Second Committee, 4th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, this morning the Committee will continue its general debate on the theme for its 88th session, "Five years to 2030: Multilateral solutions for sustainable development." Before calling on the first speaker on the list for this morning, I wish to remind delegations of the agreed time limit of seven minutes for national statements in the general debate. The list of speakers has been prepared on this basis, and I intend to implement the time limit strictly, including through automatic deactivation of microphones after the allotted time has elapsed. If possible, given the high number of speakers inscribed, speakers are encouraged to voluntarily reduce their speaking time by one minute. To assist speakers in time management, A countdown clock will be projected on the screen in the meeting room. The clock on the speech timer will start blinking red to indicate the speaker has one minute left to conclude his or her statement. Delegations are requested to submit longer versions of their statements by email to estatements@un.org. I thank speakers in advance for your cooperation. With this, comments I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Andorra.

Allow me, first of all, Mr. President, to congratulate you and your Bureau on your appointment to the helm of the second committee. The Principality of Andorra assures you of its full support. The thematic choice of this debate could not be more relevant. Figures speak for themselves. Only 35% of SDG targets are seeing good progress and more than 18% are actually seeing progress undone. We're not talking solely about percentages, but rather a difference between fair, solidarity-based and inclusive societies and a world where we leave people behind. The severe commitment bears witness to the unfailing determination of member states to achieve the SDGs, namely through the implementation of Agenda 2030. and in so doing, they commit to enforcing all the principles enshrined in it. The implementation of Agenda 2030 will be crucial if we are to honor the promises we made collectively. Meetings in Sevilla and Nisa are only some examples of the results that we can obtain together if we continue to work. We must take more resolute action in order to guarantee tangible results made in the spirit of reform necessary if we are to tailor the UN to current needs. Allow me to briefly underscore Andorra's priorities for this session. As a small mountain country located in the Pyrenees, Andorra will actively monitor negotiations on sustainable mountain development and the resolution connected thereto. That's a priority issue for us, especially this year, given that in March 2026 we will host the seventh global meeting of the Mountain Partnership. As we draw closer to COP30, we'll get to Bhilim, being the first country to have completed its first enhanced transparency cycle review as part of the Paris Accords, and we'll be among the first to submit a third nationally determined contribution. And we will be reducing our greenhouse gas emissions relative to that we emitted in 2005 and will be carbon neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, we're focusing on the energy sector because it's responsible for most of our emissions. We'll promote wind energy and sustainable electricity production, both in public and private buildings and for them in terms of adaptation, we have had climate assessments conducted in key sectors, including agriculture, energy, tourism and health, in order to identify factors leading to climate change, and that will feed into our future national adaptation plan. Tourism, and more specifically our code of ethics on tourism, will be one of the other resolutions that we will follow with close interest, if it is tabled before this session. We have We have a plan around four key pillars for tourism: sustainability, training and professionalization, digitization and good governance. The goal of this tourism plan is to have a competitive tourist industry which is sustainable. This is a necessary policy decision to guarantee that economic growth goes hand in hand with preserving a natural environment and ensuring a quality of life for present and future generations. We hope that we will continue to make progress in education, science, technology, innovation and culture for sustainable development. These are all crucial areas of work to build fairer societies. It will also be crucial to continue making progress with the eradication of poverty, ensuring food security and disaster risk reduction. Mr. President, I wish to conclude by reiterating the importance of revitalizing the Second Committee. The adoption of a new resolution by the General Assembly is a positive step forward. However, we must continue to contemplate how we can make our work more effective in order to avoid redundancy and to facilitate delegations' work, particularly the work of delegations with limited human resources, such as ours. We have five years left to uphold the promises of Agenda 2030, and DORA is faithful to its commitment to an inclusive and effective multilateralism. As such, we will continue to contribute to the Committee's work. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Andorra. I now give the floor to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Guatemala.

Mr. President, Guatemala aligns itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China, and with the statement made by the Philippines on behalf of like-minded countries in support of MICs. We wish to congratulate Ambassador Lamin B. Diba, Permanent Representative of the Gambia. We congratulate all members of the Bureau as well on their election. We trust that they will continue to successfully guide the work of the Second Committee. As is made clear in the Secretary-General's report, myriad global challenges have halted progress in achieving the SDGs. We have fewer than five years left before 2030, and at this time we have not made significant progress at a global level in terms of eradicating poverty and inequality, hunger and food insecurity. Neither have we made progress in tackling natural disasters and global crises. such as climate change, major migratory flows, and financial and economic crises. Let us remember that without development, there can be no peace, and without peace, there can be no development. As such, we need to invest in the resilience of our economic, social, and environmental systems. As a country that is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, Guatemala advocates for a world in which the environment is respected, in which we protect biodiversity, and in which we safeguard our ecosystems. We are gravely concerned at the global temperature rise to the tune of 1.5 degrees Celsius. That threshold is a critical risk for climate stability and the well-being of our peoples. As we move towards COP30 in Berlin, we reaffirm that looking after our planet is an act of defending our very existence. We issue here a more ambitious call to action. We must build capacity, increase financing for adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, and join efforts to invest in projects which allow a sustainable recovery, at the same time creating new opportunities through the use of clean energy and green technology. In that same vein, Guatemala agrees that it is necessary to transform our food systems from production to consumption. This with the goal of protecting human health and the planet. Ushering in this transition involves promoting an exchange of technical knowledge, innovation and resources such as to improve the productivity of agricultural systems in a sustainable fashion. In so doing, we must recognize the contributions made with indigenous by indigenous peoples that work in harmony with the environment. We are actively participating in the second stocktake of the Food Systems Summit and on the implementation of national roadmaps. We must invest in adaptation, avoid food waste and ensure decent lives for peasants and farmers. Digitizing the economy and Digitizing services has produced unprecedented opportunities for development, but has laid states bare to financial fraud, data theft, and attacks on critical infrastructure. As such, we must fight to close the digital divide, build capacities, and increase international cooperation in the area of cybersecurity and AI. In so doing, we must guarantee that digital transformation is safe, accessible, and equitable for all. We call for effective global Cooperation, which sees governments, businesses, communities, social organisations and UN agencies work together to guarantee results on the ground. The UN has a vital role to play. That role must grow stronger so that the UN can provide more efficient, effective, better focused and coordinated support. It must build on its efforts and ensure they are tailored to country specific contexts. We call for the creation of a strategic action plan for middle income countries in this regard. Here we wish to underscore the role played by regional economic commissions as driving forces for the implementation of Agenda 2030. These economic commissions are a unique bridge between global frameworks and regional realities. The knowledge they have must be preserved and built upon. Resources and mandates of the economic commissions must be safeguarded. There is no doubt whatsoever that international cooperation is facing difficult times. We must guarantee that this cooperation is sustainable and we must work together to provide a better future for future generations. Ours is enshrined in the severe commitment. We need to make progress towards an international financial infrastructure which is improved. We need to guarantee that vulnerable countries have just equitable and resilient access to resources, economic stability and opportunities for sustainable development. As such, we recognize the strategic value of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation as a source for solutions and knowledge that allow people to reduce dependency on traditional systems. At the same time, we recognize that South-South cooperation is a complement and not a substitute for ODA. I wish to conclude by reiterating that my country is ready to contribute to the work of this Committee. We attach the utmost importance to that work. Thank you.

I thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of Guatemala. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka.

