Second Committee, 8th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session

Distinguished delegates, the eighth meeting of the Second Committee is called to order. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I now invite the Committee to continue its joint deliberations. To continue the joint deliberation of agenda item 16, macroeconomic policy questions, and its sub-items a to h, together with agenda item 17, follow-up and implementation to the outcomes of the international conferences on financing for development. Before we proceed, I would like to remind delegations that the agreed time limit of statements during the joint consideration of agenda items are three minutes for national statement and three minutes for statements by intergovernmental organizations and the United Nations system. The list of speakers has been prepared on this basis, and I intend to implement them strictly, including, as necessary, through automatic deactivation of microphones after the allotted time has elapsed. To assist speakers in time management, a countdown clock will be projected on the screens in the meeting room. The clock on the speech timer will start blinking red to indicate that the speaker has one minute left to conclude his or her statement. Delegations are requested to submit longer versions of their statements by e-mail to estatements@un.org. I thank speakers in advance for your cooperation. With these comments, I now call on the first speaker on my list, the distinguished representative of the Philippines. The Philippines, the floor is yours. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Vice Chair.

The Philippines aligns with the statements delivered by the Group of 77 and China and ASEAN.

We speak today in strong support of the implementation of the Seville Commitment, adopted at the Fourth.

International Conference on Financing for Development.

This renewed global financing framework addresses the interconnected challenges across the Committee's agenda.

Allow us to briefly address the macroeconomic policy questions at this session. First, on international trade and development, we reaffirm that trade must remain a vital engine for inclusive growth. The Seville commitment rightly calls for an open, rules-based, non-discriminatory trading system.

That supports sustainable development and better integrates developing countries in global value chains. Second, the international financial system must be reformed to be more inclusive and representative.

We echo calls for increased voice and participation of developing countries in global financial institutions.

And for MDBs to lower borrowing costs and scale up long-term financing. Third, external debt sustainability remains urgent.

The Philippines supports the call in the severe commitment for transparent and fair debt treatment mechanisms.

Including debt for development and climate swaps, especially for vulnerable middle-income countries.

Fourth, on commodities, we highlight the need to.

Support value addition, reduce exposure to price volatility, and invest in sustainable commodity systems.

Fifth, on financial inclusion, we support expanding access to affordable finance, particularly for MSMEs, women, and migrants.

Sixth, we support strengthen international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and promote asset return.

These are crucial to preserve public resources and advance SDGs.

Seventh, on investments, we see that investments to close the digital divide.

In developing countries are highly important and recommend targeted actions to be taken through enhanced public-private partnerships.

Eighth, the Philippines supports the promotion of inclusive and effective international tax cooperation.

Under the auspices of the United Nations, ensuring fair rules and stronger capacities for developing countries to mobilize domestic resources. Finally, on follow-up to the FFD4.

We reaffirm the need to promote the integrity of the Seville commitment and its full, effective, and timely implementation. We look forward to working with all delegations to ensure a meaningful and comprehensive follow-up process through a focused approach on the resolution on this item. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines. And now I will invite Nicaragua, followed by Thailand, to deliver their statements. So now, Nicaragua, the floor is yours.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. We acknowledge that the global macroeconomic challenges require collective and unified responses, especially when it comes to international trade, the financial system, debt, commodities, and financial inclusion. For developing countries, these areas are decisive in order to implement the SDGs. and must be based on respect for national sovereignty and the specific realities of every state. International trade must be an engine for inclusive development and not a mechanism to perpetuate inequality. It's crucial that developing countries have just and equitable access to international markets, avoiding trade barriers which affect our economies. The international financial system must be more democratic and representative, giving voice to countries of the South and guaranteeing financial flows which support sustainable development. External debt sustainability continues to be an obstacle for many developing countries. We demand fair restructuring mechanisms, transparent and timely, which would allow us to free up resources to invest in health, education, infrastructure, instead of devoting them to servicing debt. Likewise, developing countries need fair and stable prices for our raw materials, since its instability limits capabilities for planning and development. Financial inclusion is crucial to reduce inequality and must be accompanied by technology transfer, capacity building, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. We also point out the urgency of fighting illicit financial flows. as they undermine economies and limit development opportunities. To promote sustainable investment, it must be in keeping with national development priorities and should not impose political conditions. At the same time, we reiterate the need to move towards inclusive international cooperation when it comes to taxation under the framework of the United Nations, guaranteeing rules that are more fair and which close fiscal gaps and reduce tax evasion. To conclude, in the follow-up to the international conferences on financing for development, we need a structural change in the international financial architecture. The SDGs cannot be implemented without this, and we reiterate that illegal unilateral coercive measures undermine capacity for development and should be eliminated immediately. Nicaragua reaffirms its commitment to a multilateral system which is more fair, inclusive and united, which guarantees the right to development for all of our peoples. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nicaragua. And now I invite the distinguished representative of Thailand.

Thank you, Chair. Thailand aligns itself with the statements on behalf of G77 and China, ASEAN. The global economy remains fragile and developing countries continue to face a widening gap when assessing trade, finance and innovation. For our SMEs and local farmers to stay resilient against this trend, the global economic system must be strengthened. Allow me to highlight our priority as follows. First, a fair and inclusive international trading system. Thailand remains a staunch supporter of a rule-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. To safeguard global value chains, we are actively expanding our trade engagement bilaterally and regionally. Recently, Thailand has concluded several FTAs with Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and EFTA, while engaging in a negotiation on new FTAs such as ASEAN-Canada, Thailand-EU, and Korea-Thailand. These agreement and effort reflect our continued commitment to strengthening open and inclusive trade framework, expanding market access, and deepening regional integration. Second, the urgency of reforming the international financial architectures. Thailand stand ready to work with international community to implement Cevillia commitment. We will host IMF World Bank Group annual meeting on October 2026. which we hope to advance the discussion on quota governance reforms that increase developing countries' voice and representations. Also, we continue to harness fintech digital tools for stronger partnership and commit to ongoing accession process to the OECD. We commit to curb illicit financial flow and transnational crime, particularly online scam, and call for urgent coordinated regional and international response. Third, sustainable investment as a key driver for long term growth and resilience, to attract quality investment and accelerate the transition toward a low carbon economy, Thailand promote ESG investment and has raised over 3 billion US dollars through sustainability link bond. In closing, we call for coordinated and ambitious action to ensure that global economic system is inclusive, responsive, and fit for purpose in delivering sustainable development for all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Thailand. Now I will give the floor to Nepal, followed by Colombia. Nepal, the floor is yours.

Madam Chair, I thank you for convening this time to discussion.

I wish to align my statement with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of Iraq on behalf of the G77 in China. Mr. Chair, the global macroeconomic outlook is marked by several constraints from low economic growth and inflationary pressures to high debt servicing and global supply chain disruption to climate finance gaps and shrinking fiscal space.

Development financing.

Therefore remains a cornerstone for driving growth, innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as SDG attainment. Yet some positive trends signal a shared hope. More than two thirds of UN members have met the SDG target on under five child mortality, while global HIV/AIDS deaths have halved since 2010. In the last three decades, 1.5 billion people were lifted out of poverty. International investment in renewable energy has almost tripled since Paris Agreement, and digital transformation is accelerating new opportunities. It is incumbent upon us to accomplish unfinished SDG goals. Madam Chair, in this context, first, achieving the 2030 agenda, we must strengthen global solidarity and partnerships with scaled up financing for development to accelerate progress towards the SDG targets. We need approximately 26 billion US dollars annually in investment for financing SDG targets. Second, ensuring predictable, accessible and demand-driven development cooperation aligned with national systems. We reiterate a call on the development partners to provide at least 0.7% and 0.2% of their GNI to developing and LDCs, respectively, to complement development efforts in the Global South. Third, addressing global debt crisis. Alarming levels of debt servicing costs threaten development spending and priorities in the most vulnerable groups of countries. In line with the CVA commitment, we call for bold debt relief measures such as debt restructuring, innovative debt for climate and debt for development swaps, and scaled up concessional support to restore fiscal space. Fourth, revitalizing multilateralism under UN stewardship and reforming global financial and trade regime for development delivery. The global financial and trade regimes need systemic reforms to make them fit for addressing global macroeconomic challenges through inclusivity, transparency, accountability, and justice for all. There is no alternative to a better and reformed UN to advance human progress and prosperity. across all three pillars of the UN. In closing, Madam Chair, Nepal stands in solidarity with the international community, including UN membership, to respond to these macroeconomic challenges to leave no country behind.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia.

Thank you. Madam Chair, Colombia welcomes the opportunity to be able to take part in this joint debate on economic and financial matters, which presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen the exchange of views when it comes to key topics for sustainable development in a world which is more and more connected. It's crucial that states work together and form a collective commitment to build solutions which promote equity, justice, and well-being. Colombia believes that in order to promote dialogue when it comes to international tax cooperation, it's important to move forward in strong actions for the adoption of fiscal policies that guarantee equality and efficiency between countries and people to achieve economic resilience and sustainable development. We cannot have social justice when at the same time there are tax privileges which are not justified. Unjust practices in the international tax system, such as tax abuse and in particular tax evasion, are the catalyst for a date which is unsustainable. and this has serious negative effects on the public finances. As a result, the transformation towards a more fair taxation system represents a political challenge which faces as well challenges in a globalised world where companies or even wealthy individuals have the possibility of choosing their location, which makes this issue a transnational matter which requires a global agreement in order to prevent increase of poverty and inequality. Both are key issues in order to achieve the full implementation of the SDGs for 2030. In this respect, Colombia firmly supports the initiative of the UN Framework Convention on International Taxation and advice all member states of the United Nations to make their best efforts in order to achieve an agreement which addresses these priority needs and which makes it possible to have equitable economic development as well as the strengthening of the global taxation infrastructure as a source of financing to tackle climate change. Colombia reiterates its readiness to contribute actively in these dialogues and cooperation, convinced that only through multilateralism and joint action can we build a future which is more fair, equitable and sustainable for all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Colombia and now I invite the distinguished representative of Haiti, followed by Namibia. So Haiti, the floor is yours.

Madam President.

Madam Chair, my delegation endorses the statement of the G77 and China and CARICOM. Madam Chair, Eradicating poverty is one of the main aims of least developed countries. It is nonetheless inconceivable to achieve this without sustained economic growth to ensure full employment and decent work for people, and to incorporate social and environmental issues into economic activities. This interconnection reflects the need and the urgencies for LDCs to work doubly hard to reduce the inequalities that make them countries in a special situation. As we approach 2030, financial inclusion seems to be a driving force for sustainable development that can provide solutions which bring together economic growth, innovation, access, and responsible technology use for a transition towards stable economic growth. As UNCDF noted, financial inclusion can effectively serve as a catalyst for the SDGs by 2030, according to the World Bank statistics, about 2.5 billion people, that is more than half of the global adult population, do not use formal financial services. This is a deplorable situation. In Haiti, Madam, the situation regarding this new phenomenon requires a lot of initiatives. According to the Finscope Haiti survey in 2018, only 11.5% of adults have a bank account and 44% of adults of formal access to financial services, whatever they may be. These statistics make us one of the lowest on the rankings in the region. Nonetheless, efforts have been made to change the situation. Financial inclusion is at the heart of means of enabling people to flourish. The Haitian state, through the Republican Bank of Haiti and its financial partners, in June 2020 started a national financial education plan Furthermore, the Ministry for Economy and Finance has set up a program to help SMEs to support, thanks to government funds and international development bank grants, despite the multidimensional crisis that is affecting our country. This support is providing tangible results. The private sector and the international community continue also to help financial inclusion in this in the country. According to World Bank data, personal fund transfers or remittances represent 19% of the GDP in Haiti. So therefore, they're an important source of financing. Some Haitian companies and microcredit programs of the World Bank Group are enabling this. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Haiti, and now I invite the Deputy Permanent Representative of Namibia to take the floor.

