UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/ar/ecosoc/2025/17
Economic and Social Council: 17th plenary meeting - 2025 Operational Activities for Development Segment (OAS), Day 1 — Economic and Social Council — 20 May 2025
Language: en
Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record.

---
Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [0:03]:

The 17th meeting of the Economic and Social Council is called to order. I invite the Council to continue its consideration of the Agenda Item 7, Operational Activities of the United Nations for International Development Cooperation, and sub-items Follow-up to Policy Recommendations of the General Assembly and the Council, and C) South-South Cooperation for Development. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I am pleased that we are joined this afternoon by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Antonio Guterres, who will be presenting his report on the implementation of the General Assembly Resolution 79/226 on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations Systems, the UCPR that, as we know, was adopted in December 2024 and sets out the vision for the United Nations Development System to enable more effective support for countries and to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and in the last mile of the 2030 Agenda. Before I give the floor to Secretary-General, I invite delegations to indicate their wish to participate in the dialogue by pressing the microphone button on the console before them now. Those speaking on behalf of the group should approach the Secretariat in order to be given priority in the speaking order. I also very much warmly welcome the Deputy Secretary-General, Madam Amina Mohammed, who will also join us today, and Madam ISG as well. So it's a good representation of the Secretariat. So now I invite His Excellency the Secretary-General, António Guterres, to present the report contained in the Document E/2025/53 and Addendum I. Secretary-General, the floor is yours.


UN · SG · António Guterres [2:01]:

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for taking part in this important forum in an important year. We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. But this milestone is tempered by a stark, undeniable reality that resonates on every page of the report I am presenting today. With less than 5 years to go to the 2030 deadline, we are facing nothing short of a development emergency. Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off-track. And some of the hard-won gains made in recent years are getting derailed. Progress is too slow in the fight against poverty, hunger, inequality, the climate crisis, decaying infrastructure and under-resourced education, health and social protection systems. We must never forget that the development emergency is, at its root, a human emergency. The lives and futures of millions of people hang in the balance. And this development emergency is also a funding emergency. Resources are shrinking across the board, and they have been for some time. For example, as detailed in my report, total financial contributions to the UN Development System dropped by $9 billion US dollars, or 16%, in 2023 from the year before. We can imagine the number of 2024, taking into account what we have witnessed in the recent decisions. Our Organization is increasingly asked to do more with less—a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future. These years, donors are pulling the plug on aid commitments and delivery at historic speed and scale. But the report we are discussing today also carries an important message of hope. Hope found in the progress we have achieved together to reform and reposition the UN Development System, making it more efficient and cost-effective. Hope in the UN80 Initiative to build on these reforms and drive more of the change we need across the System for a more impactful, cohesive and efficient Organization. Hope in your continued strong support of, and engagement with, our Resident Coordinators and Country Teams. And hope that lies in the potential of the Pact for the Future to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals—a Pact that secured consensus at the Summit of the Future. Let me be clear: while the context has shifted since the Pact's adoption, its commitments are more important than ever. And this includes its bold calls for action on all the elements required to boost progress on sustainable development, including financing for development, the provision of debt relief and strengthening the international financial architecture. We cannot allow headwinds to blow these commitments off course. We will continue working closely with all Member States and partners to keep our agenda on track, deepen our ongoing transformation, and to do so in the context of UN Haiti initiatives to drive progress across the system. And we will ensure we can fully deliver and maximize the benefits of every single mandate of the landmark General Assembly Resolution 72279 that ushered in the reforms of the UN Development System. Excellencies, in this spirit, and guided by the report and the discussion today, I would like to highlight four areas where we are making progress, where more is needed and our Member States can support this work. First, we must hold fast to our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. This is a critical year for development. But across the board, we face a crisis in the means of implementation —from financing to trade, governance and institutional capacity—to accelerate progress. Acceleration means Member States keeping alive the bold commitments they made in adopting the Goals in 2015, as well as through the Pact for the Future. And this includes easing the debt burden on developing countries, scaling innovative sources of finance and pushing forward on reforms to the international financial architecture. The upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla will be a key moment in driving the change we need. Acceleration requires bold transformations. We must continue travelling the clear pathways to progress outlined in the report—key areas where we can spur progress across all the goals, such as food systems, energy access, digital connectivity and supporting economic growth through trade. Now is the time to build more political will and institutional capacity to support these essential shifts and drive progress. Second, we will continue tailoring our operations to the needs and priorities of host countries. We know we are on the right track. In the last year alone, Resident Coordinated supported over 160 countries. Our work across the system and with governments is becoming more integrated and coordinated every year. 87% of host governments and 83% of donor country governments agreed that UN entities are working more collaboratively than before the reform. And 98% of host governments agreed that UN activities, as articulated in our cooperation frameworks, are closely or very closely aligned to national priorities. The evidence is clear: the reinvigorated Resident Coordinator System we have built together is fast becoming a launchpad for providing deeper development impact for people and planet alike. By gathering partners together to shape policy and financing solutions to accelerate development, by supporting countries' efforts on financing, data collection, trade and sustainable economic growth; and by constantly striving to find efficiencies, innovations and drive accountability and results across our work together. We are rightly proud of our work, and we will protect and build on these as we move forward. We know we can do better, and we will. Despite high levels of support, the report shows worrying gaps between the priorities of our cooperation frameworks and the operational, governance and financial tools to bring them to life. Moreover, the Management Accountability Framework established to ensure greater accountability in collective UN efforts is not being applied evenly across the system. Our newly established Evaluation Office for the Development System is now preparing its first independent report to this body this year to continue driving accountability and results, and ensure greater alignment of the UN configuration and programming with country needs. I ask all Member States to support this important work. Third, funding. I am deeply concerned about the system's funding situation. Core contributions to development agencies are insufficient, plunging to 16.5% of total funding, with these contributions declining to 12% for some agencies. This is a far cry from the 30% target countries committed to in the Funding Compact. In December, the General Assembly agreed to my proposal to secure 53% $1 million from the regular budget for the Resident Coordinator System, a much-needed boost at a critical time. To be entirely frank, I have to say that the proposal was much higher, but at last— at least this compromise was found. But the minimum level of support is insufficient to reach the maximum ambition we need. Our ability to drive development and deliver support in a sustained way is at risk at a moment when countries need us most. For our part, we will continue working closely with you to close funding gaps and ensure joint programming is well-funded and directed to the most vulnerable people and communities. But more than ever, we need flexible, sustainable, predictable and innovative sources of funding. I urge Member States to implement the new Funding Compact without delay. In the current context of shrinking resources, the funding compact becomes even more fundamental—in particular, its emphasis on pooled funds that allow for more strategic resource allocation depending on actual needs and priorities on the ground.

Enfin, Catherine—

Fourthly, we will continue pushing for efficiencies that maximize the use of development resources. The report demonstrates that our reforms are getting results with over €592 million in efficiencies in 2024, which is well above our initial target of €310 million. These savings were achieved through individual agency efforts to streamline services and supply chains, as well as through the increased use of shared services across entities. Including travel, conference, and administrative functions, and other key efficiencies. But we can and we must do more. From the very beginning of my mandate, we embarked on an ambitious reform agenda to strengthen not only how we work and deliver, but how we leave no stone unturned in finding cost savings and efficiencies. The UN80 Initiative is an important opportunity to carry this work forward by rapidly identifying efficiencies and improvements in the way we work, by ensuring that a greater share of our resources are allocated for development programs rather than administrative costs, by thoroughly reviewing the implementation of all mandates given to us by member states, which have significantly increased in recent years. And through a strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and program realignment in the UN system. UNAT is not about responding to global cuts. It's about responding to global needs, the needs of people around the world. They need to ensure that we support them in the right way with the right programs and country configurations, and the need to be as efficient, streamlined, and impactful as we can be. Here again, we need the support of member states to make sure our activities are more efficient. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, as we continue on this road to reform, we need to bear in mind what is most important. And that is those people around the world who are counting on us. The report we are considering today is not limited to just numbers. It deals with the services and assistance we provide to people and communities which are the most vulnerable, the most disadvantaged the world over, and has to do with the people throughout the world whose labor finances our work. It also deals with our capacity to meet the expectations of member states and act in accordance with the priorities of each country. It also has to do with our constant quest for efficiencies and effectiveness and responsibility whilst remaining loyal to the fundamental values we've had since the very beginning. So let's work together shoulder to shoulder to build better and more effectively, rising to the challenges of today and tomorrow. We need to adapt ourselves to our mission. We need to be ready to act, and we count on the full support of member states to continue moving forward.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [15:30]:

I thank you. I thank the Secretary-General for his presentation. And I understand that the SG will need to leave us for other commitments during the debate, so— but the DSG will stay with us for the whole afternoon. And taking this into account and in anticipation of the long list of delegations wishing to intervene, in order to allow all those wishing to speak the opportunity to do so, I kindly request delegations to observe the time limits.— of 5 minutes for the intervention on behalf of the groups and 3 minutes for the national statements. Saying so, I open up the interactive discussion and with the first, it's Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, followed by the European Union and Nepal on behalf of the LDCs. Iraq, the floor is yours.


Iraq · G77 + China [16:24]:

Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. This is an upgraded version and the entire statement will be uploaded to the OAS website. As this is the first time the group has taken the floor in this segment, we stress the need for enhanced engagement and inclusive consultations with all Member States and preparations for future segments with a further emphasis on the diverse perspectives and development challenges faced by Programme countries. The Group wishes to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and for his briefing today on the implementation of the General Assembly Resolution 79/226 on the QSPR. Mr. Secretary-General, over the years you have never failed to speak the truth to the current situations and call for urgent accelerated action. Sadly, this seems to fall on deaf ears. As year after year conditions seems to be getting worse this year as we meet, multilateralism is hanging on a very thin thread. We see a further decline to the development pillar. We are witnessing a reversal of so many of our commitments and obligations under the various frameworks and instruments in the economic, social, and environmental fields. We were at the cusp of moving away from repositioning the UNDS and moving towards delivery of services on the ground. However, now, with the further shrinking of development finances, we are back to the discussion of reshaping the system Meanwhile, more and more people are falling into extreme poverty. Countries are grappling with high indebtedness with no opportunities to compete in a fair trade and economic market. A reduction in ODA, significant cutback in aid assistance, and increasing inequalities. Mr. Vice President, the Secretary-General's report tells us some startling statistics on the state of development in developing countries. Within 5 years, we will be at our 2030 deadline, and if we continue along this path, we will be extremely off track to meeting our goals on target. As the UN turns 80, it's time to really examine what we have achieved and what development challenges we have addressed. We need to understand the ways and the ways not and figure out the durable and sustainable solution. This can only be achieved through a united international community. Mr. Vice President, the Group appreciates the effort of the Secretary-General on efficiency gains. We continue to see the benefit of having a more coordinated and collaborated UNDS. We therefore call on all entities of the UNDS to continue their cooperation with the Secretary-General in this regard. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, development must remain the ECOSOC/OAS focus. The eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions has to remain the guidance, the guiding light of the development agenda. The Resident Coordinators must continue to be empowered to fulfill their function as UN Development Coordinators on the ground. The UNDS must respond to the RC's call, giving them the chance to tap into relevant entities and expertise to return the focus to development. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, We as the international community can no longer go about business as usual when we have approximately 2.8 billion people live below the extreme poverty line, when there are 2.6 billion people offline, when 251 million children are out of school, 3.8 billion people still lacking any more any form of social protection when temperature rise is projected to be 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. When more and more countries are becoming highly indebted, the group believes we as the international community have what it takes to make this a better world. For the present and future generation. All we have to do is make it happen. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [21:31]:

I thank the representative of Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and now I give the floor to the European Union, to be followed by Nepal. EU, you got the floor.


EU · EU [21:43]:

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Thank you for giving me the floor. We also appreciate Poland's leadership as ECOSOC's Vice President during this year's Operational Activities for Development segment. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its member states. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Armenia, align themselves with this statement. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, the EU and its Member States reaffirm our commitment to effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order with the United Nations at its core. We believe last year's QCPR outcome can better guide the UN development system to address gaps and deliver more effectively, collaboratively and coherently, leaving no one behind. This is especially important amid reduced availability of funding Ongoing reforms and the UNAID initiative. We have 3 key messages. One, progress in UNDS reform. We welcome the SG's report on QCPR, showing 98% of host governments confirm that UN country teams effectively respond to national SDG priorities. This reflects progress from ongoing reform. We recognize the Resident Coordinator's role in providing leadership, advancing the UN's normative agenda, reducing duplication, and promoting collective SDG action. Reported efficiency gains of over $596 million in 2024, mainly through shared services and premises, are encouraging. These measures should be scaled up across UN country offices. Tailored country support remains essential. The UN supported 109 countries in special or complex situations, accounting for 70% of spending. While country-specific configurations have improved, misalignment with agency staffing structures, mandates, and business models persist. Better alignment with national needs is critical, including through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks to support coordinated delivery of the 2030 Agenda. We also call for full implementation of the System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women across the UN Development System. Two, the operational challenges. Despite progress, challenges remain. Challenges of funding. Development contributions fell 16% in 2023. Core funding remains inadequate, threatening the sustainability of results and reforms. Challenges of fragmented programming: many agencies still work in silos. Challenges of weak joint action: joint resource mobilization and accountability are limited. Only 26% of UN teams fully include RCs in planning. To address these challenges, we must accelerate reforms, with agencies working more strategically and collaboratively under RC leadership. Governance should be simplified, alignment increased, transparency strengthened, and high-impact cooperation models expanded. Member States should meet commitments under the Funding Compact to sustain reform and its impact. Data and evaluations are also key. The new system-wide evaluation office should help refine policies through better evidence use. These QCPR-based solutions should inform our efforts under the UNAID Initiative. And that's my third point. The UNAID Initiative, under the SG's leadership, must stay grounded in shared priorities and help translate the Pact for the Future into implementation, especially the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. As emphasized at the General Assembly briefing on UNAID last week and yesterday, the UN Charter's three pillars peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights are interlinked and must be addressed together. We welcome this year's segment's focus on the links between development and peacebuilding via the Nexus approach. Reform should create a more streamlined, effective UN that delivers impact with strong country-level ownership and leaves no one behind. Transparency, accountability, value for money, and oversight must guide reform. This requires bold leadership, simplified processes, and improved coordination, including stronger interagency cooperation. The initiative must be driven by evidence-based decisions and the principles of responsibility, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary General, the EU and its member states, the UN's largest collective of contributors, remain committed to multilateralism and the UN. With meaningful reform, adequate financing, and a broader donor base, the UN can achieve more and deliver greater impact. You can count on our continued support and constructive engagement. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [27:04]:

I thank the representative of the European Union, and now I give the floor to Nepal, on behalf of the LDCs.