Thank you, Chair, Excellencies, delegates. Sri Lanka aligns with the statement delivered by the delegation of Iraq as the chair of the G77 and China, and wishes to make the following points in its national capacity. Chair, with just five years remaining, our global community stands at a pivotal crossroads. The commitments we made in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. must now translate into accelerated collective action that is bold, inclusive, and urgent. Sri Lanka remains fully committed to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the compounded challenges of recent years, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic shocks, and domestic fiscal constraints, we have taken decisive steps to recalibrate our development trajectory. Our priorities are clear. We are committed to eradicating extreme poverty in all its forms and to building a more inclusive and equitable society. We are investing in human capital through education, digital inclusion and accessible healthcare, with particular emphasis on women, youth and vulnerable communities. We have embarked on a path of green economic transformation, aiming to generate 70% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. We continue to expand forest cover, promote climate resilience, and preserve our unique biodiversity, recognizing that climate action is not only an obligation, but a development opportunity. While Sri Lanka is steadfast in its national efforts, we are acutely aware that progress cannot be achieved in isolation. Structural inequalities in the global economic system, exacerbated by unsustainable debt burdens, rising interest rates, and limited access to concessional finance, continue to hinder the capacity of many developing countries to implement the SDGs. We echo the call for the reform of the international financial architecture, including fairer debt treatment and innovative financing mechanisms. We urge the international community to honor its commitments on climate finance, particularly in support of adaptation, resilience, and loss and damage. Technology transfer, capacity building and knowledge sharing must also be integral to our global response. No nation should be left behind due to digital exclusion or technological inequity. Chair, the final stretch to 2030 demands a reinvigorated commitment to multilateralism. The key conferences can meet this year, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the Third United Nations Ocean Conference and the WSIS+20 Forum, as well as the High-Level Political Forum and commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Conference, have all underscored the transformative power of collective action. Looking ahead, We welcome the convening of the second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar and COP30 in Belm, Brazil, as critical opportunities to reaffirm at the highest levels our shared commitment to advancing human well-being and safeguarding our planet for future generations. Chair, the UN system must be ready to support the implementation of the outcome documents of these high-level meetings. The renegotiated 2024 QCPA will no doubt guide the United Nations development system over the next four years. While we appreciate the system-wide review of this institution under the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative, we believe that the critical development support activities of the UN must not be adversely affected. We also urge development partners to stand in solidarity with this institution during these challenging and polarized times, honor their commitments, and provide consistent, predictable support to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. To conclude, Chair, we add our voice in congratulating you and members of the Bureau of the Second Committee. My delegation assures you of our cooperation and support as you lead this committee through the 80th session, a milestone session. I thank you.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Yemen.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you and to the members of the Bureau on your election as chair of the Second Committee at its 80th session. We express our appreciation for the efforts made by the Bureau at the previous session. My delegation is ready to cooperate constructively to contribute to the success of our deliberations and to the achievement of common goals. My delegation aligns itself with the statements by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and by Nepal on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries. Mr. Chair, since its inception, our committee has assumed the central responsibility in devising economic and social policies that promote sustainable development and translate the priorities of the international community into reality. The theme for this session offers an opportunity to reassess the path we have taken and the challenges that remain. Today, the world is facing interconnected crises, economic and financial volatility, the impact of climate change, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and health crises. Together, these challenges pose a serious obstacle to the implementation of the 2030 agenda. In this context, Yemen, that has been suffering from a protracted war as a result of the coup instigated by the terrorist Houthi militias, is a clear example of the intersection of conflict with economic, humanitarian and environmental fragility. This deepens the challenges and underscores the need for an integrated approach that links peace, development and financing in a coherent and sustainable manner. Mr. Chair, poverty eradication remains the overarching goal of the Committee's work. However, progress in this area remains fragile and uneven. In Yemen, for example, more than two-thirds of the population lives below the poverty line, while millions face the risk of famine and food insecurity. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach which places social justice at the heart of international economic policies and makes international solidarity a duty rather than a luxury. We emphasize that the reform of global financial and economic system is urgently needed. We cannot achieve equitable and inclusive development when financial restructures do not take into account the needs and concerns of developing and least developed countries. Restructuring the governance of international financial institutions and involving developing countries in the decision process is an essential starting point to enabling them to achieve sustainable development. Mr. Chair, my delegation joins calls for innovative solutions to address the debt burden, including rescheduling and forgiveness, particularly for states in conflict. It is important to combat illicit financial flows and recover stolen assets. This is essential to mobilize domestic resources for financing development. We also stress the need to fulfill international commitments, including the civil commitments, which stipulate that 0.2% of gross national income be allocated as aid to least developed countries and that concessional and blended financing be strengthened with effective risk mitigation tools, Mr. Chair. Yemen is facing worsening climate challenges manifested in the scarcity of water resources, the accelerated depletion of groundwater, the expansion of desertification, and the degradation of agricultural lands, in addition to rising temperatures, increasing droughts, frequent tropical cyclones, dust storms, and flash floods. This results in significant human and material losses. Together, these phenomena reduce agricultural production, exacerbate food insecurity, displace communities, and undermine national efforts to achieve development and social stabilities. The climate challenges in Yemen clearly reflect the challenges faced by least developed countries, which despite contributing only 3% of global emissions, bear the brunt of climate change. Two-thirds of climate-related deaths occur in least developed countries. My delegation therefore calls on countries to step up their national contributions to match the 1.5 degree target. We call for tripling adaptation financing by 2030. The commitment to make 1.3 trillion dollars available by 2035. must be based on transparent and accountable mechanisms that ensure that most vulnerable countries, especially those affected by conflict, have just and quick access to financing. The COP30 in Belem, Brazil, should be a milestone in adopting a clear and time-bound roadmap to achieve climate justice. Mr. Chair. The deliberations of our Committee on Globalization, Science, Technology and Innovation reflect a growing awareness of the importance of the digital economy and knowledge as key tools for achieving sustainable development. In this context, it is important to bridge the digital divide through technology transfer and capacity building. so as to enable developing countries to integrate effectively into the contemporary global economy. It is also important to strengthen international cooperation on tax matters within the framework of the UN in order to build a fairer and more transparent tax system and enhance the capacity of developing countries to mobilize their domestic resources. Achieving the SDGs requires global partnerships based on equality and complementarity, but we also call for enhancing South-South and triangular cooperation while expanding the participation of the private sector and civil society in the implementation of development programs. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Yemen. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Costa Rica.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Costa Rica echoes the congratulations extended to you by other delegations on your election. We also congratulate other members of the Bureau. You can count on our resolute support in guaranteeing the success of this session. Allow me to underscore three key issues. First, the reform of the international financial architecture must guarantee fair, transparent, and timely financing for the global majority. Many developing countries, including middle income countries, shoulder a debt burden that strangles their capacity to invest in education, health, energy transition, and resilient infrastructure. The current conditions in terms of access to credit perpetuates structural asymmetries that severely punish those most in need of resources to achieve these sustainable development goals. Costa Rica calls for work to ensure that the agreements in the Cevia commitment become concrete action. The international community now has renewed political will to ensure that this transformative accord becomes action. We must ensure immediate liquidity and correct asymmetries in access to credit through eligibility criteria that go far beyond per capita income and significantly expand concessional financing mechanisms. IFIs must reform their governance structures to reflect the real weight of developing countries in the global economy. For this reason, we count on the first biennial summit between the UN and IFIs to serve as an innovative, inclusive, and strategic platform that will foster effective collaboration in line with the CFI commitment. Costa Rica urges all states with the capacity to do so to mobilize the resources necessary to move towards an international financial system which is development focused. a type of development that makes real the aspirations of ending poverty, inequality and of strengthening social integration. Social integration that is so key if we are to overcome the distrust that erodes support for our democratic institutions. My second point, the climate crisis demands urgent and collective responses. We must step up our efforts. in adaptation, biodiversity protection, sustainable energy, and disaster risk management. The magnitude of this challenge exceeds the individual capacities of any state to act. Strong commitments in terms of emissions reduction must go hand in hand with climate financing that is predictable, additional, and accessible. Developed countries must honor their commitments to mobilizing resources and to facilitating technology transfer on favourable terms. Climate action must be rooted in development policies. Costa Rica has demonstrated that economic growth is strengthened when the environment is protected. We generate nearly all of our electricity from renewable sources. We have also doubled our forest cover in three decades and our economic growth remains steady. This model can be replicated elsewhere with adequate multilateral support. My third point, we must revitalize international cooperation and partnerships for sustainable development. South-South and triangular cooperation, together with strategic partnerships with the private sector, academia and civil society, are essential vehicles with which we can share knowledge, innovation and practical solutions. These types of cooperation democratize the exchange of experiences and multiply the impact of the resources available. Sustainable development is one which believes in a renewed, inclusive and solidarity-based multilateralism, a form of multilateralism where every voice is heard and every actor shoulders their shared but differentiated responsibilities so that together we may achieve our development goals. Mr. Chairman, challenges before us require decisions at this session. Financing for development, climate action, and international cooperation form an indivisible whole. Costa Rica urges this committee to adopt concrete recommendations that translate our discussions into tangible results. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Costa Rica. I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on assuming the chairmanship of this committee. We congratulate the Bureau too, and we wish you every success. We are ready to fully collaborate with you. We align ourselves with the statement made by the European Union. In our national capacity, I will issue these additional remarks. We have five years left to achieve Agenda 2030. At this juncture, we face a combination of economic, climate, geopolitical and technological shocks that have halted and even reversed progress we made on several SDGs. Moreover, mistrust is growing, multilateralism is being weakened, and polarization is on the rise. That is eroding international cooperation. On the economic front, too many countries operate with reduced fiscal space. Their financing costs are high, and they have debt to such an extent that essential public investment in social expenditure and productive investment is limited. Trade is becoming less dynamic and investment, both public and private, is not reaching where it needs to reach to transform structures, create economic growth and decent jobs. Inequalities are growing more marked and climate change is exacerbating vulnerabilities. At the same time, there are opportunities emerging if we work together and coherently. Green and just transition, social protection, digital transformation and well-governed AI are all things that can champion productivity and public services. Sustainable finance can also accelerate prosperity and good governance. And we can have a more resilient planet and a more healthy planet if we work in a comprehensive way and protect global public goods. There is the crisis of multilateralism and the erosion of development cooperation. States are waging smear campaigns against multilateralism and withdrawing from it, but we have remained committed to effective multilateralism with the UN at its heart. We believe that to tackle global challenges and have sufficient solutions, we must work together. Chair, allow me to briefly outline Spain's priorities. Before this session of the Second Committee, first of all, Member States met at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, and we adopted the Seville Commitment. That text is a clear victory on the part of multilateralism and a victory for global solidarity. That was what we sought to achieve when we hosted that conference. There is a minority disassociating from shared sustainable development, but we have demonstrated that for the vast majority, Agenda 2030 remains a priority. We've shown that it is necessary to mobilize and leverage resources to implement it. Now the time has come to honor this commitment and to implement it together with the 130 initiatives that form part of the Seville Platform for Action in order to achieve transformative results in various spheres of development financing. Spain will continue doing everything it can to achieve that goal. And we'll have the time to outline just what we're doing in that regard in the coming days. It's also crucial to tackle the threefold global crisis. We call for the timely and effective implementation of agreements included in the global stocktake within the Paris Accord. Overcoming the climate crisis is not something we can achieve if we do not safeguard biodiversity and if we don't have a healthy ocean. It's vital that we apply the global biodiversity framework and ensure the effective implementation of the BBNJ agreement. We also hope that this year we will contribute to the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, and we hope that work can conclude Thirdly, I'd like to talk about the social transition. We're focused now on the upcoming World Social Summit. Spain believes it is of the utmost importance to eradicate poverty in all its forms. It is, as we see it, essential to continue to focus on the reduction of poverty and inequalities in a sustainable fashion. We must tackle not only economic growth, but also the social dimensions of development. We champion a comprehensive approach, one rooted in equality of rights and opportunities for all. We must focus in an ambitious way on gender balance and rights, and we must tackle major inequalities and address transformative challenges. We must work to combine resilience, inclusion and sustainability, but we must remain focused on our crucial mandate of leaving no one behind. We must continue to reaffirm that eradicating poverty must be the utmost priority of the international development system. 65% of the SDGs and achieving them demands that we involve local and regional entities through the secretariat of the the local commission for 2030 in Bilbao, and through our financing of the joint SDG fund, Spain will work to strengthen that aspect of development. We are committed to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and those commitments should be reflected in the resolutions of this committee in a cross-cutting fashion, including when it comes to sexual health sexual and reproductive health and rights. We must avoid any undoing of progress on that specific front. Let us not also forget the digital challenge. The consensus adoption of a resolution to establish a scientific panel and a global dialogue on artificial intelligence in the United Nations was work that we were honored to co-facilitate with Costa Rica. And the adoption of that resolution is a giant stride forward for global governance of AI. We will continue to work to ensure that we have ethical, inclusive and global governance of AI. We champion social justice, environmental and climate justice, and we champion social cohesion based on inclusion, respect for diversity and non-discrimination. We work to establish new social contracts which bear in mind future generations and promote democratic institutions which are accountable to citizens, which guarantee political participation and access to justice, as well as which protect human rights. Finally, we champion a transitional development and focus to all of our work which takes account of specific needs of specific countries. We wish to build on work of previous conferences in this regard and on new development indicators that grow beyond the measuring GDP. Thank you.

I thank her Excellency, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Rep of Spain. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Georgia.

Mr. Chair, at the outset, I would like to congratulate you upon your election as the Chair of the Second Committee and the rest of the Bureau members upon their respective elections. You can count on my delegation's full support and continued collaboration. Georgia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to make following additional remarks in my national capacity. Less than five years are left until the deadline of the 2030 Agenda, yet the world continues to face a difficult global context upon ongoing wild conflicts, human rights violations, socioeconomic, humanitarian, and triple planetary crisis that pull multilateralism under. intense pressure. While the SDGs are severely off track, the 2030 Agenda must continue to serve as the blueprint for addressing these global challenges. We should also take ownership in implementing the outcomes of the FfD4, the UN Ocean Conference and the LLD3, which stand as testimonials to meaningful progress. Excellencies, Georgia is fully committed to implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Pact of the Future by undertaking concrete steps to deliver. Following up to our third VNR in 2024, the government has approved 2025 Action Plan to ensure further the effective implementation of Vision 2030. development strategy of Georgia. Moreover, the localization process of the SDGs is ongoing in order to fully implement them in all 64 municipalities by the end of 2025. Distinguished delegates, securing a better future for all depends fundamentally on sustainable progress towards the SDG 8, on decent work and economic growth. We are pleased to know that in the light of the overwhelming global issues, Georgia has overcome external shocks and maintained macroeconomic stability through prudent fiscal and monetary policies, reaching an average 9.7% over the past four years. We are committed to continue this progress by advancing the structural reforms including those related to diversifying trade markets, improving regional trade connectivity, supporting capital market development, and energy security. Distinguished colleagues, against the backdrop of deepening inequalities, we look forward to the upcoming World Social Summit in Qatar that will offer a valuable opportunity to enhance inclusive social development and give new momentum to the implementation of the SDGs and the Pact of the Future. Excellencies, as we approach the milestone 2030, climate change continues to be on the top of global agenda. Therefore, we should use all the tools and ambition to translate the Paris Agreement into concrete actions. In this spirit, Georgia has prepared the third generation NDC with more ambitious targets, which will be adopted by the government in near future. We expect that forthcoming COP 30 in Belm will be a benchmark in enhancement of UNFCC processes. In this regard, we trust in Brazil's firm leadership as the COP 30 presidency. Distinguished colleagues, the role of digital technologies, including AI, in tackling challenges and creating opportunities for advancing sustainable development is outstanding. Therefore, more needs to be done, harness their potential, not deepen divides. Achieving progress in the implementation of the Global Digital Compact will be crucial to this end. With this in mind, AI is an important part of the recently adopted strategy for the development of the digital economy and information society of Georgia for 2025-2030 and its respective action plan for 2025-2027. Excellencies. All the aforementioned achievements come despite the ongoing illegal occupation of Abkhazia and the region by Russia. Regrettably, people residing on the other side of the occupation line still continue to be left behind the positive changes and developments taking place in my country. Mr. Chair, in conclusion, let me stress that in the race of deliver the 2030 promise and translate commitments into concrete results, Georgia remains committed to work with all partners in the forthcoming processes within the 80th session of the GA. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Georgia. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Panama.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wish to echo the congratulations conveyed to you on your appointment to lead this committee, Ambassador Diba. You and your Bureau have the full support of the delegation of Panama. We trust that with your leadership, we will achieve the results we so wish to see during this session. Panama aligns itself with the statements made by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China, and by Morocco on behalf of the Group of Like-Minded Countries for Middle-Income Countries. The theme proposed for this debate by the Bureau under your leadership, "Five years to 2030: Multilateral solutions for sustainable development", invites us to have debates that we cannot postpone. Delays in fulfilling Agenda 2030 are patently clear. There continue to be gaping divides, poverty, violence, insecurity. At the same time, climate change is Forging ahead at a breakneck speed. However, it's also true that knowledge and technology necessary to tackle these challenges exist. The real challenge is making them reachable for all and to ensure that they can be turned into cooperation, dialogue and multilateralism so that we can make up lost ground in terms of concrete results that will return credibility to the Agenda for Sustainable Development at a global level. Decisions that we take now will determine whether this decade is remembered for inaction or for our collective capacity to correct cause. We are a representatives of a biodiversity rich region and one which is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As such, we feel a greater sense of accountability and commitment in order to achieve real sustainable development. We have vast swathes of our territory that are under protection. Moreover, we are one of the very few countries in the world that enjoys the carbon negative status. This commitment has also prompted us as elected members of the Security Council for the sixth time in our history to, in 2025, assume the co-chairmanship of the IEG on climate, peace, and security alongside the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, and Guyana. In the recent high-level week at the United Nations, the climate summit reminded us of the urgent need to act to address these crises. It underscored the need for adaptation, early warnings, energy transition, decarbonization, the protection of rainforests, and financing to expedite the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Next November, we will have the COP30 in Belem, Brazil. That summit will bring us together with that same goal in mind in an iconic location, the Amazonia. That is the lung of the Earth, and that location will remind us that there is an urgent need to move from commitment to action. Moreover, we welcome the fact that the agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction considered the equivalent of the Paris Agreement for the oceans, will enter into force in January 2026, having reached the 60 ratifications necessary. Alongside France and Tuvalu, Panama will lead the High Ambition Coalition for BB&J. That coalition seeks to accelerate global ratification, as well as to make progress on the 30 by 30 conservation target and to guarantee solid and predictable financing for ocean and climate resilience. Mr. Chairman, combating illicit financial flows remains a major challenge, particularly for developing countries. Those countries have to undertake herculean efforts to avoid being placed on discriminatory, sometimes unjust lists, which affect their growth and affect their ability to attract investment. In this vein, it's very important to continue with the UN process on the Convention on International Cooperation in Tax Matters. That forum offers us an opportunity to guarantee that all stakeholders can participate on an equal footing. It allows us to strengthen oversight processes of and the regulation of the international tax system here I'm delighted to underscore that thanks to multilateral action and Panama's commitment to transparency and International cooperation our country was removed from the list of the EU and the financial action tax task force we will continue to closely follow progress on this crucial convention Work on that convention is listed on this Committee's agenda. The convention has its roots in this Committee and has emerged as a historic opportunity to champion more inclusive and effective international tax cooperation. Chair, we are seeing growing economic and geopolitical tensions. In that context, international trade remains essential to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development. Strengthening both of those as part of broader multilateral cooperation is crucial to create certainty and security in terms of the global economy. Here, the Panama Canal is a vital strategic asset for the international community. It links the Atlantic and the Pacific and facilitates around 4% of global trade. This through 180 maritime routes. or even more than that, and these are routes that connect 140 countries. We are neutral, open to the world. The canal, rather, is neutral, open to the world, well managed and operated by Panamanians. It provides services also to benefit the international community. And with all of that in mind, it will continue ensuring it can be effective and sustainable for the benefits of international logistics and global development. We have huge crises facing us, but there are emerging challenges also, such as AI, and all of these means there needs to be a more global, coordinated response based on solidarity, cooperation, and revitalized multilateralism. We are ready to continue working constructively, and we trust that this session will allow us to take strides towards inclusive and sustainable development. Thank you.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Panama. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova.