Thank you for giving our delegation the floor. Namibia aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the African Group and G77 and China, respectively, and wishes to highlight a few issues under this agenda item. we note the Secretary General's report on external debt sustainability and development, providing policy recommendations on debt sustainability. With regard to international trade and development, we recognize that open, fair and rules-based trade remains a powerful driver of sustainable development. However, for many developing countries, including Namibia, market access barriers, commodity dependence and supply chain vulnerabilities continue to limit the full benefit of trade. We call for strengthened multilateral trading systems that prioritize inclusivity, enable value addition to raw materials, and empower developing countries to integrate into global markets. Namibia is advancing industrialization through value addition in mining, agriculture, and energy, and we seek greater international cooperation to ensure that trade becomes a genuine enabler of economic transformation. In June earlier this year, Namibia sent its first shipment of salt to West Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area, signalling its active participation in this agreement and access to the larger continental market, the biggest free trade area in the world. On the international financial system and external debt sustainability, Namibia stresses the urgent need to transform or for the transformation of the global financial architecture to make it more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the realities of developing economies. Many countries remain burdened by rising debt vulnerabilities and exacerbated by climate shocks and global crises. We echo calls for enhanced debt relief mechanisms, concessional financing, and innovative instruments such as blended finance and climate-linked debt swaps. These measures are vital to ensure that fiscal space is preserved for investment in health, education, and climate resilience. Moreover, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville, Spain, in June this year represented a major effort to address financial challenges faced by developing countries. Third, on financial inclusion for sustainable development, expanding access to financial services is critical for empowering small businesses, women, and youth, particularly in rural areas. Namibia is advancing digital finance, microcredit schemes, and community-based savings models to broaden financial participation. Yet these efforts must be complemented by international support for capacity building, technologies transfer, and inclusive regulatory frameworks. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Namibia, and now I will give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ethiopia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. For the floor, Ethiopia aligns itself with the statements made by Iraq and Nepal on behalf of the G77, China, and the LDCs, respectively. Madam Chair, we thank the Secretary-General for his latest reports and the presenters today, particularly the report of the Trade and Development Board on economic development in Africa. We welcome the emphasis on unlocking Africa's immense trade potential with boosting regional markets and reducing risks. As part of the Africa's Agenda 2063, depending on Africa trade and the value addition is the most important flagship project. This will significantly catalyze growth, attract investment, and eliminate trade barriers while aiming to create the world's largest free trade area. Ethiopia has officially taken the first historic step to roll out the Africa's Continental Free Trade Area program this week. This is an integral part of our major national priority of reforming our economic sectors, policies, and the structures while accelerating economic integration and regional trade across Africa. While challenges remain, Our homegrown economic reform agenda is a key pillar of Ethiopia's economic trajectory that is already bringing dynamism, competitiveness, investment, and private sector-led growth. Perhaps the most historic economic policies reform measure Ethiopia has undertaken in the recent times is the foreign exchange regime reform. We have been implementing far-reaching reforms designed to address the damaging distortion the economy, accelerate economic development while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. The report we had today on debt indicated that in 2023, the external debt of many developing countries remained alarmingly high, with external debt stocks reaching an estimated level of 11.4 trillion USD. Furthermore, this year's UNCTAD report on debt indicates that sub-Saharan Africa total external debt increased by 3% to to 904.9 billion just in 2024. These figures tell the reality where developing countries governments are locked into unsustainable debt servicing obligations to creditors instead of channeling scarce public funds into critical sectors such as health, education, poverty reduction, clean energy, or job creation. The impact compromises the hard-won gains in sustainable development so far. This worrisome trend must be reversed. Madam Chair, as I conclude, let us work toward ensuring no country is left behind with our renewed spirit of solidarity and partnership. Ethiopia stands ready to contribute actively to this end. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of Ethiopia. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon, followed by Indonesia. Cameroon, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Distinguished delegates, my delegation fully endorses the statement of the G77 and China and the African group, and we share their concerns and legitimate aspirations. There is a reality for us all. There are just five years before 2030, the SDGs, five years to transform promises into reality, to keep the promise of leaving no one behind. We need to take decisive action. Africa is facing a great injustice. 15 of the 20 most vulnerable countries to climate change are in Africa, but our continent is only emitting 3.8% of global emissions. We are being struck by a crisis fully that we've not created, and the costs are going to be enormous. but our development needs are only met by about 4%. Cameroon is experiencing this reality on a daily basis. We have seen a 3% growth in 2024 thanks to the digital sector and agriculture inter alia. We are trying to plan for our future generations. Nonetheless, more than a third of our people are still living below the poverty line. Public debt is a significant burden on our GDP and given this situation we cannot succeed alone in an unadapted International Financial System therefore Cameroon is calling for specific immediate action we are calling for structural reform of the Bretton Woods institutions because Africa only represents it represents 18% rather of the global population, but it has only 5% of the votes. So we are calling for a significant increase in our representation and a doubling of special drawing rights here. We have the resources, we have the technology, we have the know-how. What is lacking is political will. Thank you very much indeed.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cameroon, and now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Indonesia aligns ourself with the statement delivered by Brunei Darussalam on behalf of ASEAN and by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. We wish to add several points in our national capacity. We meet at a crucial juncture, five years to the implementation of Agenda 2030. Yet even amid headwinds, we must choose optimism and actions over apathy. The recently adopted Seville Commitment shows that multilateralism still works. It offers us opportunities, a renewed compact for global cooperation, from investment and debt treatment to reforming the international financial architecture. Against this backdrop, our delegation wishes to highlight three key priorities. First, translate the Saviya commitment into concrete implementation. The $4 trillion annual financing gap for developing countries cannot remain a mere statistic. Commitments to increase lending capacities of multilateral development bank, to create an enabling environment for innovative financing, and to scale up blended and catalytic finance, among others, must move from pledges to pipelines. Second, reform of international financial architecture. Global external debt of developing countries have reached a staggering amount in 2024, while debt service costs have surged significantly. The calls of reform in Seville commitment to strengthen the voice and representation of developing countries will help address the global debt crisis with well-targeted solutions. Reform must also address fairer credit rating methodologies as well as to have more dialogue, technical assistance, and capacity building in debt management. Third, we must break institutional silos. Financing for development cannot advance if the United Nations, the Bretton Woods institutions, and regional banks move in parallel lanes. The road ahead must be one of synergy, not symmetry, a joint endeavor to mobilize capital and reduce sustainable investment. Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, in conclusion, Indonesia stands ready to contribute to turning the spirit of the Cevier commitment into actionable results on the ground. It is our hope that by 2030, we look back not at unfulfilled promises, but at partnerships that delivers. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso, followed by Tunisia. And Burkina Faso, the floor is yours. Is there an issue with the microphone? So now I will give the floor to Tunisia, followed by Burkina Faso. So Tunisia, please, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Tunisia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, by Angola on behalf of the African Group, and by Oman on behalf of the Arab Group. and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity. The Compromisso de Sevilla offers a comprehensive framework to close the SDG financing gap, advance debt sustainability, reform the international financial architecture, and align all sources of finances with the sustainable development goals. Tunisia welcomes the Sevilla Platform for Action, which translates these commitments into more than 130 initiatives. We particularly value its focus on country-led financing solutions, which Tunisia is working to strengthen with the support of the United Nations system. At the national level, Tunisia continues to enhance domestic resource mobilization through reforms to modernize its tax administration and ensure fairness in tax collection. These reforms aim to broaden the fiscal space and available for development priorities. We also remain fully committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Tax Cooperation and support the creation of a truly inclusive global tax system that allows developing countries to participate equally in shaping international tax rules. Tunisia reaffirms its commitment to meeting its external debt obligations and calls for a fairer international debt architecture. We support the introduction of mechanisms such as debt for climate swaps and crisis pose clauses to safeguard fiscal stability while pursuing the SDGs. We further joined the call for comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture to make it more responsive to the needs of developing countries. Multilateral development banks and financial institutions must be reformed to better reflect today's global realities and support access to concessional financing. In addition, Tunisia underscores the crucial importance of recovering stolen and illicitly transferred assets as a legitimate source of development financing. We urge all member states to cooperate in line with the UN Convention against corruption. We commit that recovered funds be used to benefit our peoples and advance sustainable development. Madam Chair, the Compromiso de Sevilla will only bear fruit through determined action, adequate resources, and general partnership. Tunisia reaffirms its full engagement in the follow-up process and its readiness to work with all partners to translate these goals and commitments into tangible progress for our people.

I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Tunisia. And now we'll go to Kuwait, followed by Bahrain. So I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait.

In the name of God, Mr. Chair, at the outset, I would like to align my country's delegation with the statements made by the Arab Group and the Group of 77 and China. I also congratulate you, Mr. Chair, and the members of the Bureau on assuming the presidency of the session, and I wish you all success. Mr. Chair, the global economy is undergoing a critical phase marked by slowing growth, rising debt burdens, and declining external financing flows. This threatens progress towards achieving the SDGs. External debt in developing countries has reached $11.7 trillion, which limits their ability to invest in human development and infrastructure. Kuwait believes in the importance of reforming the international financial system to make it more just and transparent. It should take into account the needs of developing and least developed countries. It should accelerate the implementation of commitments related to the SDRs to support the most vulnerable countries. We welcome the Seville commitments. which provides a roadmap to reform the international financial system and amplify the voice of the heavily indebted countries. We believe that we need economic diversification and strengthening the productive base through investments in infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. In line with our vision, a new Kuwait 2035, Kuwait continues its efforts to diversify its national economy and enhance its position as a regional economic and commercial hub. In this context, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which was established in 1961, continues to support development projects in more than 100 countries. We believe that true development is built on fair and sustainable partnerships, not only on assistance. We also emphasize the importance of enhancing international financial cooperation and recognize the role of the Kuwait Investment Authority, which is one of the oldest sovereign wealth funds in the world. It supports financial market stability and global development pathways. It is also important to mention the grave humanitarian and economic situation in Gaza. The recent genocide has caused widespread devastation of the infrastructure and near total collapse of the economic activity. This calls for urgent support to the Palestinian economy and enabling its gradual recovery. In conclusion, we reaffirm that financing for development is a collective responsibility. It requires a comprehensive reform of the international financial system to restore trust and empower developing countries to invest in a more equitable and sustainable future and ensure that no country is left behind in the journey towards sustainable development. Thank you, Chair.

The distinguished representative of Kuwait and now I'll give the floor to Bahrain followed by Spain so Bahrain the floor is yours.

Madam Chair, the Kingdom of Bahrain attaches great importance to the development, enhancement, and stability of the international financial system. Under our economic vision 2030, Bahrain seeks to strengthen its position as a global financial hub by adopting best economic and financial practices based on technological innovation, global competitiveness, governance, human capital development, and improving the business environment. The Kingdom has adopted numerous financial and banking initiatives aligned with the requirements of development and sustainability and to enhance our ability to engage with international financial markets. These initiatives include, first, implementing the financial services sector development strategy for 2022-2026, involving both public and private sectors. Second, stimulating foreign direct investments by simplifying procedures and offering tax incentives to international companies. Third, developing local financial markets, including the bond and equity markets, in accordance with international standards. And fourth, improving the regulatory infrastructure of the financial sector to ensure transparency and efficiency. We believe in the importance of multilateral cooperation and international collaboration to address financial crises. Therefore, Bahrain actively participates in international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank to build partnerships and exchange knowledge and experiences with member states. Madam Chair, Bahrain is committed to applying high levels of financial oversight in accordance with international standards and frameworks. The Central Bank supervises all financial and banking activities. It enforces regulatory legislations to combat money laundering and terrorism financing, to improve banking governance, and to increase trust in the financial sector. We also apply sustainable strategies and financial management and investments and support projects that promote the green economy. Bahrain is keen on engaging the youth in decision making, and therefore, through the Ministry of Sustainable Development, we have launched the MasterCard Financial Inclusion Challenge under the slogan, "Solutions for the Future." The initiative targets university students to propose innovative, data-driven ideas and solutions to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs with a focus on empowerment. In conclusion, As a leading financial center, the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue to develop the international financial system and maintain its stability through the adoption of technological innovation and financial governance and achieve sustainable economic growth. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain. And now I'll give the floor to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I'd also like to thank DESA and UNCTAD for introducing the reports, which we are studying very carefully. Allow me to refer in particular to the report on the follow-up and implementation of the results of the Fourth Conference on Financing for Development. The Seville Commitment adopted during this Fourth International Conference, as well as the holding of the conference itself, have been a very clear sign of the commitment of the international community to multilateralism and to development and its financing. apart from its ambition and concrete measures in the document, in a very complex geopolitical context, the data of the conference affirm this assessment. The report also says that besides what was agreed to in the Seville commitment, there were 130 initiatives that were launched within the framework of the Seville Platform for Action to achieve transformative results in different areas of financing for development. we would like to thank the membership for their constant interest to continue to join the initiatives presented, and we encourage others to continue to do so and to agree to potentially new initiatives and follow up on those agreements. Spain is working actively on the initiatives presented within the platform, including the beyond GDP Global Alliance to impose new metrics, the Alliance for Debt Suspension Clauses, as well as the Global Hub for a Debt Swap for Development, the Debt Forum of Seville, and this in order to incorporate the gender perspective in the financing of public policies and budgets. We affirm our will to continue to work constructively to honor the commitments adopted in Seville and in this second committee we will contribute to an international system which is more just, sustainable and equitable. Thank you.

I thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain and now I'll give the floor to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Papua New Guinea.

Thank you, Madam Chair, Excellencies and distinguished delegates. At the outset, let me align my delegation statement with those made by the respective chairs of China and G77 AOSIS. In my national capacity, I congratulate the chair and the respective bureau members for your mandate. We support your stewardship of our collective work at this important session. Madam Chair, the headwinds facing the global community now, be it geopolitical tension, the climate crisis, economic and financial concerns, and the growing mistrust amongst and between nations and people. Though as challenging as they may be, it's also an opportunity for us to rally together for the common good for all the humanity under the auspices of the United Nations. For my delegation, the work of this committee remains important as the issues of focus, such as the SDGs and the pact for the future, the oceans agenda, financing for development as reflected in the Seville commitment, and the World Social Summit and gender equality. The climate agenda, a consolate with our government's development priorities under our vision 2050 and the current five years medium term development plan. As we mark this year's our 50th anniversary of nationhood, our development aspirations is to make Papua New Guinea attain the highest quality of life for our people in a prosperous, peaceful, and secure environment, and to be the middle-income country by 2050. Madam Chair, to get there, we have embarked on investing in economic growth based on our natural resources development, infrastructure development, through our Connect Papua New Guinea strategy, including digitizing government, trade and concessional financing, and also investing in education, health, peace, and the rule of law. Domestic resource mobilization through effective tax reforms and enhanced revenue collection are key component of our development efforts. We, however, still face significant challenges, including limited access to concessional finance, inadequate infrastructure, and institutional and human resource capacity constraints, and the increasing climate-related challenges. Madam Chair, we recognize that the international community, and especially the multilateral institutions such as the international financial institution and trade architectures that have been created, have an important role to support our national development priorities where there are gaps. We need the civil commitment to be effectively implemented and not merely on paper, as it has previously, that can deliver the support.

I thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of Papua New Guinea for his statement. And then I give the floor to the Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway.

Thank you so much, Chair.

Between every year that we meet in this committee, the urgency of bridging the SDG financing gap is increasing. With the Compromiso de Sevilla, we now have a common framework for reforming the international financial architecture to catalyze investments at scale, to mobilize finance from a variety of sources, and to address debt challenges. Just to mention a few. Going forward, our main focus must be on implementation. Here in the UN, in the international financial institutions, and back at home in our capitals. Norway remains committed to doing its part in this shared responsibility and job. Chair, in our efforts to ensure that finance flows to where it is most needed, we remain steadfastly committed to curbing illicit financial flows, preventing tax evasion and avoidance, combating secrecy and corruption. We reaffirm our ambition to double support for developing countries' domestic revenue mobilization by 2030, as agreed in Seville. Norway is committed to contributing to effective and widely supported solutions in the UN Framework Convention on Tax Cooperation. In the broader global economic governance, we support broadening and enhancing the voice and representation of developing countries. We must deliver on the debt-related commitments from Seville, which is a package of actions intended to lower cost of borrowing, free up urgently needed resources for development, enhance the voice of borrower countries, and to prevent future debt crisis. Norway welcomes the G20 common framework improvement proposals, and we look forward to the UN, IMF, and World Bank working together to consolidate global guiding principles on responsible borrowing and lending. With regards to official development cooperation, Norway has consistently met its commitment of providing more than 0.7% of GNI as ODA, and we will continue to be a reliable partner in this regard. We cannot succeed without economic empowerment of women. Norway will promote this as a cross-cutting matter in all our deliberations. Finally, Chair, in order to realize our collective ambitions and to rebuild trust, let us not forget the words from Silvia. We cannot afford a retreat from multilateral cooperation. So let us also, under the macroeconomic agenda item, embrace the UN80 theme, better together. I thank you.

I thank the Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway, and now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zambia, followed by Burundi and then Malawi. So Zambia, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Chairperson, for the floor. Zambia aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Group of 77 and China, the least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, and is honored to deliver this statement in our national capacity. We welcome the outcomes of the FFD4 Conference on Financing for Development as a timely call for decisive reform of the global financial architecture to accelerate progress on SDG implementation. Zambia reaffirms its commitment to the full implementation of the Seville commitment as an important stepping stone towards achieving the 2030 agenda. We commend the conference's emphasis on building resilience, promoting inclusive growth, and reforming financial systems to better respond to the needs of countries in special needs. These priorities align with Zambia's national development agenda And in particular, we welcome commitments targeting poverty, hunger, eradication, alongside support for LDCs and LLDCs in boosting investment and infrastructure development. Chairperson, we call for concerted global action to address persistent trade and tax imbalances, which continue to deprive developing countries of critical revenues required for inclusive and sustained development. Debt burdens continue to constrain development for many nations, diverting vital resources away from health, education, and social protection. Despite these challenges, Chairperson, Zambia remains steadfast in our commitment to long-term debt sustainability, poverty reduction, and inclusive economic transformation. We therefore call that a just, equitable, and development-oriented financial system is essential for building resilience and driving inclusive growth. In this regard, we call for implementation of commitments to reform the multilateral development banks. We call for access to concessional finance, climate funding, and rechanneling of special drawing rights. We also call for enhanced accountability mechanism. We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of the Seville become a pivotal turning point in our shared pursuit for a just, inclusive, and sustainable global future.

I thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Zambia. Now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative from Burundi.

Madam Chair, my delegation endorses the statements of the G77 and China, the African Group and LDCs. We left Seville with a far-reaching final document for Burundi, as for many other LDCs. This document represents hope. that the international community will once and for all keep its commitments to mobilize necessary resources for sustainable development. But this hope must not transform into disappointment. For least developed countries, foreign debt remains a major obstacle to many resources that should finance SDGs in the areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure have to service often unsustainable debt. We are calling for the urgent implementation of the restructuring mechanisms that we'd agreed upon in Seville, including the suspension clauses when there is climate shocks. The countries of the global south are also confronted with ongoing exclusion from the global financial system. There's an urgent need to reform the international financial architecture to guarantee fair access to financing and real representation of vulnerable countries in global institutions. Illicit financial flows deprive our economies of vital resources. These losses undermine our efforts to achieve the SDGs. We support bolstered international fiscal cooperation under the auspices of the UN. Madam Chair, Well-conceived macroeconomic policies directly reinforce the Agenda 2030 and contribute to achieving these goals. Without healthy public financing, equitable financing, and macroeconomic stability, the SDGs will remain out of reach. We would call for integrating the SDGs into macroeconomic strategies, in particular, via integrated national financing frameworks. Burundi is fully committed in its structural transformation and to the implementation of its vision as an emerging country by 2040 and a developed country by 2060. But our national efforts must be supported with concrete, predictable international solidarity. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Burundi. And now I'll ask for the statement of the distinguished representative of Malawi, followed by Burkina Faso. Malawi, the floor is yours.

Chairperson, distinguished delegates, Malawi aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Group of 77 and China, the African group, and the Group of Least Developed Countries. Malawi reiterates the global financial and economic systems must work for all nations, especially for those striving to lift their people out of poverty, vulnerability and debt distress. Chairperson, the world faces a convergence of crises, including slow growth, rising debt, volatile capital flows and worsening inequality. For LDCs like Malawi, these challenges threaten hard-won development gains and limit fiscal space for social investment. Malawi reaffirms its support for the SIVR commitment as an important step towards reforming the international financial architecture and urge for its timely implementation. We underscore three key priorities. Number one. debt sustainability and relief. We call for a comprehensive debt resolution mechanism, expansion of the common framework, and greater use of debt swaps for climate and development. Secondly, reforming the global financial architecture. We support measures to enhance voice and representation of developing countries in international financial institutions and to rechannel unused special drawing rights to countries most in need. And thirdly, trade, investment and technology. We emphasize the importance of an open, rules-based and inclusive multilateral trading system under the WTO. Access to markets, digital trade, science, technology and innovation are vital levers for structural transformation in LDCs. Chairperson, The outcomes of the FfD4 reaffirmed that achieving the 2030 Agenda requires a renewed global partnership based on fairness, trust and shared responsibility. Malawi is advocating for the following: scaling up of concessional and blended finance to bridge the SDG financing gap; operationalizing the Global Fund for Sustainable Development; Aligning all financial flows with climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals. And strengthening the South-South and triangular cooperation for mobilizing knowledge, innovation, and investment. In conclusion, Malawi believes that five years from 2030, the promise of sustainable development will depend on how courageously the world reforms its microeconomic systems and finances its collective future. Implementing the CVA commitment, the Doha Programme of Action and the Awaaza Programme of Action is not an option. It is a necessity for shared prosperity. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malawi. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso.

Madam Chair, Burkina Faso welcomes the holding of this discussion on macroeconomic policy and financing for development at a time when developing countries are facing several challenges. An increase in social needs and security and humanitarian crises, the impact of climate change and the instability of global markets. Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso has proven to be especially economically resilient. The GDP growth has gone from 3% in 2023 to 5.1% in 2024, and holds at 4.9% in the first semester of 2025. Thanks to the agriculture and fisheries offensive, the primary sector has gone from 14.6% in 2024 with a considerable increase of 18% in grain production. Inflation was contained at 2.8% in June 2025. At the same time, the current accounts deficit has been reduced, going from 4.9% of GDP to 1.4% in 2024. Economic indicators show that there's significant progress, which are mainly due to the effective mobilization of the domestic resources to a economic and financial governance, which has been quite disciplined as well as a cautious management of the debt and a patriotic commitment of citizens within the country as well as the diaspora. As commendable as they may be, there are still challenges when it comes to our development capacities, namely due to the size of the debt and limited access to resources. And that is why we call for a thorough and urgent reform of international financial architecture to guarantee more equitable access to resources, a greater mobilization of concessional innovative financing, the suspension of IMF surcharges, and compliance with commitments derived from international conferences, including the fourth conference on financing for development, held recently in Seville. Burkina Faso also stresses the fight against illicit financial flows and tax evasion, as well as the need to bridge the digital gap, favoring technology transfer and capacity building. To conclude, Madam Chair, Burkina Faso reaffirms its determination and its readiness to contribute to, with its partners, to building resilient and sustainable economies through a renewed partnership based on equity, mutual respect, and solidarity. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.

Chair, distinguished delegates, my delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China. Angola on behalf of the African Group and Oman on behalf of the Arab Group and would like to add the following in its national capacity. Chair, illicit financial flows, weak asset recovery mechanisms, and gaps in international tax governance continue to deprive developing countries of the resources they urgently need for sustainable development. Every year, an estimated $88.6 billion, equivalent to 3.7% of Africa's GDP, leave the continent in the form of illicit capital. These outflows deprive African countries of vital resources needed for eradicating poverty, eliminating hunger, developing health, education, and climate action. Algeria calls for strengthened international cooperation to prevent and combat IFFs, enhance transparency and accountability, and facilitate the return of stolen assets. We underscore the importance of fully implementing the UN Convention against Corruption and the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative. In the same vein, a comprehensive, inclusive international framework to address IFFs is urgently needed, grounded in equity and mutual respect. Chair, taxation is central to development, yet many developing countries face systematic disadvantages in the global tax system. In this regard, Algeria fully supports efforts to establish a UN framework, convention on international tax cooperation, which should ensure meaningful participation of all countries and address the specific challenges of the global south. Capacity building initiatives, technical assistance, and knowledge transfer are essential to enable developing nations to mobilize domestic resources effectively and participate fully in the international tax system. Equally important is the need to secure predictable and sustainable financial for development. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda had set 10 years ago the foundation for financial sustainable development. The challenges we face are complex, but not insurmountable. With stronger solidarity and fair global governance, the international community can ensure that development is inclusive and sustainable. Algeria stands committed to partnering with all member states to build a global system that leaves no one and no country behind. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Algeria, and now I'll give the floor to the permanent representative of Bangladesh.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Bangladesh aligns itself with the statements delivered by G77 and China and the LDC group. Centuries of political and economic inequalities have contributed to today's developmental disparities. For a course correction, financing for development remains crucial. yet with many promises still unfulfilled, we remain far from the right path. At the same time, we are also mindful that financial transfers from north to south are not the ultimate solutions. Our shared objective is to build structural capacities in the developing countries so that global financing ecosystem evolves towards a more balanced and resilient equilibrium. To that end, Developing countries must have meaningful ownership of their development programs in their trajectory to attain self-sufficiency. They must have an equal voice in international financial governance through long overdue reforms in international financial architecture. Concessional finance must be delinked from restrictive conditions. such as fiscal austerity and prescriptive structural reforms that constrain sovereign policy space. Therefore, sovereign debt should not be a vulnerability, but a genuine tool for building resilience. Madam Chair, international support measures for graduating LDCs must be extended. We urge for a coordinated and phased withdrawal so that graduation remains sustainable and irreversible. Mobilizing domestic resources and safeguarding them through combating illicit financial flows are of critical importance. We strongly support the establishment of an inclusive and effective framework for international tax cooperation under the UN. To fortify structural resilience from within, We must unlock innovative financing solutions, such as microcredit and social business models, and invest substantially on empowering our youth through education and digital training, particularly in frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence. Madam Chair, the Compromiso de Sevilla stands as a testimony of our power of collective efforts. From the perspective of my country and many of the LDCs, the outcome document reflects important gains in our priority areas. However, as we look ahead, we would like to flag that ambitions on paper is not enough. Demonstrating necessary political will remains indispensable.

I thank the I thank the permanent representative of Bangladesh. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Vietnam, followed by Brazil. So, Vietnam, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf

of the Group of 77 and China, and by Brunei Darussalam on behalf of ASEAN.

We stand at a defining moment.

global implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals has suffered serious setbacks.

Meanwhile, many financial commitments, including those made at FFD4 conference, remain unmet. These challenges are further compounded by debt distress, climate risks, and geopolitical tensions. For Vietnam, the SDGs remain at the heart of our

development vision to achieve inclusive, sustainable growth that leaves no one behind.

Like many other middle-income countries, Vietnam is facing a decline in ODA and concessional finance, and the risk of the middle-income trap.

However,

we are committed to strengthening domestic resource mobilization and forging new partnerships to secure adequate financing for our sustainable development

pathways.

