding for development is available for agencies, funds and programs of the UN. Additional information could relate to operational activities undertaken through the Secretariat. In that context, the EU would agree to a renewed request to the SG to report on these activities.
• Op13: The EU can support G77 suggestion to move para. to further down, provided it is on the basis of the language proposed by the co chairs. We strongly support an integrated report on the implementation and follow-up, since it would enable a well informed discussion on all the commitments.
• Op 15 – 18: ECOSOC has an important role in assuring the integrated and coordinated follow-up to and implementation of major summits and conferences, the EU considers it useful to refer to ECOSOC in this resolution without precluding the ongoing negotiation of ECOSOC-reform.
• Op23: Civil Society has undisputedly an essential role in the promotion and implementation of conferences and summit outcomes

* see also comments made during last informal consultations