Mr. Chair. I would like first to begin by extending my warm congratulations to you and the fellow Bureau members for assuming the helm of the Second Committee and assure you of my delegation's full support in stewarding this important work. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity. Mr. Chair, we meet today with a stark reality that the sustainable development goals are severely off track. At this pace, achieving them by 2030 risks remaining an aspiration rather than a shared accomplishment. This makes our enhanced commitment to the accelerated implementation of SDGs not only urgent, but indispensable. The 2030 Agenda, reinforced by the Pact for the Future and its annexes, remains our collective roadmap to overcome the obstacles on the path to sustainable development. The Republic of Moldova is committed to sustainable development through combined efforts of key stakeholders aimed at advancing rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, eliminating all forms of poverty, and combating inequalities, promoting green economic development, as well as tackling climate change while ensuring that no one is left behind. We also view European integration as our blueprint for a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient future. The European Union accession process and the implementation of 2030 agenda are mutually reinforcing, as almost 80% of the SDGs targets align with commitment on the accession negotiations. As the Republic of Moldova embarks on this process, we are equally advancing national reforms and policies that bring us closer to global goals. My country is pursuing the SDGs through increased human rights and evidence-based policy and decision-making. In this regard, the Republic of Moldova fully supports women and youth empowerment and recognizes their valuable contribution as agents of change. For the first time, my country has entered the top 10 of the Global Gender Equality Index, ranking seventh out of 147 countries in the World Economic Forum 2025 edition. This significant ascent in the ranking reflects sustained national efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable society where women and men have equal opportunities in public and professional life. The recently launched economic growth plan of the Republic of Moldova places the green and digital transition at the core of the structural transformation of our national economy. In this respect, the Republic of Moldova has emerged as a regional leader in digital connectivity. Over the past decade, fixed broadband penetration has doubled, mobile access has risen from 47.4% to 120%, and 4G coverage has expanded to 97% of the country. These advances are supported by the implementation of a digital transformation strategy 2023-2030. In a world where 70% of governments are accelerating their shift to digital services, Moldova stands out of a regional leader offering over 60% of public services online. Digital Moldova ensures the citizens no longer need to run from one institution to another. The state is just a click away. A prime example of eGov, an application that centralized essential services for both citizens and entrepreneurs. By the end of 2025, 70% of business-related public services will be fully digitalized, and by 2030, Moldova is committed to becoming a fully digital state. The Republic of Moldova's commitment to SDGs is also about fighting climate change. We have pledged to reduce emissions by 70% by 2030. In the past three years, the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in advancing renewable energy. Wind and solar capacity has increased eight times, enabling full independence from Russia and gas and reducing reliance on electricity from the left bank as a result of consistent and government actions and reforms. A major milestone that was achieved in June when 48% of our daily electricity consumption was covered by renewables compared to 23% just three months earlier. And we estimate that the renewables will cover 25% of Moldova's total electricity consumption by the end of this year. Mr. Chairman, the Republic of Moldova will continue to advance policies that support inclusive, resilient and sustainable development. With five years remaining to 2030, we reaffirm our commitment to the 2030 agenda and pledge for stronger multilateral cooperation to turn ambitions into action for people and planet. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Moldova. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Libya.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At the outset, Allow me to congratulate you on your election as the chair of the Second Committee at its 80th session. I wish you and the other members of your bureau every success in leading the work of this committee. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, as well as that of Guinea-Bissau on behalf of the African Group. I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity. Mr. Chairman, we meet today at a critical juncture where the world is undergoing economic, climate, and social crises. Five years remain until the 2030 deadline, and this means we all need to work collectively to transform political commitments into tangible, practical measures. Despite ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable developments, the majority of developing countries, particularly in Africa, continue to face increased challenges such as the impacts of climate change, widening social inequalities, as well as food insecurity and public debt. Middle income countries face particular challenges. These countries are generally excluded from the international support measures provided to other states, even though they also require financing assistance. Libya calls for reconsidering the traditional classifications governing aid distribution, We call for taking a more just and equitable approach that takes the needs of every country into account. We also call for a multilateral approach when it comes to financing for development, one that goes beyond GDP and invests in human capital and entrepreneurship. This is all something that would contribute to achieving sustainable development. Chair, despite the political, economic and security situation in Libya, which is complex, we are committed to working with our partners as we are convinced that cooperation and solidarity are the only path to achieving sustainable development. The Government of National Unity is convinced that sustainable development requires economic diversification and reducing dependence on oil as the primary source of income. We have undertaken practical steps to strengthen agriculture, industry, and the digital economy, and to encourage investment as well as SMEs in order to open up new horizons for youth and women and create genuine opportunities for a dignified life. We are also working on unifying economic and financial institutions and strengthening the principles of transparency and good governance. The recovery of Libya's stolen funds and frozen assets abroad is not merely a financial issue. It is a matter of justice and development. These funds are necessary for building schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, and this is a shared responsibility that the international community must uphold. chair. Libya's territory, 90% of its territory consists of desert, and this is a serious environmental challenge. We have developed a national strategy for renewable energy and energy efficiency for the period 2025-2035. We have also developed a strategy to combat drought. and made our first NDC as part of the climate agreement, despite our limited resources. Chair, we cannot discuss sustainable development without raising the issue of irregular migration, which is exacerbated by instability in the region. This situation places a significant burden on state resources. International cooperation is therefore required based on equitable sharing of responsibilities and burdens. Combating irregular migration and climate change, as well as addressing development, requires genuine support for the Global South, particularly countries facing special circumstances. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we hope that this session will serve as a platform to strengthen international cooperation, exchange innovative solutions, and build partnerships that place people at the heart of development. I thank you.

Thank you, distinguished representative of Libya. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Ecuador.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I wish to begin by congratulating you and the Bureau on your election. I can assure you of my delegation's full support in the work of this important committee and its discussions. We align ourselves with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China, and that made by Morocco on behalf of the like-minded countries for MICs. As we begin the work of this second committee, I'd like to say that we reaffirm our historic commitment to multilateralism and to the pillars that underpin it. The challenges facing sustainable development are manifold and interconnected and cannot be dealt with in isolation. Peace, development, human rights are an extricable trifecta, and the trifecta is under threat when global challenges are not dealt with jointly. We cannot talk about sustainable development if public resources that should be channeled towards that goal are absorbed by the struggle against violence, crime, narco-terrorism, illegal mining, transnational organized crime. All of these are phenomena which erode the legitimate economy, destroy social fabric, destroy the environment, and threaten the very existence of democracy. These global challenges exceed the capacity of any individual state to tackle them alone. They require joint action if they are to be addressed. Ecuador is a country that is highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. That means that it's all the more urgent for us to strengthen disaster risk reduction work, despite the fact that we are responsible for scarcely 0.19% of global emissions. We are committed to the UNFCCC. Climate action must be conducted in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibility and equity. Mr Chairman, colleagues, in February 2025, Ecuador presented its second nationally determined contribution for 2026 to 2035. That Contribution incorporates components related to mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, as well as to means of implementation. Ecuador trusts that COP30 in Belen do Para will be an opportunity to strengthen multilateralism, to enhance international cooperation and to renew political will. to achieving global goals. As regards the global fight against climate change, there cannot be any half-hearted work. Without appropriate resources, vast numbers of developing countries will not be able to work on mitigation, adaptation, or loss and damage. Financing is the very cornerstone of ensuring the success and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. There must also be the provision of adequate, predictable, accessible, and sustainable financing in this regard. Developed countries are called upon to adhere to the collective quantified goal on climate financing, according to a decision adopted at COP29 in Baku. Once again, there needs to be proper capitalization of the climate damage loss and damage fund. Ecuador, as a mega diverse country that has unique and fragile ecosystems such as the Andes, Amazonia and the Galapagos Islands, promotes the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the CBD, My country has 19.45% of its national territory covered by various conservation mechanisms, and we are updating our national biodiversity strategy and our action plan. And all of these will be in line with the global framework for biodiversity, Kunming-Montreal. The new national development plan, Ecuador won't stop for 2025 to 2029. Caesars link 97.96. percent of our targets directly to the SDGs. Chair, the Saviya commitment is a valuable roadmap to close the current financing gap, to strengthen international cooperation, and to move towards global economic governance which is more equitable and inclusive. Criteria for accessing international financing must be updated to adequately reflect needs and vulnerabilities that are specific to middle-income countries. There must also be effective access by those countries to all means of implementation. That includes sufficient, predictable financing, but also technology transfer and capacity building. Without these, sustainable development will remain a pipe dream. Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, colleagues, to conclude, I wish to share with you the fact that the government of President Daniel Noboa has convened a national democratic debate through a people's consultation process that will be held in November. This will go hand in hand with the call for a Constitutive Assembly that should ultimately equip us with a new charter to ensure that the Ecuadorian people can once and for all walk along the path of sustainable development, prosperity and social peace. Thank you.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Ecuador. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Mr. Chair, at the outset, I join other delegations in congratulating you, Mr. Chair, and members of the Bureau on your election to the Second Committee. We assure you of our full support and cooperation in this critical session. My delegation aligns ourself with the statements delivered by the representative of Iraq, Malaysia, Nepal, and Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, ASEAN, LDCs, and LDCs respectively. We welcome the timely theme, "Five years to 2030, multilateral solutions for sustainable development." As we approach the final stretch of the 2030 agenda, the international community faces unprecedented interlinked challenges, such as persistent poverty, widening inequalities, climate emergencies, and geopolitical tensions. Rising economic and financial difficulties further threaten hard-won development gains. The financing gap of $4 to $4.3 trillion annually underscores the urgent shortfall in funding needed to achieve the SDGs by 2030. In this context, my delegation wishes to share the following perspectives. First, shared political view and strong commitment to multilateralism are essential. We must demonstrate unity, partnership, and solidarity in addressing challenges. Reform of the UN and related international organizations including financial institutions, must be inclusive, transparent, and democratic. The voices and needs of the Global South should be central in reshaping the international financial and economic architecture to deliver appropriate responses. Second, we support the repositioning of the UN development system to effectively meet member states' priorities especially in countries facing vulnerabilities and shocks. As addressed by our head of government at the high level week, we welcome the Secretary General's UN80 initiative as an opportunity to assess progress and discuss future developments. We stress the organizational reforms must keep development at the core as a foundation for peace, justice, and human dignity. Third, While emphasizing the need to enhance UN system capacity, we are concerned about the continuing decline in core contributions to UN agencies. If unchecked, this will undermine the performance on the ground. Development must remain integral and a top priority for the UN and all member states. We appreciate countries that provide significant ODA and call on others to meet the 0.7% GNI commitment. Fourth, special attention must be given to LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, which remain the most vulnerable. The international community must urgently deliver inclusive multilateral solutions tailored to their needs. The UN should play a central role in mobilizing resources and coordinating concessional finance to support vulnerable economies. countries on the LDC graduation track in particular require tailored support to avoid setbacks. Mr. Chair, for the Lao PDR, in preparing for LDC graduation in 2026, we are advancing our smooth transition strategy to ensure sustainable and transformative progress. We reiterate our call for enhanced support in this process including the establishment of an international investment support center for LDCs to facilitate foreign direct investment aligned with national priorities. We urge development partners to fulfill ODA commitments, including allocation of 0.15 to 0.2% of GNI to LDCs, increasing grant-based and concessional finance, and doubling aid for trade to LDCs by 2031, with focus on trade-related infrastructure as outlined in the Financing for Development IV Outcome Document. We commend the successful convening of the third UN Conference on LDCs. The Abasa Programme of Action demonstrates renewed global commitment to addressing structural challenges of LDCs. For our country, connectivity is a strategic priority. We have advanced regional integration, trade facilitation, working toward our long-term vision of transforming from a landlocked to a landlink country and serving as a bridge connecting markets and people across the region. At the upcoming COP30, we look forward to meaningful outcomes. Despite our minimal emissions, climate change poses an existential threat. We have implemented our national strategy on climate change and NDCs, but require financing, technology transfer and capacity building to achieve our goals. We therefore urge the fulfilment of international commitments, particularly the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge to support vulnerable countries. Mr. Chair, this session of the Second Committee is expected to provide insights, recommendations, and opportunities through discussion. Multilateral cooperation and open dialogue remain essential to address challenges and develop solutions collectively. In closing, I reaffirm my delegation's commitment to working with all Member States, the UN development system, and relevant stakeholders to advance the 2030 agenda and internationally agreed development objective. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Lao People's Democratic Republic. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus.