We continue to reform institutions, streamline administrative systems, and foster an enabling environment for business and environment. Our national efforts are anchored in digital transformations and green growth, with a strong focus on infrastructure development in energy, transport, and digital connectivity. Delivering on financial commitments is the true measure of our collective responsibility. In this spirit, Vietnam wishes to highlight three priorities. First, we must fulfill and scale up all international financial commitments, including the pledge to mobilize at least 300 billion US dollars annually for climate action and to close the $4 trillion annual financing gap. We join other G77 members in calling for full and timely implementation of the Compromiso de Sevilla as the guiding framework for financing sustainable development. Second, we need a reformed international financial architecture that is more equitable, inclusive, and responsive.

Reforms should enhance access to long-term affordable finance for developing countries, strengthen debt sustainability,

and increase the voice and meaningful participation of developing countries in global economic governance. Third and finally, we should foster knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and innovation. especially in artificial intelligence and digital technologies. These are vital to help countries better leverage financial resources

and prevent the technology divide from becoming a new barrier to development.

I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Vietnam. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.

Thank you, Chair.

Brazil aligns itself with the statement made by Iraq

as chair of the G7+7, and would like to make additional remarks in its national capacity.

We keep repeating that we are falling behind in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

And to reverse this trajectory and make real progress toward the 2030 Agenda, developing countries must be given the means

to act.

especially financial means. In 2024, while the global economy grew by 3.2%, official development assistance from wealthy countries dropped by 7.1%. At the same time, military spending rose by 9.4%, reaching a staggering $2.7 trillion. Since 2015, military spending has increased every single year, up by 37% over the decades, reaching the highest per capita levels since 1990. Meanwhile, developing countries are being charged an exorbitant price for their debt. This severely limits their ability to invest in economic growth, social programming, or environmental protection.

The cost of debt servicing for these countries has now reached $1.4 trillion per year. We are witnessing a negative flow of capital from the global south, where capital is scarce and investments need their urgent

to the wealthy countries of the global north, where capital is already abundant.

This is ethically unacceptable and economically unsustainable. The fourth International Conference on Financial for Development held this past July in Seville We affirmed important principles and commitments, but let's be honest, it still falls short of what the world needs to overcome poverty and close the development gap. We must reform the international financial system, amplifying the voice and participation of the global South. We must increase the capital of multilateral development banks. We must allocate new SDRs and recycle the idle ones to multilateral development banks. We need progressive, socially just taxation. The ultra-wealthy must pay their fair share and stop exploiting legal and financial loopholes to avoid taxes.

And we need to establish fair mechanisms for sovereign debt restructuring and international tax cooperation. Thank you, Chair, for this opportunity.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of Group of 77 and China. We extend deep appreciation to the briefers and the reports by the Secretary-General. We find the reports useful in informing our future course of action on the agenda items under consideration.

Chair, we live in an age of enlarging inequality.

The world economy is growing, but growing unequally, with the super-rich and the super-poor.

The current international economic order has perpetuated asymmetries and vulnerabilities.

Pakistan welcomes the commitments made under the Compromiso de Sevilla this year, but commitments must turn into delivery. First, we must act decisively on the debt crisis. The next FFD Forum in-depth review of debt is in 2027. Prior to that, we must see progress on key deliverables, particularly on establishing the Borrowers'

Platform, convening the dialogue on debt, and most importantly, initiating and finalizing the intergovernmental process on debt. When we reconvene in 2027 to assess our progress, we must have accomplished these commitments. Second, revitalize the development cooperation architecture. ODA commitments must be met, concessional flows expanded, aid effectiveness enhanced, and fragmentation reduced.

In this regard, we look forward to receiving concrete

proposals for revitalizing the Development Cooperation Forum, including for strengthening its convening and norm-setting ability. Third, following up on commitments in the Compromiso de Sevilla on reform of the international financial architecture. Global financial governance must be rebalanced to ensure that all developing countries have a fair and equitable voice.

The development of an SDR playbook at the IMF must be actively pursued. We must utilize the ECOSOC special meetings on credit ratings to foster transparent dialogue between member states and institutions and ensure that credit ratings accurately recognize development trajectories.

Fourth, effectively utilize the ECO/SOC meeting on financial integrity to advance actions to combat illicit financial

flows, promote transparency, and ensure that standards for financial integrity are developed by and reflect the needs, capacities, and voice of all nations. Non-discriminatory implementation of such standards is also essential.

Finally, build a fair trading system. WTO reform must restore development at its heart.

Thank you.

thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia, followed by United Republic of Tanzania. So, Malaysia, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, as well as Brunei Darussalam on behalf of ASEAN. The financing for development framework remains as an important factor of global efforts to achieve the SDGs. Malaysia views the Seville commitment as a timely and strategic opportunity for the international community to reflect, recalibrate, and recommit to concrete financing solutions. High borrowing costs and constrained fiscal space continue to impede progress in developing countries. Malaysia therefore supports a development-oriented debt architecture. At the same time, we call for reforms that ensure greater voice and representation for all developing countries. On climate finance, Malaysia underscores that the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient future without is not possible without equitable access to resources. We reaffirm our national commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and we view climate finance as a key enabler of this goal. Malaysia supports the call for a more inclusive, transparent and equitable global tax architecture. Domestically, Malaysia is implementing broad fiscal and structural reforms, including broadening the tax base, digitalising revenue systems and rationalising subsidies in an effort to strengthen financial government and enhance fiscal resilience. Madam Chair, regionally, Malaysia aligns with ASEAN's collective call to scale up investment in sustainable and digital transition while upholding a fair and rule-based multilateral trading system. We will also continue to champion South-South and triangular cooperation as powerful vehicle for development partnership. The path to 2030 is narrowing fast, but Malaysia remains optimistic that our collective effort will bloom into a promising future. To that end, Malaysia stands ready to work with all partners to build a fair, inclusive and forward-looking global financial system, the one that puts development first and leaves no one behind. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tanzania.

Thanks, Madam Chair, for giving our delegation the floor. As this is the first time the United Republic of Tanzania has taken the floor during this session, we would like to begin by congratulating you and the Bureau on your election. You can count on our full support as you guide the work of this vital committee. Tanzania aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the African Group of 77 and China, and we wish the following additional capacity. Madam Chair, Tanzania joined the call for urgent reform of the global financial system. We support efforts to scale up long-term concession financing, revise sovereign credit rating, and improve debt sustainability assessment to unlock investment in the key sector, such as infrastructure, health, education, and climate adaptation. The international financial system is under stress. Sluggish growth, high debts and shrinking external financing threaten progress on the SDGs. We welcome the Cevila commitment, which proposes tripling multilateral development bank lending and increase direct budget support through official development assistance. These steps are critical, especially with just five years remaining to achieve 2030 agenda and the $4 trillion SDG financing gap in developing countries. Madam Chair, Tanzania emphasizes the need to enhance the voice and the representation of developing countries in global financial institution and the international task system. We also stress the importance of strengthening data capacity to improve access to affordable financing. Madam Chair, Tanzania look forward to participating in the upcoming ECOSOC special meeting on financial integrity as outlined in the Seville commitment. In closing, Tanzania remains committed to domestic reform, including resource mobilization, public financial management, and combating illicit financial flows. But nation action is not enough. We need a global system that is fairer, more inclusive, and better resourced. The SDGs are not privilege for the wealth. They are right for us. Let us move from the commitment to implementation, from dialogue to delivery, and the promises to partnership. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Tanzania. And now I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates.

Madam Chair, five years.

Are standing between us and achieving the 2030 SDGs. With the economic uncertainty, we have to maintain the pillars of economy. We are committed to the support of international trade and investment as the two main pillars of development. Madam Chair, proceeding from our belief in the importance of supporting international financial institutions, we welcome the civil commitment and we need innovative investment mechanisms to implement those requirements. Thus, we believe that there is a need for fair representation of the Global South in international institutions to ensure the alleviation of the debt burdens and ensure countering illegal financial flows. We hope that we will see an effective and immediate implementation of this commitment.

This futuristic.

Approach is exemplified in our initiatives in the UAE, including the Green Fund that includes 250 million US dollars by 2030 to finance climate. Madam Chair, we regret that global official development assistance has witnessed a reduction, even though this could be one of the best investment opportunities our official assistance reached $16 million, including to African, Arab countries, and the SIDS. We welcome the promotion of South-South cooperation and hope we find more triangular cooperation. We pledge to provide $100 million to finance different initiatives with the cooperation of Italy and other countries to support African projects. To conclude, UAE stresses its commitment to work with all member states to promote global macroeconomics. And we stress the need for innovative financing to have a sustainable and better future for all.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates. And now I'll give the floor to Togo.

Madam, let me convey to you and to the members of your Bureau the sincere congratulations of the Togo delegation for the effective, inclusive and enlightened way in which you are heading up the work of our Committee. You can count on Togo's full availability and constructive cooperation to ensure the success of our work. Our delegation would also like to express its gratitude to the Secretary-General for the excellent quality of his reports and the pertinence of the recommendations on the crucial issue of improving access to financial services for sustainable development. Togo joins with the statements made by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, by Angola on behalf of the African Group, and Nepal on behalf of the LDCs. Actual access to financial services remains a key lever for inclusive growth and is a major challenge for developing countries as they strive to achieve the SDGs. Aware of this, Togo has made financial inclusion a central pillar of its national development strategy. Particular attention is paid to women, young people, and rural populations having access to formal financial services. Since 2014, our National Fund for Inclusive Financing has granted more than 1.8 million loans for an accumulated amount of about $180 million, with a remarkable reimbursement rate of 94%. Thanks to these efforts, the financial inclusion rate has moved from 57% in 2014 to 85.7% in 2021. And so Togo is in the lead in the UEMOA countries in this area. Furthermore, the takeoff of digital financing has led to an increase of decentralized financial services. More than 72 micro-financing institutions that are accredited today provide adapted products to populations, in particular through mobile banking and electronic platforms. Despite this progress, there are still challenges exacerbated by an international context marked with multiple crises and financial volatility. To this end, Togo welcomes the adoption of the Seville commitment that urgently calls for addressing of the annual financial deficit of $4,000 billion and calls for catalyzing investments in developing countries and making progress in the area of international architecture, structural architectural forms, my country would reiterate its appeal for a rapid and effective implementation of this real commitment to guarantee equitable access to all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Togo. And then I'll ask for the statement of the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Madam Chair, thank you for giving me the floor. Timor-Leste aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and Nepal on behalf of the LDCs. I wish to highlight several key points in my national capacity. For small island developing states and least developed countries, such as Timor-Leste, the need for sustainable investment for development is of utmost urgency. These national are at the forefront of global challenges, bearing disproportionate vulnerability to the effect of climate change, economic disturbances, and resource constraints. Although foreign direct investments hold the potential to serve as a potent catalyst for economic growth, innovation, employment generation, and the attainment of the sustainable development goals, these countries encountered considerable obstacle in attracting such as capital. Nevertheless, there are notable example for sustainable investment initiative within small island developing states and least development countries that exemplify effective development strategies. First, several states are capitalizing on the extensive maritime maritime territories to promote sustainably ocean-based investment such as the Seas Lease, Blue Bond, and Debt Conversions. This initiative has led to improved ocean economic sectors, strengthening domestic resource mobilization through enhanced fiscal revenue and better fiscal management of natural resources. Similarly, Belize 2021, therefore, not to reduce its public debt by approximately $189 million. Second, strategic collaboration between governmental entities and private investors are essential for financing large-scale infrastructure project, exemplified by the Dili Bay Port in Timor-Leste. This newly inaugurated deep water port operational since 2022, play a crucial role in enhancing the country's economic activity and boost it and comprehensive through increased connectivity to international markets. Third, some small island developing states are increasingly attracting investment in renewable energy to diminish the dependence on fossil fuels and transition to a cleaner and more cost-effective energy resources.

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste, and then I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Distinguished delegations, Peru aligns itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and would like to make the following statement in our national capacity. When it comes to financing for development, Peru participated actively in the Seville Conference and supports the reform of the international financial system towards a model which is more fair and sensitive to the realities of developing countries. We reiterate our concern over the recent growing limits on access to concessional resources, debt pressure, and restrictions to gain access to appropriate climate financing. These gaps directly affect the ability of developing countries to maintain their growth, reduce inequality and strengthen resilience. Within the framework of the second committee's work, we must now transform those consensuses into concrete mandates that are consistent with the CBA commitment, defining in a timely fashion the next steps to be taken, as well as the terms of its follow-up. This process must take place in full respect of national sovereignty and the right of every country to choose their own priorities and policies in accordance with their own circumstances. Among Peru's priorities, there is the establishment of innovative financing mechanisms, including access to inclusive digital financial services, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises in urban and rural areas. These instruments can expand productivity, stimulate the growth of the formal economy, and provide credit to those who are facing major barriers. Likewise, an important aspect of financing for energy transition which should be seen as a shared opportunity. In order to achieve more sustainable and resilient economies, we must ensure that climate and development financing are granted in fair conditions, especially for developing countries which are vulnerable to climate change. We reiterate the appeal of the UN system to step up efforts and expand cooperation with developing countries. Given the current situation, Peru's commitment continues to be working for an international system which is more fair, more inclusive, and forward-looking. We will continue to cooperate with all of the member states to convert this consensus into measurable results, which would improve the lives of everyone without leaving anyone behind. Thank you.

