Second Committee, 11th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session

affirmed for the first time that the global transition to low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience is irreversible and the trend of the future, and reaffirmed the resolve to keep the 1.5 degree limit within reach. On mitigation, parties responded to the Secretariat's synthesis of Nationally Determined Contributions which showed the global emission curve bending downward, but aggregate ambition still insufficient. The conference called for the accelerated and full implementation of nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plans, and the Global Implementation Accelerator and the Belem Mission to 1.5 degrees were launched to strengthen cooperation and investment. On finance, building on the new collective quantified goal agreed in Baku, parties took note of the Baku to Belem roadmap to 1.3 trillion.

Excellencies, distinguished.

Good morning, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. I call to order the 11th meeting of the Second Committee. I invite now the Committee to begin its consideration of the agenda item 17, sustainable development, and its sub-items A to I. The documentation under the item and sub-items is listed in today's journal and on e-gov. And we will now proceed with introduction of the reports. Before doing so, I note that three reports of the Secretary-General to be introduced this morning are yet to be issued in all languages, as follows: Towards the Sustainable Development of the Caribbean Sea for Present and Future Generations, under item 17. The other report on Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All, under item 16. and the third one on combating sand and dust storms under item 70H. I therefore seek the agreement of the Committee to hear the introductions of the report on the basis of the advanced, unedited versions shared with the Committee. If I hear no objections on this proposal, we shall proceed accordingly. I would like to remind presenters of reports that the time limit for one introductory statement is four minutes, although some flexibility will be exercised when two or more reports are introduced in one intervention. I first invite Ms. Ivana Zivkovic, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States of the United Nations Development Programme, to introduce, under the chapeau of item 17, the report of the Secretary General on the international cooperation and coordination for the human and ecological rehabilitation and economic development of the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan, as contained in document A/81/304. Mr. Assistant Secretary General, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates. I'm pleased to present the report of the Secretary General on international cooperation and coordination for the human and ecological rehabilitation and economic development of the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan, which is submitted in compliance with the UN General Assembly Resolution 78/142. The report outlines the actions taken and progress made by the government of Kazakhstan, UN agencies, and the international community in addressing the social, economic, and ecological challenges in the rehabilitation and development of the Semipalatinsk region between 2023 and 2025. It was prepared by UNDP in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and relevant line ministries, the UN country team, and international partners. The important contributions of all stakeholders reflect our collective commitment to the region's sustainable development. 35 years after the closure of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, its humanitarian, health, environmental, and socioeconomic consequences continue to affect communities in the region. The former test site remains a powerful reminder of the long-term humanitarian, health, environmental, and socioeconomic consequences of nuclear testing, and of the importance of preventing such harm for future generations. The report recognizes Kazakhstan's sustained commitment to the rehabilitation and development of the affected region. Important recent steps include the establishment of Abay Oblast, the adoption of a comprehensive plan for its socio-economic development, and the 2023 Act on the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone. These measures provide a stronger foundation for investment, environmental rehabilitation, radiation safety, and the gradual return of remediated land to economic use in accordance with radiation safety requirements. International cooperation has complemented these national efforts. United Nations entities, the International Atomic Energy Agency, international financial institutions, and bilateral partners have supported healthcare, social protection, nuclear and radiation safety, environmental resilience, water infrastructure, agriculture, livelihoods, and participatory governance. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain. Continued scientific monitoring and environmental oversight are essential to protect public health and guide decisions on land use. Further efforts are also needed to modernize healthcare and infrastructure, diversify the regional economy, create sustainable employment, and strengthen support to affected and vulnerable communities. The Secretary General therefore calls for continued technical, expert, and financial support for nationally led programs. Priorities include continuous health screening for radiation-affected populations, stronger rural health care, environmental remediation, safe drinking water and municipal infrastructure, sustainable employment, youth entrepreneurship, and expanded vocational and technical education. Particular attention should be given to inclusive opportunities for women, young people, rural communities, and other vulnerable groups. The progress achieved demonstrates what sustained national commitment and international cooperation can deliver. The United Nations remains committed to supporting Kazakhstan in addressing the remaining consequences of nuclear testing and advancing the long-term well-being and sustainable development of affected communities. I thank you.

I thank you, Ms. Zivkovic, for the presentation. And now I would like to invite Ms. Marina Walter, Chief of Liaison, Partnerships and Communications at the Regional Bureau for Arab States of the United Nations Development Programme, to introduce, under the chapeau of item 17, the report of the Secretary-General on oil slick on Lebanese shore, as contained in document A/81/242. Ms. Walter, the floor is yours.

Dear Chair and distinguished members of the committee, on behalf of the United Nations Secretary General, I'm pleased to present the report on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 80130, titled Oil Slick on Lebanese Shores. This report updates on the progress made in implementing previous General Assembly resolutions regarding the environmental disaster caused by the Israeli Air Force's destruction of oil storage tanks near Lebanon's GA power plant on the 15th of July, 2006. This event released approximately 15,000 tons of fuel oil into the Mediterranean Sea, contaminating about 150 kilometers of coastline along Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. Prepared by UNDP, the report notes that paragraph 4 of the General Assembly resolution 80/130 acknowledged the conclusion of the 2025 report of the Secretary-General, which reiterated that studies placed the value of the damage to Lebanon at 856.4 million US dollars in 2014.

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Resolution also requested the Secretary-General to urge United Nations bodies and relevant organizations involved in the initial assessment to undertake further study on the impact of the oil spill. However, in the absence of new findings or data, it is not possible to undertake further studies to quantify environmental degradation costs at this stage. Against this background, in 20 years after the occurrence of the oil slick, no further study is viable. In paragraph 5 of resolution 80/130, the General Assembly reiterated the request for the Government of Israel to assume responsibility for providing prompt and adequate compensation to Lebanon and other affected countries, including the Syrian Arab Republic. To date, however, the Government of Israel has not assumed responsibility for this compensation. In paragraph 6 of the resolution, the General Assembly reiterated its appreciation for the efforts of the Government of Lebanon and other stakeholders in launching clean-up and rehabilitation operations. This includes the successful completion in 2017 of the European Union-supported contract for disposing of the remaining solid waste from the 2006 oil spill. However, despite the importance of ecosystem protection within the 2030 Agenda that we are supporting, no further support for recovery and rehabilitation has been provided. In paragraphs 7 and 8 of the resolution, the General Assembly welcomed the agreement of the Lebanon Recovery Fund to host the Eastern Mediterranean Oil Spill Restoration Trust Fund. The General Assembly invited Member States and the international donor community to make voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund and requested the Secretary-General to mobilize technical and financial assistance to ensure sufficient resources. Regrettably, to date, no contributions have been made. Compounding these challenges, the Lebanese coast suffered another oil spill in February 2021. Its cause remains undetermined, but it inflicted widespread environmental damage, including to two marine reserves, further endangering marine life and biodiversity at the coast. Given the above, the report commends the governments of Lebanon's ongoing efforts to address the impacts of the oil spill. Nonetheless, it expresses grave concern over the continued lack of implementation of the relevant resolution of the General Assembly regarding compensation to the Government of Lebanon and other countries affected by the oil spill, including the Syrian Arab Republic. As a result, the Secretary-General urges Member States and other stakeholders to intensify their support, especially for recovery and rehabilitation activities on the Lebanese coast. Madam Chair, I thank you for your attention.

