November 30, 2016

Statement by the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)

Madam Chair,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Member States of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), on Agenda item 134: Programme Budget for the Biennium 2016-2017: Supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

2. We would like to thank Dr. David Nabarro, Special Adviser on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu,  Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)  for introducing the reports before us.

     Madam Chair,

3. The adoptions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda last year were milestones in the United Nation’s respond to the shared economic, social and environmental challenges the world faces. Despite important progress made, all Member States,  including the most vulnerable countries, in particular Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and Landlocked Developing Countries, as well as the Middle-Income Countries which have specific challenges, identified common priorities for future work.

4. The implementation and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda requires the unequivocal commitment of the international community as a whole. We continue to underscore the important role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in achieving internationally agreed sustainable development goals and in leveraging and sustaining financing for development in developing countries. The United Nations must also support the implementation of these intergovernmental agreements, in the most coherent, efficient and effective manner, and with full accountability to all Member States.

5. In this regard, and with respect to the Secretary General’s report on this agenda item, CELAC concurs with the observation of the ACABQ that it did not contain a more comprehensive proposal as requested by the General Assembly in its resolution 70/248C,  but instead it is a completely new proposal with a different narrative. Once again, the Community   expresses its serious concern over the lack of submission of a report containing the comprehensive proposal requested, addressing the effective and efficient delivery of mandates in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. It is essential that the Secretariat abide by the mandates given to it by the General Assembly, in this case through the 2016-2017 budget resolution, and assign the issue the highest priority, in order to reflect the ambition of both Agendas and the importance Member States attribute to them.

     Madam Chair,

6. CELAC emphasizes the important role of the United Nations Regional Commissions and other relevant regional entities, in supporting the implementation of the two Agendas.  Nevertheless, the Secretary General’s report does not provide sufficient details regarding the effective and efficient mandate delivery of the two Agendas in the context of their work, and in particular with regards to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

7. We also recognize that the UNCTAD is a key institution in the implementation and monitoring of the two Agendas, delivering substantive analysis and inputs in line with its mandate. However, the Secretary-General's last report doesn't consider specific proposals to strengthen UNCTAD's capacity.

Madam Chair,

8. CELAC wishes to reiterate its willingness to engage in the consideration of this important agenda item in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion on this issue. 

        Thank you..