Second Committee, 13th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session

The 13th meeting of the Second Committee is called to order. I invite the Committee to continue its consideration of agenda item 17, sustainable development as a whole. Before we proceed, I would like to remind delegations that the agreed time limits for statements during the general discussion of agenda items are three minutes for national statements and for statements by intergovernmental organizations and the United Nations system. To assist speakers in time management, a countdown clock will be projected on the screens in the meeting room. The clock on the speech timer will start blinking red to indicate that the speaker has one minute left to conclude his or her statement. Please note that the microphone will be automatically deactivated in case speakers exceed the time limit. Having said this, I would appeal to all speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace to facilitate interpretation into the six official languages of the United Nations. Delegations are reminded to please submit their statements by email to e-statements. I thank speakers in advance for your cooperation. I now call on the first speaker on my list, the distinguished representative of Brunei Darussalam.

Thank you, Chair. Brunei Darussalam associates itself for the statement delivered by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN and the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. Chair, as the world continues to grapple with overlapping crises, from economic uncertainty to climate change risks and rapid technological changes, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains our most vital compass in guiding collective action towards a sustainable future that leaves no one behind. For Brunei Darussalam, sustainable development remains a national priority, integral to advancing our long-term vision, Wawasan Brunei 2035. Chair, building upon our second VNR report issued in 2023, Brunei Darussalam reaffirms its commitment to advancing SDG 12 through a whole-of-nation approach to community sustainability. This goal is inherently cross-cutting, with its interlinkages reflected across our domestic strategies, environmental policies, and sectoral action plans. Brunei Darussalam continues to make positive progress in this regard. Chair, Brunei Darussalam has published an SDG in focus report on responsible consumption and production, outlining our whole of nation approach to promote sustainable consumption and production while cultivating a culture of sustainability for generations to come. We continue to translate this into practical measures to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency, including initiatives such as the Eco Food Waste, which converts food waste into organic compost, as well as advancing the establishment of a waste to energy facility for an efficient waste management system. In April 2026, we convened A strategic dialogue with the United Nations Development Program to foster technical cooperation, reaffirming our conviction that global alliances remain imperative to strengthening our capacity to deliver on the SDGs. We also continue to collaborate bilaterally by strengthening partnerships in renewable energy, regionally within ASEAN energy cooperation mechanisms, and globally through platforms such as the International Renewable Energy Agency and the UNFCCC to foster long-term resource efficiency. Chair, to conclude, as we enter the final stretch towards 2030, Brunei Darussalam remains steadfast in its resolve, guided by our national vision. We will continue to strengthen our efforts both nationally and internationally to accelerate SDG implementation. And Brunei Darussalam stands ready to work with member states and partners to advance practical solutions towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Brunei Darussalam. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal.

Thank you, Chair. Nepal Alliance itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China and LDC group. In the final stretch to 2030, the world is far from achieving the 2030 agenda. The economic and social cost of disasters exceed USD 2.3 trillion annually, further undermining the slow progress towards SDGs. Persistent conflicts, climate vulnerabilities, shrinking development financing, widening inequalities, and global economic uncertainty continue to impede progress on sustainable development goals. For Nepal, sustainable development remains a national priority, firmly embedded in our 16th periodic plan and long-term development strategy. We have made progress in poverty reduction, maternal and child health, access to electricity and clean energy. Eight, structural constraints arising from landlockedness, climate disasters, limited productive capacities, infrastructure, financing and capacity gaps continue to undermine our development pathways. We need over USD 5 billion for our reconstruction efforts following the recent devastating floods. Chair, accelerating SDG implementation requires extended international cooperation and adequate means of implementation. The global SDG financing gap exceeds USD 4 trillion annually, while Nepal alone requires nearly USD 198 billion to achieve the goals by 2030. We therefore reiterate the call for predictable and affordable development financing, fulfilment of ODA commitments, increased multilateral development bank lending, greater access to liquidity, enhanced technology transfer, capacity building support, and durable solutions to unsustainable debt that respond to national circumstances and development priorities. International economic and financial reforms must respond to the development realities of developing countries, particularly LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. We underscore the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, ICG advisory opinion, COP outcomes, Sendai framework, and global environmental commitments to keep 1.5 degrees centigrade within reach. The Baku to Bali roadmap towards USD 1.3 trillion must translate into accessible climate finance, particularly for adaptation. The loss and damage fund must become adequately resourced and operationally responsive. We need greater investment in multi-hazard early warning system, resilient infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based solutions. International cooperation should extend and productive capacities, expand market access and investment opportunities, support MSMEs and facilitate meaningful integration into regional and global value chains. Nepal has also demonstrated the transformative potential of clean and renewable energy and remains committed to contributing to regional energy cooperation and decarbonizing efforts, particularly through hydropower. It is equally important to scale up investment in resilient digital infrastructure, secure connectivity and inclusive digital public infrastructure. to accelerate economic and digital transformation. Let us recommitted leveraging the final years 2030 for accelerated implementation of 2030 agenda through global solidarity.