I thank Ms. Walter for her statement. I next invite Ms. Young-Eun Min, Chief of the Development Data and Outreach Branch of the Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, to introduce, under the chapter of item 17, the report of the Secretary-General on the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals as contained in document A/81/93. I thank Ms. I invite Ms. Min to take the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues, it's my pleasure to present the Secretary-General's 2026 progress report on the Sustainable Development Goals. The report is both a testament to what is possible and urgent call to do far more. With less than five years to achieve the SDGs, the report offers a clear-eyed measure of our collective progress and the monumental urgent work ahead. There are important gains to recognize. Of the 139 SDG targets with available trend data, 36% are on track or making moderate progress. Behind that number are lives transformed. Hundreds of millions have gained access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Social protection now covers over half of the global populations. Disaster-related deaths have dropped by 65% compared to the previous decade. Electricity now reached 2% of the world's population with one-third powered by renewable resources. Internet access has surged from 40% to 74% since 2015, connecting billions to new opportunities. The child mortality reduction target has been met by 134 countries. New HIV infection and AIDS-related deaths have each fallen by roughly one-third. Our capacity to observe and document progress has itself been transformed. In 2016, data existed for roughly half of our SDG indicators. Today, we have over 3.2 million data points, a tenfold growth, cover every indicators. But stark gaps remain. About one in seven targets with available trend data has fallen below its 2015 baseline, while nearly half have made only marginal progress, moving far too slowly to achieve the target by 2030. The consequence felt across the globe. One in 10 people still lives in extreme poverty. Food insecurity affects 2.1 billion people. Maternal mortality remains nearly three times the global target. Over 115 million children are stunted. And discrimination curbs the potential of one in five people worldwide. These shortfalls are compounded by a converging of crisis. Global temperatures reach 1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial level in 2025. Violent conflict at its highest level in decades has forcibly displaced 118 million people. Official development assistance collapsed by a record 23% in 2025. The way forward is clear. We must skill our proven success and address the root cause of our setbacks. This demands decisive actions for peace and stability, stronger institutions and structure transformation. We must restore physical space through meaningful debt relief and mobilize development finance at scale, strengthening food, energy, and water system, expanding essential service, addressing inequalities and empowering women and young people. Let us turn the evidence in this report into action with a renewed sense of urgency to accelerate progress and deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda for a more equitable, peaceful and sustainable future. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Ms. Ming, for the presentation of the report. I now invite Ms. Arlette Verplongh, Chief of the Entrepreneurship Section in the Division on Investment and Enterprise of United Nations Trade and Development, to introduce via videolink under the sub-item 17, the report of the Secretary-General on Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development, as contained in document A/81/245.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, it is my pleasure to introduce the report of the Secretary-General on Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development, A/81/245, submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/201. The report was prepared by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, drawing on contributions from across the United Nations system, including regional commissions, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, FAO, ILO, IOM, ITU, ITC, UNICEF, UNEP, UN Women, WIPO, and UN Tourism. This broad collaboration reflects the cross-cutting nature of entrepreneurship and the importance attached across the United Nations system to its contribution to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The report reviews progress in the implementation of resolution 79/201 and examines the evolving global context shaping entrepreneurship and the contribution of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to sustainable development. It reaffirms their important role in supporting economic growth, employment, innovation and social inclusion, while highlighting the challenges posed by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate pressures and rapid technological change. Allow me to highlight four key findings of the report. First, entrepreneurship remains an important driver of sustainable development, but persistent constraints continue to affect entrepreneurs and MSMEs. Many enterprises, particularly in developing countries, face challenges related to finance, markets, infrastructure, skills, and technology. Women and young people, as well as other underrepresented groups, often face additional barriers. The report notes the growing importance of entrepreneurship ecosystems that bring together public institutions, academia, investors, business support organizations, and civil society to foster innovation, enterprise growth, and resilience. It also highlights efforts by Member States and United Nations entities to strengthen policy making, institutional capacities, and policy coherence. Second, The digital and green transitions are creating significant opportunities while also presenting challenges. Entrepreneurial activities expanding in areas such as renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration, while digital technologies are creating new opportunities for innovation, productivity and market access. However, access to digital infrastructure, green technologies, finance, and skills remain uneven. The report, therefore, underscores the importance of inclusive approaches that enable broader participation in these transitions. It also highlights the growing importance of South-South trade, regional integration, and digitally deliverable services as emerging opportunities for entrepreneurs in developing countries. Third, Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important factor in entrepreneurship and enterprise development. Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for innovation, productivity, and competitiveness across many sectors. However, adoption remains uneven due to gaps in infrastructure, skills, data access, and financing. The report also draws attention to issues related to data governance, transparency, accountability, labor market impacts, and environmental sustainability, underscoring the importance of balanced approaches that support both innovation and responsible use. Fourth, inclusive entrepreneurship remains essential for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The report highlights the importance of expanding opportunities for women, young people, migrants, and other underrepresented groups. It also points to the growing contribution of social entrepreneurship and impact-oriented enterprises in addressing development challenges and delivering solutions in areas such as health, education, and agriculture. Across the United Nations system, support continues to be provided through policy assistance, capacity building, entrepreneurship training, digital skills development, business incubation, market access initiatives, and efforts to improve access to finance. Excellencies, based on these findings, the report suggests a number of areas that member states may wish to consider in accordance with their national priorities and circumstances. These include strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems and enabling environments, promoting more inclusive access to finance, investing in skills development, supporting enterprise formalization and growth, thereby advancing environmentally sustainable business practices and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups. The report also highlights the importance of regional and international cooperation, including South-South cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of good practices. In conclusion, the report underscores that entrepreneurship can make an important contribution to the achievement of the sustainable development goals through innovation, productive capacity, employment creation, and inclusive economic development. Strengthening the conditions that enable entrepreneurs and MSMEs to start, grow, and innovate will remain an important element of efforts to build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economies and to advance the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank Ms. Veldblock for her presentation. I now would like to invite Mr. Zhuang Zhu, Director of the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, to introduce in one intervention the following five reports. Under item 17A, the report of the Secretary General on towards the achievement of sustainable development, implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, including through sustainable consumption and production, building on agenda 21 as issued in document A/81/367. Under item 17B, the report of the Secretary General on follow up to and implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, a renewed declaration for resilient prosperity issued as document A/81/79 and corrigenda 1, 2, and 3, and the report of the Secretary-General on towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations to be issued as document A/81/389. Under item 70F, the report of the Secretary-General on harmony with nature, as contained in document A/81/276, and under item 70G, the report of the Secretary-General on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, to be issued as document A/81/414. Mr. Zhu, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Chair. Uh, the report of the Secretary General on towards the achievement of sustainable development, implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, including through sustainable consumption and the production, building on Agenda 21, was prepared pursuant to GA resolution 80/135. The report underscores the urgent need to accelerate progress on sustainable consumption and production, also known often as simply SCP, a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 agenda. While more countries are adopting SCP-related policies, overall progress remains inadequate as rising resource use, waste generation, and environmental pressures continue to outpace gains. The report concludes that incremental improvements alone are unlikely to achieve SDG 12 by 2030. Instead, the report calls for a shift from fragmented actions to system-wide transformation across production system, consumption patterns, and the institutions that enable them. To this end, the report urges integrated SCP across government policies, planning, and investment. It recommends increased financing, stronger policy tools, stakeholder engagement, circular economy and the zero waste initiative, responsible digitalization, regulation of overconsumption and a greater support for youth entrepreneurs and innovation. Chair, the 2027 High Level Political Forum on the Exoc will review SDG 12, providing an important opportunity to assess progress, strengthen policy coherence, and inform preparations for the 2027 SDG Summit. Report number 2 on the follow-up and implementation of Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States, a renewed declaration for resilient prosperity, submitted pursuant to General Resolution 79, 203 and 80, 136. This is the first report on the implementation of ABAS submitted to both the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. The report highlights progress in implementation at the global and regional levels using the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda monitoring and evaluation framework. Implementation of the ABAAS appears to be in the early stages, but there is evidence in some countries of mainstreaming into existing progress and policies. For the first time in the SIDS Programme of Action, a formal, substantial monitoring and evaluation framework has been established and adopted by the General Assembly. The framework contains 59 targets and 83 indicators, most of which are aligned with the SDGs to reduce report burdening. The report, however, clearly shows that the data availability in Small Island Developing States remains far below global averages. Severe structural deficiencies in national statistics system restrict the proper tracking of progress, especially on climate, poverty, hunger, gender, and environmental indicators, and many states remain unable to benefit from essential concessional international financing. Ultimately, the monitoring framework success will depend entirely on empowering these countries to generate the data needed to advance ABAS. Report number three, on towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generation. was prepared pursuant to GA Resolution 79/204. This report highlights the continued significance of the Caribbean Sea to the region's biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, tourism, and economic development. But that is under increasing pressure from environmental degradation and climate change. The main threats to the resource are the following. Overfishing and unsustainable use of marine resources. Degradation of coral reefs, mangroves, and coastal habitats. Marine and land-based pollution. Climate change impacts including sea level rise, ocean warming, and more intensive storms, which are accelerating existing environmental and socioeconomic vulnerabilities for the SIDS. This report notes that while some progress has been made through regional initiative, governance remains fragmented and financing insufficient. The report proposed some priority actions as follows: strengthening integrated and ecosystem-based ocean governance, improving data collection, monitoring, and regional reporting, increasing investment through innovative financing mechanism and partnerships, and building national capacity for science-based and climate-resilient decision-making. Chair, the fourth report on harmony with nature was prepared in response to GA resolution 79/210. It provides an overview of the nature positive actions that member states, the UN system, and other actors can take to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 agenda. The report first reflects on the severe challenges that nature faces, including biodiversity loss, climate change, unsustainable consumption and production patterns, especially in agri-food system, ocean heating and acidification, water pollution, and unsustainable extraction and other stresses. These crises disproportionately affect low-income and rural communities and other vulnerable groups. The report emphasizes that the global response to these challenges has been wholly inadequate, with institutional fragmentation insufficient investment in capacity, technology and data, and a ten years relationship between science and the policy making. The report calls for scaled up nature positive and locally led finance and recommends that member states prioritize ecosystem protection and restoration. Chair, the final report, report number 5, on enhancing access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, was submitted pursuant to GA resolution 80/142. The report highlights that SDG 7 stands out as one of the clearest areas of measurable progress across the goals, and as a powerful accelerator of sustainable development. But this notwithstanding, progress remains too slow and too uneven to achieve SDG 7 by 2030. The UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All to 2030 provides a critical platform for strengthening political commitments, mobilizing action, enhancing partnership, and increase the means of implementation. The implementation of the Decade could be strengthened through a series of technical level meetings, dialogues, and capacity building efforts supported by the Secretariat in close collaborations with UN Energy. Furthermore, the report indicates that Member States may consider convening in 2028 a review of the implementation of the extended decade in order to accelerate actions to achieve SDG 7, the outcome which would inform relevant deliberations of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, as well as the convening of a final comprehensive review of the decade in 2030. In support of the implementation of the Decade, UN Energy has established its work program 2016 to 2030. This has helped members to align priorities and rules, bundle complementary contributions, and communicate with one voice to ensure that practical support for countries and more visible progress towards SDG 7. Chair, this concludes the introduction of the five reports, and thank you for giving me extra time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Zhu, for presentation of the five reports. I now invite the Committee to hear the pre-recorded video statement by Mr. Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, who is introducing, under sub-item 17C, the report the Secretary General on implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 as contained in document A/81/307. Please, could you play the video?

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is my honor to introduce the Secretary General's 2026 report on the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. As Member States begin this general debate season, the report provides an important opportunity to reflect on progress achieved, the challenges that remain, and the actions needed to accelerate implementation during the final years of the Sendai Framework. Allow me to highlight four key messages from the report. First, disaster risk is becoming increasingly interconnected and transboundary. Climate change, environmental degradation, inequality, rapid urbanization, and technological disruption are combining to create cascading impacts across societies and economies. The recent Glacier collapse in Nepal and China is an example of such a complex disaster affecting communities across borders. And while disasters impact every country, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing states, and countries affected by conflict and fragility continue to experience disproportionate impacts. Second, progress is possible and is already happening. Global disaster-related mortality has fallen significantly over the past decade. 151 countries now have national disaster risk reduction strategies, and 176 countries report against the Sendai Framework. We are also seeing encouraging innovation, improved disaster data systems, including the Global Disaster-Related Statistics Framework and Delta Resilience, are helping countries make more risk-informed decisions. At the same time, new financing instruments, such as the first resilience bond in Latin America and the Caribbean, demonstrate that resilience can be made investable. Third, we must accelerate the shift from managing disasters to managing risk. The report calls for disaster risk reduction to be better integrated into development strategies, humanitarian plans, public budgets, and private sector investments. This integration will ensure that decisions reduce rather than create risks and enhance funding for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. We must also enhance the technical capacity of institutions improve the quality of risk and impact data, and empower local implementation. Fourth, we must sustain momentum on early warnings for all and strengthen preparedness for emerging risks. The report shows encouraging progress towards the goal of expanding early warning systems, yet significant gaps remain, particularly in the countries facing the greatest threat from climate change. Continued political commitment, financing and national ownership will be essential beyond 2027. Another priority is preparedness for the El Nino conditions of 2026 and 2027. Evolving forecasts should inform coordinated, multi-sectoral preparedness, prearranged finance and anticipatory action, particularly to protect those most at risk. Excellencies, The remaining years of the Sendai Framework must be years of accelerated implementation. Reducing disaster risks and losses is central to saving lives and livelihoods and achieving sustainable development. UNDRR remains committed to working with Member States, the United Nations system and all partners to build resilience for all. Thank you.

I thank Mr. Kishore for his statement. And now we are going to hear another pre-recorded video, this time by Mr. Daniele Violetti, Senior Director for Programs Coordination in the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, who is introducing under sub-item 17D, the note by the Secretary General on the report of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on the work of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, as contained in document A/81/356. Please play the pre-recorded video.

Excellencies, it is a great pleasure for me to address the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The report of the Secretary-General, A/81/356, provides an overview of the outcomes of the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Belem, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025. Marking the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, the conference was framed as a turning point from negotiation to implementation. Central among its outcomes is the Belem Political Package, anchored in the global Mucherel decision, in which parties affirmed for the first time that the global transition to low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience is irreversible and the trend of the future. and reaffirmed their resolve to keep the 1.5 degree limit within reach. On mitigation, parties responded to the secretariat synthesis of nationally determined contribution, which showed the global emission curve bending downward, but aggregate ambition still insufficient. The conference called for the accelerated and full implementation of nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plans, and the Global Implementation Accelerator and the Belem Mission to 1.5 degrees were launched to strengthen cooperation and investment. On finance, building on the new collective quantified goal agreed in Baku, parties took note of the Baku to Belem roadmap to 1.3 trillion, established a two-year work program on climate finance, and addressed the continued operationalization and replenishment of the fund for responding to loss and damage. On adaptation, parties adopted an initial set of 59 indicators to measure progress towards the global goal on adaptation, advancing the work taken forward in Baku, and called for efforts to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035. The conference also adopted the outcome of the Just Transition Work Programme, including the development of a Just Transition Mechanism and a new Gender Action Plan, and, for the first time, launched a dialogue on the role of trade in enhancing international cooperation on climate action. Held at the edge of the Amazon, the conference saw particularly prominent participation by Indigenous Peoples. local communities, young people and civil society, underscoring the key role of all of society action. As we look ahead to COP 31st Conference of the Parties in Antalya, Turkey, in November, we are hopeful that this General Assembly session will urge parties to communicate ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution where they have not yet done so, and accelerate their full implementation to close the ambition and implementation gap and keep 1.5 degrees within reach. To accelerate the preparation and submission of their national adaptation plans and biennial transparency reports. And for developed country parties and other actors to scale up the provision and mobilization of climate finance, in particular grant-based and concessional resources for adaptation in the least developed countries and small island developing states. I thank you.

I thank Mr. Violetti for the statement. I now invite Mr. Rafael Peralta, Director of the UN Environment Programme's New York Office and North America, to introduce under sub-item 17, the report of the United Nations Environment Assembly on its seventh session, Nairobi, from 8 to 12 December 2025, as contained in document A/81/25. Mr. Peralta, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. It is my honor to introduce the report of the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly, also known as UNEA 7. UNEA 7 took place in December 2025 and reaffirmed that environmental sustainability is a foundational condition for economic resilience, public health, poverty eradication, and sustainable development. UNEA 7 adopted 11 resolutions and 8 decisions addressing key environmental challenges. Through its ministerial declaration, member states reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and to sustainable, equitable, and integrated solutions. Ministerial dialogues underscored that sustainable development requires integrated policy approaches that place environmental sustainability at the center of decision-making. The Assembly included a day dedicated to multilateral environmental agreements, which emerged as an important platform for strengthening coherence across the international environmental governance system. The present report to the General Assembly presents an opportunity to further integrate the outcomes of UNEA 7 into the work of the Assembly. In this context, Member States may wish to consider taking the following actions: First, welcome the report, the resolutions and the Ministerial Declaration adopted by UNEA 7. Second, take note of UNEA decision 7/6 approving UNEP's Medium-Term Strategy 2026-2029 and the Programme of Work and Budget for 2026-2027. Third, consider relevant aspects of the Environment Assembly resolutions as inputs to the policy recommendations to the ECOSOC, the HLPF, and the General Assembly. Fourth, welcome the request made by UNEA to the UNEP Executive Director to enhance the value of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day as an effective forum for enhancing cooperation. Fifth, recognize the Youth Environment Assembly as the principal youth forum under UNEA and to promote the full, effective, meaningful, and inclusive participation of youth in environmental processes. Six, note the work of the International Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution in line with the UNEA Resolution 514 and reaffirm the shared commitment of member states to continue engaging constructively and actively and with a sense of urgency and solidarity in seeking to develop a fair, effective, balanced, and ambitious international legally binding instrument. Seven, welcome the establishment of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, as well as the holding of the first session of its plenary in February 26, and invite member states to become members of the panel. Eight, recognize the importance of harnessing the opportunities and benefits of artificial intelligence systems in support of the environment while minimizing their environmental impacts. 9. Reaffirmed the need to ensure the sustainability, predictability and stability of UNEP's funding to enable it to fulfill its mandate. 10. Welcome the decisions to convene UNEA 8 from 6 to 10 December 2027, as well as the associated decisions on the holding of the ninth and future regular sessions of the Assembly. 11, recommend the participation of the presence of the General Assembly and ECOSOC in UNEA-8 in accordance with the spirit of integration and universality of the 2030 Agenda. And finally, 12, including the provisional agenda of the 83rd session of the General Assembly under the item entitled Sustainable Development, a sub-item entitled Report of the United Nations Environment Assembly to consider the outcomes of the eighth session of the Environment Assembly scheduled for next year. At a time of increasing environmental pressures and growing socioeconomic vulnerabilities, the UN Environment Assembly demonstrated that collective action grounded in science, solidarity, and international cooperations remain the pathway towards a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. Chair, I thank you for your attention.