Nepal · LDCs [27:12]:

Thank you, Mr.

Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. I am honored to make this statement on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries. Please allow me to begin by expressing the LDCs Group's appreciation to the Secretary-General for presenting the comprehensive report with a thorough analysis of the implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of the Operational Activities of the United Nations System. Mr. Vice President, as the Secretary-General notes, the world is on the precipice of a development emergency. This is the most acute in our countries, where structural vulnerabilities, limited resilience, and exposure to external shocks threaten to reverse hard Gains. Least LDCs continue to face immense challenges towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals, with nearly one-third of their population living below the poverty line. In 2023, 57% of the population in LDCs was food insecure. Undernourishment stood at 22%, more than double the global rate of 9.2%. Internet penetration was about 35% compared to over 60% globally. Only 57% of the population has access to electricity. We express our concern at the decrease of 3% in real terms of DAC-member ODA to LDCs in 2024 as compared to the previous year, and its projected further decline. The alarming 16% decrease in total contribution to the UN Development System in 2023 directly impacts those furthest behind. Mr. President, we cannot achieve Sustainable Development Goals when core resources continue to decline, reaching a mere 18.8% of total contributions. This undermines the system's ability to provide strategic, flexible support tailored to our specific context. The Funding Compact target of 30% core funding remains distant, limiting our ability to build resilience and sustainable development pathways. We recognize progress in UN coordination at the country level, with 98% of host governments confirming UN teams' effectiveness in responding to national priorities. We wish to appreciate the role played by UNRC in supporting the national pathways to sustainable development. We urge more targeted support across the six transformative pathways identified in AC's report. As a way forward, let me highlight some key priorities for LDCs. First, reverse the decline in core funding. Core resources must be restored and increased to meet the 30% target, ensuring flexibility and strategic support— sorry, strategic support for LDCs. Second, scale up development financing. The upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development must deliver concrete solutions to close the SDG financing gap, address debt burdens, and mobilize climate and digital investment for LDCs. Third, strengthen integrated support. The UN must continue to tailor its support and expertise to LDC contexts, supporting graduation, smooth transition, and resilience building. Fourth, enhance partnership and innovation. Leverage South-South cooperation, private sector engagement, and innovative financing mechanisms to unlock new resources and solutions. And fifth, accelerate action on transformative pathways. Prioritize investment in food systems, energy, digital infrastructure, education, jobs, and climate resilience in LDCs where the needs and potential impacts are greatest. We also call for the operationalization of the relevant deliverables of the Doha Programme of Action. In closing, Mr. Vice President, the UN Development System has shown it can deliver results for those furthest behind, but the current funding trajectory and resource allocation pattern are unsustainable. The success of the 2030 Agenda will be judged by progress in the LDCs. We urge all partners to match ambition with action to invest in LDCs, restore core funding, and empower our countries to lead the last mile to 2030. Our group reaffirms its continued support and contribution to the UN Development System in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and looks forward to meaningful exchange during the segment. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [31:59]:

I thank the representative of Nepal on behalf of the Least Developed Countries. And now I give the floor to Ethiopia on behalf of the African Group, to be followed by Bahamas on CARICOM and Australia on CANZUK.


Ethiopia · Africa Group [32:14]:

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, Madame Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Africa Group. We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive briefing. We welcome the Secretary-General's comprehensive report on the implementation of QCPR. We commend the continued commitment of the UN Development System to supporting countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. We are encouraged by the evidence presented in the report on a more coherent, effective and responsive development system, increasingly aligned with national priorities. The Africa Group welcomes progress on key development priorities, of the continent, including energy access and transitions, where we note with appreciation the increased UN support and the reported impact of efforts that have helped 55 million people gain access to clean and affordable energy since 2022. Two, food systems transformation and food security, a top priority in the face of ongoing hunger hunger and malnutrition. We commend the UN system's support to more than 150 million people in 2024 and look forward to the second UN Food Systems Stocktaking moment in Addis Ababa this July as a critical opportunity to accelerate progress across Africa and the rest of the developing world. 3. Climate resilience and disaster risk reduction., including support to Nationally Determined Contributions, early warning systems and adaptation; 4. Digital connectivity, where we appreciate the focus on closing the digital divide and support for digital public infrastructure; 5. Education and skills development, where we acknowledge the UN's contribution to improving access to digital literacy literacy and safe learning environments; 6) decent jobs and social protection, which are essential to eradicating poverty and achieving inclusive development. Mr. President, the Africa Group stresses the importance of financing for development. We remain concerned about the declining overall funding for operational activities and the persistent shortfalls in core contributions. We reiterate the need to reinvigorate the Funding Compact and ensure predictable, adequate and sustainable resources for the UN Development System, particularly the Resident Coordinator System. We further underline the importance of regional coordination and tailored country team configurations, especially in supporting African priorities such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, and addressing transboundary challenges. We welcome the ongoing recalibration of the RSE system to ensure the country teams are optimally configured and national contexts, and comment the increased support for regional collaboration. The Africa Group expresses concern— it's concern that the program of the segment did not sufficiently reflect— the range of development challenges faced by Programme Countries, including in Africa. In our view, this will limit the ability of ECOSOC to fully exercise its oversight function in line with the QCPR mandates. A more comprehensive agenda is needed in future segments to ensure that Member States can adequately assess progress and guide system-wide implementation. In closing, the Africa Group reiterates its support for a strong, effective and accountable UN Development System that is responsive to national priorities, leaves no one behind and helps countries deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the UN System and all stakeholders to accelerate progress and realize sustainable development across the African continent and beyond. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [36:48]:

I thank the representative of Ethiopia on behalf of the African Group. And now I give the floor to Bahamas on behalf of the CARICOM, followed by Australia, CANZS, and Palau AEOASIS.


Bahamas · CARICOM [37:05]:

N'Biuro, Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14 Member States of the Caribbean Community as we reflect on the operational activities for development of the United Nations System at this pivotal juncture. As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary and as we approach the final 5 years of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the global community finds itself at a moment of both reckoning and renewal. The world today is grappling with economic instability, deepening inequality, conflict, and the climate crisis which together threaten to unravel the fragile progress made toward achieving the 2030 Agenda. For CARICOM, as Small Island Developing States, these global crises are experienced in particularly acute ways. In the Caribbean, our economies are marked by high exposure to external shocks,— dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, and chronic debt overhangs. Many of our countries also face constrained fiscal space, rising social vulnerabilities, and persistent gaps in food, energy, and digital security. These structural challenges demand a development system that is responsive, tailored, and adequately resourced. In this context, CARICOM welcomes the Secretary-General's latest report on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for development of the United Nations system. We support its focus on transformative pathways, particularly those related to food systems, decent work, digital connectivity, climate resilience, and biodiversity as frameworks that can help prioritize action and accelerate results at country level. We take note of the system-wide push for greater coherence, improved accountability, and strengthened capabilities and capacities within the Resident Coordinator System.. These are essential for delivering country-owned, SDG-aligned support. At the same time, the report underscores some troubling realities. Core contributions to the development system continue to decline, and progress under the Funding Compact remains uneven. If the development system is expected to remain ambitious and impactful, the financing model must, match that ambition. We are also mindful of ongoing discussions under the UN-80 Initiative, which seek to complete outstanding reforms and further refine the footprint and structure of the UN Development System. CARICOM supports the principle of efficiency, but we caution against arbitrary streamlining. Reforms must not come at the expense of country-level impact. We are particularly concerned about the potential weakening of the United Nations regional presence in the Caribbean. The ECLAC sub-regional headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago and the UN multi-country offices in Jamaica and Barbados respectively are vital to coordination, data and technical assistance and partnerships needed to meet our development goals. These are not just offices, —these are hubs of trust and institutional memory. The continuity must be safeguarded. CARICOM also calls for deeper alignment between global development priorities and the specific vulnerabilities of SIDS. We reiterate our strong support of the operationalization of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and its full integration into the programming and resource allocation frameworks of the UN development system. Development support should be based not on outdated income metrics, but on real and lived vulnerability. We further emphasized the importance of enhancing national and regional capacity, particularly in emerging and underserved areas. These include disaster risk financing, social protection systems, early warning infrastructure, youth employment, and digital public goods. The UN Development System must invest in these priorities if it is to remain fit for purpose. Finally, we underlined the need to ensure that governance of the United Nations Development System remains inclusive and transparent. Countries of the Caribbean, like other programme countries, must have a meaningful voice and participation in the shaping of strategies and reforms that directly affect our development trajectories. Mr. President, this is a critical year. What we need, and indeed what we expect, is a development system that is bold in its reform, equitable in its reach, and deliberate in delivering for those at greatest risk of being left behind. CARICOM remains steadfast in our commitment to multilateralism and to a strengthened, more effective, and more inclusive United Nations Development System. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [42:11]:

I thank the representative of Bahamas on behalf of the Caribbean community and there are three more groups to come. It's Australia on behalf of CANZUS, Palau on behalf of OASIS and Philippines on behalf of the Middle Income Countries, so Group of Friends of the Middle Income Countries. So now I give the floor to the representative of Australia on behalf of the CANZUS.


Australia · CANZ [42:35]:

Thank you, Vice President. Of course, a particular thanks to the Secretary-General for joining this discussion today. As you mentioned, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The United Nations was created not only to prevent conflict, but also to promote and create the conditions for peace, and that is why sustainable development is a core pillar of our collective work. There can be no sustainable development without peace, and no peace without sustainable development. Vice President, we cannot be blind to the pressures facing the UN Development System. As the Secretary-General has warned, we are on the precipice of a development emergency, and we face extremely difficult choices. Now is the time to be open to bold reforms, and our efforts must be rooted in our shared commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,, and its pledge to leave no one behind. CANZ wishes to highlight 3 key priorities for reform. First, while we acknowledge the progress on efficiencies already made, we must renew our commitment to agreed reforms and redouble our efforts to maximize dividends in line with the recently agreed QCPR. UN agencies need to deliver on commitments to embrace shared services and common offices, especially at country level. But the circumstances demand more. The development system must focus on functions the United Nations is uniquely able to deliver, including through structural reform, while safeguarding its essential normative role, particularly on gender equality and human rights. United Nations leaders cannot make siloed reform decisions and must work together to ensure coherence linked to UN 80, and we as the member states must also work together to stop mandate proliferation. Second, development bodies should not be competing for resources. At the country level, we need a unified effort and greater use of pooled, flexible funding. The right incentives for collaboration need to be set out and reiterated by the UN leadership. We, as donors, need to provide high-quality funding consistent with our Funding Compact commitments. We must better integrate critical cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality and disability access and inclusion, as well as preventing sexual exploitation, assault, and harassment. These objectives ensure effective service delivery, enhance trust, transparency, accountability, and should be embedded in our thinking and programming. Third, we should ensure the Resident Coordinator System is equipped to lead a sharper, more unified United Nations at country level. Resident Coordinators have brought much-needed coherence and coordination to our efforts, and with fewer resources, we need to enhance our efforts to strengthen the RC system and ensure it is as fit for purpose as it can possibly be in a very challenging context. Vice President, we should remain pragmatic and flexible while ensuring no region of member states is left behind in any reform process. CANZ stands ready to work to ensure future generations benefit from the United Nations systems just as we all have. Thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [46:00]:

I thank the representative of Australia on behalf of CANZ, and now I give the floor to Palau on behalf of Aces. Followed by Philippines of like-minded group for middle-income countries.


