Second Committee, 6th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session
General Assembly
Date: 7 October 2026
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/c2/81/6
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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2nd Committee · Chair [21:53]:

Good morning, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. The sixth meeting of the Second Committee is called to order. Before taking up the items on our agenda today, it is my honor to invite the President of the 81st session of the General Assembly, His Excellency Kalyhur Rahman, to address the Second Committee. Mr. President, you have the floor.


GA · PGA [22:16]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, this morning, my memory returns me to 1986, many, many years ago, 40 years ago, when I first came to serve in this committee as a young delegate representing my country, Bangladesh. Here, I learned that development diplomacy is ultimately about people. whether a child attends school, a mother receives health care, a farmer reaches a market, and a vulnerable country has a fair opportunity to prosper. And I learned that international cooperation is an indispensable tool to advance global development. I later joined the UN Secretariat, like many other colleagues on the right side, and worked on trade development, technology and related issues, and subsequently coordinated economic, social and development issues at the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. Through these years, I have witnessed our world changing profoundly, as has our thinking about approaches to development, or even meaning of it. Allow me to organize my remarks around four key points. First, we must focus on development that reaches people. We have moved from the development debate of the 1980s through the Millennium Development Goals to the universal 2030 agenda. Development now means not only income growth, but dignity, sustainability, resilience, equality, and freedom from want. It remains a fundamental pillar of the United Nations. Millions know this organization not through resolutions adopted in New York, but through vaccines delivered, classrooms supported, safe drinking water provided, and opportunities created and livelihoods protected. Since 2015, nearly 1 billion people have gained access to safely managed drinking water. 1.2 billion to safely manage sanitation, and global electricity access has risen to 92%. These are indeed very important progress. Yet progress in realizing SDGs remains far too slow. Of the 139 SDG targets for which trend data is available, Only 36% are on track or showing moderate progress. Nearly half are advancing too slowly, while 15% have fallen below their 2015 baselines. With the 2027 SDG Summit approaching, this is not the time to revisit our commitments. It's time to deliver on them. Second, our ambition needs adequate and properly designed means. National ownership is indispensable, but vulnerable countries, especially LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, and African countries, as well as middle-income countries, continue to depend on external finance, technology, capacity building, and equitable market access. Those means are weakening when we need them most. Official development assistance fell by 23.3% in 2025, the largest annual contraction on record, and is projected to decline by 6.9% in 2026. Bilateral assistance to LDCs is expected to fall another 10.9%. A development-oriented trading system can make a measurable difference. I recall that during preparations for the third UN conference on LDCs in Brussels in 2001, I worked closely with the European Union to advance duty-free and quota-free market access for LDCs. We successfully agreed on the Everything but Arms initiative at the Brussels conference. In 2024 alone, Beneficiaries of the European Union's Everything but Arms initiative secured tariff savings exceeding 3 billion euros, which is a very significant number. Such support has helped several LDCs, including my own, to expand exports, generate revenue, create employment, particularly formal employment for women, and advance towards graduation. For many years, the number of LDCs category kept rising. It began with 25 countries in 1971 and reached a peak of 52 in 1991 in just 20 years. Today, that number has fallen to 44, with 14 countries at various stages of the graduation process. This progress demonstrates an important truth. When international support measures are well designed, properly targeted, and sustained over time, they work. The experience of LDCs should give us hope that with properly designed national and international support measures, we can still reverse the negative trends in the achievement of SDGs. Third, reform and revitalization are essential, and we must embrace it in our own work in this committee. The Second Committee has shaped development discourse and amplified overlooked voices. Preserving that role requires an honest examination of our work. Let us be honest and ask ourselves, does every resolution require annual negotiations? Too many paragraphs move almost unchanged from one text and a year to the next. Repetition can protect agreed language, but also consume scarce resources without producing a new direction. Texts genuinely requiring annual decisions should remain annual. Others should be biennialized and triennialized. Related texts should be merged, completed mandate retired, and thematic clustering made standard. A point that I want to make, there are about 4,000 live mandates. and that we have in this organization and for especially for small delegations. And I care very much for them. They are the majority is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to navigate through all this. So this bargaining mandate is actually not a good news for smaller delegations. We should keep this in mind. Existing review tools should ensure Every mandate is clear, relevant, implementable, and results-oriented. Too often, however, reform resembles moving Lego pieces from one place to another while leaving the underlying design untouched. We rename structures, relocate functions, and redraw organigrams, but fail to question the system's underlying logic. That is the rearrangement, not transformation. My fourth and final point, we cannot make digital age decisions through analog reporting, and we must break this systemic cycle. We cannot work effectively in the digital age with what we have here is an analog culture. Reports considered by the second committee, and indeed by other committees, are