Thank you, Mr. Peralta, for the presentation of the report. Now, I would like to invite Ms. Tilmiza Hussain, Director of the Regional Commissions New York Office, to introduce under sub-item 70H the report of the Secretary-General on combating sand and dust storms, as issued in document A/81/220. Ms. Hussein, the floor is yours.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to address the Second Committee of the 81st session of the General Assembly to introduce the Secretary-General's report on combating sand and dust storms, contained in the document A/81/220. Prepared pursuant to General Assembly resolution 80/143, the report details developments within the United Nations system since the issuance of the previous Secretary-General's report on this topic. The report was prepared by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific through the Asian and the Pacific Center for Development of Disaster Information Management and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, who serves as the co-chairs of the United Nation Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. Drawing on contributions received from the Secretariat of CBD, the Secretariat of UNCCD, FAO, ICAO, ITU, IUCN, UNDP, UNEP, UNFCCC, UNDRR, UNU, WHO, and WMO. The report highlights activities and initiatives undertaken by United Nations entities, member states, and other stakeholders during the reporting period, including good practices to adapt, to mitigate, control, and combat sand and dust storms. It also reflects growing awareness of the significant economic, social, and environmental costs associated with these events. The report also addresses General Assembly resolutions on this topic. In particular, it confirms that Secretary-General's framework for United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms was launched in August 2026 and presents the Secretary-General's designation of the United Nations system focal point for sand and dust storms. Madam Chair, Excellencies, allow me to highlight five key messages emerging from the report. One, early warning and forecasting capacity for sand and dust storms are advancing. The United Nations system continue to strengthen forecasting, risk information and early warning, including by integrating sand and dust storms into national systems under the Early Warning for All initiative. Efforts also include new assessments of exposure and impacts, regional training, and the growing use of AI and digital tools. Two, improve data and assessments. provide a clearer understanding of sand and dust storms exposure, vulnerability, and impacts. Scientific research, new tools, and assessments are helping improve understanding of disaster losses, population exposure, and dust-related air pollution. Work on climate adaptation, sustainable land management, nature-based solutions, and health is also supporting efforts to reduce vulnerability and build resilience. Three, practical tools and knowledge are supporting efforts to tackle the sources of sand and dust storms. Knowledge sharing on source mapping, impact assessment, and local tailored mitigation measures is helping countries address both the source of storms and their wider impacts. Four, regional and interregional cooperation is strengthening the coordinated action. Sand and dust storms are increasingly recognized as a risk that no one country can manage alone. Efforts include implementation of the ESCAP regional plan of action on sand and dust storms and the adoption and launch of ESCWA-ESCAP interregional initiative to combat sand and dust storms in Western Asia. The initiative brings together 10 countries around policy coherence, collaboration, research, and coordinated action through a regional platform. Five new institutional arrangements for UN system coordination. The Secretary-General designated UNEP as the UN system focal point on sand and dust storms, supported by ESCAP and ESCWA as rotating vice-chairs of the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, with the UNCCD Secretariat serving as secretary. These arrangements, established for an initial two years period, will support follow-up to relevant General Assembly resolutions and continued work of the United Nations Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms. Madam Chair, Excellencies, in conclusion, I wish to express our appreciation to all Member States, United Nations entities and other stakeholders that contributed to the report and continue to support collective efforts to address this growing challenge. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank you, Mr. Hussein, for the presentation of the report. I now invite Mr. Yassin Samatar, Senior Multilateral Cooperation Specialist in the International Labour Organization's New York Office, to introduce under sub-item 17i the report of the Secretary-General on promoting the social and solidarity economy for sustainable development, as contained in document A/81/288. Mr. Samatar, the floor is yours.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates and Colleagues, I am pleased to introduce the Secretary-General's second report on promoting the social and solidarity economy for sustainable development, which is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/213. Since our last report, what we have observed at the national level is that legal, policy and institutional measures increasingly address the social and solidarity economy, or SSE, and its different organizational forms. Recognition measures also include the criteria related to the values and principles reflected in the internationally agreed definition of the SSE. Governments are also expanding financial and non-financial support, including measures to promote investment and employment and improve access to markets and public procurement. Social dialogue, including collective bargaining, is being used to address employment conditions within SSE entities. While we know more about measures introduced and resources committed, we still know too little about their effects on SSE entities, members, workers, users and communities. Member States are also increasingly integrating the SSE into national and sectoral policies, including those on employment, social protection, care, education, energy, and climate action. Greater attention is also being given to social innovation in and through the SSC. Statistical work is advancing. Member States are improving measurements of the SSC's employment and economic contribution, although comprehensive and comparable statistics remain limited. Two international technical working groups are addressing comparatives, a cooperatives rather economic contribution, and the statistical boundaries of the wider SSC in preparation for the 2028 International Conference of Labor Statisticians. International cooperation has become more structured, including through the group of friends on the SSC and regional networks. The SSC is also increasingly reflected in multilateral processes on financing for development, social development and decent work. While the UN development system, within the UN development system rather, mainstreaming the SSC into planning and programming remains limited, although policy support, technical cooperation, research, statistics and capacity development are more widespread. The ILO chairs and serves as a secretariat of the UN interagency task force on the SSC, which supports system-wide coordination. Financial institutions and development banks have undertaken SSC-related initiatives, including dedicated financing, support under broader development programs, and financing through institutions belonging to or specializing in financing the SSC. The Secretary-General's recommendations contained in the report before this committee builds on these findings. At the national level, the recommendations call for a conducive environment consistent with the nature and diversity of the SSC through coherent legal policy and institutional measures developed with participation of SSC actors. They also call for stronger financial and non-financial support with better monitoring of results. They recommend integrating the SSE international and sectoral strategies, promoting social innovation consistent with the values and principles of the SSE and improving SSE statistics. Internationally, the recommendations call for stronger cooperation among member states, greater consideration of the SSE in relevant multilateral processes, and better integration into UN planning and programming. They encourage continued cooperation through the task force and recognize the long standing role and contributions of the ILO and its tripartite constituents, including standards related action. The recommendations also call for affordable and inclusive financing adapted to the characteristics and development stages of SSE entities. In the remaining years to 2030, the immediate priority is to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda and strengthen the contribution of the SSC to that effort. Beyond 2030, the report calls for due consideration of the SSC in preparations for the post-2030 development framework. Before concluding, Madam Chair, I wish to thank members of the inter-agency task force for their efforts, in particular the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, who worked closely with us in the submission of this report. I thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Samatar, for the presentation of the report. Distinguished delegates, in accordance with established practice, I now invite delegations to make comment and pose questions to the presenters of the reports. for the reports they have just introduced. Any question for presenters who participated by way of recorded video can be conveyed in writing to the Secretary for transmittal to the relevant office who stands ready to respond in writing. I now open the floor for your comments or questions. I don't see any requests for the floor. So I would like to thank again the presenters for being with us today and present the reports with the Second Committee. And now we take a few moments that the podium is rearranged and start with the general discussion. Thank you.

We will now begin the general discussion of agenda item 17, sustainable development and its sub-items. Before we proceed, I would like to remind delegations of the agreed time limits for statements during the general discussion of agenda items, namely five minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of a group of states and three minutes for national statements. I would also like to remind delegations that the countdown clock on the screen will start blinking red when the speaker has one minute left to conclude his or her statement. Please also note that the microphone will be automatically deactivated in case speakers exceed the time limit. A reminder also that delegations are requested to submit their statements by e-mail to e-statements. I thank speakers in advance for your cooperation. With this, I now call on the first speaker on my list, the distinguished representative of Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Thank you, Chair. I'm delivering this statement on behalf of the G77 and China. This is an abridged version of the statement. The full version will be sent appropriately. The G77 and China recognizes that the multiple challenges continue to undermine the ability of developing countries to implement actions in pursuit of the achievement of sustainable development. The group reaffirms all the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including, inter alia, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The group underscores that eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions It's a central imperative of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Chair, I will now enumerate some of the group's priorities in this agenda item. First, we call for accelerated cooperative action to advance sustainable consumption and production with developed countries taking the lead while providing adequate support for developing countries. Second, we commit to support the timely and full implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS and the OAS program of action for LLDCs, recognizing that countries in special situations deserve special attention. We hope that concrete progress can be made on the development of a strategic plan of action for middle-income countries. Third, Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and its widespread and unprecedented impacts disproportionately burden all developing countries, and in particular, the poorest and most vulnerable among them. We call for concrete actions to enhance the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement adopted under the convention, and their agreed outcomes in support of developing countries. In this regard, we reiterate our call for urgent and timely provision and mobilization of resources by developed countries to developing countries to tackle climate change. Fourth, we express our concern that water stress is above 70% in some countries. To tackle this challenge and accelerate progress on SDG 6, We encourage participation at the highest possible level in the 2026 United Nations World Conference, organized by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, and to be held in Abu Dhabi next December. Fifth, the group reiterates the need for a broader, systemic, and more people-centered preventive approach to disaster risk. and that to achieve the 2030 Agenda, disaster risk reduction must be integrated at the core of development and finance policies, legislation and plans. Developed countries must fulfill their commitments to provide finance, technology transfer and capacity building support to developing countries in this regard. Six. The group further calls for enhanced implementation of the UN Convention to combat desertification and scale resources for land restoration, drought resilience, and sustainable livelihoods, especially in Africa and other severely affected regions. It also urges robust international support, finance technology transfer, and capacity building for full implementation of the Kunming Montreal global biodiversity framework. We reiterate the importance of inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels, including technical and vocational training to equip societies with the skills needed for sustainable development. Eight, universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy remains critical to inclusive growth. The group highlights the need for strengthened political will and increased levels of investment and action by all stakeholders to end energy poverty and access to clean energy according to national plans and policies and with the view to transfer the relevant technologies to the developing countries. I'm running out of time so we will share