Palau · AOSIS [46:13]:

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, I have the honor to deliver these remarks on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States. AOSIS extends its gratitude to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the implementation of the mandates set out in Resolution 79/226 on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development. During this time of immense uncertainty, AOSIS continues to rely on the United Nations as a reliable and steadfast partner in our efforts toward development and resilient prosperity. For this reason, we welcome the QCPR's continued recognition of the unique vulnerabilities and development needs of SIDS and the needs for tailored, coherent, and adequately resourced support for the UN development system. In this regard, EOSIS welcomes the report's acknowledgement that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient and that national development contexts, particularly of SIDS, demand tailored UN engagement and configurations aligned to our needs and priorities. We recognize that through the repositioning of the system, SIDS are benefiting from better support, especially through a greater in-country presence and closer collaboration through the multi-country offices. We particularly appreciate the targeted support where UN country teams assisted SIDS such as, such as Niue, Palau, and Timor-Leste with early warning systems and climate resilience. The Early Warning for All initiative and broader climate disaster preparedness efforts are critical as our members remain vulnerable to increasingly more frequent and severe climate shocks. Such vulnerabilities emphasize the significant importance of incorporating the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index into the development systems programming. We urge funds, entities, and agencies to use the MVI and its vulnerability resilience profiles to provide more targeted and evidence-based support to program countries. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, the report provides a timely and candid assessment of how the United Nations Development System is responding to country needs. However, EOSIS remains deeply concerned by the 16% drop in financial contributions to the UNDS in 2023. With core funding in sharp decline. This is jeopardizing the system's capacity to deliver. For SIDS, where capacities are often stretched, flexible, predictable, and long-term financing is essential to ensure coherent UN support and development impact. In this regard, against the backdrop of shrinking development support, support and the UN80 initiative, EOSIS wishes to stress that reforms must not lead to the withdrawal or reduction of UN presence and support in SIDS. Any UN reforms should translate into deep, more, and more tailored support, increasing investments and sustainable funding in development and improving the delivery of mandates to to SIDS. In closing, the full and effective implementation of the QCPR as an effectiveness and accountability mechanism is central to ensure that the UN development system remains a reliable and trusted partner for SIDS. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [50:23]:

I thank Representative Palau on behalf of the OASIS. Now I give the floor to the Philippines on behalf of the Lime-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries, and then followed by Bolivia on behalf of the LLDCs, and I will give the floor back to the Secretary-General.


Philippines · Like-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries [50:38]:

Mr.

Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies and colleagues, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Lime-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries, composed of Armenia, Belarus, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and my own country, the Philippines. The group appreciates the Secretary-General's detailed report on the implementation of the QCPR for 2025, including the section on support of the UN development system to middle-income countries. The group emphasizes that the repositioned UNDS plays a key role in supporting MICS in the achievement of the SDGs at the country level in accordance with our national plans and priorities. MICS should be able to continue their development journey and pave their transition pathways. At the recently high-level conference on MICS in the Philippines, which adopted the Makati Declaration, The group reiterated the call of the QCPR for the UNDS to continue to develop and provide tailored support to middle-income countries in a manner that addresses their specific challenges while mindful of their diversity. We therefore welcome the establishment of the High-Level Group of Experts through the leadership of the Secretary-General to develop measures of progress that complement or go beyond GDP as mandated in the for the future. To further improve delivery of tailored support to MICCs, we urge the elaboration of a specific interagency comprehensive system-wide response plan for middle-income countries aimed at better addressing the multidimensional nature of sustainable development and facilitating sustainable development cooperation and coordinated and inclusive support to middle-income countries. We also stress the need to fill leadership gaps MICS in the United Nations Sustainable Development Group through the appointment of a focal point on middle-income countries. We request the Secretary-General to continue to ensure that Resident Coordinator Offices in MICS are equipped with adequate profiles, capacities, and expertise tailored to fully deliver on their mandates and support host countries in efforts to achieve the SDGs. In that regard, we highlight the efforts of MICS make to safeguard the presence of UNDS entities on the ground, to safeguard the presence of the UNDS entities on the ground. Mr. President, in the context of UNAT and increasing fiscal challenges, we believe that reform and efficiencies must not come at the cost of sustainable development. For MICS, the development pillar of the UN remains essential. The Resident Coordinator System helps drive more coherent responsive and effective UN support on the ground. Efforts must be aimed at deepening policy support, improving delivery, and ensuring that the UN system is fit to respond to the complex needs of middle-income countries. In this regard, MICS expect the UNDS to remain focused, among others, on enabling access to concessional financing, green and innovative technologies, renewable energy and infrastructure, infrastructure and promoting climate action and digital transformation. We also underscore the catalytic role of South-South and triangular cooperation in this regard. In conclusion, rest assured of our continued active engagement and commitment to strengthening international cooperation and multilateral approaches, with the UN at its center, to promote inclusive and equitable sustainable development.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [54:23]:

I thank you. I thank the representative of Philippines on on behalf of the Land-Minded Group for the Middle Income Countries. And now I give the final floor for the groups to Bolivia on behalf of the LLDCs.


Bolivia (Plurinational State of) · LLDCs [54:38]:

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Secretary-General, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, LLDCs. We thank the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of the QCPR and appreciate the detailed overview it provides of system-wide progress. As LLDCs, we continue to face structural challenges that require targeted support, and we welcome the attention given to countries in special situations throughout the report. The Group notes with appreciation that the United Nations Development System has strengthened its alignment with national priorities in LLDCs, with 98% of governments surveyed acknowledging this alignment. This is a testament to the reform's emphasis on country ownership and the revitalized Resident Coordinator System. We wish to emphasize the centrality of the Resident Coordinator System in enabling coherent, effective, and context-sensitive UN support to LLDCs. The Resident Coordinator is the face of the UN development system at the country level, and the reforms undertaken since Resolution 72/279 have empowered this role to drive integrated support that is both nationally aligned and system-wide in scope. We welcome the increase in UN Development System expenditures across LLDCs and encourage further efforts to ensure these resources are used in ways that address the unique challenges of landlocked geography. In particular, the constraints we face in accessing global markets, building trade connectivity, and fostering regional integration must continue to receive focus. Most attention. The LLDC group underscores the importance of integrated support in infrastructure development, digital connectivity, transport and logistics, as well as trade facilitation. These areas are critical to overcoming the geographical disadvantages that hinder our development. We call for continued support aligned with the new Programme of Action for LLDCs, for the decade 2024-2034. We welcome the progress made in expanding early warning systems and resilience programming in LLDCs. Many of our countries are vulnerable to climate-related shocks, and we emphasize the need for greater investment in adaptation, risk reduction, and climate-resilient infrastructure. We also appreciate the recognition in the report of the persistent data and institutional capacity gaps in LLDCs. Investment in statistical systems, policy coherence, and governance structures are needed to help our countries drive forward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Finally, we reiterate the importance of robust interagency collaboration and regional coordination in addressing transboundary development issues, including trade corridors, regional energy access, and cross-border cooperation. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [58:17]:

I thank the representative of Bolivia, and now I invite Mr. Secretary-General to respond to the first round of the comments and questions.


UN · SG · António Guterres [58:28]:

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Indeed, I was extremely interested in at least listening to the groups in order to have a clear picture about what Member States think about our work. I have to say that when I became Secretary General, we were in the end of a cycle in which progressively developing countries were catching up. The African continent for 10 years, 10 successive years, was the continent with the highest growth rate. And so slowly but in a sustained way, there was a progressive reduction of the inequality between the developed and developing countries, even if there was also an increase in inequalities within each of these groups. And it was in this context that we promoted the reforms that we are talking about. And I can tell you that There is a world of difference between the UN Development System that I knew when I was High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Development System now. There was— and we were working all over the world— there was no effective coordination among agencies. The resident coordinator was the responsible of UNDP and the difficult relations among agencies were making any teamwork extremely difficult in all countries. There was no alignment with the government policies. It was all depending on the donor support and the impact of the UN development system— I wouldn't say that there was a system— I mean, the UN development entities working in a rather uncoordinated way, the impact was relatively small. But countries were growing. Now, I do believe when we see the UN development system now,— and I can compare with my own experience— we have a much more coordinated system. We have Resident Coordinators that are more and more recognized by governments as their privileged interlocutor for global development projects— programmes. And we see that the system, with still some trends from the past, tendencies to work in silos, problems of coordination that are not entirely solved, with all imperfections that exist, the system has changed dramatically. It is much better coordinated and it's much better aligned with the priorities of the governments and the countries where we work. And this was recognized by the governments in the surveys that we made. And on the other hand, a much better— much better coordination with the headquarters functions, bringing together the different agencies to make them understand that it was absolutely necessary to work together, even if, let's be clear, We were never able, with all these funding compacts, we were never able to make the donor community understand that it was essential to invest more in core funding of each agency and in common funds, which maintained a very low proportion, and of course push agencies to compete with each other. I mean, when the funding is divided, that tends to divide the agencies. But, as I said, with imperfections on both sides, we have to recognize that the system is working much better. Are we happy? No. And we heard here— very important comments on the need to increase coordination, on the need to increase accountability, on the need to increase transparency, on the need to recognize that the one-size-fits-all doesn't make sense. We need to have special attention to SIDS, to least developed countries, to landlocked developing countries. We need to have in middle-income countries a completely different configuration because the logic and And so there is a lot that still needs to be done in order to have a system that is more responsible, more coordinated, and even if we want to be aligned with the country's policy, sometimes we have not the instruments that are necessary for that alignment to be perfect. And we are totally committed to make all the reforms that are necessary. Now, Why is it that with all the improvements of the UN Development System we have the picture that was described by different of the distinguished Permanent Representatives? Increase of inequalities, developing countries losing ground again, with the exception of some middle— some emerging economies with a relatively big size— we see the Chinas, the Indias of this world— that of course, because of their size, it make it impossible for the multinational corporations that largely dominate the global economy not to invest there because they would lose markets that are essential. But of course that doesn't apply to small countries and that that fact— the fact that some middle-income emergency economies of large dimension were able to show an enormous resilience doesn't mean that the large majority of developing countries is not suffering in a very clear way. So why is it that we witness the description that was made here, and why is it that the Sustainable Development— the Sustainable Development Goals are completely off track and that we are not moving at all at the speed that was necessary to implement them? And the reason is very simple: because the essential questions are not how the UN development system works, The essential questions are on the global economy and the global financial system work. That is where the problem is. And we would be completely naïf if we would think that even with the improvements that we need to do in the UN Development System, we would be able to address the dramatic challenges of today's global economy. Economy. Countries faced first the COVID There were vaccines on one side, no vaccines on the other side. Rich countries, with the difficulties of their economies, could print money. And trillions were printed. And printing money, they could sustain their economies. Developing countries could not print money because if they would print money their currencies would completely disappear. So what they did? They contracted debt to support the basic needs of their population and to support the basis of their economy. And having increased their level of debt, they faced immediately afterwards the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, that together with some other already existing inflationary trends led to a dramatic increase of interest rates. And so countries became completely paralyzed or to a large extent severely limited by high levels of debt with high interest rates. And at the same time, with the loss of capacity to use the necessary resources for the development process and for the social protection, education and health systems, in many cases the debt payments were much higher than the investment in social sectors. Obviously, this has very negative consequences in relation to the implementation of the SDGs, as you have outlined here. And then climate, in which of course those that suffer more with climate are essentially developing countries, and now later the geopolitical divides with the perspective of trade wars and when the big powers fight each other, those that pay the price are usually the least— the more fragile developing countries. We have a saying in my country that when the sea waves clash with the rocks, the price is paid by the mussels, and I think this is entirely true. When we see the situation in the world today. Big confrontation among big powers, heavy consequences in the situation of developing countries. And so what makes me be very frustrated is to see that the tools that would be necessary to correct these— situation, which is far beyond the capacity of the UN Development System, those tools are still not being implemented, even if they were clearly recognized and there were clear indications in the consensus generated in the General Assembly, in the Summit of the Future, with the Pact of the Future. Where is the debt relief that was promised? Where is the reform of the international financial architecture? Where is the capitalization of multilateral development banks that could multiply the resources in a way that if you give $1 for a project is $1, if you put $1 in the capital of a multilateral development bank it's $5 or $6 or $7. Where are those— I'm not talking about reforms about the power, reforms about the structure of the IMF or the World Bank, and you know how difficult this is because of the interests of those that dominate those institutions— but where are the practical things that we saw together and that would considerably change the present situation providing much more resources with concessional funding to those countries, being it small islands, being it landlocked countries, being it least developed countries, that need a much stronger support to overcome the enormous challenges that they face. So let us work together in order to make our sustainable development system better. To increase its efficiency, its coordination, to increase its accountability, its transparency. Let's do it together with determination, as we have decided. But let's not have the illusion that that will solve the central problem of the difficulties of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Because that depends on a level of reforms in the kind of institutions and in the kind of systems that go far beyond the capacity of the UN and go far beyond the capacity of the UN Development System. And with ODA being reduced and the UN Development System with less and less resources, even bigger is the difficulty to address the challenges that we face. And so let's not lose the perspective. Let's do everything we can to make the Sustainable Development System better, but let's go on making sure that the international community finally understands that the reforms that we have proposed in the Pact of the Future need to be implemented to create more equal relations and allow developing countries to come out of the suffocating situation that they face at the present moment. Sorry to be so blunt, but I think that sometimes we— and well, do a lot of efforts in making small adjustments, but we forget that those small adjustments will not solve the problem. We need a much bigger adjustment in the centre of the global economic and financial system.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:13:08]:

I actually thank Secretary-General for being so blunt with us, and thank you for your presence and for your statement and comments. It was really, I think, quite a good portion of the fruitful thoughts for us and we will continue our discussion while thanking Secretary General for his presence. And now we move to the phase of the national statements and we have a long list of the requests, so seeing that and seeing the time constraints, I would really ask all the speakers to follow the instructions, follow the time constraints, which is the 3 minutes for the statement, and I'm afraid that the microphone will be automatically deactivated after 3 minutes, so please obey the 3-minute limit. And with saying so and having the DSG with us to follow the debate, I will give the floor to the King of the Netherlands. Followed by South Africa and Sweden.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Permanent Representative [1:14:30]:

Thank you, Mr. Vice President and Madam Deputy Secretary General, Excellencies. The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union.— and this being the first operational activity segment since the adoption of the QCPR resolution last year, the Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomes the Secretary-General's report and its clear message: the UN Development System does deliver results. However, challenges remain and reform must continue with urgency and ambition. We appreciate the UN System's efforts to support Member States in areas such as water security, sustainable food systems, and public health. These transitions are vital, particularly in fragile and vulnerable contexts, and are strongly aligned with our priorities as development partner. However, we are operating in a context— context of growing demands and declining resources. This makes full implementation of UNDS reform indispensable, and I'd like to echo what the Secretary-General said. We should make full use of innovative sources of funding as well. And also, the strengthened role of the Resident Coordinator and the system-wide focus on country-level impact are welcome developments. Through sufficient and predictable funding of the RC system remains key. In light of persistent funding constraints, we underscore the importance of efficiency gains through common back offices, shared services, and improved business operations. These are essential not just for cost saving, but for coherence and credibility in the field. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary-General's UN80 Initiative. We see clear opportunities to consolidate the gains of UNDS reform through— though we must ensure that the UN80 Initiative builds on and not bypasses the reforms already underway. Please allow me two questions. Madam Deputy Secretary-General, how do you see the link between the UNDS reform process that is already underway and the broader UN Haiti Initiative? And considering the importance of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, how do you see the link between the UN Haiti and the Humanitarian Reset? Let us take this opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to a development system that is more integrated, effective and accountable to the people it serves. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:16:58]:

I thank the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. So now I give the floor to South Africa, followed by Sweden and then Cuba.


South Africa [1:17:08]:

Thank you, Chair, and I would like to acknowledge Madam DSG as well. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to you, Mr. Vice President, for your leadership in organizing an inclusive segment this year with a clear and broad focus on development, including on SDG 16, on issues of conflict and peacebuilding, which are prerequisites for and inextricably linked to sustainable development and of particular importance for my continent. We'd also like to commend the Secretary-General, the DSG, and the UN system for the impressive results that they've achieved in repositioning the UN Development System to make it more coherent, effective, responsive, and efficient, to implement the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future, and to ensure that no one is left behind. South Africa stands ready to work with the UNAT Initiative to support the UN Development System to focus resources on development, and to continue to deliver transformative actions on the ground. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:18:19]:

I thank the representative of South Africa. And now I give the floor to Sweden, followed by Cuba and El Salvador.


Sweden · Permanent Representative [1:18:27]:

Mr. Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary General, Excellencies. Sweden aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union and wishes to congratulate the Secretary General on his report on the important progress achieved on the repositioning of the UN Development System in the past year. 6 years since reforms were initiated, there is clear evidence that they have yielded several positive results. We particularly appreciate the reporting on developing results within the 6 transformative pathways and the impressive efficiency gains of close to $600 million reported in 2024. Sweden has been and continues to be a very strong financial as well as political supporter of the reform agenda and the RC system. In the interest of furthering implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, we welcome the Secretary-General's UN80 Initiative seeking ways to further strengthen the UN system by way of increased efficiency and effectiveness to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. We want to ensure that we do not lose focus on already agreed reform efforts that aim at efficient delivery on the ground Sweden sees great potential in the pending UNCT configuration exercise. We see stronger national ownership with a slimmer context-based and more adaptive UN presence focused on technical expertise rather than senior representation reporting to the Resident Coordinator. The strengthening of the RC is imperative to continue to advance on already achieved progress. In this regard, we welcome the review of the management and accountability framework The UN system's role to uphold and promote the UN normative mandate is a core interest of Sweden. We therefore value the continued positive direction of this function by the UN under the leadership of the RC. The Secretary-General highlights several challenges in his report, some of which need firm action and follow-up by us Member States by engaging with the full breadth of UN Sustainable Development Group entities through the respective governing bodies. Let me assure you we take this call for action seriously and will continue to voice our firm expectation of stronger ownership and adherence by all UN SDG members to the repositioned and more effective UN Development System. Lastly, let me address what you identify as a core challenge: funding. As you know, there is an over-reliance on a small number of donors and unfortunately we do not foresee a dramatic increase in the donor base. Develop aid therefore needs to be used increasingly as a lever, including through innovative financing, mobilizing private capital, and strengthening the capacity for domestic resource mobilization. We are encouraged to see some advances in this area, as well as on the efficiency gains, but as ODA is declining, it will be critical to double down on these efforts. Let me finish by reiterating Sweden's full commitment to to the repositioning of the UN system. Thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:21:22]:

I thank the Permanent Representative of Sweden, and now I give the floor to Cuba, followed by El Salvador and Spain.


Cuba [1:21:30]:

Señor Vicepresidente.

Vice President, Secretary General, Excellencies and colleagues, we welcome the Secretary General's statement and his continued commitment to the effective implementation of the operational activities for development. Cuba would like to align itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and of Palau on behalf of AOSIS. Repositioning must continue to bolster the development pillar and to respect national leadership, with the eradication of poverty being the maximum priority and the main objective As acknowledged in Resolution A/RES/79/226, the support of the system's entities associated with the development pillar is crucial in order to implement the 2030 Agenda in its 5 remaining years. Along these lines, we'd like to know the strategic course which the system would follow in order to try to recover the ground that was lost in SDG implementation. According to the Secretary-General's report, financial contributions to the development system declined by 16% only in 2023, which is a loss of $9 billion. Within this situation, we note the decline of core resources, which reveals a disturbing lack of political will on behalf of many developed countries to comply with their commitments to development in the South. And it's particularly alarming that while we demand that the development system be more effective, more coordinated, and more ambitious in its scope, we impose on it increasingly severe financial restrictions. The so-called development crisis is not only the crisis of global multiple crises, but also is due to non-compliance with historic commitments of support for development. There are still conditions, imposed priorities, as well as resistance to channel resources through common, flexible, and predictable mechanisms. We must correct the current financial imbalance if we want an effective development system. Developing countries cannot continue to subsidize a financial architecture which pushes them aside. Cuba reaffirms its call to strengthen the development pillar of the United Nations with sufficient and predictable resources and without constraints. Only in this way will it be possible to move towards international cooperation which is just, equitable, and truly transformative. Thank you very much.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:24:23]:

I thank the representative of Cuba, and now I give the floor to El Salvador, followed by Spain and Morocco. Muchas gracias.


El Salvador · Permanent Representative [1:24:31]:

Thank you very much, Vice President, Secretary General. El Salvador aligns itself with the statement made by Philippines on behalf of the group of middle-income countries. And, Vice President, my delegation recognizes your leadership and your valuable efforts in organizing the segment for this year, and you can count on our support. El Salvador welcomes the report, which gives us a comprehensive analysis on the progress in the implementation of Resolution 79/226, a process in which our delegation has played an active role in order to ensure consistency as well as complementarity of efforts and mandates in line with national strategic priorities. And in our experience, the Resident Coordinator System has been key to coordinate integrated responses through specialized support from agencies, funds, and programs whose technical capabilities have been decisive in order to move progress at the national level. During the implementation of the cooperation framework, we've had the strategic support of the system in areas which are priorities for our country. Just to mention a few: early childhood, infrastructure, health, economic promotion, and digital transformation. And these sectors have been crucial to consolidate structural advances and to strengthen institutional capabilities, allowing El Salvador to move towards a development approach which is more inclusive and sustainable. Vice President, we express our trust that the country teams of the United Nations will be consulted in order to obtain substantive inputs on the possible implementation of the UN Haiti Initiative on the ground. However, in a context of financial restrictions, we would like to emphasize that any adjustment must be assessed in the light of current functions and mandates, avoiding a contraction of the programs which are on offer. It's crucial that the streamlining processes be done through substantive consultations and intergovernmental validation, maintaining access of small states to the decision-making forums and without compromising priority sectors. El Salvador reaffirms its commitment to work constructively, advocating for a system which prioritizes sustainability and consistent action maintaining at its core the strategic needs and particular needs of all of the member states. Thank you very much.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:27:06]:

I thank the Permanent Representative of El Salvador, and now I give the floor to Spain, followed by Morocco and Mexico.


Spain [1:27:14]:

Muchas gracias, señor presidente.

Thank you very much, Vice President, Secretary General. Spain supports the statement made by the European Union, and in an international capacity, we would like to make the following Comments. We acknowledge progress in the development system reform, but at the same time, we'd like to point out a few challenges which we have to tackle jointly. First of all, there is adequate and sustainable financing, and in that respect, we're concerned by the drop in non-targeted contributions, as pointed out by the Secretary-General, because these are essential for the operational flexibility of agencies. We reiterate our commitment to to the financing pact, and we hope to be among the 10 main contributors to key agencies between 2024 and 2027. Secondly, I'd like to point out the importance of strategic alliances based on shared responsibility. On our part, we are the main donor of the joint SDG Fund, and we work to promote the integrated national financing frameworks. Thirdly, I'd like to stress the importance of gender equity, and my country advocates that gender equity should be mainstream throughout the entire system, and we support the implementation of specific indicators in the common funds as recommended by the QCPR. And lastly, Spain calls for greater transparency and accountability of the system and will continue to support the system-wide evaluation office in this respect. Lastly, in a context of financial uncertainty and where multilateralism is being questioned, Spain will continue to opt for effective and inclusive multilateral cooperation. The Fourth Financing for Development Conference, which will take place in the coming weeks in Seville, will be key in order to deal with this progress and to strengthen the international development system. Thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:29:07]:

I thank the representative of Spain, and now I give the floor to Morocco followed by Mexico and Bangladesh.


Morocco [1:29:14]:

Mr.

Vice President of ECOSOC, Madam Deputy Secretary General, Excellencies, at the outset, Kingdom of Morocco would like to extend its sincere thanks to the Secretary General for enlightening us this afternoon with his briefing and for his insightful thoughts in exchange with the sentiment of— with the regional groups. Morocco also welcomes the Secretary-General's comprehensive report on the implementation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review, as well as the report of the Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group on the Development Coordination Office. We commend the continued commitment and efforts of the Secretariat and the visionary leadership of the Secretary-General in providing comprehensive evidence-based and data-driven documentation to guide and inform the deliberation of the 2025 Operational Activity Segments. My delegation emphasized that the deliberation of the OAS and the ECOSOC auspices continue to contribute significantly in charting the course for a UN development system that is more coherent, efficient, and responsive at a— a time when our shared ambition for sustainable development is more urgent than ever. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Morocco reaffirms its support to the repositioning of the UN development system in line with Resolution 72/279, and in this regard, we join other delegations in underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding and enhancing the UN's development pillar as a core function of the organization. The Resident Coordinator System, as highlighted in the report, has proven vital in aligning UN support with national priorities, ensuring coherence, and avoiding duplication. With 98% of host governments affirming the effectiveness of the UN country teams in supporting SDG delivery. The data speaks for itself. We must consolidate, not compromise, these gains. We join the African Group call to ensure that the RC system is adequately resourced to deliver on its critical mandates. Mr. Vice President, my delegation believes that the UN 80 initiative shall be guided by the principle of continuity and ambition. Rationalization must not become a synonym of austerity. Instead, it must ensure enhanced effectiveness and support and delivery on the ground for developing countries, especially in Africa. For many of whom, like Morocco, face a double burden of vulnerabilities, the report rightly addresses the need for tailored UN support. And I'll stop here. Thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:32:16]:

I thank the representative of Morocco, and now I give the floor to Mexico, followed by Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.


Mexico [1:32:26]:

Muchas gracias. Thank you very much, Vice President of Mexico. We'd like to thank you for the opportunity to take part in this dialogue with the Secretary-General. For the UN, —development system to achieve the impact which is desired on the ground, it must adapt to the current situation, which presents significant challenges, especially when it comes to financing. Nonetheless, the legislative frameworks that guide us must remain as the compass of the system, among them the 2030 Agenda and the QCPR. As the report shows, the report presented by the Secretary-General, excessive dependency on targeted financing could have the direct consequence of greater transaction costs and the duplication of work. The reduction of contributions in the past year, which are mostly reductions when it comes to targeted financing, shows the vulnerability of this very valuable system, which has undoubtedly contributed to the sustainable development of our countries. And in that respect, from the point of view of Mexico, we must maximize the use of resources for development activities in order to consolidate an effective system which would provide well-being to people on the ground. And that is why we lauded— the fact that the system entities for development have achieved cost savings of roughly $596 million, surpassing the initial savings initiative or objective. It's not possible that the UN development system could respond effectively to the changing global challenges if the agencies, funds, and programs don't incorporate innovation in the way they work. As well as incorporating technology and new digital methodologies in their operations. President, we express our concern over the dwindling resources and, in particular, financing of non-targeted resources. Part of the response of the system to support the UN system must come from diversifying the donor base, and this would be crucial in order to have work on the ground which is agile and flexible, which would take advantage of the technical experience that the agencies offer. Mexico would like to express its full willingness to cooperate for the system and our support of the Secretary-General's initiative at UN80 so that it can also contribute to this very important task.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:35:06]:

Thank you very much. I thank the representative of Mexico, and now I give the floor to Bangladesh. Bangladesh, followed by United Kingdom and Armenia.