Mr. President.

Mr. Chairman, allow me to congratulate you on your election and wish you and the members of the Bureau success in your work. The Republic of Belarus aligns itself with the statement by the like-minded group of middle-income countries. The purpose of the Second Committee's work is to create a normative framework whose implementation by all member states should contribute to steady economic growth worldwide aimed at improving living standards and human well-being. In this regard, it is important that the Committee base its work on real trends and processes occurring in the global economy, so that its efforts contribute to positive developments and mitigate negative ones. It is also necessary to fully utilize the potential of the Second Committee to support efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. A transformation of the global economy is currently underway, resulting in a new development architecture based on the principles of equality, multilateralism, and non-discrimination in trade, financial transactions, technology, and logistics chains. This model is replacing the previous model of so-called globalism, which was based on unbridled globalization driven by free trade and unregulated market economies. The globalism model has proven unviable because its key proponents, Western states, began to abuse their dominant position in the system and essentially weaponized the global economy through illegal economic sanctions, asset seizures, arbitrary tariffs, and a number of other restrictions and measures. As a result, this weaponization creates barriers to international trade, undermines global food security, and entrenches poverty, hunger, and inequality. It is therefore not surprising that only about 20% of the SDGs have been achieved globally to date. We believe the Second Committee should pay close attention to this situation. For instance, the Committee could mandate UNCTAD to study the impact of illegal economic sanctions on global trade, food prices, and overall food security, and to develop recommendations for addressing this issue. On a more positive note, we see encouraging economic trends in the growth and influence of regions, as well as strengthening of state groupings, particularly BRICS, which represents the global majority. Regional integration is one of the most important trends in today's world. To some extent, regional blocs are beginning to play the same independent role that was previously the prerogative of individual states. It is therefore necessary to establish mechanisms for cooperation between regional processes, just as we have mechanisms for cooperation between states. This topic is very important for Belarus. We are active participants in several regional integration processes and are interested in further strengthening them. We are firmly convinced that interaction with other regional initiatives will contribute to achieving this goal. This year, Belarus holds the chairmanship of the bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union. Our efforts here are focused on further developing Eurasian integration, expanding cooperation among members countries, and strengthening the union's cooperation with other parties. An important topic that, in our view, deserves priority attention for this committee is technological development. 20 years after the World Summit on the Information Society, the digital divide and digital inequality still persist in the world. Although developing countries have made significant strides towards building an information society, they still lag far behind developed nations. Measures must therefore be developed to increase support for developing countries, including through technology and innovation transfer. The committee should support the creation of a new flexible regulatory framework for the implementation of digital technologies in all spheres of life in developing countries. It is also important to consider issues of information security for states in this context. And when we speak of technology, we must also address artificial intelligence. AI systems have been developing rapidly around the world in recent years. Experts believe that AI may well become the most transformative technology in human history. This makes clear the importance of this technology for all countries of the world. However, there are worrying trends in this area. Developing countries are largely excluded from the processes of developing and harnessing artificial intelligence. It is necessary to create inclusive global mechanisms to regulate this technology. We hope that the activities of the newly established independent international scientific panel on AI, as well as the global dialogue on AI governance within the UN system, will help address this issue. In conclusion, a few remarks on procedural matters. To improve the efficiency of the Second Committee's work, we believe it is important to formulate draft resolutions clearly and concisely, especially in the preambular sections, and to focus attention on specific proposed actions in the operative sections. Allow me to assure you that our delegation stands ready to work constructively within the committee. Thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Belarus. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso.

Thank you, Chair. At the outset, I would like to convey my delegation's sincere congratulations on your brilliant election as the Chair of the Second Committee. The same goes for the members of your Bureau. You can count on our full cooperation to ensure the success of your work during this session. Chair, As we are just five years away from the 2030 deadline, it is clear that the world is not on track to implement the SDGs. The progress made remains uneven and fragile. Growth is still weak, inflation persists, debt is rising, climate shocks are increasing, and security and stability is expanding. These Systemic interconnected crises are aggravating poverty, increasing inequalities, and threatening the very hope of equitable and sustainable development. Burkina Faso, in this context, calls for an audacious, inclusive, and transformative multilateral response. Chair, sustainable development is inseparable from peace, security, and social justice. In the Sahel region, populations continue to suffer the devastating consequences of terrorism, and cross-border crime. Schools are closed, infrastructure has been destroyed, there are millions of displaced persons, and social cohesion is weakened. What is even more worrying, these terrorist groups often benefit from external support, which is an absolute contradiction with the founding principles of multilateralism and international solidarity. Mr. Chairman, despite these immense challenges, Burkina Faso remains steadfast in its will to transform challenges into opportunities. Under the leadership of our President, Captain Ibrahim Traore, our country is resolutely on a path to sovereignty, resilience, and sustainable development. Our priorities are centered around four key pillars. Food sovereignty through the Agropastoral and Fishery Initiative 2023-2025, as well as the Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production 2024-2029. These seek to strengthen food security, climate resilience, and strengthen local production chains. Second is development of human capital through investments in education and health, rebuilding of schools. strengthening health infrastructure, as well as intervention in the area of education, even in areas with security challenges. Third, we are focused on economic diversification and the energy transition with a focus on solar and renewable energy in order to improve access to electricity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. And fourth, social and humanitarian resistance. This is being achieved through measures for IDPs, improving access to safe drinking water, and relaunching local economies, as well as promoting social inclusion. This has begun to bear fruit. Our GDP has grown 4.4% in 2024, showing the strength of our economy and the determination of our people. Burkina Faso also attaches great importance to regional cooperation based on solidarity within the confederation of the states of Sahel, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Our countries have chosen to join efforts to build a space of security, stability, and internal development. This reflects our collective determination to take our collective destiny into our hands, and we invite the international community to support this regional momentum based on responsibilities, solidarity, and the quest for sustainable development that will benefit our people. Chair, as we are five years away from the 2030 deadline, It is no longer time for promises. It is time for decisive action. We call for large-scale, predictable, and innovative mobilization of financing for sustainable development, in particular for landlocked and vulnerable countries, as well as significant and sustained debt alleviation accompanied by a profound reform of international financial architecture. We also call for equitable access to innovations, technologies, and global markets in order to reduce the digital divide. and accelerate structural transformation. We call for increased support for climate action, which includes upholding financial commitments and strengthening the South adaptation capacities. And finally, strengthened cooperation is necessary to fight terrorism. Chair, for Burkina Faso, sustainable development is not an option, it is a vital need. We call for political courage and sincere solidarity as well as revitalize multilateralism to provide concrete responses. We stand ready to actively contribute to the work of this committee and work with all nations to build a shared future based on peace, justice, shared prosperity, and sustainability. Five years ahead of 2030, it is high time to transform words into action. We must act together with boldness and conviction so that 2030 finally becomes a tangible reality rather than a distant ideal. I thank you.

The distinguished representative of Burkina Faso. I now give the floor to his excellency, the permanent representative of Argentina.

Buenos dias.