I thank the representative of Nepal and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Iceland.

Thank you, Chair. Distinguished delegates and colleagues. The SDGs are essential to building lasting peace, addressing inequalities, and creating a more just, inclusive, and resilient world. Iceland is committed to the 2030 Agenda, and we firmly believe that every country, regardless of size, can make a meaningful contribution. Climate change and environmental degradation continue to undermine progress towards sustainable development. with vulnerable communities bearing the greatest burden. We must strengthen our resolve to protect our planet, support those on the front lines of the climate crisis, and honour our commitments under the Paris Agreement. We also look forward to working with Member States to implement the BBNJ Agreement, which is a significant step towards protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable use of our shared ocean resources. The health of our oceans remains a priority for Iceland. It is essential for the well-being of our planet, our food security, and biodiversity. Likewise, renewable energy is essential to achieving sustainable development and building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future. Gender equality is equally fundamental. We cannot achieve sustainable development without the full, equal, and meaningful participation of all women and girls in every aspect of society, Mr. Chair. Land restoration and sustainable land management is also essential to addressing environmental degradation, combating desertification, and protecting biodiversity. Iceland supports the work of the UNCCD and proudly co-chair the Group of Friends on Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought with Namibia. We welcome the biannualization of the resolution. on the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in line with the decisions made in the revitalization process of the Second Committee. Iceland has co-facilitated this resolution for over a decade, and we look forward to doing so again next year. In our work going forward, we must ensure that resolution 80/251 is implemented, as well as the Second Committee revitalization efforts. It is imperative that we pursue more streamlined text, mandate reform, and ensure that our work is focused, effective, and responsive to the development challenges of today. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Iceland, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.

Mr. Chair, Excellencies, colleagues, Pakistan aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. The impacts of the challenges related to climate change, water stress, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and rapid urbanization. for all hardest on developing countries, which have contributed least to these. Pakistan knows this firsthand. We account for less than 1% of global GHG emissions, yet we remain among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Recurrent floods, extreme heat, and accelerating glacial melt continue to reverse hard-won development gains. Chair, on climate change, building adaptation and resilience are our foremost priority. As we approach COP31 in Antalya, we call for a credible pathway to triple adaptation finance adequate capitalization of the fund for responding to loss and damage, and the timely delivery of the new collective quantified goal on climate finance. Climate action must also continue to be guided by equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. On DRR, our experience of the 2022 floods taught us that resilience cannot be an afterthought. Disaster risk reduction must be integrated at the core of development, planning, and financing, supported by multi-hazard early warning systems and resilient recovery. Water is where the effects of climate change are felt most directly. Through Recharge Pakistan and the Living Indus Initiative, we are investing in nature-based solutions, wetland restoration, and groundwater recharge. The UN 2026 Water Conference must deliver concrete outcomes on integrated water resources management and rules-based transboundary water cooperation. On biodiversity, Pakistan is pursuing large-scale afforestation and mangrove restoration in the Indus Delta. As CBD COP17 undertakes the first global review of the KMGBF framework, resource mobilization for developing countries must remain at the center. We also call for stronger support for land degradation neutrality and drought resilience. Urbanization is also reshaping our societies, and we welcome the political declaration of the midterm review of the New Urban Agenda in this regard. In conclusion, none of the challenges above can be addressed without adequate means of implementation. Developing countries need scaled up concessional finance, meaningful debt relief, and a reformed international financial architecture. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Spain.

Gracias, Presidente. Ante las crisis ambientales globales, debemos reforzar tres prioridades transversales: multilateralismo, ciencia y ambición. En primer lugar, la defensa del multilateralismo es la única vía para encontrar soluciones a problemas que, por su propia naturaleza, no conocen fronteras. En segundo lugar, debemos garantizar que nuestras decisiones estén respaldadas por el conocimiento científico y la evidencia. Y, en tercer lugar, debemos pasar de los compromisos a la acción, acelerando su implementación y aumentando nuestra ambición. Es preciso abordar de manera integrada la triple crisis planetaria. Apologies, sorry.