I thank the representative of Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. I now give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of the Philippines on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the ASEAN member states. At the outset, we associate ourselves with the statement delivered by G77 and China. ASEAN places sustainable development at the heart of its community building. 2026 marks the first year of implementing ASEAN 2045, our shared future. We are committed to the timely and coordinated implementation of the respective strategic plans of the three community pillars and ASEAN connectivity towards a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN. ASEAN underscores the urgency of accelerating implementation of the SDGs. We further highlight the importance of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs, the AwaSA Programme of Action for LLDCs, and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS in advancing the sustainable development of countries in special situations. The Complementarities Initiative 2.0 connects our regional vision with the 2030 Agenda through its green agenda. These interconnected priorities provide a practical basis for translating regional cooperation into sustainable development outcomes. ASEAN also highlights the importance of evidence-based policymaking and monitoring, including through the ASEAN SDG Indicators Progress Report 2025. Mr. Chair, on climate action, ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances, and our call for the enhancement of cooperation through capacity building, technology transfer, and financing. We also stress the importance of addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, particularly for vulnerable developing regions such as ASEAN. ASEAN emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, evidence-based, forward-looking, and integrated approach to environmental challenges. To halt and reverse biodiversity loss, we reaffirm our concerted actions to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through the implementation of the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan with the support of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. ASEAN also continues to strengthen implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution to achieve a haze-free ASEAN by 2030. Disaster risk reduction and resilience are integral to sustainable development. Through the ASEAN-ADMMER Work Programme 2026-2030, we are advancing risk assessment, monitoring, and early warning, prevention and mitigation, preparedness and response, resilient recovery, and global leadership. Recently, an ASEAN side event during the high-level week was co-hosted by Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and UNDRR with the objective of helping to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework. ASEAN is advancing energy cooperation through the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026-2030 in order to advance a more resilient, secure, and interconnected energy future. These priorities require adequate, predictable and accessible financing, capacity building and technology transfer. We welcome the implementation of the ASEAN UN Plan of Action 2026 to 2030 as a framework for deepening our comprehensive partnership and supporting regional and global development priorities. Mr. Chair, in conclusion, ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism, global solidarity, and the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda. Thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of the Philippines, speaking on behalf of ASEAN. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Palau, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, and we align ourselves with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. Mr. Chair, as we approach 2027, we must accelerate implementation of the 2030 agenda while beginning to shape the sustainable development agenda beyond 2030. For SIDS, that conversation cannot be separated from the inherent vulnerabilities that continue to constrain our development today. While the 2030 Agenda reaffirms the special case of SIDS for sustainable development, our reality has not changed. Our inherent characteristics, coupled with the increasingly intense adverse impacts of climate change and other exogenous shocks, continue to make our path to sustainable development increasingly difficult. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Chair, the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS remains our roadmap for resilient prosperity. AOSIS is encouraged by positive developments on its implementation during the past year, including the endorsement of its monitoring and evaluation framework, the convening of the SIDS Global Business Network Forum and the Island Investment Forum, as well as progress on the operationalization of the SIDS Center of Excellence. At the same time, we must not take our foot off the gas pedal. During this session, the committee will consider the next step in the implementation and follow up of the ABAS by considering preparations for its comprehensive midterm review in 2029. This early but necessary decision will allow sufficient time to prepare for the review process, including preparatory meetings at regional and interregional levels. The ABAS midterm review will be more than just an assessment of progress. It will help us identify solutions to address gaps and challenges in implementation and determine further actions needed to accelerate delivery and ensure that AWAS delivers tangible outcomes for SIDS. Mr. Chair, following last year's resolution on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, we welcome the appointments of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs as the secretariat of the MVI and the members of the Independent Expert Advisory Panel. We look forward to the meaningful use of measures that complement and go beyond GDP, including the MVI, across the United Nations system, international financial institutions, and development partners. Mr. Chair, every year, AOSIS has reminded this committee that our hard-won development gains remains threatened by climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather. The latest science reinforces the urgency. The UNEP's limiting overshoot report finds that exceedance of 1.5 is now widely assessed as unavoidable, but it also makes clear that the choices we make today will determine the magnitude and duration of that overshoot. In this regard, COP31 is particularly consequential. 1.5 must remain the North Star. There can be no normalization of a world beyond it. We need deep, rapid and sustained emissions reductions alongside scaled up adaptation, resilience and action on loss and damage, backed by means of implementation that match the scale and urgency of the challenge. For SIDS, we applaud the Access to Finance Declaration for SIDS and LDCs proposed for COP31, with its focus on practical reforms to lower transaction costs, speed up approval times and strengthen country ownership. Mr. Chair, IOSIS remains committed to making sustainable development possible for all. We therefore urge this committee to be bold, focused, and ambitious in its work. Implementation cannot be delayed, and its commitments must be matched by action and resources. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Palau speaking on behalf of IOSIS. I give the floor to the representative of New Zealand, speaking on behalf of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Thank you, Chair, and good morning, colleagues. I'm honored to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Australia, and my own country, New Zealand. CANS remains steadfast in our commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. It sets out a transformative agenda for people, planet, and prosperity that aims to leave no one behind. We place great stock in the substance of the Sustainable Development Goals. and believe that realization of the SDGs is essential to creating conditions for peace, just as peace is a precondition for development and for progress. CANS has five key points. First, this session should reflect the outcomes of recent intergovernmental processes. This will allow us to reduce inefficiency and deliver truly impactful and progressive outcomes for the communities that we serve. Second, we must provide effective direction for the UN development systems work addressing serious environmental challenges. The impacts of climate change, including through extreme weather events, natural hazards, and environmental degradation, continue to undermine hard-won development gains, especially for vulnerable countries at the front lines of the climate crisis. CAHNS reiterates the need for ambition in Second Committee resolutions. We cannot walk back our commitment to addressing this pressing global challenge. We must honor our commitments to the Paris Agreement and accelerate mitigation and adaptation efforts. And our actions should be based on the best available science and knowledge, including indigenous knowledge. Third, we must build on the important progress made to support small island developing states. including through effective implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS. Fourth, we reiterate that gender equality is essential for the freedom and well-being of all women and girls. Gender-responsive sustainable development efforts are critical in regaining lost ground and in advancing us further. We simply cannot achieve sustainable development without gender equality. And finally, CANS wants to see Member States implement the commitments of resolution 80251 and Second Committee revitalization in the resolutions under this item. That means streamlining texts, greater discipline, clarity and brevity in creating mandates, supported by concept notes, and introducing mandate review clauses and retirement clauses. This is not simply a box-ticking exercise. The tools that member states agreed to use in AD 251 will support better accountability for the promises we make and increase the likelihood of the UN system truly implementing the mandates that we negotiate. I thank you very much.

I thank the representative of New Zealand, speaking on behalf of TANS, and I now give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of Jamaica, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean community.

Thank you, Chair. I do have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14 member states of the Caribbean Community, and we align with the statements of G77 and China and AOSIS. I'd also like to align with the last part of that statement from New Zealand in relation to the implementation of Resolution 8251. CARICOM notes with concern that globally only 36% of the 139 SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly and 15% have slipped below their 2015 baselines. As such, we look forward to the 2027 SDG Summit, which will review the progress towards the goals and accelerate ambition towards their achievement. For developing countries, particularly SIDS, Progress continues to be constrained by climate change, biodiversity loss, natural disasters, economic and financial shocks, rising debt vulnerabilities, declining development assistance, and limited fiscal space. Consequently, it is important that we strengthen international cooperation to provide the means of implementation necessary to translate global commitments into tangible results. GARICOM continues to place the Abbas at the center of our priorities and welcomes progress towards its implementation and the operationalization of the SIDS Center of Excellence. We must ensure, however, that commitments are measurable and deliver concrete outcomes. The SIDS Center of Excellence will serve as a practical framework to implement Abbas commitments. It will connect CIDS and partners with essential resources, including technical expertise, project preparation, data, training, technology partnerships, and financing. It will strengthen national institutions and promote knowledge sharing. By supporting capacity building partnerships and tailored monitoring and evaluation, the Center aims to translate Abbas priorities into measurable national outcomes and promote resilient prosperity. We urge partners to continue supporting the Center. We reiterate the importance of the MVI in addressing the structural vulnerabilities of SIDS. Vulnerability cannot be adequately measured through GDP per capita alone. Access to cooperation and finance must reflect the economic, environmental, and social realities of SIDS. The international financial architecture must be reformed to better respond to the realities of vulnerable economies. And CARICOM calls for greater access to concessional and affordable financing, sustainable debt solutions and climate finance, and reforms that address structural constraints and expand fiscal space. Developing and climate vulnerable countries should not be expected to accept borrowing costs of 1.2 percentage points higher than advanced economies. The decline in ODA and increasing difficulties in accessing financing remain concerning. We urge development partners and international financial institutions to provide predictable, accessible, and responsive financing that enables countries to invest in resilience, social protection, and sustainable growth. Climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the Caribbean. Rising sea levels, warming seas, coastal erosion, and increasingly severe hurricanes threaten our economies, ecosystems, and communities. We underscore the importance of protecting the Caribbean Sea, which sustains our livelihoods, food security, and economies. Strengthened international cooperation is essential to conserve its fragile ecosystems and address marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and persistent sargassum influxes. CARICOM reaffirms its commitment to the 1.5 degree Celsius temperature goal and calls for substantially increased access to adaptation and mitigation finance commensurate with our needs. We have endorsed our climate diplomacy and COP35 framework for 2026-2030 and will continue to advocate for outcomes that reflect the special circumstances of SIDS and that are supported by adequate means of implementation. The post-2030 agenda should draw on the lessons of SDG implementation and respond to the evolving realities of developing countries, including SIDS. It must be ambitious, people-centered and inclusive, while addressing structural inequalities, strengthening resilience and ensuring that countries have the policy space and resources necessary to pursue their own sustainable pathways. I thank you.

I thank the permanent representative of Jamaica, speaking on behalf of CARICOM, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahrain.

Thank you, Chair. I have the honor to deliver the statement on behalf of the GCC member states, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and my own country, the Kingdom of Bahrain. Mr. Chair. The challenges facing the international community and its efforts to achieve sustainable development goals continue to grow amid ongoing conflicts and crises, repercussions of climate change, slowing economic growth, rising debt burdens, declining official development assistance, and disruptions in international trade and supply chains. The GCC states express their concern over the serious repercussions of conflicts and regional tensions on development pathways. and the human losses, damage to infrastructure, disruption of essential services and global supply chains that result from them, as well as the increase in energy, food, and transportation costs worldwide, these developments place additional economic burdens on developing countries. They undermine efforts to finance development and move the international community further away from achieving the SDGs by 2030. Accordingly, the GCC renews its strongest condemnation of the malicious Iranian attacks that targeted its territories. It also condemns Iran's actions and threats aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting or interfering with international navigation there in any form, or threatening maritime security in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These actions have had economic repercussions extending to countries that are not parties to the conflict and have adversely affected energy flows, international trade, global supply chains, thereby threatening global economic stability and undermining efforts to achieve SDGs, especially in developing countries and least developed countries. The international community has condemned these blatant Iranian attacks through Security Council Resolution 2817, which calls upon Iran to cease immediately and unconditionally any provocation or threat against neighboring countries, including through the use of proxies. It has also done so through the Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1, which strongly condemned the heinous attacks carried out by Iran against countries of the region. Mr. Chair, the 2026 SDGs report indicates that only 15% of the targets are on track, while 21% have made progress moderately. Meanwhile, 15% have regressed compared to 2015 levels. These indicators reflect the urgent need to intensify international efforts and accelerate implementation during the remaining years leading up to 2030. We express our concern over the growing challenges facing the financing of sustainable development. particularly as the annual funding gap for achieving the SDGs has reached $4 trillion. In this regard, the GCC stresses the importance of addressing the financing gap for achieving the SDGs and strengthening means of implementation, particularly concessional financing, technology transfer, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and support for developing countries and least developed countries in line with their national priorities and development needs. Mr. Chair, Despite the attacks faced by the GCC states from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies, the GCC countries continue to implement their national visions and strategies aimed at achieving the SDGs through ambitious economic and development policies, investment in energy, enhancement of food and water security, digital transformation, and human capital development, in addition to strengthening Gulf economic integration and international partnership. These efforts contribute to achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In conclusion, the GCC Member States renew their commitments to continue joint action and to strengthen regional and international cooperation to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, thereby supporting the development of more diversified economies and more prosperous and resilient societies, and ensuring sustainable development for all without exception. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of Bahrain, speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council. I now give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of Gambia, speaking on behalf of the least developed countries.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of group of least developed countries. The group aligned itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of Group of 77 and China. Mr. Chair, with the 2030 deadline approaching, the group calls for urgent action to turbocharge implementation of sustainable development goals. This requires international support commensurate with the challenges facing LDCs and accelerated delivery on commitments under the Doha Programme of Action and other relevant international frameworks. An integrated response must address poverty, structural constraint, and environmental vulnerabilities ensuring that climate action reinforces productive capacities, food security, and access to essential services. Limited access to energy, technology, and essential services continues to constrain our national development efforts. Our countries also remain on the front line of climate change, despite having contributed minimally to the global greenhouse gas emissions. Record-breaking temperatures, flood, drought, Vanishing glaciers and rising sea level threaten livelihoods, worsen food insecurity and displacement, and divert scarce resources from long-term investment. Disaster mortality in LDCs is more than twice the global average, and direct economic losses as a percentage of GDP are 10 times the global average. Climate shocks and disasters eroding development gains, diverting resources towards humanitarian responses and reconstruction, and deepening structural fragilities. Mr. Chair, the recent flood in Nepal tragically illustrated this impact, claiming thousands of lives, destroying communities, displacing families, damaging infrastructure, and wiping out crops and livelihoods. The group highlight five priorities to addressing this. We underline the critical role of climate finance and the urgency of strong mitigation. The COP29 target of USD 1.3 trillion in climate finance to developing countries by 2035 must be delivered through a clear pathway with milestones. The COP30 calls to triple adaptation finance must be supported by a credible time-bound path, a new additional and predominantly grant-based resources. We call for fulfillment of pledges, increased contribution, and accelerated disbursement on the funds responding to loss and damage. Mr. Chair, second, we call for adaptation planning to translate into concrete implementation. LDCs have made progress in preparing national adaptation plans and adaptation planning documents. The international community must fulfill its commitment and support their implementation through projects on the ground. We welcome progress on the multi-hazard early warning system and disaster risk reduction and call for building on the Secretary-General's early warning for all initiatives. Third, we call for greater support to expand access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. Electricity access in LDCs stood at 60% compared to 92% globally. international financial flow for clean energy declined to 3.7 billion in 2024, below the peak of 49.7 billion in 2026. Fourth, we underscore the call for sustained investment in human capital and essential services. Fifth, we call for We call for stronger international support for productive capacities and decent employment. Technology transfer, sustainable infrastructure, and investment in productive sectors must enable LDCs to diversify their economies and increase local value addition. Mr. Chair, new development agenda, fifth, sorry, we call for stronger international support for productive capacities. Mr. Chair, COP31 in Antalya will be a critical platform to implement and accelerate climate action. Mr. Chair, the remaining year to 2030 demand concrete results that strengthen resilience, advocate economic transformation, and improve our people's well-being. I thank you.