Good morning to you all. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I congratulate you and your bureau on your election, and I wish you every success in your work. You have my country's full support. The beginning of this new session is taking place against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the UN's creation and in the context of debates on the UN80 initiative. That initiative is an opportunity to assess the general functioning of the organization and to champion a more efficient and effective functioning within the UN system. We here recall that the UN central mission is to preserve international peace and security and we recall that other important issues should be worked on only insofar as they contribute to that goal. For that reason, we must focus our efforts on what is important and, once again, draw inspiration from the founding principles of the UN Charter. We must focus on areas where the UN has added value and for which it is recognised by society. We must undertake accurate and realistic diagnoses and recognise that in recent years other initiatives have swelled disproportionately. The work of the Second Committee knows all too well what I am talking about. Mr Chairman, over the course of this last year we have clearly stated that the Republic of Argentina has begun a new political path marked by an open market economy policy, the promotion of investment, the strengthening of the rule of law, fostering a free competition between economic stakeholders and full integration into the global economy. We also would recall that Argentina disassociated from the Pact for the Future and that it believes that Agenda 2030 for sustainable development comprises legally non-binding aspirations that each state, in full exercise of its sovereignty, has the right to interpret and pursue freely. With that in mind, we reserve our national position on these issues, as well as on climate change, gender, and all other issues which run counter to the guiding principles of the protection of life, freedom, and private property. Mr. Chairman, in the work being initiated by this committee, we must avoid imposing on the citizens of the world a specific way of life or global diktats which fly in the face of national development realities, Argentina is ready to work constructively with all of you to usher in a new international cooperation paradigm, one which encompasses the ideas of freedom, offers effective solutions, and one which tackles the specific challenges faced by Member States, including, inevitably, the specific challenges faced by middle-income countries. The issue of domestic resources is something that each individual country can discuss as they wish, particularly when it comes to how to establish their own tax systems. Championing certain types of taxes must not run counter to individual rights or freedoms. These taxes cannot be used in the future as arguments that could restrict international trade. Consequently, in terms of international tax cooperation, we urge all to avoid overlaps in our work. We point to the crucial role of the private sector in promoting development. As such, we believe it is necessary to establish frameworks which make it possible to unleash the potential of the private sector. The private sector is a valuable generator of genuine development. With that in mind, we must avoid over-regulating productive sectors. And we must generate mechanisms which facilitate private investment, foreign direct investment, and access to financing for productive activities. Turning now to international cooperation, we value South-South and triangular cooperation. just as we do efforts to forge mechanisms which measure development that go beyond GDP. Such mechanisms allow more accurate diagnosis. We underscore the fact that cooperation must be aligned with the national priorities of each country and cooperation must be guided by a desire to respect national sovereignty. Regarding international trade, we must respect the debates that are underway in the WTO. We underscore the overriding need to reform that organization. We also state that it is important to obtain tangible outcomes at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference. This includes modalities for all pillars for the agreement on agriculture, with the goal of achieving trade liberalization. Turning now to debates related to the international financial system, we underscore the fact that these debates are already underway in appropriate international economic fora and bodies. In terms of science, technology and innovation, we must champion enabling environments that make it possible to unleash the potential of innovation and technological entrepreneurship. That work must facilitate development and access to new technologies. Overregulation, on the contrary, will limit capacity for innovation, particularly in the private sector. The private sector is at the forefront of technological development, and we must support it instead of stymieing it. We must effectively and efficiently use already existing fora and arenas, including this Committee. We must promote fiscal discipline, efficiency in public spending, attracting investment, economic freedom and macroeconomic stability required by countries in order to achieve development. Mr Chair, Two years after the heinous attack waged by Hamas against Israel, we call for the immediate release of all hostages, including four Argentinian nationals. I thank you.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Argentina. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Gambia.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, at the outset, allow me align my delegation with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, Nepal on behalf of the Least Developed Countries, and Guinea-Bissau on behalf of the Africa Group. The theme guiding our deliberations, "Five Years to the 2030 Global Agenda: Multilateral Solutions for Sustainable Development," is both timely and urgent. As we approach the end of the 2030 Agenda, we are confronted with a confluence of global crises, climate change, rising debt burdens, unemployment, and intensifying geopolitical tensions, all of which threaten to undo hard-won development gains. These rising levels of inequality reflect the unequal global economic system, creating significant imbalances for countries in the Global South, particularly in Africa. Yet, amid this down to realities, we must not lose sight of the enduring strength and relevance of multilateralism, which remains our most effective instrument for collective progress and shared prosperity. Mr. Chair, the complex and interconnected nature of today's global challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. It is only through sustained, coordinated international cooperation that we can pool resources, honest knowledge and implement solutions that are equitable, inclusive and sustainable, providing inseparable spaces for dialogue, consensus building and the translation of commitment into concrete outcomes. In this context, we underscore the importance of effective South-South and North-South partnership in achieving the SDGs as they facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building and the mobilization of both financial and technical resources. These partnerships, together with robust multilateral frameworks, serve as the vessels through which trust, solidarity, and global partnership are strengthened, and through which dedicated United Nations institutions can effectively support vulnerable countries. As part of the ongoing UN reforms, processes and recognizing the critical role of specialized institution in advancing the SDGs. We join calls for the strengthening of the Office of High Representative, least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, small island developing states in both mandates and resources to better support and amplify the voices of the most vulnerable countries and to effectively coordinate the implementation of their programs of action and translate development commitment into tangible outcomes. Mr. Chair, the Gambia continues to advance its national development blueprint in full alignment with the sustainable development goals. Our efforts are focused on fostering inclusive growth, strengthening social protection, addressing youth unemployment, enhancing healthcare and gender equality, and promoting education and skills development. In parallel, we are implementing robust climate action measures, including our second nationally determined contribution, a long-term climate neutrality strategy, and a comprehensive disaster risk financing. Nonetheless, we recognize that domestic efforts alone are insufficient for developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable. International support must be predictable, accessible, and commensurate with their needs. In this regard, we reiterate our call for the scaling up of the official development assistance and the full capitalization and operationalization of the loss and damage fund. These actions are essential not only for climate justice, but also for safeguarding development gains and building resilience. Furthermore, the Gambia underscored the urgent necessity of reforming the international financial architecture debt relief, debt swap, the curtailment of illicit financial flows, and the reforms of tax regime in line with the United Nations framework for international tax cooperation are imperative for creating fiscal space and enabling sustainable development. In addition, enhancing the capacity of multilateral development banks and improving access to long-term affordable financing are shared responsibility and critical enablers of our collective progress. Mr. Chair, digital transformation, innovation, and technology transfer remain at the heart of sustainable development. Bridging the digital divide, expanding access to clean energy, clean and renewable energy, and promoting industrial diversification must be prioritized. These efforts requires only only national leadership, but also sustain multilateral partnership and technical cooperation. Sustainable development and global peace are inseparable. Attaining the SDGs remain out of reach in the absence of security, as conflict and insecurity undermine development gains, exacerbate poverty and displace communities. Advancing the noble goals of the SDGs requires not only economic and social progress, but also a stable and peaceful international environment. The international community must therefore prioritize conflict prevention, conflict resolutions, and inclusive governance, ensuring that all nations, particularly those most at risk, can pursue sustainable development in condition of peace and security. Mr. Chair, The Gambia acknowledge the tangible benefits of strategic partnership that have strengthened institutional capacity, infrastructure, and service delivery. Our experiences shows that development is a collective enterprise, and our shared success depend on multilateral actions that is inclusive, responsive, and attentive to the diverse realities of all nation. As we enter the final five years of the 2030 agenda, let us commit to multilateral solutions that leave no one behind. The committee must continue to serve as a platform where cooperation triumph over division and where our common aspiration find common ground. In conclusion, the Gambia reaffirms our delivering tangible, inclusive, sustainable outcome. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Gambia. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Armenia.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau and wish you all the success. Five years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, this year's theme is both a sobering reminder and a rallying call. Nearly 810 million people remain trapped in extreme poverty. Global hunger is rising again, and debt servicing in developing countries reached an unprecedented 1.4 trillion in 2024. At the same time, climate impacts are intensifying and biodiversity loss continues at an alarming pace. These realities underscore the urgency of decisive action and collective solutions rooted in solidarity, equity, and renewed multilateralism. Armenia remains fully committed to the 2030 agenda by advancing policies that invest in human capital, ensure inclusive education and universal health coverage, build resilient social protection systems, accelerate green and digital transformation, strengthen democratic governance and promote gender equality and empowerment of women in alignment with the SDGs. Digital transformation is also the center of national priorities with efforts focused on expanding digital services, enhancing connectivity, and supporting innovation for inclusive and sustainable growth. As both a landlocked developing and a middle-income country, Armenia has consistently underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation to support countries in special situations. In this regard, the AVASA Programme of Action provides a critical framework for guiding international support, while the full implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement along with the elaboration of the program on transit for landlocked developing countries, remains essential to lowering trade costs and advancing the effective participation of LLDCs in international trade. We are confident that the full opening of transport communications in our region and with neighboring countries will unlock new opportunities for economic growth, dialogue, and people-to-people contacts, thereby contributing to broader stability and prosperity. The implementation of the Crossroads of Peace initiative, together with its integral trip connectivity project, will play a central role in advancing those objectives. We thank the partner countries that have already welcomed this vision and look forward to further support in making it a reality. Special attention should be given to development prospects of middle-income countries, which remains constrained by persistent vulnerabilities. Addressing these challenges requires fair access to financing beyond GDP per capita, a stronger UN development system that moves from policy advice to practical support, and an international cooperation framework that reflects the multidimensional vulnerabilities of MICs. And in this regard, the elaboration of strategic plan of action for MICs is of particular importance, and Termini is committed to advancing this process. The financial gap remains a significant barrier for most countries in achieving sustainable development. Building on the outcome of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, it is essential to accelerate reforms of the international financial architecture to expand affordable and long-term financing, address debt vulnerabilities, and strengthen inclusive international tax cooperation. And of course, its impact will depend on timely and coherent implementation on all levels, national, regional and global. The distinctive, distinctive, mountainous terrain and ecosystems of Armenia place climate action among our national and international priorities. As incoming presidency of biodiversity COP17, Armenia advocates integrating climate resilience and environmental protection across all policy frameworks, while recognizing that the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification underscore the value of fostering complementarity among the Rio Conventions and encouraging constructive exchanges between the conferences of the parties. Looking ahead to COP17 in 2016, Armenia's presidency will place the global review of collective progress under the upcoming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the center, making it inclusive, transparent and action-oriented. so that it guides timely course corrections and strengthens synergies with climate action before 2030. We will also prioritize closing the biodiversity finance gap by mobilizing new and predictable resources and ensuring direct access for developing countries, indigenous peoples, and local communities. In parallel, we will advance the operationalization of the new arrangements on the Article 8j so that the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples meaningfully shape decision-making. Armenia stands ready to work with all partners to make COP17 in Yerevan a milestone in turning ambition into implementation. Mr. Chair, as we approach the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, there is a need for a reinvigorated multilateral system that is more effective, inclusive, and capable of meeting the challenges of our time. In this context, the SDG's UN 80 initiatives should aim to strengthen coherence across the UN development system and wider agenda, enabling accelerated action that complements rather than substitutes our national and collective efforts. They must also safeguard the provision of vital development assistance, which remains indispensable for countries in special situation and for ensuring that no one is left behind and Armenia remains committed to engaging constructively in the spirit of solidarity and equality to advance solutions that deliver meaningful progress for present and future generations I thank you.

I thank his Excellency the permanent representative of Armenia I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Dear Chair, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment. The United Kingdom looks forward to working with you and the Second Committee Bureau. We feel encouraged by the strong support we have heard during this general debate for accelerating delivery of the SDGs. We have discussed many issues in depth over the past couple of years, and now we need to focus on implementing the actions we have agreed in the pact for the future and outcomes from CSW, FFD4, UN Oceans Conference, CDS4, and the conferences on least developed and landlocked developing countries, and also for the social development summit coming up. This year's second committee is therefore an opportunity to build on these. and to strengthen how we work together to deliver the SDGs by 2030. In this year's resolutions, we must maintain commitment to the SDG framework, climate and nature action, gender equality, and how finance and technology can best serve the needs of developing countries. On finance, in the Compromiso de Sevilla, the international community agreed to a new chapter in how we finance development and growth for the next decade and beyond. We, as the UK, are focused on implementing the FFD4 outcomes with all of you, so we can build a fairer, more inclusive, and future-fit global financial system, one which empowers developing countries to finance their own development, climate, and nature goals sustainably, attract investment for growth and jobs, and reduce reliance on aid. Our second committee discussion should protect and progress those ambitions. We are also calling for an ambitious 17th replenishment of the African development fund to support that, and we are proud to be hosting the pledging conference this December in London. On unilateral economic measures linked to this area, for us, expanding past agenda 2030 language would be an issue, so we wanted to put that on the table. On climate and nature, the UK is committed to tackling the climate and nature crisis. We have announced an ambitious and credible NDC target to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035. And we call on others to join us in announcing ambitious NDCs to deliver a strong COP30. As the Paris Agreement turns 10 this year, we must continue to deliver on its goals, transition away from fossil fuels, limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees, scale up climate and nature finance from all sources, and implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In Second Committee, we will continue to advocate for high ambition and counter attempts to weaken climate and nature commitments. For us also, expanding the definition of common but differentiated responsibilities remains an issue. Gender equality is an area we remain committed to, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights. We will continue to protect our collective progress, which is essential for a stronger and safer world and sustainable development for all. We will also counter any attempts that are made in the committee to roll back or weaken gender or SRHR language. On technology and AI, the UK is committed to partnering with low and middle income countries to build AI capabilities and ensure the benefits can be widely shared to address critical development challenges and foster growth. The UN is well placed to support this through its information sharing and capacity building. We acknowledge the widespread calls for transfer of knowledge and technology to support sustainable development, and we reiterate the need for that to be done on voluntary and mutually agreed terms. On UN development system reform, the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative is a critical opportunity to reform how we deliver development and ramp up progress so we can move quicker in the next five years. We must ensure that this year's operational activities resolution builds on last year's QCPR, and that those resolutions together can help to ensure that the development system provides better support to host Governments and communities in their efforts to meet the SDGs. Also, across the committee, we have the opportunity to ensure that the process is more efficient, that we limit programme budget implications given real financial restrictions, that we ensure tight linkages with CPC agreements and 5C discussions later this year, that we reduce duplication or expansion of resolutions, and that we rigorously consider 2C revitalization in line with broader GA revitalization. We need to urgently make this committee one that can translate words into the mandate and impetus to drive real-world impact. So in closing, to conclude, as the UN turns 80 at the time of significant global instability, there is a need for genuine reform, urgent action and a partnership approach. With 2030 rapidly approaching, it is ever more important that we work together to deliver for those most in need, and we look forward to doing that with you during this committee season.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. I now give the floor to the Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa.

Thank you, Chair. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the Bureau on your election and wish you well for the forthcoming session. South Africa aligns itself with the statements made by the Group of 77 as well as the Africa Group. Chairperson, the promise of sustainable development is slipping from our reach. More than 85% of the goals are currently off track. Climate crisis deepens the problems and inflicts severe losses, particularly across Africa. War is causing massive loss of life, displacing millions and creating humanitarian catastrophes. The progress and economic dynamism for emerging economies is being undermined by new shocks to global trade patterns, causing disruption and chaos. This is a moment when we should harness the abundant resources we collectively possess, the remarkable technologies that human ingenuity has produced, and the multilateral solutions we have devised, such as the 2030 Agenda and civil commitments, to overcome poverty and inequality, unemployment, and especially amongst women, and to do this once and for all. We must not waver. We must redouble our efforts to foster inclusive human rights-based sustainable growth models, without which we will not achieve the SDGs. Chairperson, this year South Africa has the honour to preside over the G20, the first time an African country has chaired the group, under the theme solidarity, equality, sustainability. We recognize that through solidarity, we can create an inclusive future centered on people that reflects our shared humanity in our interconnected world, where the challenges faced by one nation impact all nations. We recognize that equality is underpinned by fair treatment and equal opportunities for all individuals, and nations, regardless of their economic status, gender, race, geographic location, or any other characteristic. During our presidency of the G20, we have placed Agenda 2030 front and centre. South Africa has used its G20 presidency to bring to the fore the needs, aspirations, and ambitions of Africa and the Global South. Chairperson, the world cannot stand by and watch as rising debt service costs crowd our development for generations to come. South Africa has prioritised using its G20 presidency to confront the debt challenge in a manner that is effective, sustainable and just. We have appointed an Africa expert group to develop recommendations that the G20 can take towards lower cost of capital. We have been focusing on practical solutions to achieve debt sustainability, such as improving the G20 common framework to enable timely and adequate debt restructuring. Chairperson, another of South Africa's priorities for its G20 presidency has been to harness critical minerals for inclusive growth and development. As mineral extraction accelerates to match the needs of energy, climatic and technological transitions, We commit to ensure that the countries and the local communities endowed with these resources are the ones to benefit the most. We recognize the potential for critical minerals as an engine for growth and development in Africa in particular. We have championed the G20 Critical Minerals Framework, which is a voluntary, non-binding cooperative blueprint to ensure that critical mineral resources become a driver for shared prosperity and sustainable development. South Africa further calls for taking forward the recommendations of the 2024 report of the UN Secretary-General's Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals to accomplish this end. Chairperson, one of the greatest impediments to growth, development and stability is the persistence of inequality within and between countries. The pursuit of SDG 10 is as much an economic imperative as it is a social imperative. As part of the G20 presidency, of its G20 presidency, South Africa has launched an extraordinary committee of independent experts on global wealth inequality, chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz. The Committee will deliver the first ever report on global inequality to G20 leaders since its inception. The experts will report on the state of wealth and income inequality, its impact on growth, poverty and multilateralism, and present a menu of effective solutions for leaders. Chairperson, through the G20 Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development, we are determined to ensure that the transformative potential of artificial intelligence is harnessed through policies and regulation that maximises its unprecedented economic and social opportunities for sustainable development and innovation. Chair, distinguished delegates, just when we need it most, the multilateral system and the 2030 Agenda is being tested. This is a moment when we should be standing together, fully united, to resolve the problems that confront humanity, that are causing such hardship and misery amongst many people around the world. Let us work together at this session and over the next five years to shape a new paradigm of multilateral cooperation to deliver the 2030 Agenda. I thank you.

Thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Tajikistan align itself with the statement delivered by the Distinguished Representative of Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. I congratulate you, Mr. Chair, and the Bureau on your election, and assure you of Tajikistan's full support throughout this session. Mr. Chair, the 2025 SDG report presents a sobering picture. Only 35% of targets are on track. At this pace, we risk missing the promise of the 2030 agenda. This is not merely a statistic. It is a call to action. It demands urgency, unity, and renewed trust in multilateralism. The path for the future remind us that global challenges demand global solutions. As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, let this milestone to be a turning point from words to implementation, from commitment to impact, from vision to reality. Mr. Chair, allow me in this regard to share three following priorities of Tajikistan for this session. Water. Tajikistan, a mountainous and landlocked developing country, rich in fresh water, will continue to advance the global water agenda. Through the Dushanbe Water Process and the International Water Action Decade, we will mobilize government, scientists, civil society, and youth to turn commitments into results. Next year, Dushanbe Water Process Conference will serve as a pivotal milestone towards the 2026 UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal. We look forward to working closely with them to review progress since 2023, strengthen commitments, and advance an integrated approach linking water, climate, energy, food, and ecosystems. Tajikistan also reaffirms its readiness to host the 2028 UN Water Conference in Dushanbe, where we will shape the next chapter of our cooperation, ensuring that water remains at the top of our agenda. Second, climate change and glacier preservation. Climate change remains one of the gravest threats to sustainable development. Its impacts are no longer distant, they are here. And now, this year, glaciers collapse in Switzerland, devastated the village of Blatten, a stark reminder that cryospheric instability knows no borders. For Tajikistan, this is personal. As a water tower of Central Asia, we host about 60% of the region's glaciers. They feed our rivers, power hydropower systems, and sustain our ecosystems. Over the past century, more than 1,300 glaciers have disappeared, reducing about 35% of our glaciers' mass. At the initiative of the President of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, the General Assembly proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers Preservation, and 21st of March as a World Day for Glaciers, establishing a UN trust fund to which Tajikistan made the first contribution, and we invite all partners to support it. In May 2025, we hosted the High-Level Conference on Glaciers Preservation, which adopted the Dushanbe Declaration, an appeal for action. In July this year, together with France, we launched the International Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences, 2025-2034, a partnership of science and solidarity under UNESCO and WMO leadership. These efforts reinforce the global goal on adaptation under the Paris Agreement and build momentum toward COP30 in Brazil. Third, artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence offers vast promise, but only if it is safe, inclusive, and human-centered. Tajikistan adopted Central Asia's first national AI strategy in 2022 to foster education, research, and innovation. On 25th of July 2025, the General Assembly adopted Tajikistan's Tajikistan's initiative, the resolution, the role of artificial intelligence in creating new opportunities for sustainable development in Central Asia. Following this, a regional AI center is being established in Dushanbe to coordinate regional programs, promote research, support startups, and guide responsible AI governance. On 24th, 25th of October 2025, Tajikistan will host the AI Beyond the Heights conference in Dushanbe. It will bring together policymakers, scientists, and UN partners to explore how AI can accelerate the SDGs, particularly in education, health, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction. Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that technology serves as a bridge connecting innovation with inclusion, and progress with a purpose, because AI must never replace human wisdom. It must amplify it. Mr. Chair, as we enter the final five years of the 2030 agenda, we must close the structural gaps that block progress, reforming the international financial architecture, expanding climate and development finance, and ensuring affordable access for landlocked and vulnerable countries. We must invest in women and youth, the true drivers of innovation and resilience, and strengthen South-South and triangular cooperation to share solutions across the Global South. Mr. Chair, Tajikistan's priorities are clear. From the mountains to the minds, from glaciers to algorithms, our message is one of solidarity and shared responsibility. We will act together, we will deliver together, and we will move forward together. I thank you.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Tajikistan. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of San Marino.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of San Marino, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Chair, on your election as a Chair of the Second Committee and to wish you fruitful work. San Marino ensures you full cooperation in all works of the Committee. The coming years will be crucial not only for our future but for that of generations to come. We are meeting at the moment a profound global transformation. The global order is undergoing fundamental shifts, impacting trade, technologies, and international cooperation. In such times, the enduring value of a rules-based multilateral system becomes even more critical. The urgency and uncertainty underpinning the current international context are jeopardizing progress toward sustainable development. San Marino is concerned about the crises that are precluding progress on the SDGs, particularly where terrorism, regional conflicts, acts of aggression are unraveling years of achievements. Sustainable development must remain high on our agenda. The Pact of the for the Future adopted last year is a crucial opportunity to reinvigorate multilateralism and turbocharge the SDGs and the 2030 agenda. We believe that monitoring and evaluating the Pact is a decisive part of its implementation, as it not only enables us to assess progress, identify gaps and make the necessary adjustments, but also helps ensure that our collective commitments lead to tangible results. With the 2030 agenda as our collective roadmap, we must act to reverse the current backslide in implementation of the SDGs. This includes announced mobilization of financial resources from all sources in order to contribute to eradication of poverty, social inclusion, stronger partnership, and a collective commitment to leave no one behind. Financing for sustainable development remains an essential priority. San Marino welcomes the Sevilla commitment adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development concluded in Spain in July, which promotes investment in sustainable development, addresses the debt crisis afflicting many of the world's poorest countries, and gives developing countries a stronger voice in international financing architecture. We need to strengthen a rule-based and equitable financial system that ensures a more effective and inclusive global economic governance. Mr. Chair, we are concerned by the multiple interlinked crises that are pushing our world over the brink, especially developing countries. The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution must remain at the center of the UN agenda. Climate change and environmental degradation lead to increase in stability and conflict, as well as to human suffering, lack of sufficient accessible fresh water. water, food insecurity, internal displacement, and forced migration. An urgent collective action is required to fully implement the Paris Agreement and keep the 1.5 degree Celsius temperature goal within reach. We must accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and ensure a global, just, and inclusive green energy transition. Halting the reversing biodiversity loss and reducing pollution must remain solid priorities of the UN as healthy ecosystems are vital for achieving the SDGs. Malnutrition, unhealthy diets, unsustainable agriculture, and most alarming the threats of famine caused primarily by ongoing conflict and negative consequences of climate change, take a terrible toll on human suffering. Addressing food security must also be at the core of the work of the UN. In this context, San Marino firmly believes that the fight against food loss and waste will contribute to promote food security and welcomes all the initiatives aiming at developing awareness in such responsible behaviors. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, if we want to build inclusive, equitable and peaceful society, it is essential to find new ways of working together and to ensure that multilateral institutions will be able to address the rapid changes taking place. Thank you for your attention.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of San Marino. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Central African Republic.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Allow me to convey my sincere congratulations on your election to the chairmanship of the Second Committee. The CAR aligns itself with the statements made by Guinea-Bissau on behalf of the African Group and Iraq for the G77 and China. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, allow me to begin with a few questions. Have we really upheld the promise made in 2015? to leave no nation, no person behind? Have we built an economy that serves the people as well as the planet, or have we let growth increase the gap between privilege and poverty? Have we assumed sustainability as a shared responsibility, or is it a mere slogan repeated in international conferences, whereas reality paints a different picture? The truth, ladies and gentlemen, is that the Sustainable Development Goals were not meant to be mere symbols of hope They were a plan for transpiration, a call to end poverty and justice and inequality through the force of solidarity, science, and collective responsibility. Yet, only five years away from the deadline of 2030, it is clear that progress remains uneven. Too many nations are still trapped in debt, and the imperative of development is hampered by climate vulnerability. as well as weaknesses in global governance. The pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and other processes have slowed our momentum. Yet only five years away from 2030, we must recognize that we are trapped in a painful paradox. Never has humanity been as wealthy, and yet never have inequalities been as glaring. The progress made in certain areas hides deep divisions. Just 1% of humanity holds more than 50% of global wealth. And in many countries, youth, women, and rural populations continue to bear the brunt of economic and social marginalization. The pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and the monetization of power have deepened this divide. It is not only an economic matter, it is a matter of justice. For the Central African Republic, the SDGs have always represented a promise of inclusion. In 2013, our country was going through one of the gravest crises since its independence, one that led to destruction of institutions and displacement of populations. In 2015, when the SDGs were adopted, we were still in the process of rebuilding our state and restoring human destiny. We were under economic sanctions and embargoes for over 10 years. It was almost as if the international community had forgotten its promise of peace and development. However, we chose the path of national reconciliation and We have based our further development plans on the SDGs. Our current development plan involves fighting inequality, education for all, good governance, decentralization, and equality of opportunity. We have also begun a historic process of decentralization with a local elections plan for 2025 for the end of the year. This is the first holding of local elections in three decades. We are seeking to strengthen institutions and implement SDG 16 for peace, justice, and strong institutions. We have learned that development is not a favor, it is a partnership, and that partnership is something that cannot be based on dependence. It must be based on mutual respect. That is why we welcome the Casablanca roundtable held in the Kingdom of Morocco in the framework of South-South cooperation. These exchanges have attracted investment, mobilized regional partnerships, and strengthened a vision of human-centered development. We deeply believe that South-South and triangular cooperation is necessary as an antidote to the imbalance between the North and the South. We have seen that the real obstacle is not a lack of political will, it's the weaponization of financing. Too often, financing and assistance become tools of political pressure, which undermines the very principle of solidarity and undermines the trust of the people of the South in the multilateral system. How do we achieve the SDGs if financing is conditional on other aspects? How do you build a fair world when access to resources depends on politics rather than human needs? It is in this spirit that the CAR welcomes the Pact for the Future, meant to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and to revive our collective ambition for a more effective, inclusive, and results-focused multilateralism. The Central African Republic also welcomes the severe commitment adopted at the fourth international conferences on financing for development, as well as the OASIS program for landlocked developing states. These frameworks are signs of progress, but they must translate into concrete action, reforming the financial architecture, addressing debt for vulnerable countries, creating innovative, accessible funding mechanisms, and strengthening transparency and predictability of partnerships. The CAR will continue to mobilize its national and regional resources, but those efforts will not be enough without multilateral support. We must build a global economy that benefits the people, not one of privilege. We have five years ahead of us to save the promise made in 2015. We are not lacking wealth or solutions. We are lacking collective determination. We must invest at scale in education, ensure universal access to health care, promote decent green jobs, and reestablish trust in international institutions, transparency and justice. Only in this way can we bring meaning back to the 2030 agenda. The future will not be determined by those who have the most resources, but those who have the most determination. We are resolutely committed to continuing to defending peace, sustainable development as pillars of an equitable world, because a world that leaves even one people behind is condemned to injustice. I thank you.

I thank His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Central African Republic. I now give the floor to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, at the outset, I wish to congratulate you, Mr. Chair, and members of the Bureau on your respective election. I assure you of my delegation's full support and cooperation throughout this session. I align my statement with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 in China, LLDCs, and wish to deliver the following remarks in my national capacity. Mr. Chair, we convene at a defining moment of stark global economic, environmental, and development realities. With just five years remaining to achieve the Agenda 2030, only 35% of the SDGs are on track. A multitude of overlapping crises from climate disasters, poverty, and unemployment, to economic and digital divides, debt distress, chronic conflicts, and global financial uncertainty have magnified the risk of reversing hard-won development gains. The financing gap for development exceeds USD 4 trillion annually, making it even more difficult for poorer nations, such as LDCs, to meet their SDG targets. Official development assistance is declining at a time when it is needed the most. Our fair, just, and rules-based global trade regime is weakening. FDI in developing countries, especially LDCs, is sharply declining. It is sobering that one in 10 people worldwide still lives in extreme poverty. Hunger, malnutrition, and inequality are rising in many countries. These figures are more than statistics. They reflect missed opportunities to unlock the transformative potential of human capital, technology, and global partnership for shared growth, equity, and prosperity. And addressing these challenges requires strategic multilateral solutions. And as the UN embarks on its 80th anniversary, with renewed vitality. It is a moment for collective action, solidarity, and a revitalized spirit of cooperation to accelerate sustainable development. Mr. Chair, for a landlocked and least developed country like Nepal, the impacts of global challenges are even more daunting and multifaceted. Climate change poses a severe threat to our fragile mountain ecosystems. As a country highly dependent on agriculture, erratic weather patterns and glacier retreat are already affecting lives and livelihoods. Rising global food and energy prices combined with inflationary pressures and economic shocks further undermine our development gains. Limited transport connectivity and high trade cost continue to restrict our access to global markets and supply chains. At the same time, the digital divide, growing youth unemployment, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic place additional strain on our already limited institutional capacities. Amidst these challenges, Nepal has made significant progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achieving SDGs. Our overall progress in 17 SDGs pillars stands at over 31%, slightly lower than the global average. Poverty has fallen from 25% in 2011 to a little over 20% in 2023. The maternal mortality and child mortality have been reduced to 142 and 23 for 100,000 and 1,000 live births respectively. Over 96% of households now have access to electricity. there has been growing progress in other socioeconomic spheres. Mr. Chair, I wish to underscore a few priorities for impactful action. First, we must extend them global partnerships, scale up development financing, and frame time-bound strategies for achieving SDGs goals with effective means of implementation. Investing in essential public goods such as health, education, ICTs, and infrastructure development remains instrumental to accelerate progress towards SDGs. We must stress the swift and effective implementation of the Saviya commitment for catalyzing investment for sustainable development. For countries like Nepal facing multiple and compounding challenges, sustained and predictable ODA remains crucial to support recovery, strengthen resilience, and accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals. We appreciate those developed countries that have fulfilled their official development assistance commitments, and we call upon others to honor their pledges. We must also make greater use of South-South and triangular cooperation, which serve as important complements to traditional development assistance. Addressing debt distress, mobilizing private finance, enhancing aid for trade, and strengthening the institutional, human, and technological capacity for domestic resource mobilization are critical to ensuring sustainable and inclusive development. Second, ambitious climate action and financing are imperative. The Baku to Belm roadmap to $1.3 trillion must ensure scaling up and financing and tripling grant-based support by 2030 with robust accountability. We need to align our NDCs with 1.5 degree centigrade pathway while prioritizing early operationalization of the loss and damage fund with transparency, accessibility, and predictability. We urge all parties to uphold their commitments under the Paris Agreement and to implement the ICJ advisory opinion effectively. Third, leveraging digital and emerging technologies is indispensable for transforming development, efficient public service delivery, innovation, entrepreneurship, and new startups. Technologies should foster inclusion, growth, and prosperity by connecting economies, regions, and peoples, rather than dividing them. We look forward to engaging constructively in the Wish is plus 20 review process on digital architecture, including digital economy, artificial intelligence, data governance and digital public infrastructure to build a people centric, inclusive and resilient information society. Fourth, revitalizing multilateralism under the UN's stewardship, reforming the global financial architecture and reinforcing a fair rules based WTO trade regime are vital. Achieving these reforms requires a strong political will, commitment and tangible action on the ground. These overdue reforms health, safe, adjust, inclusive, accountable, and democratic global governance vital for transforming SDG's goals into lived realities of our people. In closing, Mr. Chair, as you approach the final years toward 2030, our goal couldn't be clearer, to deliver results through action and progress through partnership. Nepal reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 agenda and to rebuilding a future where peace endures, prosperity, tribes and people enjoy dignity and freedom. I thank you.

I thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Republic of Korea.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation would like to congratulate the incoming Bureau on your election and also thank the outgoing Bureau for your dedicated work. The Republic of Korea stands ready to fully support the Bureau in ensuring a successful session. Distinguished delegates, we meet today at a moment of both urgency and opportunity. The international community is navigating one of the most turbulent periods in recent history. Geopolitical rivalries, fragile macroeconomic conditions, and the intensifying climate crisis weigh heavily on all of us. With only five years left to 2030, it's deeply concerning that barely one-third of SDGs show meaningful progress. These stark realities remind us of a simple truth: no country can face today's complex challenges alone. At the same time that overlapping crises are widening development gaps, development financing is under severe strain. According to OECD, the annual financing gap for the SDGs could reach 6.4 trillion US dollars by 2030. Against this backdrop, the International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville occurred at an important juncture. Through candid dialogue and carefully negotiated outcome, the conference could sustain momentum for multilateral development cooperation. We also welcome the 2030 Pact for Effective Development Cooperation, which was launched at the conference as a roadmap to maximize development impact. Mr. Chair, Korea is fully committed to the implementation of the outcome document, Compromiso de Sevilla. Just last week in Seoul, and only three months after the conference, the 8th Busan Global Partnership Forum convened under the theme, Development Effectiveness, Partnerships for the Future and Pathways to Inclusive Growth. The forum reaffirmed the global partnership for effective development cooperation as a vital platform for inclusive dialogue, evidence-based monitoring, and mutual accountability. Furthermore, Korea is committed to enhancing its quality of development cooperation by sharpening our strategic focus and improving effectiveness. In this regard, Korea would like to highlight three priorities. First, impactful and high-quality development cooperation that delivers tangible outcomes for the people. Second, mutually beneficial partnership with the recipient countries as trusted partners in achieving sustainable growth. Third, integrated approaches where ODA serves as a catalyst to mobilise private resources from business, civil society and beyond. In parallel, Korea is also committed to addressing the climate crisis. Korea will pursue a great energy transition leveraging science, technology, and digital innovation to increase energy efficiency and expand the share of renewable energy. We will also submit our nationally determined contribution before the end of this year, joining the united will of the international community. Colleagues, Korea also attaches great importance to the UN80 initiatives and looks forward to their contribution in ensuring that the UN's development related activities are carried out with more effectiveness and efficiency. We hope that UN80 will provide an opportunity to institutionalize a culture of efficiency across UN development system. In this context, we trust that the working method of the Second Committee will also be strengthened and streamlined, ensuring that our collective efforts will help make the UN more agile and fit for purpose. Moreover, in line with the recent resolution on the revitalization of the General Assembly, we believe the Second Committee's working method should further focus on minimizing duplication, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring the effective delivery of its mandates. Mr. Chair, for eight years, the UN has charted a course for sustainable development and led the response to the global challenges that threaten the well-being of humanity. What unites our efforts is the conviction that solidarity, coexistence, and cooperation are not abstract ideals, but guiding principles, especially in moments of crisis. Korea will continue to fulfill its responsibility as a reliable partner, firmly upholding the values of freedom, inclusiveness and solidarity that the UN embodies. We remain committed to working closely with all Member States and to engaging constructively in the work of the Second Committee. I thank you.

thank his Excellency the deputy permanent representative of Republic of Korea I now give the floor to the deputy permanent representative of Namibia

thank you chair I wish to congratulate you and members of your Bureau on your election be rest assured of Namibia support during our deliberations Namibia aligns itself for the statement was delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. This year's second committee has adopted as its theme, five years to 2030, multilateral solutions for sustainable development. This is a timely theme as we gear up efforts to accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals, which is our shared commitment. We know that progress is uneven and in some areas reversing. No country can course correct alone. Therefore, we need more, not less, multilateralism. A multilateralism that is effective and equitable for enhanced international cooperation and shared prosperity. As we reflect on the path ahead, we know that the gap between ambition and resources has widened. To address this challenge, we need to reform the global financial architecture to work for countries at all income levels, including those classified as upper middle income, but still face structural vulnerabilities, high inequality, and climate shocks. This requires addressing systematic constraints that hinder development. First, on debt and financing development. Middle-income countries, including Namibia, face rising debt burdens, not because of irresponsible borrowing, but due to limited access to concessional finance that seems to be skewed in favour of developed countries. In addition, the growing impacts of climate change and disasters have put a heavy burden on national budgets. Therefore, debt sustainability assessments must reflect climate and nature-related risks. Without reform, many vulnerable economies will continue to carry an unfair load. We call for scaled-up concessional financing, including for climate and SDG investments. We also call for the re-channeling of special drawing rights, including through multilateral development banks, debt relief, and the restructuring linked to climate-resilient development and a bigger, better, fairer multilateral development banking system that crowds in private investment at reasonable risk and cost. Second, on resilience and climate action, Namibia has supported international initiatives towards conservation and has ensured that a vast part of its land is under some form of conservation to ensure sustainability and shared prosperity, including for future generations. We are happy to announce that we have submitted our bid to host the Anglophone African Regional Office for the Green Climate Fund. Namibia supports the replenishment of the Lost and Damaged Fund to provide financing to climate-vulnerable developing countries. For Namibia, energy transition is an opportunity. Namibia is advancing green industrialization, including the development of green hydrogen, critical minerals, and renewable power, anchored in strong environmental and social safeguards. Energy security is critical for development. In this regard, Namibia has an energy mix and plans to include nuclear energy in its future. We welcome partnerships to further enhance our technological capacity, skills development, and ensure local value addition for decent jobs and benefits for communities. In addition, Namibia is pursuing economic transformation by diversifying its economy in the oil and gas, mining, energy, agriculture, and tourism sectors, amongst others. These efforts are guided by the country's sixth national development plan, which is closely aligned with the SADC's Vision 2050, African Union's Agenda 2063, and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Third, on multilateral cooperation and implementation of the SDGs. Namibia welcomes the adoption of the Savi Commitment at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which provides a renewed framework to strengthen cooperation and mobilize resources for sustainable development. In the spirit of international cooperation, we welcome the adoption by the UN General Assembly of Resolution 79/329 on cooperation between the UN and the AU which amongst others has called for the UN and its agencies to support Africa's development priorities, including in the areas of infrastructure development, agriculture, and manufacturing through cooperation with the AU development agency, NEPAD. We therefore emphasize that North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation remain important frameworks through which greater development can be attained. on human capital development and inclusion. We believe that development is about people. Namibia's priorities for human development include youth empowerment, quality education and training, quality healthcare and social welfare, sports development, the creative industry, agricultural development, and the provision of adequate service land, housing, and sanitation. We support international cooperation to close the digital divide to ensure safe, affordable connectivity so that our young people can create and compete in the global economy on equal footing. The equal balance between men and women remains a cross-cutting priority. Empowering women and girls is one of the most cost-effective SDG accelerators. Finally, to deliver an Agenda 2030, We need to ensure ownership of the actions encapsulated in the Pact for the Future at the national, regional, and international levels. Let us therefore not miss this.

I thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of Namibia. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Kenya.

Thank you, Chair. Allow me to start by congratulating you, Ambassador Amin Dippa, on your election to chair the Second Committee during this important 80th session of the General Assembly. We assure you and your bureau of Kenya's full support during your tenure. We also join other delegations in expressing our appreciation to the outgoing Chair and the Bureau of their stellar leadership during the concluded 79th session. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Group of 77 and China and by the African Group, and wishes to add the following few remarks in our national capacity. Mr. Chair, The theme of this session, Five Years to 2030: Multilateral Solutions for Sustainable Development, reminds us of the urgency of our work. With only five years remaining, global progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda remains alarmingly subpar, with only 35% of the SDG indicators on track. while 18% are in a regression. Kenya, thereby, wishes to highlight a few key priorities that will guide our engagement during this committee's deliberations. First, on climate change. Climate change remains not only the defining threat of our era, but also a transformative opportunity to reset our development trajectory. Global Stocktake has made it clear that the world is far off course. Yet, as reaffirmed during the second Africa Climate Summit held in Addis Ababa last month, Kenya and Africa are no longer a passive subject of this crisis. The African continent is showing determination to build a resilient society by embedding climate-conscious solutions across all sectors, from agriculture and energy to infrastructure, mining, and artificial intelligence. However, Kenya, Africa's ambition by itself is not enough. Implementing our new nationally determined contribution will require approximately $56 billion US. We therefore join fair or developing countries in urging the international community to unlock the 300 billion US dollars preached at Baku and to accelerate negotiations towards the $1.3 trillion goal under the Baku Perem roadmap. Without predictable, affordable finance, the promise of global climate action and Africa's critical contribution will remain constrained. Second, on the reform of the international financial architecture and follow-up to FFT4, Kenya welcomes the adoption of the Sefuel commitment at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held in July 2025. We reiterate that timely and full implementation of the Sefuel commitment is crucial in order to limit the deep imbalance within the current global financial architecture. The current structure, it is rules, priorities, and allocation mechanisms are too often we have a wealthy nations while constraining vulnerable developing economies in circles of sustainable debt, high borrowing costs, and inadequate access to critical liquidity. Informed by the Rome Ministerial Declaration on Sovereign Debt adopted by African Union in May 2025, my delegation will support Full backing to efforts aimed at operationalizing the POA platform as an efficient in the severe commitment. Continue to urge multilateral development banks to scale up concession of finance, leverage special drawing rights more effectively, and align lending with sustainable development priorities. Reaffirm the continued relevance of official development assistance, particularly for achieving the SDGs, and advocate for enhanced international cooperation and support to vulnerable developing nations to strengthen their domestic resource mobilization and cap illicit financial flows. Mr. Chair, this committee has a core role in shaping the pace and progress towards 2030 agenda on many more and domains, ranging from food systems transformation to trade, industrialization, and harnessing the potential of African Continental Free Trade Area. Kenya, however, wishes to underscore one cross-cutting enabler that will define success across all these domains. That is science, technology, and innovation. While STIs offers unparalleled opportunities for development, it also portends new challenges and new risks. It is imperative, therefore, for us to strengthen international cooperation and gender more inclusive, more open, and more equitable collaboration in development-oriented science, technology, and innovation. As one of the co-facilitators of WSIS+20 review process, Kenya urges member states to use the upcoming negotiations and the upcoming WSIS+20 summit scheduled to be held in December 2025 to secure an ambitious outcome that will enhance digital inclusion, in alignment with the Global Digital Compact and Agenda 2030 in general. Mr. Chair, Kenya stands ready to work constructively with all Member States to ensure that our deliberations in this Committee yield tangible, forward-looking outcomes that contribute to a sustainable, fairer, more resilient, and prosperous world for all. I thank you.