It seems we're not getting interpretation. So just to check.

Apologies.

Or is it just here in the podium? In English or in other languages?

I think it's, sorry, I think the microphone's. Okay.

Okay, sorry, could we start again?

Of course.

Apologies.

Thank you, Chair.

and the last given the global environmental crises we should reinforce three cross-cutting priorities multilateralism science and ambition firstly defending multilateralism is the only way to find solutions to problems that because of their very nature do not know no borders secondly we must ensure that our decisions are backed by scientific knowledge and evidence. And thirdly, we must move from commitments to action, accelerating implementation and increasing our level of ambition. The triple planetary crisis must be addressed in an integrated manner. The decisions that we take in the coming years will be crucial in determining the future of our planet and of future generations. In this context, the conferences of the parties of the so-called Rio Conventions that are being held this year in 2026 represent an opportunity that we must seize. We must ensure and promote greater synergies between these processes and call for ambition to guarantee solid results in all of these negotiations. As regards the protection of the oceans, Spain considers it a priority to move from successful conclusion of the BBNJ towards adopting the functional decisions, the institutional and operational arrangements necessary for the agreement to be fully functional without delay. The first COP should also strengthen the interface between science and policy and applying the precautionary principle. In this regard, we express our support for a precautionary pause or moratorium with respect to deep sea mining until there is a solid regulatory framework that guarantees effective promotion of marine ecosystems, protection of marine ecosystems. Also, promoting a social and solidarity economy for sustainable development is an area where Spain has recognized leadership at the United Nations. Together with Chile and Senegal, in 2023, we presented the first resolution on this subject that was approved by the GA. In 2024, a second resolution was approved where the Assembly decided to consider this issue every two years. In this context, and in line with the ongoing reform efforts that are underway to streamline the work of the GA and to focus as a priority on the implementation of existing mandates, The promoters of this resolution have decided to submit a brief draft decision of a technical nature that defers consideration of the matter to the 22nd session and agrees to try to address this issue triannually thereafter. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Spain and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Thank you, Chair, allow me to share insights and results of the OECD's multidisciplinary policy analysis and data on the cross cutting topic of sustainable development, first on the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for seats. The OECD Development Assistance Committee, through the Partnership for Action on SEEDS, is collaborating with AOSIS across several areas, including supporting SEEDS to strengthen data and statistics capacity, exploring ways to catalyze technical assistance, supporting their capacity to access and absorb official finance, and increasing support for the development and implementation of sustainable ocean economies. The first results of this partnership and its contributions to the delivery of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for seats will be published in a monitoring report in 2027. Second, the transition towards more sustainable energy systems is already happening and is reshaping investment, technology, and labor markets. In 2025, renewable energy attracted over two-thirds of global energy investment and twice as much as fossil fuel investment. Across OECD economies, a fifth of workers already hold green-driven occupations. There is a strong business case for investment in clean energy. Renewables, electrification, and energy efficiency can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and exposure to volatile international energy markets, strengthening resilience, competitiveness, and economic security. Third, extreme weather events and other disasters are imposing growing human and economic costs, with the burden felt most strongly in developing countries. Between 2015 and 2024, disaster related economic losses averaged 6% of GDP in SEEDS and 2% in LDCs, compared with 0.3% in OECD countries. Protecting lives and livelihoods requires countries to move from reactive disaster response to proactive resilience planning. This includes improving risk information, promoting coordination across sectors and stakeholders, and catalyzing investments from both public and private sources. The OECD remains committed to working with the UN and all partners for more resilient economies, stronger partnerships, and prosperity for all. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. We have heard the last speaker on my list, and the Committee has thus concluded its general discussion of agenda item 17, sustainable development, and its sub-items A to I. I wish to recall that the submission deadline for draft proposals under agenda item 17 and its sub-items A and D is Thursday, 15 October, at 3:00 pm. The submission deadline for sub-items E to I of the agenda item 17 is Monday, 19 October, 00 pm. Before adjourning, the delegations are reminded that the Committee will reconvene tomorrow 00 a.m. for the joint consideration of agenda item 21, eradication of poverty and other development issues, and item 23, agriculture development, food security and nutrition. The meeting is adjourned.