Thank you, Permanent Representative of the Gambia, speaking on behalf of the LDCs. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Libya, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At the outset, and on behalf of the Arab Group, We want to express our appreciation to you and to the Bureau members for facilitating the work of the Committee. We also express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for the reports presented as part of this item. Mr. Chair, the Arab Group affirms its commitment to implementing sustainable development plans for 2030 and achieving the 17 SDGs. We recall the report of the Secretary-General for 2026 regarding having 36% only of SDGs being on track or having any progress, in addition to 15% regressing beyond the baseline of 2015. To accelerate progress, we affirm our support for the civil commitment and to -- and the gap of $4 trillion for achieving SDGs and expanding concessional financing. Despite these challenges, we have tangible gains. The number of beneficiaries benefiting of safe drinking water in our countries was 47 percent, and the percentage of electricity access 92 percent, internet users 70 percent. A person's share of renewable energy electricity access has doubled, and the percentage of SDGs indicators with adequate data has gone to 45%. We leverage these gains to empower women and youth and to create decent work. The impacts of climate and conflict are still affecting our efforts. The food Insecurity has affected 40% of the people of the region in the last year. We call for supporting our efforts in water security and food security and protecting sustainable agriculture and ecosystem. This must happen by ensuring the protection of sustainable chains and maritime routes. The Secretary General reflected the effect of this on the food and fertilizers and the effect on sustainable development in general, therefore, in line. With Security Council 2817 of 2026, we reiterate our condemnation of the actions of Iran and their threats to close the Straits of Hormuz or disrupt in maritime navigation or interfering it or affecting its security in any way. Any attempt to disrupt legal navigation and free navigation in these international water lanes is a grave threat for the safety of maritime navigations. We call on them to cease immediately in line with international law. The Arab Group reaffirms that maintaining gains is inseparable from peace and ending occupation. We call for stopping the attacks of the occupying power, Israel, of the attacks against civilians and infrastructure, and to support recovery and reconstruction due to the people's rights to development and their sovereignty over their national resources, including Palestinians and the occupied Palestinian territory and the Arab population in the Syria, occupied Syrian And we call on everyone to support the resolution to be provided by G77 and China on the oil slick in Lebanon to emphasize CBDR towards achieving SDGs. This resolution acknowledges the environmental disaster by Israel, the occupying power, by attacking-- by the attack in 2006, which led to the seeping of 15,000 tons of fuel and the pollution of a long sort of coast-- a coast. which led to millions of dollars in losses for Lebanon. We reiterate that the achievement of SDGs requires an honest will and effective international cooperation that is measurable. We reiterate our commitment to joint work to translate these commitments into tangible results that ensure a prosperous future for our peoples without leaving anyone behind. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the representative of Libya, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia, speaking on behalf of the African Group.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. As we emphasized during the debates last week, international commitments must provide countries with the means to improve people's lives. protecting communities from droughts and floods, restoring productive land, and expanding access to affordable energy. Our priorities are anchored in the 2030 agenda and the African Union's Agenda 2063, including its second 10-year implementation plan. African ownership and national priorities must guide international support. The Secretary-General's SDG progress report shows that progress is possible but remains uneven and too slow. We must build on gains in health, education and social protection while addressing inequalities that limit opportunities for women, young people and underserved communities. Mr. Chair, climate change undermines development gains in Africa, despite the continent's limited contribution to global emissions. We reaffirm the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Implementing the Paris Agreement requires ambition, financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. Climate finance must be new, additional, predictable, and accessible. Grants and concessional resources must support vulnerable countries without increasing their debt burden. Simpler procedures and project preparation support must help resources. Reach those who need them. Adaptation and support to address loss and damage deserves particular attention. For farmers facing drought or families rebuilding their floods. Timely support helps sustain livelihoods. Excellencies. Better knowledge of disaster risk must translate into decisions and investment. We support accelerated implementation of the Sendai Framework and the early warnings for all initiative. Warning systems must reach communities and enable action, supported by reliable data, local preparedness and sustained financing for maintenance. Prevention must be integrated into planning, budgets and infrastructure investment, protecting schools, health centers, roads, and water systems. Desertification and land degradation threatens food security and rural incomes. We call for stronger support for land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and water management, including Africa's Great Green Wall Initiative. Women, young people, and local communities must participate and benefit. Mr. Chair, sustainable consumption and production must support Africa's economic transformation. The Secretary General's report on sustainable consumption and production calls for coordinated policies across production, consumption, and investment. Resource efficiency, waste prevention, reuse, and recycling can support local industries and employment. Developing countries need financing, technology and skills, including support for small businesses. The energy transition must be just and inclusive. Renewable energy investment must expand reliable electricity access, strengthen grids and support productive capacities and decent jobs, taking national circumstances into account. African small island developing states require effective implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS. Accessible financing and stronger capacities must support resilience, while marine and coastal protection must sustain fisheries and livelihoods. For our group, progress must be visible in daily life. A farmer sustaining a harvest, a community warned in time, a household with reliable electricity, and the young person finding work. These are the results our cooperation must deliver. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the permanent representative of Namibia, speaking on behalf of the African Group. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba, speaking on behalf of Like-Minded Group.

Mr. Chair.

Cuba has the honor to take the floor on behalf of a like-minded group of countries: Belarus, Burundi, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, Russia, Uganda, and my own country, Cuba. The full version of this statement will be published. Today, we are four years away from 2030, and we are not even close to achieving the SDGs. We stress that the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, remains the greatest global challenge for achieving sustainable development. We call for swift implementation of the initiative of the Sevilla Commitment on debt relief that's accessible financing delivered in a non-politicized, non-discriminatory manner and respectful of national priorities. In this context, it's worth referring to the Global Development Initiative promoted by China, fellow member of our group, which advocates for a spirit of open and inclusive partnership and provides a platform for precisely accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for the benefit of all peoples, facilitating people-centered solutions to common challenges. This is an initiative that we support, which has had a successful start-up, and we seize this opportunity to invite Member States to consider joining. The member states of our group advocate for the full recognition of the right to development as a universal, indivisible, and inalienable human right, and remain confident that the conclusion of a legally binding instrument on this subject will ensure that it's one of the top priorities of the international community and the UN. The adverse impacts of climate change are threatening humanity as a whole, particularly vulnerable countries. In this context, we call for urgent actions to redress this situation and to ensure that we get back on track toward effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions for developed countries to fulfill their commitments, reflecting principles of equity and CBDRRC in light of different national circumstances. We reiterate that renewable energy is only a part of the multifaceted solution to addressing energy poverty and just transitions. In this context, natural gas, for instance, plays a pivotal role as a transitional fuel, offering a low emission option and helping reduce carbon emissions while supporting energy reliability. At the same time, nuclear energy is also vital for long-term energy security. Any transition, however, shall be made in a just and national determined manner, taking into account the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement and different national circumstances. UCMs in a flagrant violation of purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and every norm of international law, constitute themselves into an attack of the right to development of targeted people, while undermining national efforts toward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. Several countries, including Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Venezuela, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Zimbabwe, and Cuba, continue to experience the adverse effects of UCMs. In the case of Cuba, the US blockade has recently been strengthened by an energy siege to deny fuel to the country, gravely affecting electricity generation and all aspects of the socioeconomic life in the island. Having said all this, we emphasize that a timely achievement of the SDGs requires reforming the international financial architecture, currently designed to serve the interests of the developed world and to perpetuate a model of subjugation, domination, and dependence. and ensuring that the states remain from the use of UCMs, which today represent the greatest obstacle to development of nations illegally subject to such policies of aggregations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Cuba speaking on behalf of a like-minded group. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone.

Mr. Chair. Sierra Leone aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China, Namibia on behalf of the African group, and the Gambia on behalf of least developed countries. With only four years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we welcome progress and global solidarity in mobilizing development finance, yet progress remains uneven, particularly in countries furthest behind. Climate change, biodiversity loss, population, sea level rise, and desertification strain national budgets. Governments must balance investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, with mounting debt service obligations. Sierra Leone has established the National Disaster Management Agency to coordinate disaster response. It also invests in the planting, empowers empowerment of women and youth as its climate change resilience against and support youth and women-led waste recycling enterprises. Implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for seeds, the Awaza program of action for LLDCs, and the Doha program of action for LDCs. Must be coherent, responsive to national priorities, and focus on tangible development gains. LDCs need additional, predictable, and accessible climate finance. Debt-for-climate swaps can help ease fiscal pressures and support resilience. Catalytic financing must reduce inequality and empower women through investments in emerging technologies for small and medium-sized enterprises, agricultural skills, food production, and climate adaptation. Under Sierra Leone's medium-term national development plan 2024 to 2030, our flagship food feed saloon program increased rice output by 8%, reduced imports by 16%, and saved the country an estimated US dollar 18 million in foreign exchange compared with 2022. Between September 2024 and September 2025, prices fell by 26% for imported rice 12% for local rice, and 24% for onions. Our first national crop production survey strengthened the evidence base for agricultural planning, supporting efforts to raise productivity, reduce import independence, and build resilient food systems. These gains underscore the importance of targeted investments in agriculture, water security, and technology transfer to eradicate poverty and advance sustainable We therefore

I thank the representative of Sierra Leone and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. In Mexico's eyes, sustainable development is part and parcel of a comprehensive vision for public policy that focuses on people's well-being and environmental protection. We have put poverty eradication at the heart of our efforts in Mexico. As we approach 2030, it is critical that we strengthen states' capacity to translate commitments into public policy at the domestic level to produce tangible results. In Mexico, a new methodology has made it possible to say that some 99% of budgetary policies are linked to at least one SDG, which allows us to link our international commitments to our domestic policy. Mr. Chair, climate action is critical. We are seeing an increase in climate risks, and this is affecting productivity, the availability of water, and it is highlighting the vulnerability of different communities. That is why we think it is critical that we make headway on both adaptation and mitigation to strengthen resilience of communities. This needs to be part and parcel of investment decisions. In terms of energy, the transition needs to be fair, gradual, orderly, and inclusive. Its success will depend on our ability to modernize our infrastructure and to improve energy efficiency to ensure that the benefits of this reaches everybody. To restore ecosystems and to halt biodiversity loss, these are also two very important aims. We have seen that protecting nature is also an investment in economic and social resilience. Reducing disaster risks also needs to be an important part of our policy, because if we're able to reduce our vulnerability in these areas, this helps us to strengthen our economic resilience in the long term. Mr. Chair, these changes will require appropriate resources. Technological cooperation and capacity building must be tailored to each country's needs so that countries can work on ironing out their vulnerabilities. We need to transform our productive systems, and this will help us to reduce inequalities and to strengthen our resilience. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Mexico. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of El Salvador.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. El Salvador continues to make headway in building a more resilient and sustainable development model through measures to strengthen our responses to climate change, to reduce disaster risks, to preserve our ecosystems, and to move towards a more diversified energy matrix. In this context, El Salvador has updated its NDC, strengthening the component of adaptation and resilience, incorporating hybrid resources, including water and agriculture in this effort as well. In addition, through the tree program for El Salvador, more than 6 million plants for more than 200 species have been produced and more than 600 thousand hectares have been worked on to protect our natural resources in our country. In addition to this, we have strengthened our early warning systems to deal with intensive rainfall and droughts, which allows us to harness scientific information to preempt these disasters before they become an emergency. In addition to this, we have incorporated new training and analysis, geospatial analysis tools into our work in this area. This is part of our work on complying with the Sendai Framework. We also have a significant portion of our energy matrix that comes from renewable resources, including solar energy. We are continuing our diversification in this area. This year, the IAEA carried out their first holistic review of El Salvador's nuclear energy as part of our work on this area, of course, for exclusively peaceful purposes in line with international applicable standards. Mr. Chairman, El Salvador calls on all to ensure that we have predictable funding for development. This needs to include loss and damage, and we need to include access for technologies and appropriate strategies for resilience in the long term. These resources are critical to broaden the scope of national efforts and to translate commitments into concrete results that will strengthen countries' resilience and protect our natural resources to improve our citizens' well-being. Thank you.