often prepared at least six months in advance because of a complex clearance, editing, and translation process. During those six months, circumstances may change, indeed often change dramatically. Yet our analysis, deliberations, and decisions continue to rely on a static document containing information, statistics, and analysis that often are outdated. consider this year's reports on international trade and external debt. In the past, I had things to do with these reports. I looked at them before coming to this committee. Although issued in late July, much of the underlying data and information extended only to March and April. So basically, we are dealing with data that is six months old. We are, therefore, debating a rapidly evolving reality on the basis of evidence that may no longer reflect conditions on the ground. Take, for instance, the consequences of the ongoing global economic crisis, and these are serious. Trade and supply chains have been disrupted, with potential effects lasting many years. Following the outbreak of conflict in the Gulf at the end of February, Daily vessel transits through Strait of Hormuz fell from more than 130 before the conflict to single digits on some days. The International Energy Agency has described the situation as the largest energy security crisis the world faced, while peak daily oil supply losses have exceeded the combined peaks of the two major oil shocks of the 1970s. And we should recall that the dual oil crisis in the 1970s, 1974 OPEC embargo and 1979 Iranian Revolution, together they produced such effect that we have seen 1980s, a lost decade of development for many years, for many countries. Now, do the reports before us in this committee Help us analyze the effects of these developments on food and fertilizer prices, on inflation, debt sustainability, and employment in the vulnerable economies. And I've read these reports, and I don't think they do. Excellencies, we are trapped in a complex loop. Reports are prepared on the basis of yesterday's information, debated months later, and followed by new reports, and the cycle keeps going. The These reports, and I want to be very sure to mention this, these reports are prepared by highly competent staff members. And the rest of the process is also handled highly professionally. Yet the system is such that by the time they reach the delegations, their value is greatly diminished. This system does not do justice to the secretariat's expertise, member states' time, or the urgency of the challenges before us. We the Member States deserve better, and the people affected by our decisions deserve better still. So this is an area where I would like your help. This is one aspect of reform that I personally discussed with the chair of the committee and chairs of other committees. Static tables should not occupy page after page of documents translated into six languages. If you look just at the external debt report of this year, now, in one debt report, nearly half of pages, half of the 36 pages, I guess, consisted of tables. Such tables should be maintained on secure, multilingual, user-friendly, and continuously updated digital dashboard, leaving paper reports to do what they should, provide analysis, identify emerging risks, present scenarios and offer clear policy options. The underlying statistics of every report should be continuously updated online as new information becomes available, accompanied by a clear record of any revisions. Member States should not be asked to make today's decision for tomorrow using evidence frozen six months in the past. We must also know that each report costs. not only in editing and translation, but in staff time, coordination and opportunity cost. We should know who and how many use these reports, what decisions it informs, and whether it continues to justify the resources devoted to it. The UN80 review has examined more than 600 series of mandated reports, while proposed changes could eliminate approximately 700,000 words of reporting in a single year. So that is the level of redundancy. I therefore propose a new compact for second committee reporting, shorter analytical reports focused on the decisions required from member states, real-time user-friendly digital dashboards for statistics, updated briefing notes immediately before consideration of items, transparent information on preparation, costs, and usage, and proper human oversight of any artificial intelligence supported analysis or translation. I do not place responsibility of today's situation on Secretariat alone. The problem is systemic and we, the Member States, create and sustain many of these mandates ourselves. We should therefore take our share of responsibility. Yet, I expect the Secretariat to anticipate emerging needs, bring outdated practice to the attention of Member States, and present practical options for reform. Excellencies and colleagues, finally, a word about the use of technology in our work. As I have repeatedly said, I am a firm believer in the practical application of technology. In this House, we spend countless hours debating the importance of technology and technology transfer. And I used to be the head of technology division in UNCTAD. But we must also ask ourselves, how effectively are we applying technology to our own work? We cannot credibly advocate digital transformation across the world while continuing to operate through outdated systems within our own organization. Technology must not replace judgment, multilingualism, or intergovernmental authority. It must enable us to exercise them more effectively. The objective is not technology for its own sake. It is better evidence, more timely analysis, more informed decisions, and more resources directed towards implementation. That's what we expect from the proper use of technology in our work. So, Excellencies, friends, ladies and gentlemen, let us preserve what is essential, reform what no longer works or works badly, and redirect resources from repetition to implementation. People do not measure us by meetings, resolutions, or pages of documents. They measure us by whether development reaches them. Let us ensure that this committee does exactly that. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [38:21]:

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the committee, I would like to express our gratitude for your presence, for sharing your guidance with us for the work of this committee, but also for transmitting the encouraging message that the Second Committee is a good place to start and develop a diplomatic career. Thank you.