Bangladesh [1:35:17]:

Thank you, Mr.

Vice President and Madam Deputy Secretary-General. From Bangladesh, we align ourselves with the statements made by G77 and China and the LDC Group. We thank the Secretary-General for his report and his briefings. The 6 transformative pathways outlined in his report provide a timely an action-oriented framework. The global development landscape continues to face challenges, and the SDGs remain severely off track. With less than 5 years remaining, this QCPR cycle represents our last full opportunity to act with urgency and focus. Excellencies, for Bangladesh, our new reform agenda shaped by the the will of our people focuses on good governance, transparency, electoral reforms, and efficient service delivery. This has opened space for renewed and more effective engagement with the UN operational activities. In this context, we wish to highlight the following. First, we call for adequate and predictable funding for the Resident Coordinator System, which has demonstrated clear value on the ground. While we note the current liquidity crisis, we reaffirm our support for achieving the 30% core funding target for the UN Development System. Second, we urge continued efforts to improve coordination, promote joint programming, and effective use of existing tools and capacities. Third, we stress the importance of robust accountability and oversight. A two-way communication channel between the field and the governing bodies is essential to ensure that UN support remains rooted in national ownership and is responsive to country priorities. Fourth, we urge the UN Development System to enhance its tailored support to the graduating LDCs in line with the nationally defined graduation strategies to make their transition sustainable and irreversible. Excellencies, let us not miss the last mile in our attempt to achieve a world with three zeros: zero poverty, zero unemployment, and net-zero carbon emissions. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:37:48]:

I thank the representative of Bangladesh, and now I give the floor to United Kingdom, followed by Armenia and Norway.


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:37:57]:

Thank you, Vice President, and I thank the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General for joining us today. Colleagues, in its 80th year, the UN faces unprecedented challenges. But this context also provides an opportunity to shape an approach fit for the future. And I recognize that, as the Secretary-General said, not all the answers lie within this organization. The reforms under the QCPR and the UN80 process are intrinsically linked. Both aim to strengthen the UN Development System—the QCPR as a guiding framework and UN80 as a driving force. We must seize this moment to create a more coherent, collaborative and impactful system, one which is well positioned to help governments make progress towards the SDGs. Let me highlight three priority areas. First, improved operational coherence of UN activity at the country level. The review of the Management and Accountability Framework provides an opportunity to give clear guidance to the development system, to ensure Resident Coordinators are empowered to help the system deliver as one UN. Second, we commend the efficiency savings of over $590 million. Now the focus must be on system-wide efforts to maximize these gains, and we expect this process to be accelerated through UN80. Third, we seek greater join-up with other operational actors. This includes breaking down silos across the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding agendas, and strengthening cooperation with other institutions, including the IFIs and the private sector. Vice President, the UK welcomes the SG and DSG's continued leadership on reform.. And we stand ready to support delivery of this ambitious agenda. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:40:05]:

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom, and now I give the floor to Armenia, followed by Norway and France.


Armenia · Permanent Representative [1:40:17]:

Distinguished Chair, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, I would like to express our appreciation for the Secretary-General's comprehensive presentation of the QCPR report, which reflects the UN Development System's effective response to national SDG priorities in programme countries. At the same time, it is regrettable that financial contributions to the system declined by 16% in 2023, reflecting the increasing trend to redirect funding towards humanitarian crisis response. In today's challenging context, the activities— the UNDS should adhere to the principle of humanitarian-development-peace nexus, ensuring that immediate needs of the most vulnerable are met while building the foundation for long-term stability and resilience. Particular attention should be given to the countries in special situations that face disproportionate challenges and additional burdens in financing their development priorities. The UNDS should strike a balanced approach combining policy advice with support for partnership, access to STI, and sustainable infrastructure, taking into account the multidimensional vulnerabilities of LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, as well as MIGS. Dear colleagues, 6 years into the reform of the RC system, We already have clear picture on its relevance and impact. Currently, Armenia is elaborating its second SDCF, and given the interlinked challenges that Armenia faces today, such as the massive influx of 115,000 forcibly displaced refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh, recurring natural disasters, and socioeconomic challenges, we hope to have action-oriented and a fit-for-purpose document fully aligned with our national priorities. In conclusion, we reiterate the urgent need to reinvigorate the multilateral system, to strengthen UN's institutional capacities to deliver better response. We look forward to the deliberations on Secretary-General's UN Haiti Initiative to increase efficiencies while ensuring the proper delivery of much-needed development assistance. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:42:40]:

I thank the Permanent Representative of Armenia. And now I give the floor to Norway, followed by France and China.


Norway [1:42:48]:

Thank you, Vice President of the ECOSOC, Deputy Secretary-General. So, the QCPR came out strong last year, and together with the Pact for the Future, it will guide the UN development system towards 2030. 2030, but make no mistake, and here I echo the Secretary-General, the world, we are way off track on Sustainable Development Goals broadly. After generations of reductions in poverty, the poverty reduction has stagnated, humanitarian needs have largely doubled in 5 years, War and conflict is on the rise again after years of reduction, and of course the great development destroyer, the climate crisis, is already affecting development in many of the world's poorest countries, typically countries with none or very little responsibility for the problem. On the other hand, at the— and at the same time, funding is is decreasing. In an analysis published just weeks ago by the Norwegian Development Agency, which I lead, we look at scenarios for the two next years showing probably a 15 to 25% further decrease in ODA funding the next two years. So the gap between the challenge and what's available is growing. I mean, just in my 5 years in the agency, we've gone from talking about the decade of action to the decade of crisis. This is, of course, also in a situation where we've seen progress in the UN Development System, and we hear today about impressive efforts and results on the country level. It is still a burning platform for change, because of the world around us. I share the concern of the Secretary-General on core funding, and I should also add on pooled funding. And to fellow donor countries, we cannot fund the United Nations in ways that create fragmentation and inefficiency, and then expect to see less fragmentation and inefficiency. That doesn't make sense.. At the same time, we expect to see stronger alignment with the Resident Coordinator System across the UN Country Teams, and we expect to see UN to continue efficiency savings and speed up efforts on this, and to build down silos. It's true that the backlash is not because of the UN Development System, but let us not underestimate to which degree the development system can be part of the solution. I think we all feel a strong sense of urgency and Norway will be part of bold efforts.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:45:50]:

I thank the representative of Norway and now I give the floor to France, followed by China and Switzerland.


France [1:46:00]:

Merci, Monsieur le Président. Thank you, Vice President. I would like to welcome the presence of the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General during this important meeting. In addition to the statement made on behalf of the European Union as member states, I would like to add some national comments. Mr. Vice President, for France, this development system of the United Nations remains the backbone of our international solidarity, and now more so than ever. This system, it's important to make sure that we reform it without risking the essential role played by the U.N. in development on the ground. And this implies three conditions. First of all, consistent action on the ground and an effective division of labor. Together with our European partners, we support, as always supported, the deployment of resident coordinators. Their main mission should be to facilitate facilitate a political dialogue between the host country and agencies, and in particular to make sure this UN roundtable happens, much needed for the projects, in particularly in the financial area. Next, continuing with efficiency gains, we welcome the fact that $596 million were saved in 2024. We would like to see a UNHCR reform are even more ambitious to make sure that there is efficiency gain and that the greater areas are liberated for development system. We need to continue this whilst using the operational platforms we have, such as UNDP, and to allow the data aggregation process to have impact on the ground. And lastly, we need targeted action. The development system of the United Nations today is spending 50% of its resources on the least developed countries and 41% in the African continent. Let us continue to protect as a matter of priority the countries which are most vulnerable, in particular to climate change and environmental changes, to make sure that they do not have to change between economic growth and saving the planet. Vice President, we are the 5th largest ODA contributor state in the world and we are staunch supporters of multilateralism. France, therefore, is committed to consolidate the development action of the United Nations rooted in national aspirations when they are more effective and adequately funded. And we will support all efforts to that effect within the UN 18 framework.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:48:35]:

I thank you. Thank you, Representative of France. And now I give the floor to China, followed by Switzerland and Colombia. Excuse me, sir, can we just interrupt?


China [1:49:13]:

Just apologies. Chinese Ambassador Zhang. Vice President, Madam DSG, China thanks the Secretary General for his presentation. We align ourselves with the statement by Iraq on behalf of G77 China. China appreciates the UNDS for actively implementing the QCPR requirements, forging greater interagency coordination, improving operational efficiency and professionalism. Mechanism so as to better respond to the urgent needs and priorities of developing countries. I would like to make 3 points. First, we need to be fully aware of the challenges facing us. The world today is on the precipice of development emergency with pressing funding shortage. Developed countries need to earnest honor their ODA and climate finance commitments. There is a need to continuously expand global partnership and curb the downward trend in terms of FFD. Second, we need to focus on the core goal of poverty reduction. It is imperative for the UN to devote limited development resources to the most urgent and priority areas. Poverty eradication needs to be taken as guiding principle for the development agenda and for field activities. We need to be action-oriented. The capacity of fragile countries for self-driven development needs to be enhanced. Third, we need to stand united in defense of multilateralism. We must uphold the spirit of solidarity and cooperation, strengthen communication coordination, seize the opportunity of reform from U180, promote the integration optimization of development system, strengthen the status of development as a pillar, and better response to global development challenges. China unswervingly fulfills its commitment to sustainable development and attached great importance to strengthen international cooperation in this aspect. China has put forward and has been implementing the Global Development Initiative In recent years, China has deepened cooperation with more than 20 development agencies, benefiting more than 30 million people in over 60 countries. China supports the Secretary-General in his efforts to promote the international financial architecture reform. We support the RC system to work on the basis of the mandate from the Member States to coordinate its work in order to implement the SDGs on the part of the member states. China looks forward to working with all parties in support with the international system, with UN at the core, to further strengthen South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation in the interest of implementing the 2030 Agenda. And I thank you, Mr. Vice President.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:51:50]:

I thank the representative of China, and now I give the floor to Switzerland, followed by Colombia and Chile.


Switzerland [1:51:58]:

We would like to thank the Secretary-General for his frank statement, but also obviously for the report on the implementation of the QCPR. The intangible progress of the operational system, which is more consistent and effective today and better aligned with the national priorities and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. But the world context is changing. To remain on the same level, the operational system has to become more flexible without compromising its mandates or its normative role or its legitimacy and its unique nature, sacrificing those for financial purposes. We understand that this can be done through courageous reforms. Reforms, but in particular by the implementation of the existing reform mandate. We need to go all the way when it comes to the promise to transform the organization and change the culture. Cooperation should become the norm and recognized as such. As we heard this morning, resident coordinators play a key role here. The operational system has to find ways of working which enable them to work together in a coordinated way and which is in line with the context and national priorities. And this is what we have within the, uh, national country configuration exercise, but it was not implemented rigorously. It is also imperative to accelerate the efficiency program. The gains are impressive, but most of them are implemented within individual agencies. The potential to optimize the interagency mechanism remains high, in particular through shared services. Having said that, our own responsibility as member states is essential here. The decision taken at the headquarters has to be translated in, in, in countries, and the bilateral Bilateral links have to work together with multilateral links. This requires discipline, consistency, and need to lead us to the funding which supports cooperation. The Financial Pact is a key tool here, and we're fully committed towards attaining its objectives. And finally, the essential driver for the operational system which is targeted, consistent, and serves member states is the system of for Resident Coordinators, it has to remain at the heart of our efforts.

By expressing our explicit thanks and appreciation to the Resident Coordinators around the world, you are often asked to do the impossible, and yet far more often than not, you meet and exceed—


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:54:59]:

I thank the representative of Switzerland, and now I give the floor to Colombia. Followed by Chile and Costa Rica.


Colombia · Permanent Representative [1:55:09]:

Buenas tardes. Good afternoon, President, Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Colombia would like to support the statement made by the delegation of the Philippines on behalf of the group of middle-income countries. In the final course towards 2030, The UN Development System finds itself at a very critical moment with respect to the implementation and assessment of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The drive of the Pact for the Future is a perfect opportunity to deepen sustainable development efforts in order to provide better living conditions for the present and future generations. One of the main pillars for the implementation of the Pact of the Future is the Resident Coordinator System, which leads the response of the country teams of the United Nations in support of cooperative frameworks aligned with national priorities. Colombia would like to point out the importance of the Resident Coordinator System. As a coordinator of cooperation with the United Nations, we welcome the support given by the UN Country Team, and we reaffirm our will to continue to work closely within the cooperation framework in order to achieve concrete results for the benefit of the population. We need a transformative change when it comes to development, and that includes overcoming inequalities within countries and between countries, promoting social inclusion in order to truly achieve sustainable development which would respect the environment based on the principle of intergenerational equity, on human rights, as well as a transformative approach towards our culture so that we can be in peace with nature. In order to achieve this, I would like to conclude by recalling that the role of the UN System for Development is more important than ever today in order to support the national efforts and highlighting that we also need adequate, sufficient, sustainable, and predictable financing in order to mobilize resources, scientific and technological cooperation, which makes it possible to move towards a vision of economic and social development and to help us achieve the SDGs. Thank you very much.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [1:57:39]:

I thank the Permanent Representative of Colombia, and now I give the floor to Chile. Followed by Costa Rica and the Republic of Korea.