I thank you, Representative Peru.

I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Maldives. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. The Maldives aligns with the statements delivered by Iraq on behalf of G77 and China and Palau on behalf of AOSIS. Just three months ago, we gathered in Seville to adopt an ambitious new document, the Seville Commitment. We made progress on paper. It is now time to translate this progress into action. We remain concerned by the growing deficit in available financing for development. As financing becomes more difficult, developing countries, especially small island developing states like the Maldives, are forced to return to borrowing. In fact, we are spending more on interest payments than on health or education. 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 healthcare. Between 2003 and 2023, SIDS issued $36.6 billion in bonds, but will repay $78.7 billion. Had we borrowed at the same rate 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. This is why the Maldives has proposed an innovative debt mechanism that converts debt into investments for building resilience. These include strengthening social security systems to protect the most vulnerable, investing in digital literacy to equip youth for a digital future, and constructing resilient infrastructure 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 the rights of their people. Other innovative solutions like debt swaps for sustainable development or a debt treaty can further alleviate the burden on SIDS, creating the fiscal space for them to invest in themselves. Solving macroeconomic issues cannot be done overnight, but we must start somewhere. That somewhere is this second committee. We hope that our discussions in this commitment can help to find common ground to address the challenges we face, including the scourge of unsustainable debt. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Maldives. And I now give the floor to the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Federated States of Micronesia. You have the floor.

Mr. Chair, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of Micronesia. Micronesia aligns with the statements delivered by AOSIS and the Group of 77 and China. Mr. Chair, the Seville Commitment adopted this year at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development represents a significant step forward. However, we must now ask, what concrete actions will guide us forward to overcome our financial challenges? The outcome document invites international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and international organizations to incorporate the multidimensional vulnerability index as a complementary tool to better inform their development cooperation policies and practices. Mr. Chair, Micronesia now not only welcomes this invitation, but calls for its immediate implementation. We also strongly urge these institutions to heed the urgent concerns of small island developing states. Our vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change are profound. Our geographic isolation and limited economic capacities leave us unable to absorb the profound costs of rebuilding after typhoons, sea level rise, droughts. coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and other environmental challenges. Disaster risk reduction and resilience strategies must fully reflect these realities. The multidimensional vulnerability index is vital because it comprehensively captures our economic, environmental, and social fragilities and ensures that assistance matches genuine need. Mr. Chair, Looking ahead, Micronesia calls on our global partners and friends to support and advocate for necessary reforms within the international financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and international organizations. Without embracing tools like the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, countries like ours risk being continually left behind in the global development agenda. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished Deputy Permanent Representative of Micronesia. And.

Now I give the floor to the representative, the Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic. You have the floor, Your Excellency.

Thank you very much, Chairman. Our delegation associates itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and Palau on behalf of AOSIS. In a context of growing economic uncertainty and global inequality, we have researched the importance of strengthening international cooperation and solidarity as fundamental pillars to achieve sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development. Macroeconomic stability and the mobilization of financial resources are crucial to sustain transformative investments, which are required for Agenda 2030. However, Developing countries continue to face high capital costs, limited access to concessional financing, and structural restrictions which hamper national efforts. We reiterate the need for a thorough reform of the international financial system, which guarantees greater equity, representation, and the ability to face global challenges. A system which offers tangible solutions to the debt crisis, which promotes international liquidity, and which allows developing countries to accede to financing in adjusted, predictable conditions. We'd like to point out the importance of strengthening international tax cooperation on the basis of inclusiveness, transparency, and equity. Only through a truly participatory framework can we guarantee that all countries, in particular developing countries, would have the necessary tools to mobilize internal resources sustainably and to tackle the challenges of tax evasion and illicit financial flows. And here, the modernization and the digitalization of tax administrations would be a priority, which should go hand in hand with technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and effective financial support. And here we reaffirm our commitment to the timely and effective implementation of the commitments adopted in Seville, aware that only through collective and sustained action can we close the financing gap and rechannel progress towards the SDGs. Chairman, the Dominican Republic reiterates its willingness to work constructively with all of the member states to promote an international economic order which is more fair, inclusive, and unified for the benefit of all of our peoples. Thank you for the opportunity.

I thank the distinguished permanent representative of the Dominican Republic.

The floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. You have the floor.

Thank you. Chair, Excellencies, colleagues, as we gather for another second committee to discuss the macroeconomic cluster, we recognize the scale of the task ahead to address the SDG financing gap. Our shared goal is to ensure resources reach developing countries and to harness collective knowledge, expertise, and the convening power of the private sector to catalyze development. We are inspired by the momentum of wider campaigns on financial reform that so many of you are leading, and look forward to reflecting this work in Second Committee. As set out during High Level Week, the United Kingdom believes our efforts must focus on three key areas on finance for development, and we are committed to working in partnership with all countries to deliver the following. First, we must see through the significant work already underway, something we have reinforced together in Seville. This means avoiding duplication, working collectively to drive forward these commitments through the relevant fora, and ensuring the political ambition of FFD4 is championed at the World Bank, the IMF, and through the G7 and G20, the OECD, and beyond. Second, we must move forward together on agreed areas for further action. This includes supporting developing countries to raise more of their own finances, reforming the multilateral development banks to stretch their balance sheets further, scaling up prearranged disaster risk finance, and doing more to support countries affected by conflict on their path towards peace and prosperity. We also want to work to address systemic barriers to private investment, turbocharging domestic financial markets in developing economies. Third, we need to change how we work so that our approach is shaped by the needs of all countries. This means building a system that is more efficient and effective, and ensuring that communities are at the heart of the work that affects them. In this spirit, as a major shareholder of the World Bank, and at the annual meetings next week, the United Kingdom will use its voice to advocate for greater representation and stronger voice for all. The aid architecture needs to be streamlined, making it easier for countries to engage and access finance that supports their own priorities and plans. As the President of the General Assembly highlighted in the opening of the TUC session, streamlining efforts in this committee is essential in light of UN80. This will allow us to spend more money on development and less on process. Good work is already being done at the UN to produce numerous macroeconomic reports, such as the Interagency Task Force on Financing for Development, which is prepared each year ahead of the FFD forum. We believe this report should serve as the primary basis for TUC discussions, not additional duplicative reports which are redundant. Finally, the United Kingdom stands ready to work side by side with all of you to deliver a fairer, more inclusive, and fit for the future financial system through a successful TUC. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the UK. Moving on to the statements from stakeholders, I would like to give the floor now to the distinguished representative of the OECD. You have the floor.

Excellencies, I will focus on four critical areas: international trade and development, the international financial system, external debt sustainability, and international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows. First, we reaffirm the vital role of trade as an engine for development. Developing economies are particularly affected by ongoing trade tensions and policy uncertainty, alongside structural challenges such as concentrated global value chains. Since 2015, the integration of developing countries into these change has slowed and LDCs plateau at about 1% of global trade. To reverse this trend, we must harness sustainable and digital economies and promote interregional and services trade. OECD data shows that a 1% increase in domestic digital connectivity can boost domestic trade by 1.3% and international trade by 0.9% in low and lower middle income economies. Second, the Seville commitment underscores the urgency of unlocking financing for the 2030 agenda. This means strengthening domestic resource mobilization, scaling up private finance, and reforming international development cooperation. The OECD is committed to support this agenda, leveraging its data, evidence-based analysis, and convening power. We are proud to be a partner in 28 initiatives under the Seville Platform for Action. Third, rising debt burdens are constraining critical investments in health, education, and climate resilience. To address sovereign debt challenges, emerging and developing economies issuers could explore policy tools including benchmark bond consolidation, buybacks and reopenings and inflation linked instruments and retail debt programs. The OECD's recent report on innovative finance for SIDs also explores instruments such as debt for nature swaps, blue bonds, and climate resilience debt clauses to address the unique challenges SIDS face. Finally, on IFFs, while progress has been made in building a global framework to combat financial flows, more remains to be done. The OECD has supported key pillars of this effort, including due diligence and responsible business conduct. Our work goes beyond crime to examine how illicit financial flows undermine economic stability and development, especially in fragile, conflict-affected, and low-income countries. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of the OECD, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Renewable Energy Agency. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. While the deployment of renewable energy has been impressive throughout the last decade, greater urgency and action is required to attain SDG 7 and all SDGs.

In 2024, the world added 582 gigawatt of renewable capacity, an impressive 15% growth from the previous year. From 2018 to 2024, annual investments in renewables also increased at a rate of 14% per year, despite global challenges. However, emerging markets and developing economies received less than 10% of energy transition investments.

The central challenge is a geographic imbalance in capital flow.

The private sector naturally gravitates towards risk-averse environments. This means the global south only receives investment when associated risks are substantially reduced. Consequently, scaling up and de-risking financial instruments is paramount to achieving an accelerated energy transition.

Excellencies, Regional disparities in geography, technology, and financing jeopardize the achievement of the SDGs and perpetuate energy.

Poverty in the most vulnerable countries.

Enhanced public finance, especially concessional finance from multilateral development banks and international financial institutions, will be crucial to de-risk investments.

Reduce the cost of capital, and attract private investment at scale. According to IRENA's analysis, a successful renewables-based energy transition requires robust infrastructure, enabling policy frameworks, technical capacity and skills.

Key prerequisites, however, include scaled-up financing and international cooperation.

COP30 presents an opportunity to set an ambitious finance goal and create clear investment pathways for climate action. From our side, IRENA's Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform, ETAF, An inclusive multi-stakeholder climate finance platform has been giving financiers access to a pipeline of eligible.

Bankable, and business-ready projects aligned with national priorities and the 2030 agenda in developing countries since 2021. To date, IDAF has attracted over 15 multilateral development banks and institutions. And the original target of 4 billion US dollars in soft pledges has been surpassed and expanded to 5 billion US dollars.

In closing, I would like to invite you to IRENA's fifth investment forum and second in Africa.

On 20th to 23rd October in Sierra Leone under the umbrella of the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa, APRA. The forum will unite governments, financiers, and developers to accelerate investments in renewables across the region.

Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of INTERPOL. You have the floor.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates.

Illicit financial flows pose a serious threat to global peace, security, and sustainable development. Stemming from the profits of crime, corruption, and the theft of public funds, these flows not only finance transnational organized crime and terrorism, but also drain critical public resources, undermining national efforts to realize the 2030 Agenda. Moreover, these flows often cross multiple jurisdictions, making police investigation, prosecution, and asset recovery both complex and time-consuming. To confront these transnational flows, we must respond with equally robust international cooperation. As the world's only global police organization, Interpol facilitates law enforcement cooperation to disrupt illicit financial flows through various mechanisms. Firstly, in January, Interpol piloted the Silver Notice, a tool that helps countries locate, identify and monitor criminal assets, and enables multilateral cooperation on asset recovery. In less than a year, the Silver Notice has already achieved considerable success. For instance, the first silver notice issued by Italy helped locate over 1.7 million US dollars in illegal assets in Brazil and facilitated bilateral coordination to secure their seizure. Secondly, Interpol supports our member countries to prevent the transfer of suspected illicit assets through the Interpol Global Rapid Intervention of Payments or iGRIP stop-payment mechanism. Just last year, IGRP facilitated cooperation between Singapore and Timor-Leste to intercept and recover over US$40 million that would have otherwise been lost to business e-mail compromise fraud. Finally, Interpol coordinates multilateral police operations targeting illicit financial flows. In August, we concluded the sixth edition of Operation Heiji, which united 40 countries to detect and disrupt online fraud and money laundering. The operation froze over 68,000 bank accounts and recovered over 400 million US dollars. Excellencies, the borderless nature of illicit financial flows compels us to work together to detect and disrupt illicit flows and deny criminals their financial gains.

Interpol is proud to play.

A leading role in combating this elusive threat, and we are committed to supporting our 196 member countries to do the same. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of INTERPOL, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Labour Organization. You have the floor.

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates and colleagues, I'm pleased to share the following inputs on behalf of the ILO.

In relation to the follow-up to the Compromiso de Sevilla and for the process leading to the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation. Let me start by saying that expanding social protection is essential for eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, formalizing employment and enterprises, among other benefits. But despite this, today only 52.4% of the global population is covered by at least one social protection benefit. Crucially for the ILO, The F54 outcome document, the Compromiso de Sevilla, positions social protection as central to inclusive development, urging countries to increase social protection coverage by at least two percentage points per year, in line with international social security standards, and to ensure predictable financing for social protection, especially in times of crisis, including within IMF-supported programs. There is currently strong global momentum around the two percentage points target, reflecting growing international and national commitment to expanding social protection coverage. For example, the ILO very much welcomes the inclusion of this two percentage points target in the Second World Summit for Social Development Political Declaration and in the G20 South Africa Development Working Group call to action. To follow up on the compromise of the SEVIR, the ILO will launch a new global platform to monitor the extension of social protection coverage by two percentage points.

And it will also.