I thank the representative of El Salvador. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Indonesia aligns itself with the statements

delivered by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN and by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China.

Mr. Chair, the Secretary-General's report paints a sobering reality.

Despite progress, sustainable development remains under severe headwinds from conflicts, geopolitical fragmentation, climate change, as well as widening economic and digital divides. Renewed international cooperation has never been more urgent. Our challenge is not simply to accelerate development, but to make development more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient to future shocks.

As highlighted during this committee's early deliberations, empowering the marginalized is not just a moral imperative. It unlocks new markets and drives collective prosperity. Localized volatility inevitably threatens global security. We therefore need to secure our world together or face collapse collectively.

To meet these challenges, Indonesia emphasizes three core priorities. First, innovation must create opportunities for all.

Digital transformation and the creative economy are powerful equalizers. Expanding digital financial services elevates millions from the informal sector into connected economic participation.

We must also facilitate a robust cross-border technology transfer so developing nations can maximize their creative assets.

Second, sustainability must be built upon resilience. Development gains cannot endure without resilient infrastructure, sustainable food systems, energy security, and effective disaster risk reduction. For Indonesia, this means executing an orderly, just, and affordable energy transition.

This capital-intensive effort requires expanding domestic resource mobilization, combating illicit financial flows, and securing investments that respect national policy space without imposing conditionalities.

Third, global partnerships must deliver real development impact.

Developing countries need affordable, predictable, adequate, and accessible financing, greater fiscal space, and not be penalized by unsustainable debt.

We must implement the Cevier commitment, strengthen multilateral development banks, and reform the international financial architecture. Mr. Chair, as we approach the 2027 SDG Summit, we must accelerate the 2030 agenda while charting a post-2030 future that moves decisively beyond today's fractured global system.

To turn finance into a catalyst for prosperity, the post-2030 architecture must prioritize human capital and structural change. The future of sustainable

development must be one where national resilience strengthens global resilience and where no country is left behind.

I thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of Indonesia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malta.

Mr. Chair, Malta thanks the Office of the Secretary General for preparing the reports under the sustainable development agenda item. We would like to share three points we found particularly relevant in the reports. First, sustainable development is facing the triple headwinds of climate, conflict, and constrained fiscal space. The integration and indivisibility of the SDGs are apparent now more than ever. As we commence negotiations on the second committee resolutions, let us strengthen their ambition, their connection to the 2030 agenda, and their connection to our other work, including conferences, outcomes, and declarations. Second, the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS. Several indicators are trending positively, including economic growth and implementation of disaster risk management policies. However, these gains risk reversal if we do not address the external shocks adding pressure on SIDS, including worsening climate change and energy supply shocks. Malta also calls for greater support for strengthening SIDS statistical capacity which is essential for the effective monitoring of ABAS. Third, finance. We cannot have a meaningful discussion on the achievement of the SDGs without addressing the annual $4 trillion financing gap in developing countries. We need to mobilize more resources from more diverse sources. And with four more years remaining until 2030, we should also ask, Where do we direct finance so it has the greatest spillover and the greatest return on development? Malta calls for greater engagement with international financial institutions to push forward the implementation of political commitments, including the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index. Mr. Chair, we have the frameworks and the programs of actions to follow. It is in our hands the second committee to keep them front and center and maintain the momentum towards 2030 and beyond. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Malta, and I now give the floor to the rep- distinguished representative of Yemen.

Thank you, Chair. Yemen's first Voluntary National Review for 2024 was an important milestone to assess progress achieved, to identify gaps and challenges, and set priorities toward recovery and sustainable development. The review clearly demonstrated the extent of deterioration affecting the social, economic, environmental sectors owing to the years of war waged by the Houthi militias. Foremost among these challenges is education. Education is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development, and the war ignited by the terrorist Houthi militias has caused severe damage to the education system, reduced school enrollment rates, increased dropouts, and undermined the quality of learning. It deprived millions of children of their right to education. Our first voluntary national review indicated that 2.3 million children were out of school and that 1,842 educational facilities have been affected. The number of children outside school reached 3.2 million in 2026, reflecting the worsening education crisis. What we are losing today is not merely reflected in development indicators. We are risking losing an entire generation Therefore, supporting education in Yemen must be a long-term investment in peace, recovery, and human capital, rather than merely a temporary response. In the environmental sphere, Yemen is facing growing challenges in combating desertification and land degradation. In addition to the effects of climate change and water scarcity, transboundary sand and dust storms and excessive woodcutting contribute to accelerating land degradation, soil erosion, And this is negatively reflecting on food security, livelihoods, and sustainable development. These challenges underscore the importance of regional and international cooperation to address the impacts of sand and dust storms to combat desertification and land degradation and protect Yemen's ecosystems. Floods and extreme climate conditions are also affecting agricultural land, and Yemen in June 2026 have witnessed sudden floods that have greatly affected our communities and agricultural land in various parts of the country. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of strengthening early warning systems and resilient infrastructure and integrating disaster and climate risks into national and local development planning. Supporting the government of Yemen and restoring state institutions, ending the coup by the Houthi militias, and reestablishing its sovereignty over the entire territory is important, and it requires sustainable international solidarity. It should accompany our efforts to secure stability and security, to advance economic recovery, and face environmental degradation. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of Yemen, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the State of Palestine.

Thank you, Chair. The State of Palestine aligns with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and Libya on behalf of the Arab Group, and wishes to make the following remarks in our national capacity. As highlighted in the Secretary-General's report, the overall collective pace in implementing the 2030 Agenda remains significantly insufficient and has regressed in many areas. Despite global setbacks, the State of Palestine reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda and calls for renewed solidarity and international cooperation to translate collective commitments into action. Mr. Chair, behind every SDG lies a shared aspiration to ensure a sustainable future, dignity for all, and a better world for future generations. For Palestine, these aspirations are no different. Like all states, we aspire to strengthen our national capacities, build effective institutions, and empower our people to realize their full potential. While these aspirations are shared by all, the reality for Palestine remains profoundly different. Decades of development achieved under impossible conditions were obliterated in a matter of months by Israeli-made disasters inflicted on the Palestinian people. Still, Palestine's reality is not defined by the injustices it faces alone, but also by its immense obstructed potential. Palestine has agricultural land that could sustain its own people and even contribute to regional food security. Water resources that have sustained life for thousands of years in one of the most water-scarce regions in the world. Natural resources with potential for energy self-sufficiency. And generations of human capital that have long contributed to regional development in education, health, science, and innovation. Mr. Chair, Palestine recognizes that no country can achieve the 2030 agenda alone and that building a sustainable future depends on international cooperation and solidarity. For the Palestinian people, this is the future we are determined to build, not only by rebuilding what has been destroyed, but by building the future that Palestine has long been denied. As affirmed in the 2030 agenda, realizing this future requires removing obstacles to the right of self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation. The State of Palestine reaffirms the importance of upholding international law and the Charter of the United Nations in ensuring accountability, justice, and an end to the Israeli occupation. Translating these commitments into concrete action is essential to fulfilling the promise of the 2030 Agenda for a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable future for all. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the representative of the State of Palestine. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Thank you, Chair. Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China, and the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN. Chair, Malaysia remains committed to the 2030 agenda. We have now entered the final phase of our national SDG roadmap, which is aligned with the 13 Malaysia Plan 2026-2030. Our focus is on closing remaining gaps, mobilizing sustainable financing, and deepening localization. Last year, Malaysia presented our third VNR. We are projected to achieve about 58% of SDG targets by 2030. Yet, challenges remain, including income disparities and climate adaptation. Energy is key to this effort. For Malaysia, a successful energy transition must balance security, affordability, and sustainability. Through our National Energy Transition Roadmap, We aim for 70% renewable energy capacity and net zero emissions by 2050. We see this transition not only as a climate imperative, but also as an opportunity for green investment and high value jobs. Chair, sustainable development also means living in harmony with nature. Malaysia believes that environmental protection should be balanced with economic development and the needs of local communities. We also recognize the contribution of indigenous peoples and local communities to biodiversity conservation. Across all these areas, global commitments should take into account national circumstances and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Developing countries need adequate and predictable means of implementation, particularly finance, capacity building, and technology transfer. We urge developed countries to fulfill their development assistant commitments in addressing these challenges. Chair, as an incoming member of ECOSOC for the term 2027-2029, Malaysia will continue to work with all stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to ensure that no one is left behind for the benefit of current and future generations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Malaysia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Thank you, Chair. My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of ASEAN and the group of 77 and China, and wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacities. With only four years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, progress towards the SDGs remains uneven and insufficient. We therefore call for accelerated implementation, enhanced international cooperation, and greater efforts to address the persistent SDG financing gap. For the Lao PDR, sustainable development remains central of our national priorities, including through the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plans for 2026-2030. We also remain committed to addressing the legacies of unexploited on and through our national SDG 18, like saves from UXO, and appreciate the continued support of our development partners. The LaPida attaches great importance to Crimea's resilience, disaster risk reductions, and sustainable energy developments. We emphasize the needs for strengthened international support in Crimea misadaptation, resilient infrastructures, technology transfer and capacity buildings, while promoting access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energies. At the same time, constrained fiscal space, debt vulnerabilities and declining development assistance continue to affect our development efforts. We therefore call for effective implementation of the CVA commitments, particularly through improved access to affordable and accessible financing and support for national development priorities. Mr. Chair, as the Lao PDR prepare for its graduation from LDC status in November this year, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure smooth, sustainable transitions while sustaining progress towards the SDGs. The Lao PDR reaffirms its strong commitment to fully effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and look forward to continue cooperation and strengthen global partnership to ensure that no country is left behind. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Lao PDR and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guatemala.

Thank you, Chair. Guatemala aligns itself with the statement by the G77 and China. Four years to 2030, Guatemala think it necessary to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2030 through integrated policies which reduce vulnerabilities. Climate change is one of the main obstacles to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Its effects are reflected in food security and access to water, in livelihoods and exposure of communities to disasters.

In 2026, this situation is particularly relevant given the consolidation of the El Nino phenomenon and the expectations that it will become worse toward the end of the year, with risks of drought, floods, extreme heat, and excessive rainfall. For Guatemala, this scenario strengthens the need to anticipate impacts and to strengthen preventive preparation and response capabilities. In this context, Guatemala, together with the United Nations system and international cooperation, continues to strengthen preventive and resilient measures, especially in the dry corridor.

These efforts include actions to strengthen.

Water security, to promote resilient agricultural practices, protect livelihoods, and improve institutional and local capacities. Resilience must be built before disasters occur. Thus, with the support of strategic development partners, we are strengthening our capacities of preparedness, response, prevention.

And it is also.