Chile [1:57:49]:

Thank you very much, Vice President, Madam Secretary, Deputy Secretary General, Excellencies. Chile aligns itself with the statement made by the Philippines on behalf of the middle-income countries. Vice President, we'd like to thank you for your efforts in preparing this segment, as well as for your leadership and commitment to ensuring that the process advances smoothly. We would also express our gratitude to the Secretary-General for his exhaustive report on the implementation of the QCPR. We acknowledge progress in terms of coordination and consistency within the system, but there are still structural challenges which impede progress towards the SDGs. It's urgent to tackle the financing gaps which limit the system's capacity to effectively accompany developing countries. Chile would like to stress the fact that the development system continues to offer differentiated support focused on national priorities and adapted to different contexts. We welcome that the report acknowledges the need for a more coordinated response considering the different development paths of middle-income countries, which are not free of vulnerabilities., and we value the drive towards progress indicators that go beyond the GDP and which better reflect the multidimensional nature of sustainable development. Having more representative instruments is key in order to direct international cooperation in a more just and effective way. We thank the Secretary-General for establishing the High-Level Expert Group to advance in this area in keeping with the— what was mandated in the Pact of the Future. This technical effort must be accompanied by an interagency response which is more systemic and which is comprehensive. We reiterate the importance of the resident coordinators as the cornerstone of the integrated and consistent response. Chile values their role in coordinating support at the national level, and we acknowledge progress made in their strengthening, especially when it comes to coordinating operational activities on the ground. Vice President, Chile fully shares the appeal made by the Secretary-General to act urgently but also with conviction. We cannot allow development to continue to be left behind while global crises are exacerbated. This year that the United Nations is celebrating its 80th anniversary, we would opt for a multilateralism which is more just, more consistent, and more effective, capable of responding to the challenges we face today. Thank you. Of Chile.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:00:28]:

And now I give the floor to Costa Rica, followed by the Republic of Korea and Indonesia.


Costa Rica [2:00:35]:

Muchas gracias, señor vicepresidente.

Thank you very much, Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary General. Costa Rica thanks the Secretary General for presenting the report on the implementation of the 2024 QCPR. The report highlights significant progress, but also points to areas where adjustments are needed in order to consolidate an effective reform of the UN Development System. Allow me to refer to the following points. First, the alignment between national priorities and operational activities for development must result in measurable and sustainable impacts. We urge that cooperation frameworks evolve into more dynamic and binding instruments that better reflect national and territorial realities. National ownership must be strengthened through structured political dialogue as well as shared accountability mechanisms. Secondly, fragmentation must be overcome and accountability strengthened. The report acknowledges progress in coordination and efficiency among agencies. However, challenges remain, such as fragmented interventions and lack of synergies. Costa Rica calls for the consolidation of the management and accountability framework with clearer functions and regular joint result evaluations. In this regard, it's necessary to make better use of regional and thematic platforms to exchange experiences and to share country-level solutions. Third, sufficient and context-sensitive financing must be ensured. The 16% drop in contributions is concerning. The system is being asked to do more with fewer resources. For middle-income countries like Costa Rica, more predictable financing tailored to our structural vulnerabilities is essential. Costa Rica calls for the adoption of differentiated approaches that recognize the challenges of countries in transition to development. Vice President, we cannot continue to work in silos. The time has come to achieve consistency between global processes such as the implementation of the QCPR, the Financing for Development IV, and the UNAID initiative. These processes must converge in a single direction to build a development system that is more just, more accessible, and focused on concrete results for developing countries. Only through bold reforms and collective leadership can we fulfill the 2030 Agenda and leave no one behind. Thank you. Perfect timing.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:03:36]:

I thank the representative of Costa Rica, and now I give the floor to Republic of Korea, followed by Indonesia and Brazil.


Republic of Korea [2:03:44]:

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I'd like to extend my gratitude to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive and straightforward briefing comments, and also thank the Deputy Secretary-General for joining us today. I'd like to start by saying that Republic of Korea reaffirms its commitment to the SDGs and to the UN development system with a 65% increase in our ODA over the past 3 years. Colleagues, this year's OAS is taking place at a unique critical time. With the UN80 Initiative underway, we cannot afford to miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity. To ensure the UN Development System better reflects our current challenges. Against this backdrop, I'd like to highlight 3 points. First, we appreciate DCO's efforts to integrate the reinvigorated IRC system throughout the UN Development System. We also welcome ongoing improvements in the feedback from host countries and UN country teams on the performance of the IRCs, particularly in enhancing coherence and collaboration between UN entities. Second, while this progress is encouraging, it must be viewed in light of today's broader challenges. With only 5 years remaining, SDGs are lagging while funding for the UN Development System is facing sharp decline. In this vein, it is a good time to examine how the RC system can operate more efficiently and adaptively. Options may include reviewing staffing models, exploring office consolidations where appropriate, or applying more flexible approaches to RC reclassifications based on the country context. Finally, under the Developmental Cluster of the UNAID initiatives, we expect the principles of the DCO, UNDP, and UNICEF to advance forward reform measures, including structural changes for enhanced effectiveness, efficiency. These initiatives must be implemented with consistency and coherence across the entire UN system, especially at country level. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:06:02]:

I thank the representative of Republic of Korea. Now I give the floor to Indonesia, followed by Brazil and Ireland.


Indonesia [2:06:15]:

Indonesia aligns itself with the statement of the G77 and China delivered by Iraq and extends its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of the QCPR. Mr. Vice President, as we are facing a great uncertainty and complex challenges, the world is looking to the UN with much anticipation. Many demand the UN to do more in addressing those pressing global challenges. Last year, in the Summit of the Future, we agreed to reinvigorate multilateral system and strengthen the work of the UN. We agreed that the current multilateral system, including the UN, is no longer fit for purpose and therefore reform is necessary. In the efforts to reinvigorate the UN, Indonesia wishes to express points. First, the UN's work must continue aiming for positive and real changes on the ground. We have all the commitments and development frameworks in the ready and we do not need to reinvent the wheel. It is now time to translate those commitments into action, working beyond business as usual. Second, the UN must be agile, responsive, and be more fit for purpose. As we are heading to UN80, the UN must work in coherence to better support the member states in their Sustainable Development Agenda and more innovative in mobilizing international partnership. For that, we acknowledge the positive transformation of the UNDS, particularly the UNRC, in partnering with the member states in achieving the SDGs. Lastly, it is pertinent to ensure sustainable future future by 2030 and beyond. The Pact for the Future provides us with strategic guidance that will enable us to accelerate the achievements of the SDGs. This will prepare a solid foundation for the future development agenda beyond 2030. To conclude, Mr. Vice President, I wish to reiterate Indonesia's commitment to work together with the UN in pursuing sustainable development and ensuring a multilateral system that delivers. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:08:23]:

I thank the representative of Indonesia. Now I give the floor to Brazil, followed by Ireland and Uruguay.


Brazil [2:08:31]:

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary General. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and offers additional remarks. We commend the progress achieved in reforming the United Nations Development System, particularly the enhanced coordination enabled by the RC system. At the same time, there remains scope to further integrate the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks into the strategic planning of agencies. In many cases, unfortunately, engagement with frameworks remains superficial and practical coordination by RCs Limited. It is imperative to ensure adequate funding and enhance funding mechanisms. While there have been substantial efficiency gains in 2024, there remains a very worrisome decline in overall funding since 2022, which is likely to worsen this year, as indicated by the Secretary-General. The continued prevalence of earmarked contributions undermines the flexibility and coherence of the system, as we know. This is unsustainable. The response must be the full implementation of commitments under the Funding Compact. We emphasize the following priorities: Funding reforms: increase core contributions, reduce earmarking, and broaden the donor base without shifting the financial burden to Programme Countries. Second, respect for national ownership. Ensure UNDS operations are firmly rooted in the cooperation frameworks and bolster local capacities for programme and project design, monitoring, and evaluation. Thirdly, strengthening the ERC system. Improve coordination and transparency while ensuring the agencies maintain their operational flexibility necessary to fulfill their respective mandates. Let us reaffirm our fundamental commitment to sustainable development, the balanced approach to the KISUPR, and the support for countries to achieve the SDGs.

I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:10:50]:

I thank the representative of Brazil, and now I give the floor to Ireland, followed by Uruguay and Algeria.


Ireland [2:11:02]:

Thank you, Vice President, Deputy Secretary General. Ireland aligns itself with the statement of the EU and would like to add the following. It is clear that the UN Development System is under strain at a time of great need, especially in LDCs and fragile contexts, including in Sub-Saharan Africa and Small Island Developing It is also clear that the UN Development System is delivering important results day in, day out for millions of people globally. The SDGs urgently need a boost, and FFD IV is critical in that. The Secretary-General is also correct— there are underlying structural issues that need urgent addressing. The potential of meaningful reform through UN80, meanwhile, is very welcome. UN Development System reform is not new, however. What we need now is focus and traction to make it happen even more effectively, and for that we need Member States and the UN System to follow the evidence of what works. In that way, we can have a capacitated and properly financed RC system leading strong, accountable UN country teams pulling in the same direction, responding too to the evaluation evidence of the Systemwide Evaluation Office and elsewhere. By the way, funding from the regular budget for the RC system took time and needs to be higher. This system belongs to all of us, but it's a start, and let's build on that. We too salute the RCs for the great work that they do, and often in very difficult contexts. From our side, we can also have a funding compact that drives donor behaviour—core funding, pooled funding, funding that Ireland is leaning further into. This too is not new. In Uganda in 1996, we had a giant UN programme for HIV/AIDS, and it worked well—the evidence is there.. So let's try to shore that up in each of the country contexts in which we work. And let us throughout all of these efforts be guided, also in UN80, by the north star that we agreed in the Agenda 2030, that is to leave no one behind.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:13:27]:

I thank you. I thank the representative of Ireland, and now I give the floor to Uruguay, followed by Algeria and India.


Uruguay [2:13:37]:

Muchas gracias, señor vicepresidente. Thank you very much, Vice President.

Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Uruguay would like to thank you for presenting the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of Resolution 79/226, and we value this dialogue. This is a crucial stage to accelerate the compliance with the SDGs in its final stretch towards 2030, and with the all these structural asymmetries, the system must respond effectively and with a transborder approach. The Secretary-General's report indicates major progress, but the financing of the system is at its lowest level since 2023, the reduction of basic resources. This requires urgent action. This seriously affects the flexibility, sustainability, and the response capacity of the system, especially in developing countries. Uruguay considers it urgent to reverse this trend and to move towards a financing architecture which is more sustainable, predictable, and free of conditions. We are also concerned by the decrease of contributions to the interagency funds, such as the Joint ACG Fund, valuable instruments to support national priorities. Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, In this context, we're convinced that multilateralism must play a central role in mobilizing resources for development which is more inclusive, equitable, and resilient. It's crucial to reverse this trend towards reduced financing of sustainable development in favor of other organizational pillars. And here Uruguay would also carefully analyze the UNATF initiative. We reaffirm our commitment and our support for a UN Development System which is more consistent, efficient, and result-based, including the leadership of the Resident Coordinators and the agencies. In our case, support for the synergies reached with the Country Team can be reflected in our National Cooperation Framework and its implementation, and this has made it possible to coordinate the efforts of the system as well as national sustainable development strategies. With an intersectional approach and an emphasis on inclusive social systems. Lastly, we'd like to point out that the necessary transformations will only be possible through a renewed collective commitment where the member states exercise active leadership and with a commitment to these problems.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:16:12]:

Thank you very much. And now I give the floor to Algeria. Iraq, followed by India and Japan.


Algeria [2:16:18]:

Thank you, Mr.

Vice President and Madame the Deputy Secretary-General. At the outset, allow me to thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive report. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China. Mr. Vice President, as a steadfast supporter of the UN Development System reforms, Algeria appreciates the progress made thus far in supporting national priorities of member states toward achieving the SDGs. We also recognize the critical role of the reinvigorated residence-coordinated system that remains at the, at the forefront of convening country-level efforts to accelerate the delivery of the SDGs through robust coordination and innovative approaches. In this regard, and in an era of shrinking development budgets, we believe that the development system must remain fully resourced. Predictable and sustainable funding for the Resident Coordinator System is vital to ensure that work on the ground is adequate to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As a critical element in the UN toolbox to support countries in achieving their development priorities. The RC system cannot continue to deliver with its chronic funding gap amounting now to $79 million. Equally important is the need to meet commitments made in the framework of the Funding Compact to ensure predictable and flexible funding for United Nations development activities. Mr. Vice President, today we are 5 years away from the 2030 target. The results of the past decades are indisputably not at the level of our expectations, but they should not weaken our resolve. They should rather be seen by all stakeholders as a catalyst to redouble the efforts. In this vein, the upcoming major events such as the Fourth UN Conference on FFD, the HLPF, and the Third UN Conference on LDCs should provide opportunities to address all the challenges, including those facing the UNDS in implementing its mandate effectively. Also, the UN Haiti Initiative should not undermine the capacity of UNDS to deliver its mandate in assisting developing countries to implement the SDGs. In conclusion, Mr. Vice President, I would like to reaffirm Algeria's full support to the Secretary-General's and the Deputy Secretary General's efforts to complement the repositioning of the UNDS and to support the countries to implement the 2030 Agenda. Thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:19:06]:

My friend, Representative of Algeria, and now I give the floor to India, followed by Japan and Egypt.


