Statement of the G-77 and China at the 15th session of the UNIDO General Conference, Lima, Peru, 2 – 6 December 2013, delivered by H.E. Ambassador Mr. Mahmoud Elamin, PR of Sudan
Madam President, (H.E. Ms. Gladys Triveño, Minister of Production of Peru)
Excellencies, Distinguished delegates.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
1. At the outset, I extend the most sincere appreciation of the Group to the Government of Peru for the warm welcoming in Lima and the exceptional arrangements to host the 15th General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
2. On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like to convey sincere condolences to the people and Government of the Philippines on the tragic loss of life and property caused by Typhoon Haiyan. In this hour of grief, the Group would like to express its solidarity with the families and friends of all those affected by this devastating tragedy.
3. We congratulate you on your election as President of this Conference and express our recognition to Ecuador as President of the 14th General Conference.
4. The Group of 77 wants to reiterate its full support to the Director General, Mr. LI Yong, who since his election in June 2013 has been involved in the preparation of this Conference. His active participation during the General Assembly of the United Nations, his openness, continuous and constructive dialogue with Permanent Representations in Vienna and his clear interest in engaging new partners, has helped to set the stage for a new era for the Organization. We extend our gratitude to the Secretariat for its support during the preparation of this Conference.
5. After 38 years, Lima calls us again to reaffirm our full conviction that industrial development is a key driver for economic growth and poverty eradication. In 1975, when this flourishing city hosted the Second General Conference of UNIDO, developing and least developed countries came with hope and determination to take measures to encourage our industrialization and increase our participation in the international economic order. UNIDO was given the responsibility as the executing agency for the promotion of industrial development.
6. Within a complex international order and the ongoing discussions on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, the hosting of this General Conference gives momentum and significance for a renewed political commitment towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development and to highlight the role of UNIDO, as the main platform within the United Nations system, to respond to developing countries' needs and demands for industrial development.
7. The Group of 77 fully endorses the “Lima Declaration: Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development”, which has been adopted at this Conference, and sees it as another new milestone for the future of the Organization.
8. At this point, we want to recognize the valuable role of Ambassador Antonio García- Revilla, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations in Vienna, in its capacity as President of the 41st Industrial Development Board, for leading us during the negotiations of the Lima Declaration.
Madam President,
9. Despite the outstanding progress of many of the economies of the members of the Group of 77, factors such as the high levels of poverty, unequal income distribution and still low levels of competitiveness and productivity, constrain the possibilities for a greater participation in the international trade and for self – sustained and sustainable development.
10. Due to the above, there should be no doubt about the importance of industrialization as an essential driver for development, through amongst others, the creation of decent productive employment, income generation, the facilitation of social integration, including the integration of women and youth into the economic growth process. In addition, the development of the public and private sectors and entrepreneurship, the facilitation of transfer and fostering of technological change and innovation, trade capacity-building, the promotion of agro-industry, resource-efficient production and clean and renewable energy access for productive use all contribute as drivers for industrial development.
11. Since its establishment as a specialized agency of the United Nations System and the entry into force of its Constitution in 1985, UNIDO has adapted to the times and has been resilient to crisis. It has also contributed towards the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, through its technical cooperation on poverty reduction through productive activities, trade capacity-building, and environment and energy.
12. Thanks to the Organization, many successful stories of progress and prosperity can be told in Africa, Asia, the Arab Region, Latin-America and the Caribbean. The accumulated experience of the Organization through the use of its four complementary functions - technical cooperation; action-oriented research and policy advisory services; standards and compliance; and its convening and partnerships role, has made UNIDO a strategic partner to define and implement industrial policies and to build national capacities in most of our countries.
13. At this point, let us express our satisfaction for the important results achieved during the "Conference on Middle Income Countries" and the "Conference of Ministers of Industry of Africa" that took place last June in Costa Rica and Kenya respectively; and the "5th Conference of Least Development Countries" and the "Conference of Ministers of Industry of Latin America and the Caribbean" celebrated over the weekend here in Lima.
14. We encourage UNIDO to actively engage in the follow up of the conclusions and recommendations of these events and to promote synergies among our regions.
15. The Organization has enabled North – South cooperation, main channel of international development cooperation; it has facilitated technology transfer; and has maximized national experiences to a broader field, through the acceleration of South-South and Triangular cooperation, and in supporting the establishment of knowledge networking to share experiences on industrial development.
16. This 15th session of the General Conference, being held on the eve of the Post-2015 Development Agenda gives us the opportunity to better position industrialization as part of the efforts to address the eradication of poverty and the achievement of a more inclusive and sustainable growth.
17. The Group of 77 expresses its confidence that UNIDO has the potential to continue assisting developing countries to reach sustainable development, bearing in mind the policy framework of each country and its right to define its own path towards sustainable development in accordance with its specific national needs, priorities and different levels of economic, social, and environmental development, based on the Rio principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, as well as its sovereign right over its natural resources.
18. The Group of 77 reiterates the relevance of UNIDO to continue promoting sustainable development and international industrial cooperation within its thematic priorities and in accordance with global, regional and national development goals, while increasing its efficiency, and the effectiveness and impact of its activities.
19. Therefore, inspired by a spirit of solidarity, cooperation and accountability, the Group invites all Member States, non-Member States, development organizations of the United Nations System, the public- private sector, financial institutions, chambers of industry and commerce, civil society, academic institutions, foundations and other entities, to join an alliance that ensures UNIDO its leading role in promoting industrial development for a better future for all.
20. We welcome the “Strategic Guidance Document” considered in Decision IDB.41/Dec.14, which contains clear, balanced, and pragmatic guidelines and recommendations for a better elaboration of programmatic and budgetary frameworks in UNIDO as well as the performance Member States want to see in UNIDO’s cooperation delivery. We invite this General Conference to approve the Strategic Guidance Document as a basis for the formulation and implementation of medium-term programme frameworks, programme and budgets, and other operational programmes of UNIDO.
21. We are confident this Conference can afford us the opportunity for constructive discussions that address the main challenges of industrialization in our countries; the need for financial support for higher levels of technical cooperation delivery; and the development of innovative means towards achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