Important to stress that developing countries require greater support to strengthen adaptation and mitigation, to ensure sufficient climate, affordable, accessible and adequate climate financing, and to avoid disaster risks. It is essential to comply with the commitments entered into by developed countries in terms of financial, technological and capacity building commitments. Guatemala recognizes the strategic role of the Resident Coordinator System, as well as the contributions of FAO, the World Food Programme and emergency response, as well as coordination in the field of humanitarian assistance.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of Guatemala, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Rwanda.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Rwanda aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group 77 and China, the LDCs, and the Africa Group. Mr. Chair, with less than four years remaining until 2030, the Secretary-General's report reminds us that progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals remains insufficient and uneven. This reality must not diminish our ambition. Rather, it calls for renewed determination and the redoubling of our collective efforts to accelerate its full implementation. Rwanda remains committed to the 2030 agenda and believes that the urgency to meet our agreed target must go hand in hand with the broader responsibility of building a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous world for present and future generations. Mr. Chair, sustainable development requires coherent policies, strong institutions, and sustained investment that addresses the interconnected challenges of poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Guided by Vision 2050 and our National Strategy for Transformation, Rwanda continues to pursue our integrated approach to development, recognizing that economic progress, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability must reinforce one another. Our experience underscores the importance of national ownership and long-term planning, Yet, national efforts alone cannot deliver the transformation we collectively seek. Mr. Chair, accelerating progress requires sustained political will, meaningful partnerships, and stronger international cooperation supported by an enabling international environment that allows all countries, particularly developing countries, to translate our shared commitments into tangible results. This means addressing persistent financing gaps, improving access to affordable and predictable resources, strengthening technology transfer, and investing in capacities necessary to build resilience and sustain development gains. It also means recognizing the particular vulnerabilities and structural constraints faced by developing countries. In this regard, Rwanda reiterated support for the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index as an important tool to inform more responsive and international cooperation. Mr. Chair, the approaching 2030 deadline must serve as a catalyst for action and not a limitation for ambition. Our shared responsibility is ultimately to improve lives and expand opportunities and safeguard the well-being of generations to come. Rwanda remains committed to working constructively with all member states to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 agenda and advance our common aspiration for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Rwanda, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Singapore.

Thank you, Chair. Singapore aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China, AOSIS and ASEAN. Four years from 2030, we face a difficult reality. We have made progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, but too much remains off track. while climate change, economic uncertainty and other shocks threaten to reverse hard-won gains. So the question is not only how do we accelerate progress, it is also how do we make that progress last. For Singapore, this means three things: build, connect, share. Build resilience. Sustainable development depends on the systems that sustain everyday life: water, food, energy and our living environment. Singapore designated 2026 as our year of climate adaptation and is developing our first national adaptation plan. As we head towards COP31 and the UN Water Conference later this year, we must translate global commitments into stronger resilience on the ground. Connect our efforts. The SDGs were never meant to be pursued in isolation, neither should our solutions. Singapore believes in connecting in pursuing connectivity and scalability for energy, economy and infrastructure. We are working with our ASEAN partners to advance the ASEAN power grid, strengthening regional energy security while supporting the transition to a lower carbon future. What strengthens one part of an interconnected system can strengthen the whole. Share what works. No country should reinvent solutions in isolation. Through our flagship technical cooperation platform, the Singapore Cooperation Programme, We share practical development experience with fellow developing countries. We also work closely with SIDS, including through our renewed SIDS of Change capacity building package and the Digital Forum of Small States to exchange solutions and strengthen resilience together. As we accelerate efforts towards 2030, we must ensure that the progress we make today can endure the challenges of tomorrow. Let us build resilience, connect our efforts, and share what works so that sustainable development delivers lasting improvements in the lives of our people.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of Singapore, and I now give the floor to the distinguished permanent representative of Belize.

Chair, for Belize, sustainable development means ensuring that progress against poverty can withstand the next hurricane, that our natural wealth.

Sustains livelihoods.

And that every community, every person benefits from opportunity. The Sustainable Development Goals remain our shared framework for achieving that future. This 81st session must accelerate their delivery.

Belize is committed to the goals and we're making measurable progress.

Multidimensional poverty stands at 19.1% and unemployment at 1.9%. Public debt has been brought to 66.6% of GDP and for the first time, It is on a sustainable path. These figures are not abstractions. Protecting these gains require international cooperation that responds to the vulnerabilities of SIDS. Full implementation of the Antigua.

And Barbuda agenda for SIDS requires predictable resources, including sustained support for the SIDS Center of Excellence. Development partners and international financial institutions must use the multidimensional vulnerability index to inform financing decisions.

Access to concessional finance must reflect exposure to shocks alongside national income. On climate change, maintaining global warming below 1.5 degrees remains the legal and scientifically agreed long-term goal. Belize calls for scaled-up, accessible, grant-based adaptation finance and finance for responding to loss and damage. Climate finance must reach vulnerable countries on time and without deepening their debt burdens.

Disaster risk reduction requires investment in early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and community preparedness.

Building resilience before disaster strike is essential to protecting lives and safeguarding development gains.

Our reefs, mangroves, and forests sustain livelihoods. Implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires finance, technology, and stronger national capacity.

Caribbean Sea merits dedicated International support.

Belize calls for stronger cooperation through the Caribbean Sea Commission to combat marine pollution, address sargassum, and promote sustainable fisheries. Affordable renewable energy and resilient electricity systems are equally essential, and financing and technology are important.

As we approach a 2027 SDG Summit, we must turn commitments into funded national action.

Belize seeks partnership, the.

That accelerate progress towards 2030 and sustain prosperity for generations to come. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Belize. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Ecuador.

Mr. Chairman, what is the point of a country?

To grow economically if that growth doesn't turn into better opportunities for its people.

As we come closer to 2030, this question is increasingly relevant. Only 36% of the SDG goals are being met or are moderately advancing. This means that it is not enough to do what we've been doing. We have to increase our means to make them a reality today. Currently, 2,300 million people are facing food insecurity. In the meantime, official development assistance is reducing by 23%, which is unprecedented. For Ecuador, sustainable development must be reflected in the daily lives of people. This means that there must be commitments to concrete actions to have better living conditions. There being an extreme poverty of 14% in rural areas, Ecuador supports social policies. Our state has family support for families living in situations of poverty or vulnerability in order to create long-term opportunities. However, national efforts are not enough if we don't have an adequate international environment.

And.

This requires concrete actions to mobilize efficient, affordable, and predictable resources to strengthen multilateral development banks, to make strides in reforming the international financial architecture, and to implement the commitment.

Per capita income doesn't just reflect conditions in a country.

International cooperation must respond to the vulnerabilities of each country and not just to income levels, so that everyone has the necessary means to comply with the Agenda 2030. El Ecuador is familiar with these challenges and climate events like El Nino. This affects livelihoods.

This experience shows that it's not enough to respond to emergencies when they occur.

We need international cooperation and adequate financing so that every climate crisis does not erase years of progress and development. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Ecuador. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mongolia.

Mr. Chair, we align ourselves with the statement delivered by the G77 and China. In our national capacity, we wish to draw attention to the growing challenge of sand and dust storms, which have become an increasingly serious transboundary threat with far-reaching consequences for human health, livelihoods.

Agriculture, infrastructure, ecosystems, and sustainable development.

For Mongolia, this is not an abstract concern.

With extensive drylands and fragile ecosystems, our country is highly exposed to desertification, land degradation, droughts.

And the effects of climate change, all of which heighten the risks associated with sand and dust storms.

The Secretary-General's report underscores the scale of this challenge, which affects more than 150 countries and threatens progress across.

11 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

It also recalls the severe.

Storm of March 2023, which affected more than 4 million square kilometers across Mongolia and 20 provinces of China.

Mr. Chair, just two months ago, Mongolia had the honor of hosting UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar.

Under the theme "Restoring Land and Restoring Hope." We welcome the outcomes of the COP17.

Including the attention devoted to sand and dust storms.

Implementing these outcomes can strengthen national policies, scientific cooperation, monitoring and early warning systems.

While promoting more coordinated action to address the sources and impacts of these hazards. Given the transboundary nature, stronger cooperation among neighboring countries is essential.

In this regard, Mongolia supports ongoing efforts to advance a pilot and.

Dust storm strategy in Northeast Asia involving China, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation. Preventive action must also remain at the center of our response. Sustainable land and water management, restoration of degraded land, sustainable rangeland management, and improved agriculture practices can significantly reduce vulnerability and strengthen the resilience of affected communities. For many developing countries, progress will also depend on adequate finance, technology, capacity building, and scientific knowledge.

As sand and dust storms do not respect national borders, neither can our response remain confined within them.

We stand ready to work with all member states and partners to advance the outcomes of the COP17 and translate the objectives of the United Nations Decade into concrete and lasting results for affected countries and communities.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Mongolia. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tajikistan.

Thank you, Chair. share Tajikistan Alliance itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. With only four years remaining until 2030, progress towards the sustainable development goals remain insufficient. Our task is clear, to accelerate implementation, eradicate poverty, and turn global commitments into tangible result. For developing countries, this requires adequate development financing, sustainable debt solutions, technology transfer, and capacity building. As a landlocked developing country, Tajikistan underscores the importance of the full implementation of the Awaaza Program of Action. Mr. Chair, water and climate resilience remain central to Tajikistan priorities. The accelerated retreat of glaciers threatens fresh water resources, food security, and energy system. The International Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences 2025-2034 provides an important platform for strengthening scientific cooperation, glacier monitoring, and supported by adequate climate finance. The 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi offers an important opportunity to accelerate progress towards sustainable development six. The 2028 United Nations Water Conference in Dushanbe will mark a pivotal moment for global water cooperation. From 4th to 6th May 2028, member states will undertake the final comprehensive review of the Water Action Decade and negotiate and adopt by consensus the Dushanbe Water Framework as a conference outcome. The framework will provide an opportunity to build on existing commitments and charge a new chapter in international water cooperation with a stronger focus on implementation, partnerships, and sustained action beyond 2028. Mr. Chair, sustainable development requires collective efforts and effective multilateral action. We must ensure that developing countries receive the support necessary to advance their priorities. Tajikistan stands ready to work constructively with all Member States to build a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable world. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Tajikistan. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you, Chairperson.

South Africa aligns itself with the statements delivered by the African Group and the G77 in China. We thank the Secretary General for all the reports submitted under this agenda item, and we will focus our intervention on the environmental dimension of sustainable development. South Africa continues to face the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. In this regard, South Africa believes that while the pursuit of environmental gains is crucial, it should go hand in hand with efforts to address these challenges. The application of unilateral cross-border climate measures have negative impacts on the international trade, industrialization, and just transitions in developing countries. We call for a more engagement and cooperation to promote a supportive and open international economic system. South Africa has established a strong climate policy foundation, but the central challenges remain, translating priorities and available capital into implementable and financeable programs. Closing this gap requires stronger project preparation capacity, institutional coordination, and climate risk data. South Africa has also advanced sustainable consumption, production, and the circular economy through an evolving policy and legislative framework. Such domestic initiatives demonstrate South Africa's commitment to major multilateral environmental agreements.

A key success factor in our domestic efforts includes collaboration among government, industry, and research institutions.

Progress can be further enhanced by closing gaps in environmental and socioeconomic data, addressing energy insecurity and inadequate access to affordable technology and finance. South Africa is also fully engaged in its just energy transition plan, which prioritizes electricity, green hydrogen, and new energy vehicle value chains, alongside skills development, municipal grid upgrades, private sector participation, and targeted support for workers in coal-dependent communities. In conclusion, South Africa stands ready to work together with other nations of the world to ensure that just energy pathways as key enablers of climate action and whole society and whole government approach. South Africa will contribute constructively to the COP31 negotiations to ensure that the proposed just transition mechanism is operationalized to support developing countries.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of South Africa, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brazil aligns itself with the statement made by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China. Five years from 2030, our difficulty is no longer diagnosis, but implementation. And implementation is, above all, a question of financing. Commitments not matched by predictable and concessional resources do not become public policy. They become inaction. And this cost is counted in lives. In August, a glacier collapse in Langtang Valley killed more than 900 people in Nepal, an event made possible by the warming of the Himalayas. Yet, prevention remains the most underfunded form of solidarity. Barely two of every $108 go to disaster risk reduction. Brazil calls for substantial increase in ODA for DRR and for the full capitalization the fund for responding to loss and damage. COP13 in Bali showed what is still possible: tripling adaptation finance by 2035, the Bali Action Mechanism for a Just Transition, climate finance scaled to at least $1.3 trillion a year, and the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, which proves the forest standing can be worth more than forest felled. Belain also taught a lesson about method. The Paris Agreement works and consensus is how we build the legal architecture of global action. But implementation does not require consensus. It requires coalitions of governments, cities, industry, finance, indigenous peoples, and local communities acting at every level. Mr. Chair, the Strait of Hormuz has become a trench of war where it should remain a vital passage for trade and prosperity, and families everywhere are in fuel, fertilizer, and food. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is therefore a climate and energy security imperative, as Brazil's own experience in renewables shows. The same logic governs critical minerals. The Global South holds what the transition requires, and we will not supply it by reproducing colonial patterns of extractions. Last September, we have sanctioned our national policy on critical and strategic minerals, center on domestic processing, technology transfer, and value addition in our own territory. Mr. Chair, 2026 is a window we cannot waste. After Mongolia, the biodiversity conference in Yerevan this month, and climate conference in Antalya in November, most both succeed with enhanced synergies among the three Rio conventions while avoiding double counting of finance mobilized and provided. Mr. Chair, progress means of a future of greater participation and great achievement. For the global south, that means partnerships on equal terms and sustainable development. For all of us, it means delivering in full what we have already promised. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Brazil, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Rational consumption is not possible when people don't have anything to consume. But today we're seeing that illegal economic measures are being taken that undermine sustainable development in its various dimensions. We hear people talk about solidarity for future generations and the fact that no one should be left behind. But We're not seeing actions being taken because those talking about sustainable development are introducing illegal economic measures against my country and others. These disturb global markets for food and fertilizer, and this is leading to price hikes. We are seeing that those who are bearing the brunt are the most vulnerable. Sanctions are not just an instrument of pressure, they are also a hindrance on efforts to achieve sustainable development. Sanctions hinder industrial development, they block the transfer of technology, and they undermine efforts to achieve prosperity. These are artificial barriers to development. And for as long as they're in place, sustainable development will not be able to be achieved. We are fully in favor of the 2030 agenda, as we made clear in our third national voluntary review, which we presented last year. And we have made significant progress. We have made 80% of the progress in achieving the SDGs and we have already been able to eliminate poverty, to achieve clean water and sanitation, to reduce inequalities and to protect land ecosystems. We believe that sustainable consumption is particularly important. We are transitioning towards a green circular economy in our country as part of our principal objectives. We're also introducing green principles within our national economic planning. We think this is a significant principle to achieve resilience. An important part of our efforts is to conserve the environment and to adopt appropriate mitigation efforts, we are implementing the Paris Agreement and we are in favor of the common but differentiated responsibilities. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Belarus and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guyana.