GA · PGA [38:40]:

Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [38:41]:

Delegates, allow me to accompany the President to continue with the busy agenda of the day. We'll resume in a few minutes with discussion of the agenda item of today. Distinguished delegates, I now invite the Committee to begin its joint consideration of agenda item 18, entitled, "Follow-up to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and strengthening the United Nations Human Settlement Programme, UN-HABITAT," together with agenda item 20, entitled, "Group of countries in special situation," and its sub-items A and B. The documentation under these items is listed in today's journal and on eGov. We will first proceed with the introduction of reports. I would like to kindly remind the introducers of reports that the announced time limit for one introduction is four minutes. I invite Ms. Andalusia Rosbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlement Programme, to introduce by a pre-recorded video statement under agenda item 18, the report of the Secretary-General on follow-up to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlement Programme, June 2024-June 2026. contained in document A/81/344. Could you please play the video and the message that is being sent by the Executive Director?


UN-HABITAT · Executive Director [40:37]:

Distinguished delegates, I am honored to present the Secretary-General's report on the follow-up to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. document A/81/344. This report comes at a pivotal moment. We reached the midpoint of the New Urban Agenda, reviewed SDG 11 at the High-Level Political Forum, convened the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, and concluded the General Assembly's midterm review of the New Urban Agenda with the adoption of a political declaration. These milestones, together with the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, provide a renewed framework for action. The message is clear. The second decade of the New Urban Agenda must be a decade of implementation at scale. At the center of this challenge is housing. Today, the global housing crisis affects up to 3.4 billion people, including 1 billion in slums and informal settlements, and more than 300 million experiencing homelessness. Housing is a defining factor for all SDGs. and fundamental to poverty eradication, social inclusion, climate resilience, economic opportunity, and human dignity. The Secretary-General's report demonstrates important progress. Through UN-Habitat programs in 112 countries, an estimated 17.6 million people were supported to move out of slum-like conditions and improve their quality of life. work on land governance, strengthening tenure security, while programs of water, sanitation, waste management, other basic services, reach at communities across regions. We have strengthened the urban dimension of climate action, provided normative and operational support in over 25 countries affected by conflict and disasters, prioritizing locally led and area-based approaches and advanced urban policy, territorial planning and financing. We have also strengthened multi-level governance and SDG localization, connecting national commitments with local delivery and advancing financing for implementation through the local 2030 coalition and other partnerships. The global urban monitoring framework has been applied or piloted in more than 400 cities, utilizing geospatial technologies, Earth observation, and artificial intelligence to strengthen the evidence base for urban policy and investment. Across the UN system, UN-Habitat has strengthened coherence on sustainable urbanization and adequate housing by contributing its normative and technical expertise as a UN country team member in 101 countries. Partnerships with international financial institutions, development banks, the private sector and others have expanded, while our work has continued to advance human rights and social inclusion, including women and girls, youth engagement and persons with disabilities. But progress remains insufficient relative to the scale of the challenge. The report therefore points to five priorities for urgent action. First, we must close the housing gap through systemic approaches, moving beyond isolated interventions towards integrated policies on housing, land, informal settlements, basic services, urban planning, and finance. Second, we must strengthen multi-level governance and localization, connecting national policies and financing with local and regional governments. Third, we must close the urban financing gap, mobilizing greater investment in adequate housing, infrastructure, and basic services, particularly for the most vulnerable. Fourth, we must strengthen data, digital, and geospatial capacities to enable evidence-based policy and investment. Fifth, we must strengthen coherence across the UN system, recognizing sustainable urbanization and adequate housing as accelerators for SDG 11 and all the SDGs. Achieving these ambitions also requires a strong and adequately resourced UN-Habitat. The report calls for the full support for implementation of the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026-2029 continuing engagement to strengthen the effectiveness of its governance, and adequate and predictable resources to deliver its normative and operational mandates at scale. UN-HABITAT stands ready to work with member states, the United Nations system, local and regional governments, and all partners to translate commitments into tangible improvements in people's lives. The New Urban Agenda provides the framework, the political momentum, has been renewed. The priority now is delivery at scale and for all. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [46:16]:

I thank the Executive Director for the presentation of the report. I now invite Mr. Alain Moyer, Director of the Office of High Representative of the Least Developed Countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states, and acting managing director of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries to introduce in one intervention under agenda item 20 and its sub-items A and B, the following reports. Under sub-item A, follow-up to the fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. The reports of the Secretary-General on the follow-up to the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, contained in document A/81/342; on the findings of the feasibility study on the operationalization of the Food Stockholding Mechanism for the Least Developed Countries, contained in document A/81/357; and on the work of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries, contained in document Under sub-item, follow-up to the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, the reports of the Secretary-General on the follow-up to the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries contained in document A/81/271 on the feasibility of establishing regional agricultural research hubs for landlocked developing countries, contained in document A/81/275, on the feasibility of establishing a dedicated infrastructure investment finance facility, contained in document A/81/283, and on the strengthening the capacities and effectiveness of the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing Countries. and the United Nations system to support landlocked developing countries contained in document A/81/313. Mr. Director, finally, you have the floor. I hope that it's not counted on your minutes.


Technology Bank · Managing Director [48:35]:

Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, distinguished Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Realizing the very valid points just raised by the President of the General Assembly, I have the honor to introduce seven separate reports of the Secretary-General under agenda item 20. As mentioned by the Chair, I will start with three reports under agenda item 20A, the follow-up to the Fifth United Nations Conference on the LDCs. The first report under item 20A is the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs, A/81/342. It's submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 80/150 and ECOSOC resolution 2025/23. This report assesses progress across the six priority areas of the Doha Programme of Action, the DPOA, and informs preparations for its comprehensive high-level midterm review in Doha in March 2027. The report presents a sobering picture. While LDCs have made gains in education, health, women's parliamentary representation, and electricity access, successive crises continue to undermine the development progress. Extreme poverty still affects around 42% of their population. Moderate or severe food insecurity reached 57.8% in 2024. Only 13% of people were covered by at least one social protection benefit in 2023. Structural transformation remains slow. LDCs accounted for just 1.03% of the global exports of goods and commercial services in 2024. In 2025, only 33.7% of their population used the internet, limiting opportunities for learning, innovation, and participation in the digital economy. Financing constraints are intensifying. Bilateral ODA to LDCs fell by 25% in 2025. 16 LDCs are at high risk of debt distress, and five are already in distress. Climate shocks and conflicts further erode fiscal space and development gains. Yet progress towards graduation continues, with 14 countries now at different stages of LDC graduation. The report calls for shock-responsive social protection and food security, investments in education and productive capacities, affordable digital connectivity, improved market access, accessible adaptation finance, and coordinated action on debt. It urges development partners to reverse declining ODA while reinforcing coordinated assistance to the LDCs in conflict and post-conflict situations. The report also emphasizes that graduation is a milestone requiring sustained, tailored support to safeguard development momentum. It also records progress on the five key DPOA deliverables. These are the resilience building measures, the online university, the food stockholding mechanism, the International Investment Support Center, and the Sustainable Graduation Support Facility, or IGRAD. and calls for their full operationalization that requires adequate, predictable, and sustained financing. The mid-term review of the DPOA is a critical moment to translate these recommendations into scaled-up action. Our office will continue to mobilize coherent UN support and facilitate inclusive preparations at national, regional, and global levels. We invite Member States to engage actively and renew their collective commitments to delivering the DPOA. Madam Chair, I now have the honour to introduce the second report under item 20A, which is the Secretary-General's report A/81/357 on the findings of the feasibility study on the operationalization of the Food Stockholding Mechanism for the LDCs. The report was prepared pursuant to paragraph 42 of the DPOA, which requested the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility, effectiveness and administrative modalities of a system of stockholding for LDCs, and the subsequent Secretary-General's reports A/77/291 and A/79/218. The report underlines that while global hunger marginally declined to 8% in 2024, undernourishment in LDCs remains at 21%, nearly three times the global average. The report also notes that despite the broad range of international, regional and national food security initiatives, significant gaps remain in supporting food emergency preparedness in the LDCs. Our report outlines the key findings and recommendations stemming from the study, including practical options for operationalizing the food stockholding mechanism. It presents that the mechanism would focus on supporting LDCs preparedness and response