I thank His Excellency, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Kenya. I now give the floor to His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Dominican Republic.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At the outset, allow me to congratulate you, Ambassador Diba, on your election to the chair of the Bureau of the Second Committee. I also congratulate the other members of the Bureau. We also wish to acknowledge the Bureau members from the previous session and the arduous work they did. We align ourselves with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China. as well as with the statement made by Palau on behalf of AOSIS and that made by Morocco on behalf of the Middle Income Countries Group. Mr. Chairman, we are at a decisive juncture. 2030 is rapidly drawing near and with it there is an urgent need to honor the promises that we made a decade ago with the adoption of the Agenda for Sustainable Development. Five years seems very little time indeed, but they are sufficient if we act decisively with solidarity and a sense of urgency The current context is one marked by multiple interrelated crises: economic, social, environmental and geopolitical crises. All of these have laid bare the fragile nature of our collective progress. Developing nations continue to disproportionately weather the effects of climate change, over-indebtedness, food insecurity and the digital divide. For the Dominican Republic, these are challenges which are deeply personal. We are a vulnerable developing country located at the heart of the Caribbean. There, the climate threat and our level of exposure to extreme natural phenomena are daily realities. Consequently, we once again reaffirm the need for the international community to recognize and effectively address the multidimensional vulnerabilities that determine our possibilities for development. We wish to take this opportunity to once again express our concern at the delays in appointing the advisory panel of independent experts for the Human Vulnerability Index. And we request that these panel members be elected as soon as possible so that they can support the resolute adoption and implementation of the multidimensional vulnerability index, the MVI. The goal is to ultimately allow fairer access to financial resources and to international cooperation. The MVI is also a pathway to comprehensive development. We reiterate the important need to bear in mind complementary measures in addition to measuring GDP. These additional measures really genuinely reflect the real cost of economic growth and can enable properly focused recommendations to help development. Mr. Chairman, the Cevier commitment was the outcome of the fourth international conference on financing for development. It provides us with an opportunity to make progress towards an international financial architecture which is more transparent, equitable, and development focused. We hope that these severe commitments will translate into concrete actions which will alleviate the debt burden, broaden concessional financing, and guarantee effective access to predictable resources with innovative mechanisms and better technical cooperation. Moreover, The Antigua and Barbuda agenda for small island developing States is crucial. It is a roadmap to bolster resilience and sustainable growth in our communities. It recognizes the need to invest in sustainability for the well-being of future generations. The effective implementation of that agenda requires renewed commitment on the part of the international community as a whole and adequate financing, which can turn promises into results. Mr. Chairman, the Dominican Republic does not have the privilege of ignoring the existential threat that is climate change. The three-pronged planetary crisis is an undeniable reality for our country and one that's completely visible in the form of the invasive sargassum on our coast that directly affects public health and well-being. It is vital that we ultimately limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius And it's vital that we uphold climate financing commitments to allow proper mitigation and adaptation and to respond to loss and damage in a more effective and efficient way. We cannot allow progress to be undone on climate action, nor can we allow narratives which weaken the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and the notion of respective capacities being borne in mind. Digital inclusion and access to online information are both crucial to guarantee that no one is left behind. The Dominican Republic remains committed to continuing to invest in digital infrastructure and capacity building programs to meet the needs of our communities and narrow the digital divide once and for all. The ITCs play a crucial role in the management and conservation of our natural resources. They help monitoring water quality and the effective management of energy is just two examples that serves to reduce our environmental impact and provide for a more sustainable future. To achieve those goals, transition towards just energy and universal access to clean technologies must become an accessible, affordable reality for all countries. Chair. We are standing at an increasingly complex global crossroads. At this time, we must harness effective altruism and step up our efforts to contribute to an international economic order which is more inclusive, fairer, and more sustainable, an order in which no country is left behind. The Dominican Republic reiterates its commitment to human-focused development, development which promotes equity, resilience and sustainability. In this second committee, we will work in a constructive spirit to garner consensuses which can strengthen our collective work and restore trust in the multilateral system. You have the full support of my delegation. to ensure that we have fruitful discussions which reflect hope, solidarity, and common responsibilities. Thank you.

His Excellency, the Permanent Representative of Dominican Republic. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Jordan.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chair of the Second Committee. during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. I would also like to congratulate the vice-chairs and the rapporteur, and I wish them all success. My country associates itself with the statements made by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and wishes to make the following statement in our national capacity. The theme of This session is Five Years to 2030: Multilateral Solutions for Sustainable Development. Jordan is committed to joint action and multilateral cooperation to achieve sustainable development at the global, regional, and national levels. Our commitment is based on documented achievements and a national vision that is in line with the 2030 Agenda. Faced with unprecedented challenges and under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan has embarked on a three-pronged reform process that aims to reform the economic and political systems and public sector administration so that we can move forward on a balanced development path to achieve well-being for all. Through the vision of economic modernization, Jordan seeks to achieve the dual goal of accelerating growth by using its full economic potential and improving the quality of life for all citizens on the one hand, while maintaining sustainability as a cornerstone of our vision on the other hand. The modernization of the political system seeks to achieve tangible progress in parliamentary work through party programs. The roadmap for public sector modernization puts Jordan on a path to decentralization, to strengthen local authorities and digitalize services in order to achieve comprehensive and sustainable local development and enhance citizen participation. Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues. Through the National Council for the Technologies of the Future and through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, the government of Jordan is attaching great importance to digital transformation and artificial intelligence. In this context, the 2023-2027 National Strategic Plan was launched. It includes 68 projects to advance scientific research, education, and innovation in this field. Jordan has always been a leader in the digital content industry. Around 75% of Arabic content on the internet is created by Jordanians and Jordanian institutions. Regarding digital governance, the Jordanian government has so far digitalized more than 1,500 government services, amounting to 65% of the total services. The goal is to reach 80% by the end of this year. We have also expanded the use of Sanad application, which has become an essential tool to facilitate citizens' access to official services. Colleagues, Jordan has made significant progress in introducing renewable energy sources into the national electricity grid. Renewable energy amounted for 27% of the total electricity generated in the kingdom in 2024. As part of the 2020 to 2030 energy strategy, the government aims to raise this percentage to about 50% by 2030, as we have launched initiatives to support solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects and promote smart grid technologies. The impact of these projects is not limited to meeting local demand. These projects would make Jordan a regional leader in energy trade and electrical connectivity through electrical connectivity agreements with countries of the region. This is a model of regional cooperation that improves the well-being of the peoples of the region. Mr. Chair, the Kingdom has attached utmost importance to food security. The government has approved the National Food Security Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to promote local production and develop smart irrigation and agricultural systems. The government has also established the Food Security Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, as a national framework for coordination between the government, the private sector, and international organizations. This approach seeks to make Jordan a regional center for food security, serving not only its citizens, but the entire region, especially in light of the political, climate, and economic challenges facing the region, and the conflicts facing the region. In addition, Jordan continues to fulfill its humanitarian duty by hosting millions of refugees from the region in cooperation with UNHCR, UNRWA, and relevant UN and regional organizations, All refugees have access to education, health services, and decent living opportunities, despite the significant burden on the national infrastructure. Continuing to fulfill and expand that humanitarian duty requires continued international and UN support to countries hosting refugees. Jordan also contributed to the launch of the Jordanian relief corridor to Gaza, which delivers international support to respond to the urgent needs of our brothers in Gaza in coordination with government institutions, international organizations, and friendly countries. And this constitutes a model of human solidarity, which is a hallmark of the kingdom's policies. Jordan is counting on constructive international cooperation with the United Nations, organizations, and international financial institutions. We're counting on partnerships to support these efforts, to strengthen digital infrastructure, to finance sustainable agriculture projects, to provide adequate resources to support refugees, and to ensure that humanitarian corridors fulfill their purpose without obstructions. In conclusion, Jordan is ready to work constructively with all countries to move from words to concrete action. This would allow us to achieve the 2030 goals for our peoples and to build a society of prosperity, justice, and opportunity for all. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Jordan. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Maldives.

Thank you, Chair. The Maldives aligns with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China, and Palau on behalf of AOSIS. With less than five years left, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains off track. A concentrated multilateral effort is required to bring it back on track. For the Maldives, access to finance, debt sustainability, and investment are more than theoretical concepts. These are issues that need to be addressed for our people to thrive, to build resilience to the climate crisis, to withstand external shocks, to achieve the 2030 agenda. Three things must happen for us to get back on track. First, The Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, ABBAS, must be implemented. ABBAS is the framework by which Small Island Developing States, like the Maldives, can achieve the 2030 Agenda. To bring the 2030 Agenda back on track, ABBAS must be mainstreamed and incorporated into the programmes of the UN and its entities, into the support provided by development partners to SIDS, and most importantly, into the national development plans of SIDS. To do this, all countries, especially those providing ODA, must internalize ABAS and meet its commitments. Second, enhanced access to cutting-edge technology. The global economy has been built on a natural resource-intensive model for decades. However, with the growth of digital economies, from fintech to AI, even the smallest states with the least amount of natural resources can become competitive in the global economy. SIDS, like the Maldives, are already investing in strengthening our digital infrastructures, building greater connectivity, and enhancing digital literacy, especially AI literacy in our countries. However, to fully enable SIDS to leverage AI and digital technology as catalysts for economic development and to accelerate this development, we need the support of the international community. Third, enhance access to finance. Global financial systems need to be transformed. They are unable to provide adequate, accessible, and additional financing. Most developing countries, including the Maldives, spend more on interest payments than on health or education. This is not simply a fiscal issue. Every dollar spent servicing debt is a dollar taken away from a child's classroom, a woman's shelter, or a family's access to health care. Between 2003 and 2023, SIDS issued $36.6 billion in bonds, but will repay $78.7 billion. Had we borrowed at the same rates as the G7 countries, our repayment would have been below $49 billion, freeing nearly $34 billion to invest in schools, hospitals, resilient infrastructure, and in achieving the SDGs. The systemic bias against SIDS must change. It is not only an economic inequity, it is a denial of our people's right to education, health and security. The Maldives has proposed an innovative debt mechanism that convert debt into investments for building resilience. These include conservation and sustainable development commitments, which are aligned with marine protection and increasing the use of renewable energy that shields communities from the impacts of climate change. Such tools are proof that with fairer terms and genuine support, SIDS can reduce debt burdens and create the fiscal space needed to uphold the dignity and rights of their people. To bring the 2030 Agenda back on track, we must look beyond traditional frameworks that address only part of the solution. Access to finance, debt sustainability and sustainable investment must not be an afterthought, but a collective response. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Maldives. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Congo.

Monsieur le President.

Mr. Chairman, at the outset, on behalf of the Congolese delegation, I would like to express our profound gratitude to the members of the Bureau of the Second Committee which you have the honor of presiding. You have Congo's full support as you lead our work, which we are confident will result in meaningful recommendations to address the economic, social, and environmental crises threatening our planet. The Republic of Congo aligns itself with the statements made by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and by Guinea-Bissau, on behalf of the African Group, we would like to make the following additional remarks in our national capacity. Mr. Chairman, in pursuit of human well-being and the flourishing of ecosystems essential to human survival, the UN transitioned from the Millennium Development Goals of 2000 to 2015 to the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015, which will come to term in five years. These noble initiatives continue to face the persistent challenge of financing. Just as the implementation of the MDGs was largely deemed unsatisfactory, we rightly fear that the SDGs may suffer a similar fate unless there is a genuine paradigm shift. That is why implementing the conclusions of the Fourth United Nations Conference on Financing for Development, held this year in Seville, Spain, is essential for the effective realization of the SDGs. In this context of severe financial challenges, the Republic of Congo is pursuing its development efforts through the implementation of its national development plan, which integrates the SDGs, three of which have been identified as priorities and integrative, namely SDG 8, 9, and 11. The implementation of these SDGs with multiplier effects in 2025 has led to improvements in several socioeconomic indicators, including reduced maternal and infant mortality, improved vaccination coverage, increased participation of women in public life, a revival of tourism, expanded banking access and credit availability for the industrial sector. However, investment in development remains limited due to significant challenges in mobilizing both domestic and international financing, which is compounded by the burden of debt. This situation is shared by a number of developing countries, just five years away from the 2030 deadline for the SDGs, which are key to ensuring sustainable living conditions for millions of people in our countries, and which represent an unparalleled contribution to peace. Mr. Chairman, Africa's development, as well as the development of other developing countries, depends on innovative financing mechanisms capable of diversifying economies, ensuring debt sustainability, and combating climate change. The continent's abundant natural resources, far from benefiting its citizens, are often the source of geopolitical tensions. driven by greed and hoarding. Africa thus finds itself torn between its legitimate demand for ownership of its wealth for the benefit of its people and the pursuit of fair trade. We must, therefore, work together with our partners to establish truly win-win strategies work towards fair pricing for our raw materials and promote their local processing in order to generate revenues that can drive genuine development across Africa. The agricultural sector still struggles to feed Africa's population despite the continent having some of the most significant arable land potential on the planet. This sector continues to suffer from unequal market access, unfair trade rules, and subsidies that favor large corporations and hinder growth in the sector. Estimates suggest that nearly $600 billion will be needed by 2030 to transform Africa's food systems. In this area, Congo has launched a protected agricultural zone program which has, through mechanization and the grouping of agricultural actors in developed areas, significantly increased agricultural production. However, our country continues to spend billions of CFA francs annually on food imports. The climate crisis and its devastating consequences are another major obstacle to Africa's development today. It nullifies past and present efforts and jeopardizes our future in a number of sectors. Successive conferences of the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have been held, yet no decisive reversal of trends has been observed. our limited adaptive capacity exposes us to difficult challenges in the future and all of our attempts to mobilize necessary funding remain unsuccessful even though we contribute only about 4% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to its geographic location in the heart of the Congo Basin, one of the world's largest carbon sinks, The Republic of the Congo continues to-- the speaker has been cut off.

-Of Congo. We've had the last speaker on the list for this morning meeting. The committee will reconvene this afternoon 00 PM to continue hearing statements in the general debate. Please consult the live list of speakers for the latest list. The meeting is adjourned.