Launch the second edition of the Fiscal Space for Social Protection Handbook at the 2026 FFT forum. The handbook will provide guidance on what has worked to expand the fiscal space for social protection and to extend social protection coverage. But despite this, what I can already say is that due to high level of labor market informality, contributory social protection systems will not be able to close the social protection financing gap alone. Therefore, there is an urgent need to expand access to non-contributory benefits, such as universal pensions, child and family benefits, as well as public health services, and/or complement the social security contributions of workers with limited contributory capacity with tax financing. Expanding access to non-contributory social protection financed by taxes not only reduces inequalities and strengthens the social contract, but also plays a key role in formalizing labor and enterprises. This is why the ILO, building on our standards and the compromise of the Cevier, we recommend the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation to include a dedicated paragraph which calls for progressive extension of coverage of social protection systems, including floors in line with the ILO conventions and recommendations as well as intergovernmentally agreed standards. This paragraph should also clarify that social protection coverage extension must be financed with a gradual mobilization of additional domestic resources such as tax revenues.

I thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of ILO and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development. You have the floor.

I'm pleased to give this statement on behalf of FAO, IFAD, and WFP. We note the report of the Secretary-General and welcome the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. The Compromiso de Sevilla emphasizes the following key issues. First, the importance of investing in agri-food system transformation using a long-term strategic approach. Agri-food systems are a vital pillar of the global economy, offering significant returns on investment and a critical entry point for food crisis prevention and mitigation. Second, the need to use resources more catalytically. This includes mobilizing domestic resources, where we welcome the commitment to better consider food security, nutrition, and sustainability of agri-food systems in fiscal programming. and using public resources to crowd in private finance through risk sharing mechanisms. Third, the central role that public development banks can play in assembling finance from all sources to support locally led solutions. Fourth, the call for the development of comprehensive risk management and insurance markets with solutions for smallholder farmers, including women farmers, cooperatives, MSMEs, and other stakeholders. Fifth, the promotion of the productive use of remittances, as well as access to affordable and inclusive digital financial services, which are essential to reducing inequality and unlocking opportunity in rural areas. Finally, financing models should align humanitarian development and peace objectives. linking risk reduction, social protection, and adaptation to protect livelihoods and ensure lasting food security, as building resilience is critical to sustaining progress in agri-food systems and reducing the need for recurrent humanitarian support. We hope the Committee will reflect these important achievements in its work. FAO, IFAD, and WFP stand ready to support the Committee's deliberations and to turn commitments into actions, drawing from each of our unique experiences on the ground. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of IFAD. Last on my list, I have the distinguished representative of Egypt. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the outset, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the delegation of Egypt associates itself to the statements of G77 and China and the African Group. Proceeding from our national capacity, I would like to state the following. With the continued geopolitical and geoeconomic disruptions facing our world today, the burdens on developing nations grow. This leads to a reduction in the development indexes and a reduction in revenues with an increased debt burden, reduced reserves, like increased illicit financial flows and increasing poverty. This threatens the great achievements and gains done by developing countries to achieve 2030 agenda. Thus, there is a need to work with all partners to make great strides in macroeconomics. We call for a deep restructuring and reform of the financial international financial system and the Bretton Woods institutions. Thus, the UN must play a leading role in this domain. In this vein, Egypt stresses the need to seriously work to counter the special challenge of increasing development needs in our countries. We need to adopt a comprehensive approach to address the problem of increasing sovereign debts in developing countries. In this regard, we welcome the outcome document of the Seville commitment, especially when it comes to debt, debts and establishing a platform for indebted countries. There is need for intergovernmental negotiation to review sovereign debts. It's important to implement all commitments to assess needs and provide the necessary financing, especially concessional financing to developing countries. We need international effective cooperation. It's a part and parcel condition to achieve sustainable development. We look forward to a successful implementation of the UN framework, conventional tax cooperation. We must meet all logistical needs to ensure a successful negotiation process. We have to fully commit to the seriousness of this process by all parties. This will ensure achieving common interests. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Egypt. Distinguished delegates, we have heard the last speaker on my list. The committee has thus concluded the joint discussion of agenda item 16 and its sub-items and agenda item 17. I remind delegations that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals under item 16, macroeconomic policy questions and its sub-items A to D, as well as agenda item 17, follow-up to the implementation of the outcomes of the international conferences on financing for development, is on Monday, 13 October at 3:00 PM, and that the deadline for sub-items E to H of item 16 is on Tuesday, 14 October at 3 p.m. We will now continue with the general debate. To ensure maximum use of the available meeting time, the committee will now proceed to hear the next speakers in the general debate on the theme for its 80th session, five years to 2030, multilateral solutions for sustainable development. I wish to remind delegations that the time limit for national statements is seven minutes, and I now will give the floor to the first speaker on my list, which is the distinguished representative of the United States. You have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. While the United States respects the work of the Chair and the Committee, we want to be clear that we expect the Second Committee to focus on economic and financial work within its mandate. Too often, we see resolutions on regional and political issues that should be addressed in other fora. We ask members of this committee to negotiate those arguments in the appropriate venue and not here in the Second Committee. This year, in the Second Committee, the United States will disengage from a majority of resolutions precisely because we see the same contentious and irrelevant issues raised over and over again. Second Committee resolutions should be short, actionable and forward-looking. Instead, we consistently see resolutions with outdated references and restatements of documents not agreed to by all members. Too often, texts are repetitive, symbolic or disconnected from realities on the ground. The United States will not continue to support work that strays from the Second Committee's core mandate. Rather than rubber-stamping every resolution that comes through this committee, the United States will focus our efforts on resolutions where American leadership can deliver outcomes. Additionally, many draft resolutions continue to include problematic language calling for new international economic orders, social justice initiatives, vague redistributions of wealth, or mandates that interfere with U.S. sovereignty and the independence of international financial institutions. We will not endorse language that undermines the principles of free markets, transparency, and accountability. Where we do engage, it's because the issues are aligned with U.S. priorities, promoting fair trade, advancing debt transparency and responsible lending, and driving development through innovation and private sector growth. The United Nations can be a useful platform when it reinforces freedom, prosperity, and human dignity. But multilateralism is not a virtue on its own. Success should not be measured by the number of resolutions passed, but by whether those resolutions actually help countries build stronger economies, create jobs, and live freer, more secure lives. The United Nations can no longer afford to waste its resources where there is little or no impact. The number of reports, conferences, and negotiations has ramified beyond the point of ineffectiveness and waste to a level of dysfunction that makes it impossible to carry out vital work. we must see less talk and more action at the United Nations. The United States will continue to engage constructively behind the scenes, building coalitions, improving texts, and pushing back against harmful or distracting language. But when the final product is not in line with our principles, we won't hesitate to vote no or disengage. Bottom line, this year you'll see the United States stand firmly behind only a handful of Second Committee resolutions. They are the ones that reflect our values, advance our interests, and contribute to real progress, not just paperwork. Mr. Chair, colleagues, we look forward to working with you in the weeks ahead to make the Second Committee more efficient, relevant, and effective. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States, and I now give the floor to the representative of Ethiopia. You have the floor.

Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the floor. I would like to begin by expressing my delegation's warm congratulations to you and the members of the Bureau on your election to lead the work of this important committee. Mr. Chair, you have full support of my delegation during the deliberations. Chair, my delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Group of 77, China, LEDCs, and the African Group. The world continues to face a watershed moment marked by economic shocks compounded by debt and the climate crisis, protracted conflicts, and the widening digital divide. The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals UN report underscores the urgency of our task. Only 17% of the targets are on track, while 18% are in regression. This sobering reality demands decisive and coordinated action. Developing countries are spending massive resources to service their foreign debts as interest costs climb up, according to the latest International Debt Report. These figures This figure tells the reality where governments are locked into interest and the repayment obligations to creditors instead of channeling scarce public funds into critical sectors such as health, education, clean energy, or job creation. The effect is a rapid reversal of sustainable development objectives. As a result, many developing countries are grappling with structural bottlenecks that limit their capacity to invest in their people and the future. In Ethiopia, our national progress and efforts are bearing fruits as our determination driven by clear purposes and the leadership commitment continues. Through Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative, widely considered one of the largest reforestation effort in Africa and globally, we planted over 48 billion trees in seven years. The initiative has created hundreds of thousands of jobs, particularly for women and the youth. This is part of our commitment to protect our climate for present and future generations of humankind. Our climate resilient wheat initiative is a game changer in Africa's development trajectory. It is laying the foundation for long-term self-reliance. Having previously spent close to 1 billion annually on wheat imports, Ethiopia is now the largest wheat producer in Africa, fulfilling its national demand and exporting surplus production. The initiative has scaled up agricultural productivity with focus on climate smart technologies and irrigation infrastructure in the face of disrupted global supply chains. The second United Nations Food Systems Tech Summit held last July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in cooperation with Italy, contributed to the effort to accelerate the transformation of food systems towards more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global food systems. The summit brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including heads of state and the government, creating the platform to share innovations and strengthen national pathways toward achieving the SDGs. Ethiopia's transformative reform under the homegrown economic reform agenda, including microeconomic restructuring, is in full transition from a state-led economy to a market-driven economy supported by meaningful private sector participation, resulting in a significant economic dividend and results. Science, innovation, technology is a critical pillar of our economic transformation journey in agriculture, energy, healthcare, industry, and the poverty eradication. Ethiopia's new science, technology, and innovation policy aims to drastically improve local innovation landscape. It is an ambitious strategy that focuses on advancing top national priorities such as human capital, research and development, and sustainable growth. With this robust framework, my government is working to advance its objectives by addressing resource constraints, increasing private sector participation, and building strong institutions and governance. Ethiopia's remarkable progress in renewable energy development and access are part of our long-term low emissions development strategy. More than 95% of Ethiopia's electricity is clean, being generated from renewable sources. In January 2024, my government made a bold decision by completely banning the importation of fossil fuel vehicles. This decision reshaped Ethiopia's automotive industry and helped to accelerate our transition to electric vehicles. Such bold moves are clear indications of commitment of the government in realizing net zero emissions by 2050. As our cities rapidly expand, Ethiopia's major initiative of urban renewal and development projects in over 60 cities and towns are promoting that urbanization is modern, livable for citizens, and attractive for investment and businesses. As rapid urbanizations created new challenges, it also offers new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth. While aiming to address poor living conditions and educate infrastructure and environmental degradation, we are trying to promote economic growth and the social inclusion with the revival of small and the medium enterprises. Mr. Chair, for too long, countries from the global south have been advocating for a fairer, more just and inclusive global development, global development financing and the governance mechanisms. Addressing shared global goals of combating persistent poverty and inequality, climate-induced disasters, and the debt distress is still a noble objective. However, persistent and realistic calls have been met with insufficient responses and symbolic gestures. As I conclude, Mr. Chair, Ethiopia would like to emphasize that strengthening multilateralism and the outcome-oriented collaboration is critically important to implement the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and build a fairer, more just, and resilient world without leaving no one behind. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ethiopia. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Chair, for giving me the floor. My delegation endorses the statements of the G77 and China and the African Group and would like to make this statement in its national capacity. We are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN, but Cameroon would like to highlight the numerous commitments that have not been kept and missed opportunities and dashed hopes. And this is the context that we're facing today. Our planet is not just suffering from pollution and global warming. It is also suffering because of stifled economies with 3.5 billion people living under crushing debt. This injustice is alarming because often Developing countries borrow at 10% or even more, while developed countries at 1%. This is inequitable and billions of dollars each year get swallowed up into paying debt interest. Our governments are dedicating more resources to servicing debt than they're spending on their own people who are sick or educating their infants and children. So it is crucial that we transform our global government. The Seville Commitment gives us a roadmap to address the $4,000 billion necessary to achieve the SDGs. We're calling for urgent implementation of suspension clauses for payments in the context of climate catastrophes that we haven't caused and fair representation within international financial institutions. because we have very small voting rights in the IMF, and this must be corrected. Mr. Chairman, this is crucial because if debt is not stifling us from above, illicit financial trafficking and tax evasion is bleeding us from inside. The Framework Convention of the UN on International Tax Cooperation is a step in the right direction, but much remains to be done. and the giants of the digital world that generate colossal profits in our countries have to pay their fair share. Bolstered cooperation should curb illicit financial flows, furthermore, that are draining in Africa enormous sums of money and which would finance our infrastructure, our education and healthcare system. Promises are no longer enough. We are calling upon developed countries to keep their commitment to maintain 0.7% of their GDP to ODA. This was a commitment taken about 50 years ago, and it's only respected now by six countries. We are the least responsible for climate change, but we are paying the heaviest price for it. So therefore, we're calling for a global operational green fund, the expansion of special drawing rights and mechanisms that would transform our debt into climate investment. In English.