to food emergencies in a way that would complement existing national, regional, and international food security systems. The mechanism would operate under the principles of country ownership. And given the diversity of the 44 LDCs, it would also offer flexible context-specific support tailored to national circumstances. The report proposes activities, governance, and the structure of the mechanism, as well as its core operational components. The governance structure includes a public sector support facility, private sector support facility, and a technical assistance analysis and training unit. The report also proposes a phased implementation strategy from an initial pilot phase to a scaling up period. It concludes that the Food Stockholding Mechanism is viable and urgently needed to strengthen LDCs preparedness and response to food emergencies. It also underlines that the mechanism would complement and build on the global food emergency support architecture to improve coordination, preparedness, and the timeliness of emergency support provided to LDCs. The feasibility study has been prepared in close collaboration with the UN development system, including the Rome-based agencies. I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Qatar and the Qatar Fund for Development for its generous pledge of 10 million US dollars to begin the operationalization of the mechanism, starting with a pilot phase. I invite Member States to give due consideration to the recommendations contained in the report. Madam Chair, it's now my honor to introduce the third report under item 20A. which is document A/81/324, under the title of the Secretary-General's report on the work of the UN Technology Bank for the least developed countries. The 44 least developed countries continue to face structural constraints amid unprecedented technological change. New technologies are creating opportunities for productivity and resilience. Yet, gaps in infrastructure, institutions and financing continue to limit their ability to benefit. Those that stand to gain the most risks falling further behind. The years ahead are critical. The Doha Programme of Action has reached its midpoint. 2030 is fast approaching and the development challenges facing LDCs remain profound. Excellencies, This year marks 10 years since the establishment of the UN Technology Bank. Over this period, we have built and tested a practical model to help LDCs move from identifying technology needs to accessing and deploying solutions. Through our work, we have established a foundation, and the focus now is shifting to scaling up delivery. At the center of this work are technology needs assessments, so-called TNAs. These TNAs have been conducted in almost half of the LDCs and provide a country-led, evidence-based basis for identifying technology priorities. Importantly, we are now moving beyond assessment and into implementation. For instance, in Tanzania, we are supporting investment opportunities linked to technologies identified through the TNA process. Elsewhere, recommendations are being translated into technical assistance and technology adoption projects. We are also expanding targeted capacity building in digital and emerging technologies, including AI policy and governance, digital transformation, SME digitalization, cybersecurity, and AI for climate-smart agriculture. As the focal point for science, technology, and innovation for the LDCs, we are strengthening our knowledge services through our Knowledge Hub, connecting policymakers and practitioners with expertise, peer networks, and learning opportunities. Despite this measurable progress, the UN Technology Bank continues to operate with limited financing and a small workforce. Partnerships and earmarked contributions have enabled us to advance important initiatives, but they cannot substitute for adequate, flexible, and predictable resources. We are very grateful to the Government of Turkey for its longstanding support. to China through the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund, and to India for their support to the UN Technology Bank. We also recognize with appreciation our historic donors and partners, whose contributions have been instrumental in building the organization and advancing its work over the past decade. Excellencies, realizing the full potential of the UN Technology Bank will require resources that are commensurate with the scale of its mandate. Technology is advancing faster than ever, while demand from LDCs for support continues to grow. If we are to prevent the technological divide from widening further, the resources available to the UN Technology Bank must match the mandate and expectations entrusted to it by the Member States. Responsibility for supporting this mandate cannot rest on a small number of partners. A broader and more diversified base of support is now essential. We therefore encourage Member States and partners to translate their commitment to the LDCs into concrete support for the UN Technology Bank, including through voluntary contributions. The UN Technology Bank is ready to build on the foundations established over the past decade and expand its support to this group of countries. With the necessary resources, we can help ensure that technological progress becomes a driver for inclusion and transformation, rather than another source of inequality. Dear Chair, I now move to agenda item 20B with four reports on the follow-up to the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. The first report under this agenda item, number A/81/271, is the report of the Secretary-General on the follow-up to the Third United Nations Conference on the Landlocked Developing Countries. This report provides an overview of socio-economic development in the 32 LLDCs, progress across the five priority areas of the Programme of Action, and reports on the implementation of its key deliverables. The report shows that the first year of implementation has produced important institutional progress. The LLDC Group under UNFCCC has been established. providing an