Thank you, Chair. And Guyana aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of G77 and China, CARICOM and AOSIS. I make these additional points in my national capacity. Chair, this committee meets at a moment of profound consequences for the implementation of the 2030 agenda and for the practice of multilateralism more broadly. Progress on implementing the SDGs continues to raise alarm, as more than 50% of the measurable.

Targets are off track or making only moderate progress.

The lack of financing presents the biggest hurdle, with development assistance no longer being a dependable stream, pushing the annual SDG financing gap to $4.

Trillion a year.

The combined effects of disruptions in maritime traffic, unreliable energy, fertilizers, and food supplies resulting from the conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere are severely impacting developing economies like mine acutely. Compounding the foregoing is the lack of progress on the climate crisis. Hotter temperatures are particularly damaging to agriculture-based economies like Guyana. In addition, an overshoot of the 1.5 degree limit also acts as a threat multiplier in conflict zones where scarce resources like water is becoming a source of contention, as increasingly been highlighted in the Security Council. Chair, this committee must find ways to bridge differences and build consensus on a menu of approaches to surmount the headwinds we face. We must resist the temptation of becoming desensitized to the severity of the situation. Instead, this session calls for a renewed political resolve, stronger cooperation, and resolutions that are relevant and action-oriented. For Guyana and SIDS, implementing ABAS is paramount. Chair, we call for the renewal of due consideration for the use of the MVI to assess those structural.

Vulnerabilities and deliver the appropriate support thereafter.

In Guyana, we have localized the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through our development blueprint, the LCDS 2030, targeting an inclusive energy transition, protection of our forests and ecosystems, alleviating poverty, while buttressing our social protection agenda. On this note, we encourage all Member States to sign on to Guyana's global biodiversity framework, the Georgetown Declaration, which was adopted during the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit in Georgetown last year. In closing, Chair, Guyana stands ready to do its part and encourages this Committee to streamline and adopt relevant resolutions that will complement the outcomes of COP31 and the 2027 SDG Summit to begin shaping a sustainable development future beyond 2030. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Guyana, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand.

Thank you, Chair. Thailand will align itself with the statements delivered on behalf of Group of 27 and China and ASEAN. With 2030 just around the corner, the gap to the SDGs finish line is unfortunately widening. We are facing geopolitical headwinds which disrupt trade and energy security globally, while financing for SDGs is facing great constraints, with record levels of public debt and annual contraction of ODA. developing countries, including Thailand, continue to bear the brunt. We must therefore act together with urgency, solidarity and renew trust in multilateralism to empower our people and build resilience against these external shocks. Thailand would like to highlight four points. First, resilience in disaster risk reduction. The increasing frequency and severity of disasters around the world, from the recent flooding across Thailand to the glacier-related hazards in Asia, remind us that Climate risks are already affecting people and communities. This highlights the need to fully implement the Sendai Framework and mainstream disaster prevention, preparedness and response into national policy planning and financing. Developing countries need support on investment for resilience to strengthen anticipatory action and protect persons in the event of disasters. For Thailand, our approach on resilience is guided by sufficiency economy philosophy, which seeks to support development that strengthens people's ability to withstand shocks, including through community-based disaster risk management. Second is climate resilience. Thailand is advancing the energy transitions toward a low carbon and climate resilient development pathway. We built a resilient energy system through tax incentives for solar rooftops, green investments, and improving grid and battery storage. For the green transition to be sustainable, it must be locally driven and implemented in an integrated manner across sectors and levels of government. On an island in the southern Thailand, the government has successfully supported the financial matching between the private sector and community networks to promote low carbon tourism. Third is resilient for the planet, as 2026 is a triple COP year under the Rio Conventions, taking place alongside with the UN Water Conference. This presents a valuable opportunity to promote greater coherence within and among relevant multilateral environmental agreements in achieving 2030 agenda. Lastly, for Global South, partnerships between countries, sectors, and stakeholders at all levels are also key to successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Chair, Thailand reaffirms its commitment to advancing the 2030 Agenda through integrated, resilient, and locally driven approaches in order to safeguard sustainable development for all. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Thailand. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.

Thank you, Chair. Algeria aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and the statement made by Namibia on behalf of the African group. Mr. Chair, Algeria translates its commitment into tangible and action-oriented measures. to respond effectively to environmental challenges while upholding its development needs and economic sovereignty. Let me in this regard highlight the followings. First, my country attached great importance to combating desertification. The Green Dam, relaunch with a modernized approach of agroforestry, combines the fight against desertification and providing economic opportunities for rural populations. highlighting its key role in promoting land and ecosystems, as well as promoting national development. Second, committed to collective climate action, Algeria submitted its NDCs for 2026 and demonstrates its willingness to contribute effectively to adaptation and mitigation efforts in accordance with the UNFCCC and its associated agreements and protocols. Third, Algeria is steadily accelerating its energy transition within a comprehensive vision for advancing energy diversification. It is also enhancing energy sovereignty through large-scale projects. Our national renewable energy program, one of the most ambitious in Africa, aims to reach 15 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2035, as well as the South Corridor Green Hydrogen projects that illustrates this ambition. Mr. Chair, turning our ambitions into reality requires strong collective efforts that remain dynamic, coherent, and united to accelerate the SDGs, our shared blueprint. The Second Committee plays a vital role in this regard. Today, we need a just cooperation, a cooperation that reduces the long-standing gap between the Global South and the North. Therefore, we need to scale up climate finance according to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. and to strengthen capacity building and technology transfer for developing countries. Algeria remains committed to working with its partners to advance an inclusive and equitable sustainable development that serves present and future generations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Algeria, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Maldives.

Thank you, Chair. The Maldives aligns with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China and Palau on behalf of AOSIS. Achieving the 2030 Agenda requires a renewed impetus. With less than three years to go, delivery must become more urgent and more comprehensive. In this regard, the Maldives highlights two points. First, finance must be pragmatic and promote investments in SDGs. Most developing countries spend more on debt servicing than on development. Changing this requires debt mechanisms that support investments in resilience building, greater access to more affordable and adequate financing, scaling up blended financing, and mobilizing public and private sector financing and investment to make fiscal space available for development and to achieve the SDGs. Financing mechanisms, therefore, must become more flexible, adapt to unique country contexts, and look at wider indicators beyond GDP to measure growth and development. We must continue the momentum from severe commitment to ensure that finance delivers for all, including through international efforts to address debt sustainability. Second, development programs must be country-led. The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, finalized through consultations with governments, remain the cornerstone of cooperation between program countries and the UN development system. Funding for the development system must therefore also factor in the priorities of the program countries as identified in the cooperation frameworks. Core contributions to the development system must increase significantly. The system must have flexibility to fund programs in line with the priorities of developing countries and the applicable programs of action. Resources for program countries must also be commensurate with their needs. Any changes to the resources available in the country, including country team configurations, must be made in full consultation and with consent from the host governments. Flexible financing with support guided by national development priorities will ensure that we achieve the 2030 agenda, leaving no one behind. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Maldives, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of China.

Thank you, Chair. China supports the statements made by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China, and by Cuba on behalf of the Group of Friends in defence of the UN Charter. Development is the timeless theme of human society, and sustainable development is an aspiration shared by all peoples. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is now seriously off track, and the global development deficit is increasing. It is imperative for the international community to work more closely together, tackle challenges in synergy, and put the course of global development back on track. First, we must stay focused on the development agenda, putting development front and center, channeling more resources into development, and helping developing countries tackle risks and challenges such as poverty and hunger, as next year's UN SDG Summit beckons. We should work to ensure that the post-2030 global development agenda better reflects the shared aspirations of all peoples. We must join hands to improve global economic governance. The vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits for global governance must be upheld. The global development partnership revitalized, North-South cooperation enhanced, and South-South cooperation deepened to foster a stable and open international environment for development. We should advance the reform of the international financial architecture and increase the representation and voice of developing countries. harmony between humanity and nature must be maintained. We must adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, advance green transition through concrete actions, firmly safeguard the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, and comprehensively implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to inject greater certainty and positive energy into global climate governance and bio-dialog- bios. diversity conservation chair. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative. In a congratulatory letter to the high-level dialogue on the fifth anniversary of the GDI, President Xi Jinping called on all parties to work closer together to advance the GDI in greater depth and in more concrete terms and turn the worthy vision of SDG into a reality that's tangible, accessible to all. China, for its part, will continue to act as a responsible major country and work hard Hand in hand with all countries, let's make the fifth anniversary a new starting point for enhancing international cooperation development, promoting more robust, green and healthy global development, and make new and great contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity. I thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of China, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lebanon.

Thank you, Chair. Mr. Chair. Allow me at the outset to extend Lebanon's appreciation to the Secretary General's report under agenda item 17. Lebanon aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China, and Libya on behalf of the Arab Group. We would like to add the following remarks in our national capacity. Lebanon reaffirms its firm and steadfast commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We also stress the need to address challenges facing developing countries through the adoption of concrete steps and the submission of practical proposals. Under this agenda item, the Group of 77 and China will submit a draft resolution entitled "Oil Slick on Lebanese Shores," which addresses the environmental disaster resulting from Israel's targeting of a power generation facility in Jiyeh in 2006, leading to the leakage of large quantities of oil that polluted the Lebanese coastline and left adverse impacts on the achievement of sustainable development. In his report A/81/242, the Secretary-General, for the 20th consecutive year, reiterates his grave concern regarding the non-implementation of the relevant provisions of GA resolutions concerning compensation to the Government and people of Lebanon. The resolution calls upon Israel to assume responsibility for providing prompt and adequate compensation to Lebanon. to cover the costs of repairing the damage caused by this environmental disaster. Lebanon believes in this organization and stresses the importance of respecting UN resolutions. We count on the valuable support of the international community for the implementation of this resolution. In the same context, Lebanon renews its commitment to accelerating global climate action and emphasizes the importance of biodiversity. We also reaffirm our commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and to integrating climate action into development pathways. In this regard, the National Climate Policy Package, including the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for 2025-2035, constitutes a roadmap for enhancing resilience and addressing the impacts of climate change. In the energy sector, Lebanon launched the National Renewable Energy Action Plan for 2025-2030 to increase the share of renewable energy to 40% by 2030. Last month, Lebanon also deposited its instrument of ratification of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Mr. Chair, Lebanon's vision is based on linking environmental sustainability with economic recovery and a just transition towards inclusive growth for all. Lebanon also focuses on the importance of achieving the SDGs, and we focus on the link between development and peace, because there can be no sustainable peace without development. The microphone was cut off.

I thank the representative of Lebanon, who was the last speaker for this morning's session. We will reconvene this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in order to continue the general discussion of agenda item 17 as a whole. Please refer to the live list of speakers for the latest list. The meeting is adjourned.