India [2:19:14]:

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, Madam DSG. India aligns itself with statement made by Iraq On behalf of G77 plus China, and would like to make the following remarks in our national capacity. India acknowledges the significant strides taken by the United Nations Development System to reposition itself and consolidate reforms since 2019. We are encouraged to see that 98% of host governments confirmed UN country teams effectively respond to their national priorities for SDG delivery. However, we note with concern the report's finding that total financial contribution to the UN development system in 2023 declined by 16% compared to 2022. The Secretary-General's report highlights persistent structural funding flaws that are more pressing than ever. We agree that the UN system should be supported with adequate and predictable quantum of flexible resources. We emphasize that resources meant for core development programs must not be diverted or repurposed. This would have a detrimental effect on the development agenda of developing countries, particularly on LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. Interestingly, the Secretary-General's report notes that funding from program countries reached a record high of $4.4 billion in 2023, increasing by 31% since 2017, which reflects our collective commitment as developing nations. We are happy to note that India stands as one of the largest contributors among program country governments to the UN development system. India has shared its experiences and capabilities with partner countries in the developing world, including in digital public infrastructure, green energy transition, and capacity building. Our India-UN Development Partnership Fund has provided $150 million to support 87 projects in 57 countries reflecting our commitment to South-South cooperation. India believes that the focus of UN development system should maintain an unrelenting resolve to eradicate poverty. It is equally important that the fundamental principles of national ownership and deference to national development priorities continue to be the pivots around which UN development activities are modeled and implemented. In conclusion, India reaffirms its India's commitment to the UN Development System reform process. Our approach to development partnership remains human-centric, based on principles of mutual respect and national ownership, with a commitment to sustainable development for all.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:21:42]:

Thank you. I thank the representative of India. Now I give the floor to Japan, followed by Egypt and Nigeria.


Japan [2:21:51]:

Thank you, Mr.

Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General. I'd like to express appreciation to the SG and his team for working on the comprehensive report. Here, I would like to make two comments. First, we welcome the progress made in the implementation of UNDS reform. As indicated in the SIS QCPR report, the increase of efficiency gains reached $42.6 million in 2024. We recognize the concrete results in terms of improving efficiency and efforts undertaken. In addition to these efforts, further efforts should be made to unlock additional development financing, such as leveraging private capital and enhancing collaboration with IFIs. Second, Japan supports UN's effort to strengthen the IRC system from the perspective of advancing the HDP Nexus. As Japan promotes HDP Nexus as an integrated approach to sustaining peace and achieving sustainable development, we believe that RCs play a pivotal role in operationalizing this approach. Japan underscores the importance of continuing to assess RC systems' performance from this perspective. We encourage further enhancement of the effectiveness of RCs through appropriate placement and alignment with diverse priorities. In conclusion, Japan reaffirms its commitment to working hand in hand with the UN to achieve SDGs and leaving no one behind. I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:23:26]:

I thank the representative of Japan, and now I give the floor to Egypt, followed by Nigeria and Ethiopia.


Egypt [2:23:33]:

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General. We align ourselves with the statements delivered on behalf of G77 and China and African Group and would like to add the following points. At the outset, allow me to express express Egypt's appreciation to the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General for their steadfast commitment to reforming the UN development system and thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive report presented on the implementation of the QCPR. We acknowledge the continued efforts to strengthen coordination, accountability, and impact at the country level, especially through the Resident Coordinator System and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. We welcome this annual opportunity to engage in the segment, which continues to serve as a vital platform for reviewing the effectiveness of the UN development system in supporting programme countries. Delivering on development must remain the focus of discussions in the segment and the UN development system, including the Resident Coordinator System, must continue to maintain a development focus. Development needs can't just be brushed away or replaced. We are encouraged by the data in the report indicating a more coherent, effective, and responsive UN Development System, increasingly aligned with national priorities. We emphasize the importance of sustainable and predictable financing for development. The UN Development System cannot fulfill its mandate without adequate core funding. We encourage our partners to meet their funding commitments and to prioritize core, non-eremarked contributions. As we initiate our discussions on the UN Haiti Initiative, it's important to preserve the development mandate of the UN system and safeguard the UN development system, and to ensure that we build upon and reinforce the progress achieved so far. We call for a continued spirit of multilateralism and solidarity to overcome today's pressing challenges and to build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for generations to come.. You can count on our continued unwavering support to the UNDS reform efforts, and we look forward to engaging in the segment throughout the coming days.

I thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:25:42]:

I thank the representative of Egypt. Now I give the floor to Nigeria, followed by Ethiopia and Azerbaijan.


Nigeria [2:25:51]:

Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President. Mr. Vice President, Madam Secretary-General, my delegation expresses appreciation to the Secretary-General for for his comprehensive report on the QCPR, which clearly outlined the funding situation and utilization of resources by the UNDS. We align with the statements delivered by Iraq and Ethiopia on behalf of the G77 and China and the African Group respectively, and the following is made in a national capacity. Mr. Vice President, Nigeria appreciates the continuous efforts of the Secretariat to reposition the UNDS by streamlining processes and activities towards ensuring that an increased percentage of funds are directed at development programs rather than administrative activities. The RC system, which has greatly improved on-the-ground coordination and alignment with national development priorities, is commendable. We, however, note with concern the dire financial situation of the UNDS, which, as the SG's report informed, is facing reductions in core contributions as well as lack of diversified funding structure. The international community must remain committed to the achievement of the SDGs, and in this regard, we call for reinvigoration of the funding compact to ensure predictable and flexible funding for UNDS activities. Mr. Vice President, as the Secretary-General noted with candor in the room just now, attainment of the SDGs does not rest solely on the UNDS. The global financial architecture and the international financial institutions are key aspects of the global development arena that require urgent structural reform. As we approach the FFD4, my delegation calls for the international community to move beyond rhetoric towards a fair and equitable reform of the GFA, the Global Financial Architecture, that ensures the sustainable development of all countries and peoples. I thank you, Mr. Vice President.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:27:41]:

Afeni, Representative of Nigeria. And now I give the floor to Ethiopia. Followed by Azerbaijan.


Ethiopia [2:27:49]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the floor. I would like to recognize Madam Deputy Secretary-General. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of Africa Group, G77, China, and LDC, and I would like to add the following in my national capacity. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive report. My delegation recognizes the result achieved by UN development system. However, given the alarming shortfall in progress towards the SDGs, the 2025 ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development segment underscores the urgent need for renewed commitment and intensified action. Developing nations are currently facing a severe debt crisis. This growing debt servicing burden restricts investment in critical sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This challenge must be tackled to ensure the international community can fulfill its commitment to Agenda 2030 and its SDGs. Furthermore, it is vital to ensure fairer representation of developing countries in international financial institutions, strengthening domestic tax systems, combating illicit financial flows, and promote public-private partnership to increase Internal Revenue. Chair, the time has come for significant reform within the United Nations Development System. The reform must focus on strengthening the Resident Coordinator System to better align with national priorities, reversing the decline in core funding, and simplifying internal procedures to reduce fragmentation and enhance efficiency. Climate finance remains a major concern as many developing countries face barriers to access needed funds. Reforms should allow different direct access to climate finance, reduce dependency on debt instruments, and ensure climate funding as additional to existing ODA. Investment must support both climate adaptation and broader development goals. In conclusion, the 2025 Course of Cooperation Activities for Development segment emphasizes the urgent need for collective global action. The international community possesses sufficient resources and institutions. We must act decisively to address this crisis, improve access to sustainable financing, reform the UN Development System, and scale up climate finance, paving the way for achieving the SDGs and fostering a fairer, more sustainable future. I thank you, Mr.

Chair.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:30:17]:

I thank the representative of Ethiopia, and now I give the I will now give the floor to Azerbaijan, followed by our civil society partner, the Children and Youth International.


Azerbaijan [2:30:28]:

At the outset, we would like to thank the Secretary-General for a comprehensive report of the implementation of the QCPR, and we also thank Vice President of the Economic and Social Council for convening today's dialogue. Azerbaijan aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and would like to make the following remarks in its national capacity. The creation of an independent and empowered resident coordinator function supported by the Development Coordination Office has been one of the landmark reforms under the leadership of Her Excellency Miss Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General. The consensus among the overwhelming majority of member states is that this revitalized system has facilitated more collaborative, interactive, and focused efforts by country teams on the ground. We firmly believe that the reinforced coordination among all UN agencies and programs in countries will pave the way for more tailored and impactful system-wide support in achieving SDGs at the country level. Following the restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Azerbaijan has entered the transformative phase, prioritizing rehabilitation and reconstruction, reintegration of its liberated territories. The government has adopted a forward-looking development strategy that leverages high technology and the potential of renewable renewable energy sources. However, the massive contamination of these areas with landmines and the continued failure of the responsible party to provide accurate and comprehensive maps of mined areas remain major impediments to recovery and reconstruction. This also poses a grave threat to the safe return of nearly 1 million internally displaced persons to their homes. Between November 2020 and May 2025, Azerbaijan has recorded 3,994 landmine victims, 70 of whom lost their lives and 324 were injured. Since August 2022 alone, approximately 3,000 landmines have been detected and neutralized. We highly appreciate the continued support of the United Nations in assisting Azerbaijan's demining efforts and addressing longer-term development needs. In conclusion, I wish to reiterate the importance of respecting the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity and urge all member states to ensure the correct use of geographical names when referring to the territories of my country. Thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:32:42]:

I thank the representative of Azerbaijan and now I give the floor to the Children and Youth International.


MGCY · Co-Director, South-North Scholars · Charlie Zong [2:32:52]:

Thank you, Chair, for the floor. Excellencies, distinguished Under-Secretary-General and collaborators, both current and future. I am Charlie Zong, co-director of South-North Scholars. Speaking on behalf of the Major Group for Children and Youth, MGCY, we are the UN-mandated constituency that coordinates over 20,000 youth organizations in more than 60 intergovernmental and 200 multi-stakeholder processes. Their collective expertise informs the youth perspectives I will share on 3 key priorities raised by member states and by the Secretary-General in his report. First, MGCY echoes the clear call by Member States to uphold the foundational role of the UN system in co-creating multilateral solutions to global challenges. Excellencies, we opened the segment this morning with the ambition of keeping the promise of development. At its core, this is a promise to leave no one behind. Yet, as someone whose family in one generation rose from paddy fields to PhDs, I was deeply affected by the Secretary-General's observation that after decades of progress, we are seeing all over the world increasing inequalities in human development, security, and vulnerability while our resources are diminishing. To quote the recent Human Development Report, whether the, whether the next 80 years are defined by possibility or by poverty is a matter of choice. It's a generational choice with intergenerational consequences, and young people around the world have seen the UN development system working to keep the promise to leave no one behind, which fundamentally requires youth engagement, which is critical both for aligning development to country priorities and for pioneering new methods of accountability. The UN has invested in youth leadership through capacity building, advocacy, and mechanisms. We've seen children and youth increasingly involved in voluntary national reviews, co-authoring civil society inputs, writing youth-led reports, and pushing for youth-specific targets. But to make the full potential of youth to benefit all of our development challenges, we need full youth engagement in the UN system. Accountability is critical, but also capacity building, particularly through the QCPR and reporting structures. We highlight the need for UN country teams to engage with universal structures that are youth-led and reflect broad diversity of youth on a national level. Second, MGCI reiterates the call by member states emphasizing full and flexible funding of the UN's work that is committed to greater efficiency through improved cooperation and not at the expense of inclusive and real-world impact on the most urgent challenges. We've been discussing system-wide efforts to improve efficiency and accountability, so I want to stress that one of the best ways to do this is to ensure that youth are represented in core funding and pooled funding as we seek to reduce fragmentation and improve efficiency. It's not just about multi-stakeholder engagement, but rather it's also about multi-level engagement. Third, MGCY supports calls to strengthen accountability and effectiveness through innovation and cooperation, including through bold and holistic metrics of real-world impact and need, such as the Human Development Index and multidimensional vulnerability.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:35:52]:

I thank the representative of civil society partners, and we heard the last speaker on the list, so now I invite the Deputy Secretary-General to respond. Respond to the comments and questions. Mina, the floor is yours.