Scientific panel on artificial intelligence. Yet, we must acknowledge a profound concern As AI revolutionize our world, it carries the risk of creating two parallel realities, one illuminated by infinite possibilities, another trapped in deepening shadows. If we fail to act with wisdom and solidarity, our motto, better together, risk becoming a bitter irony rather than a shared aspiration. And so, your excellencies, distinguished delegates from the developed world, Cameroon humbly call on you to carry this reality back to your capitals. While algorithm feed billions of screen with endless streams of information and entertainment, we implore you to think of the millions of human beings in Africa, children and youth, who struggle daily for a single glass of water, be clean or not. Picture them studying by candlelight or the flickering glow of wood fires. Their brilliant minds constrained not by lack of talent, but lack of opportunity. Think of the mothers who lie down at night, their stomach empty, uncertain whether they will have food for their children come morning. And I will spare you the haunting details of young girls and women living in conflict zones, their suffering perpetrated by the prosperous trade in weapons of war. Cameroon would be grateful to you to carry this message. Artificial intelligence, however powerful, however transformative, confront the stark reality of millions of life abandoned in darkness, left behind. The most sophisticated algorithm cannot erase the fundamental injustice of their exclusion. You hold technological pleas whose potential can transform destinies. Let this potential, this power, be accompanied by concrete commitment infused with solidarity, responsibility, and above all, humanity. This is not merely about conquering new markets or expanding digital frontiers. This is about answering a moral imperative that transcends borders and balance sheets. The most advanced technology can and must become the light that illuminates those who have been longest forgotten, those who have been pushed to the margins of our global village, This is the choice before us, an artificial intelligence in service of global justice, of realistic, of tangible digital solidarity. Innovation should build bridge, not erect barriers. Technology should extend hands, not turn away faces. Only then we will give true nobility to our guiding principle, better together, in a world where no one, absolutely no one, is left behind.

This is the message that Cameroon has sought to bring because poverty is not going to be eradicated with good intentions and promises, but with specific actions and shared political will. My country solemnly commits to cooperation with the entire international community, with the firm conviction that together, truly better together, that we can build the future that we want, a future where each child, be he or she born in Yaounde, Bangui, Bwunda, and New York will have opportunities. A future for human dignity will be a universal right and not a privilege. Together and only together can we achieve this. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cameroon. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guyana. You have the floor.

Chair, delegates, my delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished delegates of Iraq and Belize on behalf of G77 and China and CARICOM, respectively. Guyana first extends congratulations to the Chair and the members of the Bureau on your appointments and best wishes on your efforts to advance the work of the Second Committee for this 80th session of the General Assembly. Please be assured of our delegation's full support and our commitment to constructive engagement. We also extend appreciation to members of the Bureau of the 79th Session under the leadership of Bangladesh and commend their diligent and productive efforts. Chair, as we enter this 80th session in earnest, all of us, both developed and developing countries, must strive to have the right mechanisms and mandates that will build a world rooted in the principles of the Charter, one that upholds human rights of all people, and one that upholds the human rights of all people wherever they are. We gather again to share our outlook and expectations for the next year of work of this committee and the United Nations at large. In the year that has elapsed since we last held this General Debate, we have experienced another 12 months of protracted conflicts across our globe, of a worsening climate crisis and rising food insecurity. Notably, we are also in an era of unprecedented technological developments with breakthroughs in artificial intelligence that, if used responsibly, will clear guardrails and provide solutions to address some of our world's most complex crises. It is clear that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is facing unparalleled headwinds. Yet it remains our blueprint for global development. We must therefore redouble our efforts to safeguard progress and accelerate implementation. Chair, we are all well versed on the spectrum of roadblocks on the path to the implementation of the 2030 agenda. I take this opportunity to speak to what I see as three of the most pressing issues that we must confront, namely the proliferation of armed conflict, the climate crisis, and increasing development financing. If we fail to address these issues head on, we will not only fail to implement the SDGs, but we will see a rapid reversal in the progress that has been achieved since 2015. It is the reality that peace and prosperity are inextricably linked. There can be no sustainable development without peace and security. The past year has unfortunately been one of a continuation and even worsening of the armed conflicts that have plagued our planet. From Gaza to Lebanon, to Sudan, the DRC, Ukraine, and Haiti, and beyond, war and gang violence has come at the cost of life and limb, destroyed infrastructure, and stagnated economies. As conflicts continue, We see increased government expenditure dedicated not just to responding to the impacts of conflict, but also to building up the security hardware and software needed for their defense. This spending, whether justified or not, means that critical revenue is diverted away from needed investments in areas like education and healthcare. On this 80th anniversary of the UN, we must return to the core purpose of the Charter and find ways to end and prevent conflicts. Turning to the climate crisis, it is impossible to overstate the urgency with which we must act. As devastating hurricanes, floods, and droughts bring disastrous consequences across the globe, we are continuously reminded that no state is immune from the impacts of climate change. And as such, no state is exempt from being part of the solution. However, it must also be acknowledged that the state's contribution to the creation of this issue must be commensurate to their responsibility. Guyana as a carbon sink will continue to play our part, remain committed to the pursuit of a diversified growth model rooted in our low carbon development strategy, We will continue to champion the protection of forests and advocate for adequate compensation for those nations that, like our own, that are providing this global good. Investments in adaptation and mitigation cannot be abandoned. Finally, on financing, while the gap for SDG financing appears daunting, it is not insurmountable. The solutions exist. These are articulated just a few short months ago in the Seville Commitment. We must now convert words into action. Securing adequate financing for sustainable development depends on inclusive and all of society collaboration. I urge our development partners not to retreat from their commitments. Chair, as our theme states, we have only five years left to implement the 2030 Agenda. Each of our countries has a role to play in accelerating progress. I reiterate Guyana's steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable development and to the pursuit of multilateral solutions that will aid in building a world that is more prosperous for all. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Guyana, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji. You have the floor.

Chair, thank you for the floor. On Fiji wishes to align its statement with the G77 and China, delivered by Iraq, and the AUC statement delivered by Palau. We convey our best wishes to you and the members of your Bureau, including the Secretariat, for this important session. Chair, we stand at a pivotal moment in our development history. Five years remain until 2030, the year we pledged to deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals were not mere aspirations. They were commitments to end poverty, protect our planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. Yet today, following on from the Pact of the Future and the FFD4 Conference, we must confront the sobering truth. Progress has been uneven, climate change intensifies, inequality persists, conflicts rage, and disease of various kinds leaves scars that will still shape our world. But this is not a time for despair. It is time for global resolve. As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter, we are better together. All this can be solved through collaborative action, unity, and multilateralism. We have five years. Five years to turn the tide. Five years to prove that multilateralism is not a relic, but a lifeline. Five years to show that global solidarity is not a slogan, but a strategy. First, the international community is faltering in its commitment to keep temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Seeds like Fiji, who are most vulnerable, will have to prepare for the worst. Climate change is not merely an environmental challenge, but a profound test of our moral courage and collective responsibility to one another. Let's face reality by confronting it heads on with ambitious NDCs, adequate financing for adaptation and for loss and damage. Let's make COP30 in Balam count. One of the biggest victims of climate crisis is the ocean. We need to step up our efforts to sustainably use and manage our ocean resources, address plastic pollution, conserve biodiversity, and protect endangered species. Financing for development is important. Concessional financing, debt relief, and innovative financial instruments must be made accessible. The MBI need not be overemphasized. It should be used across UN system and the international financial institutions. With this, that issue requires a collective result. Debt is not our choice. It's the reality of our vulnerability that forces our economies to commit to debt. Undeniably, the debt architecture will gain from a review that ensures a win-win situation. Let me conclude by saying that SDG are not out of reach, but they are out of time unless we act boldly, inclusively, and urgently together. We must invest in education that empowers, healthcare that reaches all, economies that lift people out of poverty, and information technologies that confronts the current challenges without costing the earth. We must listen to youth, elevate indigenous voices, and ensure that women are not just included, but leading. Technology must be harnessed for good, finance must flow from where it is needed most, and governance must be transparent, accountable, and just. With five years to go, we still have a chance to make waves. With your leadership, Chair, we are confident for a successful second committee session. One that aspires to leave no goal behind and leave no one behind. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Fiji, and I now give the floor to the permanent representative of Lesotho. Excellency, you have the floor.

Mr. Chairman, We align our statement with those delivered by Iraq, Guinea-Bissau, Nepal and Bolivia on behalf of the G77 and China, Africa, LDCs and LLDCs groups, respectively. We also seize this opportunity to congratulate you, Chair, and your Bureau on your election. We assure you of Lesotho's full support and cooperation throughout the 80th session of the General Assembly. five years to 2030, multilateral solutions for sustainable development is both appropriate and timely, as we are at the halfway mark of the Decade of Action for the Attainment of the SDGs. It symbolizes a critical moment for strengthening international solidarity, trust and collaboration towards the delivery of the SDGs, particularly during this time when multilateralism is undergoing challenges. Mr. Chairman, As we all know, many developing countries are still lagging in the attainment of SDGs, the hardest hit being the least developed countries. The effects of climate change on their ability to produce agricultural products constantly drive them into persistent cycles of food insecurity. In addition, the recurring destruction of critical infrastructure due to floods leads to successive diversion of development finances towards relief efforts. This puts pressure on the already shrinking pairs, thus constraining such countries from being able to deal with the myriad of social challenges facing their populations. The recent global trade policies have led to uncertainties in critical productive sectors in our countries, leading to decline in foreign direct investment and significant job losses, particularly in the textile and apparel sectors. Those disproportionately affected are the vulnerable groups, especially women who look after families, driving them further into poverty. It is in this context that the role of multilateralism becomes indispensable. Multilateral institutions such as the UN should ensure that the development agenda is protected and advanced. By embracing inclusive multilateral frameworks, the international community can foster resilience and support long-term peace and prosperity to ensure that no country is left behind. In this regard, we wish to underscore the need to support LDCs and LLDCs to recover the lost ground to achieve the SDGs. The priorities of the Doha Programme of Action and the Owas Programme of Action must be implemented with speed. As Lesotho, we remain hopeful that the Cevila commitment will be the cornerstone that addresses the challenges facing countries in special situations. Mr. Chair, my delegation is steadfast and committed to implementing the SDGs and achieving the 2030 Agenda in these remaining five years.

However, to achieve this goal, we require innovative financing, robust resource mobilization, and

mutually beneficial partnerships. In a quest to strengthen resilience, Lesotho has undertaken measures to build green and climate-resilient economy through His Majesty's just energy transition. Lesotho's topography enables us to have potential for clean energy development through the sun, wind, and water. Our ambition is to translate these resources into real wealth to change the livelihoods of our people. We are resolute to take a holistic action now to ensure that we end poverty and hunger everywhere to achieve SDG 1 and ending poverty and SDG 2 on zero hunger. In this regard, the head of state of the Kingdom of Lesotho, His Majesty King Letsie III, as the African Union champion for nutrition, continues to advocate for increased climate finance in order to enable developing countries to eradicate malnutrition and stunting with their social challenges on society. Mr. Chair, in conclusion, I wish to underscore that it is Lesotho's considered view that as we take the work of the Second Committee forward during this session, the outcomes of major recent conferences, including the Compromisso de Sevilha and the AWASA Programme of Action, should be translated into action. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished Permanent Representative of Lesotho. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Republic of Tanzania. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair, for the floor. Tanzania aligns with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and by Equatorial Guinea on behalf of the African Group. And we wish to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Mr Chair, this general debate comes at a decisive moment. With five years left to 2030, over 80% of the targets are off track, and progress on half of the goals remains weak. Climate change, COVID-19, rising debt burden, food insecurity, and inequalities have reversed gains. For developing nations, especially least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing countries, The 2030 Agenda promise remains a distance. The Doha Programme of Action offers renewed commitment and concrete measures to advance sustainable development, resilience and recovery. For Tanzania, these global handwits deeply intersect with our national priorities. The Vision 2050, launched by Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of United Republic of Tanzania in July this year, alongside the Zanzibar Development Vision 2050, set a broad trajectory towards prosperous, just, inclusive, and self-reliant nation. a strong and competitive economy; human capability and social development; and, three, environmental integrity and climate resilience. Achieving these aspirations requires an enabling global environment, renewed multilateralism, and predictable international support. Financing for development remains to achieving the SDGs. Tanzania welcomes the severe commitment as a renewed momentum for resource mobilization, but stresses that credibility depends on its implementation. We call for urgent reform of the global financial architecture, fairer debt restructuring, suspension of IMF surcharges, increased concession finance, recapitalization of multilateral bank, and effective re-channel of special drawing rights. Declining official development assistance must be reversed and aligned with sustainable priorities. Domestically, Tanzania is enhancing resource mobilization through tax reform, digitalization, stronger public financial management, and curbing illicit financial flows. We believe sustainable development should be primarily driven by domestic resource, complemented by equitable and mutually beneficial global partnership that strengthen resilience and inclusive growth. Mr. Chair, climate change poses an existential threat. Africa contributes less than 4% of the global emission, yet endures disproportionate impacts, drought, floods, cyclone, and rising sea levels that intensify food insecurity. Tanzania retaliates its call for new, additional, predictable, and grant-based climate finance distinct from ODA with simplified access for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage. Nationally, Tanzania is advancing its nationally determined contribution through renewable energy expansion, mangrove and coral restoration, marine reservations, and combating illegal fishing. The blue economy is prioritized for jobs, food security and sustainable growth, but success requires urgent fulfillment of international commitment, especially capitalization of loss and damage fund. Mr. Chairman, food security remains a defining challenge. Despite Africa's vast arable land, the continent spends billions annually on food imports. Tanzania is determined to transform its food system through agriculture modernization, rural infrastructure, irrigation, and regional value chains. Under SDG 2, our goal is to become a leading food basket for Africa, contributing to both national prosperity and global stability. Mr. Chair, Tanzania's progress in implementing SDG illustrates what can be achieved with strong national ownership. We have reduced maternal mortality from 750 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 104 in 2022. We have increased access to water from 32% in rural areas in 2000 to nearly 80% today, and electrified almost all villages, leaving 15% still unconnected. Between 2020 and 2025, Tanzania created over 8 billion jobs, nearly half for women. Women now hold 37% of ministerial positions, and major infrastructure projects such as standard railroad gauge and Julius Nyerere hydro power projects are transforming connectivity and energy security. Yet challenges persist. The informal sector dominance, employment, health worker shortage remains severe and the climate threats and danger cost and biodiversity. This call for stronger global partnership, technology transfer, fair trade and AI driven innovation to bridge gaps and build resilience. Mr. Chair, in conclusion, with the five years to go, The world must accelerate collective action to rescue the SDGs or risk widening inequality. Tanzania reaffirms its faith in inclusive, equitable multilateralism that reflects the Global South's priorities and commits to work with all nations to deliver tangible outcomes. Let us act with unity, urgency, and purpose to place the world on a sustainable and peaceful path, leaving no one behind. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Republic of Tanzania, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Jamaica. You have the floor.

Mr. Chair, at the outset, I take this opportunity to congratulate you and all the members of the Bureau on your election to steer the work of the Second Committee during the 80th session. Please be assured of Jamaica's cooperation, full support, and engagement. I also wish to align with the statements delivered by the distinguished representatives of Belize, on behalf of CARICOM, Palau, on behalf of AUCS, Morocco, on behalf of the like-minded group of middle income countries, and Iraq, on behalf of G77 and China. Mr. Chair, a decade ago, we adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. our leaders made an unprecedented commitment to leave no one behind and to transform our world by 2030. With just five years remaining, the stark reality is that globally, most of the Sustainable Development Goals are off track, and some have even regressed, primarily in developing countries. For small island developing states like Jamaica, The convergence of external shocks has compounded long-standing vulnerabilities, from the pandemic to climate-induced disasters, from rising debt burdens to structural inequalities in the global financial system, from geopolitical instability to changing global trade and economic dynamics. With a $4 trillion annual gap in financing for the SDGs, It is clear that business as usual will not deliver the 2030 agenda. We must face these challenges with a sense of hope, not despair, with urgency, not delay, with an eye open on the opportunities that we find before us. Mr. Chair, the adoption of the Seville Commitment at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development earlier this year marked a pivotal moment for our countries. A central pillar of this document, and one that is critical for Jamaica's own national development agenda, is the need to transform the global financial system. Development cannot occur without affordable, accessible, and predictable finance. The current financial architecture is fundamentally misaligned with the needs of SIDS and other vulnerable economies. We continue to be excluded from concessional finance due to outdated metrics such as GDP or GNI per capita, while we remain on the front lines of climate and external shocks. In this connection, Jamaica reiterates its strong support for the adoption and operationalization of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index to guide access to finance, the expansion of debt relief initiatives, including debt-for-climate and debt-for-nature swaps, reforms to the international tax system to tackle illicit financial flows, and scaled up and simplified access to climate finance with direct support for adaptation in vulnerable countries. If we are to be successful in addressing the multi-pronged challenges we face, we must also take a multi-pronged approach with willing partners across interest groups. South-South and triangular cooperation as a complement to North-South cooperation remains a vital channel for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and innovation. As we seek to accelerate progress towards attainment of the SDGs in these final five years, the international community must act decisively to foster meaningful partnerships, not only between governments, but also with all those who have a stake, multilateral institutions, NGOs, civil society, the private sector, diaspora communities, and youth. Mr. Chair, the UN80 Initiative comes at a pivotal moment, and it must be a catalyst for realignment and reform. Jamaica believes that the review presents a unique opportunity to recalibrate the tools, structures, and approaches of our multilateral system to make it more efficient and effective, even as we strengthen the development pillar of the UN. As co-chair of the informal ad hoc working group with the permanent representative of New Zealand, Jamaica stands ready to engage with all delegations and looks forward to positive outcomes and concrete, workable solutions from this process over the next few months. Mr. Chair, as we stand five years from 2030, we are not just racing against the clock. We are racing to restore faith in multilateralism itself. The credibility of our institutions will not be judged by the eloquence of our commitments, but by the impact of our actions. Jamaica believes in a multilateral system that is inclusive, accountable, development-oriented, anchored in equity and solidarity, and built on the pillars of the UN Charter. One that is capable of providing and implementing innovative solutions that will advance sustainable development for all. Let the next five years be remembered as the moment international community rose to the challenge of our era. Rallied together. Not in words but in resolve. To deliver the future our peoples deserve. Jamaica is committed to working collaboratively with all delegations within the second committee. As we transform ambition to action. Promise to progress. and fragmentation to meaningful partnerships that will yield the solutions that are urgently needed to achieve sustainable development. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Jamaica.

And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Mr. Chairman. allow us, first of all, to extend our congratulations for your election, as well as that of the other members of the Bureau. And we support the statement made by the Republic of Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. Chairman, Venezuela reaffirms its commitment and support for the Palestinian cause, and we reiterate our firm condemnation of the genocide perpetrated by the State of Israel in Gaza. Five years before 2030, we have to acknowledge that we are still very far from complying with the development agenda agreed to 10 years ago. The low economic growth that we are facing, the high volatility and a huge increase in indebtedness. At the same time, we see that there is a decrease in direct foreign investment and non-compliance with the different commitments, including those having to do with ODA. Developing countries are facing not only high costs, but also limited access to financing sources. These negative conditions are increasingly worse and worsen the conditions of our countries, deepening the gap between North and South and taking us further away from the goal of sustainable development. Along with the crisis underway, there are other major global challenges, such as climate change, environmental degradation, the food crisis, the energy crisis, the increase of the external debt, serious macroeconomic imbalances, the volatility of financial markets, inequality, degradation of natural resources, among others, which the international community must urgently address with cooperation and international solidarity and favoring multilateralism. Chairman, in our case, the efforts for development are undermined by the attacks of the pandemic caused not by COVID-19, but caused by the systematic aggression carried out by the government of the United States against my country, including the criminal implementation of a de facto financial, trade, and economic blockade, which flagrantly violates every standard of international law, as well as the tenets of the United Nations Charter, and which is a deliberate attack against the right to development for our people. They are attempting to stifle our country economically, which includes more than 1,000 so-called sanctions through which they have looted our sovereign resources and are trying to kill our people through hunger and disease. More than $22 billion, the property of Venezuela, remains frozen in the international financial system. More than 20 tonnes of gold belonging to Venezuelan reserves, for a value of roughly $2 billion. have been looted by the Bank of England. While many of our most important assets abroad, particularly in the United States, remain confiscated, among them the Citgo Petroleum Corporation with a value of more than 13 billion dollars and its annual dividends, which we have not been able to repatriate since 2017. They have created an entire pseudo-legal network to facilitate the looting of our assets abroad. The loss due to this criminal policy of aggression and economic terrorism has reached more than $232 billion, resources which could have been used to finance our national development plans and to help us achieve the SDGs. Despite this reality, our nation has resisted against this multifaceted aggression. And with our own efforts, with national unity, with great resilience, we have managed to get back on the path towards socioeconomic development. With pride, we can say today that our national economy grew 6.6% in the last half of 2025, and that throughout the last four years, we have seen sustained growth, as confirmed by such international organizations as ECLAC. However, our economic growth cannot be influenced by the criminal measures of the United States and its satellites. And that is why we demand, once again, the complete, immediate, and unconditional end to this neocolonial experiment of calculated cruelty, which has a negative impact on the human rights of more than 30 million Venezuelans and which hinders our achievement of the SDGs, at the same time deepening gaps, inequalities and vulnerabilities, and exacerbates social exclusion. Our mother earth continues to give signals of distress. We reiterate our serious concern over the lack of concrete progress that allows us to stop or slow down global warming. We have to move urgently. and carry out actions which would help us mitigate the effects of climate change. And lastly, our country affirms its commitment to find concrete, immediate, and inclusive solutions without discrimination nor any type of exclusion, which would allow us to achieve results such as financing for development, as well as to strengthen South-South cooperation, North-South, and triangular cooperation. in accordance with the SDGs. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I thank the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Representative of Cyprus, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Cyprus aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to offer the following remarks in its national capacity.

With just five years remaining to realize the 2030 agenda, the stakes could not be higher. The convergence of global.

Crisis, climate change, conflict, inequality, and economic fragility continues to challenge our collective capacity to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. For small islands and coastal states like Cyprus, these challenges are not abstract, they are lived realities. Cyprus is honored to have been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 25-27. We view this as an opportunity to actively contribute to the global development agenda through the lens of inclusive governance, social protection, and institutional capacity building, ensuring Ensuring equal access to education, healthcare and economic opportunity, especially for women, youth and marginalized communities, is key to achieving sustainable development. We use our term to support cooperative approaches that link rights, dignity and development in practical and meaningful ways. Mr. Chair, Cyprus as a Mediterranean island state is on the front line of climate crisis. In recent years, we have endured record heat waves, devastating wildfires, and prolonged droughts. These events are not only environmental in nature, they are deeply human challenges threatening livelihoods and public health. We are especially concerned about growing food and water insecurity exacerbated by challenging by changing rainfall patterns, desertification, and raising temperatures. These pressures compound social vulnerabilities and present risks to long-term development and regional stability. We are working to strengthen our national resilience through adaptation policies, sustainable water management, and regional cooperation. As a coastal and maritime state, Cyprus places strong emphasis on SDG 14 and the sustainable use of ocean resources. We reaffirm our unwavering support to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. Cyprus also remains committed to supporting development globally through CyprusAid, our official development cooperation program, who provides targeted assistance to countries in our region with a focus on sectors such as health, education, gender equality, and capacity building. We view development cooperation as a pillar of solidarity and a vital instrument for global equity. Mr. Chair, Cyprus reaffirms its strong commitment to multilateralism, to the principles of the United Nations and to the full realization of the 2030 Agenda. In these final five years, let us move forward with determination, guided by science, solidarity and shared responsibility. The future we want is still within reach, but only if we act together. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cyprus, and I now give the floor to the last speaker on our list for today's session, the distinguished representative of Gabon. You have the floor.

Thank you, sir. Given the fact that we're taking the floor for the first time, Gabon would like to convey to you and to the Bureau our sincere Congratulations on your election to the head of this committee. Please be assured of our full support as you carry out your new responsibilities and our availability to work alongside you as you carry out your work. My delegation endorses the statement made by the distinguished representative of Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China and Guinea-Bissau on behalf of the African Group, and would like to add the following comments in its national capacity. Mr. Chair, the General Assembly is celebrating its 80th year, Better Together, 80 years for peace, human development. Gabon would like to reiterate that peace and development can only be associated if there is exclusive and sustainable economic development. We are focusing on UN support for Gabon's growth, economic growth plan. This plan focuses on our energy capacity, bolstering our infrastructure, digital development and young people. As the President of the Republic during his statement to the General Assembly, the planet facing climate change, challenges pertaining to biodiversity and pollution are existential threats for the world, and the international community needs to rally to address this. Our country, which has equatorial forests and mangroves, and is recognized as a leader in preserving biodiversity in the Congo Basin, has acted as lungs for humanity. Nonetheless, our essential contribution is insufficient. It's not sufficiently tapped into in international economic mechanisms. So Gabon is pleading for effective recognition of ecosystems in man in development management models my country is delighted that in on the 17th of January 2026 the bbnj should enter into force this offers a far-reaching framework to promote biodiversity sir we welcome the efforts of this committee to push forward international tax cooperation, G20 supports the drafting of a framework universal convention on tax that guarantees transparency, that guarantees combating tax evasion and enables developing countries to mobilize domestic resources. In the context of these multiple crises, we would reiterate that a fundamental root and branch reform of the international financial architecture is necessary. There needs to be debt mitigation and equitable access to financing. The Seville conference and the adoption of the Seville commitment is an important step in our collective quest for a fairer world. Gabon welcomes this progress whilst recalling that there is much to be done to meet the legitimate aspirations of Africa. Mr. Chairman, my delegation would reiterate its commitment to the 2030 agenda and calls for its implementation to be speeded up, in particular in the of climate financing, economic resilience and south-south co-operation, we would encourage the committee to continue its effort to revitalise, including simplifying agendas and easier participation of developing countries in decision-making processes. We call for this to be done. Gabon remains convinced that only an inclusive, solidarity-based, multilateral approach will enable us to meet the economic and financial challenges of our time. We are prepared to work with all our partners to build a fairer, greener, and more prosperous future. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Gabon. We have heard the last speaker in the general debate for this meeting. Remaining speakers will be heard, time permitting, tomorrow afternoon, 10 October. following the joint general discussion of items 15 and 20. Dear colleagues, the committee will reconvene in this conference room tomorrow, Friday, 10 October, at 10:00 a.m. to jointly consider agenda item 15, information and communications technologies for sustainable development, and item 20, globalization and interdependence, and its sub-items. The meeting is adjourned.