UN · DSG · Amina Mohammed [2:36:09]:

Thank you very much, Vice President. This has been— thank you to all our member states— been rich, it's been very constructive feedback, and that will continue to inform the work that we do to try to deliver better, but also quicker and at scale, to achieve the 2030 Agenda. I do want to thank member states who really have accompanied us in this work that we've done since we began the reforms, particularly in these halls, but also in the boards and at the country level when we visit. I'd like to thank my colleagues in the UN Development System, who without them we would not achieve as much as we have done. Still much to do and there are many challenges and headwinds that we face, but we've been doing this together and I'd like to thank them for their efforts. And support. Excellencies, it is a huge challenge, as SG laid out some of the thoughts that he had, and perhaps I could just address 4 of them, because a number of reflections and statements that you've made, I think, really encapsulate these 4 issues. First, that we still see Agenda 2030 as our North Star, and I think that's really, really important with 5 years to go. You will see the SDG report come out and it will tell you that we are almost flatlining. And when I hear statements that tell me that we are regressing on women's rights, on early child marriage, on access to education, you know, that narrative presupposes that countries are not making enough effort, but in fact it is that we have not invested in an environment that would allow them to to do that. And I think that we need to see that as the impact of underinvestment, and in particular in the UN system and the core funding to our agencies, funds, and programmes that are in the field. Without it, we cannot be responsive. We can't even begin to leverage what is possible with domestic resources and the finance environment in country and within regions. So I hope that with this last a mile to the SDGs, we can consider that. I really was very excited when we got the Pact for the Future. It was very difficult to do, but the first thing the pact is doing again is underscoring the commitment to achieving the SDGs. But it adds three, I think, really important components amongst others. One, that this new era of technology and AI could actually be the potential to leapfrog much of what we're talking about, to connect people, not to leave people behind, and really to connect to the intergenerational conversation we must continue to deepen and have with young people. We just heard from Charlie how he talked about co-creation of solutions around the 2030 Agenda, and it's really important that we do that and that we are listening to them and we're finding ways of convening their voices and representation in this. The second addition to the new era of technology, which does try to put a compact around protecting the— I would say the opportunities and the potentials of AI— is, of course, the peace and security environment. For us, peace is incredibly important. Many of the contexts that we deal within, the humanitarian crisis that comes out of it, the continuing conflicts that we see, We are unable in those environments to meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda, and there are more, not less, instances of conflict coming, and so it's really important that we take up the recommendations in the Pact to try to make peace where we can then have development and the respect for human rights. Last but not least has been probably the greatest barrier, yet it was the first— it was the first gaveling we did before the SDGs, and that was the financing for development in Addis. It was recognized that without having a commitment to the means of implementation, we couldn't possibly lift the SDG agenda, that sustainable development agenda, a complete paradigm shift from where we were with the MDGs, dealing in a Band-Aid approach to development, to one that is hugely and deeply intertwined with the economy, the environment, and the social agenda. And so I hope that we will use the PAC to accelerate and the wind under the wings of the 2030 Agenda in this next 5 years. They are not separate agendas, they are mutually reinforcing and we do have a clear pathway to that. We have put down, and you had underscored the importance of the transitions, and we've done that just to clarify that these are areas where we were beginning to speak much more about investing in development, because we needed the scale and the impact. The projects that we did were all good within themselves, but they did not move the needle at all. This is almost 10 years into the 2030 Agenda and we're not seeing movement. We need scale in those investments, and the wherewithal to do that is reiterated in the Pact. So those 6 transitions on food systems, which we saw the importance of and the dependency that we had on the global food chains, supply chains for food. We saw that very clearly we were not making the energy compacts work—600 million people in Africa without any connection to power. We saw that the digital divide was looking as though we were going to be increasing it and not decreasing, so investments in these areas, investments in education,— an education that is very different today because of the way in which knowledge will be shared, acquired and shared, and the role of, of course, teachers in that. And then our jobs and our social protection and the climate agenda that's wide-ranging, including biodiversity and pollution. These are really important transitions that one needs to think about and invest in, but they require support in areas that the I think the UN development system needs to grasp, and these are ensuring that we've got good policy and regulatory environments within which to attract the private sector and other funding, and that often is not the case. When you do an energy transition and you don't have the right— you might have the policy, you don't have the right regulatory environment, and that can take years, then what you're doing is there's a mismatch between the funding that we're raising for energy transitions, for instance, and what we're able to do if we don't get the policy and regulatory environment right. Those skills are needed and they're not in countries. Institutions are weak. Goal 16 was one that took a long time to get, but it was, I think, the most successful of the goals that we got, and strong institutions underpins a lot of the success of having policy and regulatory environments that are fit for purpose. The second is going beyond designing for projects. We have to stop being project— projectized. We just have to move from that. We will have projects within large programs that are integrated, that will have impact, if well designed, on women, on children, on youth, and that requires a different skill set. So designing program pipelines that are at scale, across border, within countries, to attract large amounts of finance, Financing is really important, and we have many countries that are the poster child for development. They do all the right things and yet too small to attract the investment, and we see this in the SIDS, we see this in landlocked countries, and we need to do more to improve that environment of providing those pipelines. The third that we have spoken to here is the finance piece.— and we know that we have the financing for development, but we often don't have an understanding in the country of what the finance mix is and what we require, where the gaps are. This is important, and we've seen the work that UNDP has been able to do on the INFFs, and that has been commendable, but insufficient because it has not been rolled out across all our countries so that we can use that to leverage our needs in the various financing fora that we find ourselves. And last but not least, it's more than capacity building for individuals. We've done that for decades, but that capacity individually often leaves the public service, leaves civil society for greener pastures. And what we need is the development of systems of government, education systems, health systems, systems that can grasp what one does in the water sector,, and this I think we need to find parallel tracks of doing it. Difficult to invest in, because you don't see the returns on investing in those capacities overnight. So I hope that with what I'm hearing from you, if we can just double down on the areas of the 2030 Agenda, those in the Pact, and perhaps the conversations and the convenings around some of those areas— we do see the convening that will happen on digital, that will happen on food systems, that will happen on the World Social Summit, so we can speak to social protection systems as well. The second point is on reforms, and the reforms we started in 2017— not the first reforms in the United Nations, but certainly reforms that were focused on a new development agenda, the Sustainable Development Agenda— and we're still not there yet in the way in which we work in an integrated manner across the three dimensions, and it makes it very difficult because, you know, that siloed approach will not work. It is inefficient, it's expensive, and it takes a long time to get results. And we've seen this, of course, at the country level, within civil society. We siloed the development system, we siloed the development opportunities, and we funded them. We funded them with this more and more, year in, year out, more XB than we did the core, which would allow our agencies that flexibility to respond to a demand of a country that's looking for specific expertise. And that really does, I think, tie our hands in many, many ways. These reforms have made progress. You've seen that within the reports that we've given you over the years and this last one that we that we have given today, but you've also seen it in the evaluations that we have submitted to— the more recent one that will come, system-wide evaluation, is the first time that we're getting this across the whole system. I hope that we can build on the reforms. We have what we— we have the reforms that look at efficiencies, our back offices, our general services, our premises. All these are good things. I think for us, our inability, system to push those reforms over the last 7 years across our offices makes this disruption that we see today actually welcome in many ways, because it has suddenly shaken us up to say we've got to do this. If we don't do it, we are going to get left behind. And so I hope that we will really dig deeper in what are those issues that need to be addressed at the country level, within the regions, at HQ for on the common back offices, the general services, and many of the other reforms that we have sought through the BIG. And I hear— I urge our boards to be engaged with this, because this is where you can support the agencies, funds, and programs to do better on it. We have heard you on the reforms to look at the one-size-fits-all and to see how we can better address that. Clearly, one size fits all is not a narrative or image that belongs to the RSC system, but we do need to look at it. And in many offices, do we need those skill sets for that country that we're in? And even if we look to see how we will better DCO at the regional level, at the— at the headquarter level, we still have to see the— make sure that the alignment of an RSC that is supposed to support a government's priorities has that interface with a configuration of a team that makes sense. Today, the cooperation framework, rightly I heard across the floor, often does not align with the CPDs. It does in the English language, but I can tell you, by the time you go into the detail of the budgets and the types of programs that they are speaking to, that it is not aligning with national priorities. And that has to change. And maybe here we— should have one document in a country that explains what we're doing, agency by agency, with their expertise, behind the leadership of the resident coordinator with government to get the job done. And that, of course, will align itself with the ambition of pooled funding, more core funding, and even if there is the XB that it is now aligned with these programs and the pooled funding. I think we have to give thoughts to that or it will be very difficult for us to look at the one-size-fits-all. We can do multi-country offices, we can look at those. I've been having a look at how— what that would look like in some regions, but then what you find is that you aggregate that responsibility of coordination in one office for several and find yourselves with a country footprint of UN country teams that you're supposed to be coordinating and you're not able to do so. So the country configuration goes hand in hand with how we deploy the expertise— sorry, the expertise and the coordination capacity, convening capacity of our RCs. It does have to be made fit for purpose, it does have to be tailored, and we are looking at that and we hope to be able to share some of that work that we're doing with DCO in the coming weeks. We have— I think it's work into the corporation frameworks and the CPDs. A lot more work needs to be done there. On the funding, I think this, of course, has been a discussion that is currently ongoing. I think we got a good part of the funding addressed in the international financial architecture and, of course, Goal 17 of the SDGs in the Pact of the Future, and we are discussing the financing for development right now. The financing for development has there are many areas that still need to consolidate. First and foremost, we cannot be less than Addis because the needs are so much more, as we haven't done as much as we could have done about funding the development agenda. So I hope that in the financing for development that you will strengthen the capacities to support our domestic resource mobilization, we will address debt in a way that it should be. This is not about about debt cancellation. This is about restructuring of debt to give the space, the fiscal space that is needed for countries to address the very basics of the rights of their people in delivering on services. I hope that we will address the financial— 5 minutes— financial architecture to go with that. I think it's very important for us to address ODA. This is a commitment that has been made by countries. Although we have a few countries in this room who have met and perhaps even surpass 0.7. On aggregate, we've not gone past 0.36, so we've never met the commitment and now happily we're saying it's all going away. So is this— what message are we sending to the world? You want more out of developing countries and less on the funding side, on the very basic commitments that you've made for vulnerable countries. This is not talking about middle-income countries or emerging markets, this is the most vulnerable that will be left behind. What does that say in terms of messaging and trying to build trust between us and the people that we serve? It makes it very difficult when we are on the ground facing that ask of commitments made and not fulfilled. I hope that what we're seeing is that, yes, there are stresses and strains to funding of ODA, but that it will not disappear and that we very clearly as it says, the D in the middle is called development, and development has to have that investment to bring this up. Lastly, UNAID, I just want to reassure everyone that we are building on the foundations of the reforms that we have right now, constantly evaluating where we are, where we can dig deeper and move on. It is about us looking individually at agencies and really cleaning up as much as we can, resetting and being more efficient and focused in what we have to do, but it's also about working across our agencies to see what we can do better together, the interoperability. Not even on data can we get that, even on the expertise across. It's sometimes much easier to go get a consultant from outside than it is to find expertise from one agency to another. This we need member states' support for to— on the many of the guidelines and the rules and regulations that we have to do. And then last but not least, we are going to have to face it that we can be better structured without losing mandates, without losing the thrust of what we're trying to deliver, in a different way. We're over 42 agencies, funds, and programmes. Do we need to be that number? And I would humbly say, 'Absolutely not.' But how we're going to do that, you will see in the coming weeks and months, as we try to get together as a system to do this and to do justice to it, because what we want to do is in 2025 to be as responsive and not left behind. We talk about people being left behind. The UN will be left behind if it does not address these issues today. We cannot be competing with NGOs. We cannot be competing with the McKinseys of this world. We are better than that because we have the integrity of speaking for all. If you talk to McKinsey, it's the bottom line. That's a consultancy fee and it's a pretty hefty one. If you're talking to NGOs, they've got a different— they've got a different remit to serve people at the country level in that being closest to the issues and the people. But for us, we still retain an important integrity, clarity, impartiality. People come to us because they will say, 'Look, the UN here— I'm going there because it's kosher.' because I know that I will get the truth out of it. I know that I will get a decent response that takes care of people and looks at the environment. And, you know, I know that we're being tested on that right now, and I know that people are pushing back on it, but we still stand for the values and the principles that are enshrined in the Charter and the Human Rights Charter, and they are as valid today as they were then. We've just got to find a different way of doing it, a different way of communicating this. And before they shut me down, I'm just doing the RCs region by region because I'm listening to you. We want tailored outcomes from this and unless I listen to them— I've finished 4 regions, 1 to go, the Arab region. Perhaps for me, the most learning I got was when I went to Europe and I was in North Macedonia, and to really see and speak with those countries in that region for me was a big eye-opener to how global our agenda is and the kind of spotlight that needs to be put on every region beyond our usual suspects, and I can say, you know, my continent is one. So privileged and confidence the government has in us and in our UN country teams, we are able to convene. We are able now, as the RC says, to work across borders, and that's important in the Sahel, in the Horn of Africa, in Central Asia. These are important assets that we have now that can do that, because they are reporting to the SG, by extension to all of you. So this discussion will continue, I'm sure, and I look forward very much that by the end of this week, a lot more homework from you to improve and to inform the work that we are doing. But I think that, you know, let's feel good about what we've done, but also feel really concerned about what we need to do and to stretch to get that done because we've only got 5 years to go. Thank you.


Poland · Vice President of ECOSOC [2:56:01]:

I thank the Deputy Secretary General for her comments. We are not saying goodbye, we are saying see you tomorrow, so the discussion will continue. So Excellencies, colleagues, we have come to the end of this afternoon's meeting. Again, I thank the Deputy Secretary General for the participation, of course the Secretary General for his participation. Also thank all the delegations for their active engagement in the dialogue. The Council will convene— reconvene tomorrow morning at 10 AM in this very chamber for a dialogue with the Deputy Secretary-General on the annual report of the Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group. So for today, the meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Thank you very much.