important platform for coordinated engagement by the LLDCs on issues of global climate governance. The General Assembly proclaimed the 6th of August as the UN International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of this group of countries. Its first observance this year raised global awareness, strengthened advocacy and mobilized international support. The Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Freedom of Transit for the LLDCs is now established, with its report expected at the 82nd session of the General Assembly. Excellencies, these are important steps, but the report is also clear. Progress must be accelerated to achieve the ambitious targets of this AWASA Programme of Action. Despite accounting for about 7% of the world's population, LLDCs still contribute only around 1.1% of global GDP. 21% of employed adults in LLDCs lived below the international poverty line, while food insecurity affected more than half of adults in this group of countries during the years 2022 to 2024. Access to electricity stands at only around 61% compared with 91.7% globally. Huge infrastructure gaps also remain. The external environment has become more difficult. Declining ODA, rising debt vulnerabilities, persistent trade uncertainty, and widening digital divides are placing additional pressure on the LLDCs. alongside higher transport, insurance, energy, and food costs, particularly for fuel and food importing LLDCs. Excellencies, against this backdrop, the report emphasizes that implementation must now accelerate. LLDCs need support to diversify their economies, strengthen productive capacities, expand value addition, improve trade facilitation and connectivity, close digital infrastructure gaps, and scale up climate adaptation and resilience financing. The OAS Action Plan for the LDCs provides a clear and ambitious framework. The imperative now is implementation, swift, sustained, and at scale, to turn its commitments into tangible results the LLDCs. With collective resolve, stronger partnerships and sustained investments, we can ensure that the commitments made in OWASA are translated into tangible progress for the more than 620 million people living in the landlocked developing countries. Madam Chair, I now have the honour to introduce document A/81/275. The Secretary General's reports on the feasibility of establishing regional agricultural research hubs for the. the landlocked developing countries. The report was prepared pursuant to paragraph 54 of the APOA, which requested the Secretary-General to examine the feasibility, effectiveness, and administrative modalities of establishing regional agricultural research hubs for the LLDCs. The report highlights that agriculture remains central to the economies, livelihoods, and food security of this group of countries. It employs more than half of the workforce and provides a critical source of income for rural economies, particularly women and smallholder farmers. Yet, agricultural systems in this group of countries continue to face persistent and interconnected challenges. These include low productivity, food imports dependence, land degradation, water scarcity, climate vulnerability, high transport and logistical costs, and limited access to technologies, agricultural inputs, and markets. The report concludes that strengthened regional agricultural research cooperation can help address these challenges and support agricultural productivity, food security, climate resilience, value addition, and market access. It finds regional agricultural research hubs feasible and potentially effective as network-based platforms that build existing institutions and avoid duplication. Rather than creating stand-alone institutions, the hubs would connect researchers, policymakers, development partners, and practitioners to advance knowledge sharing, applied research, capacity building, and evidence-based policy making. The report identifies several priority areas for collaboration, including climate-resilient agriculture, dryland and mountain farming systems, soil and water management, transboundary pest and disease control, digital agriculture, food processing, value addition, and regional agricultural value chains. The report underscores the importance of strong partnerships involving Member States, the UN system, international and regional research institutions, development partners, climate finance mechanism and the private sector. I invite Member States to give due consideration to the recommendations contained in the report and to support future efforts to advance this important initiative. Madam Chair, I now have the honor to introduce document A/81/283, which is the report of the Secretary General on the feasibility of establishing a dedicated infrastructure investment finance facility for the landlocked developing countries. The report is submitted pursuant to the request contained in the AWASA program of action. The report's conclusion is clear. A dedicated infrastructure investment finance facility for the LLDCs is both justified and technically feasible. It sets out the scale of the challenge. LLDCs infrastructure quality is on average 15.8% below that of comparable developing countries. The financing gap for infrastructure is substantial. Closing the road and rail infrastructure gap alone is estimated to require around $500 billion. Public resources remain constrained, debt servicing costs are high, and foreign direct investment insufficient. The report therefore identifies three areas where a dedicated facility could add value. First, Transboundary coordination by helping bring landlocked and transit countries around a shared corridor packages. Secondly, resolving complementarity gaps by coordinating the provision of infrastructure complementarities such as customs systems, border management and regulatory alignments. Third, to mobilize financing by improving project preparation, strengthening bankability, coordinating de-risking, and by orienting funders more effectively towards LLDC priorities. The report examines three possible modalities for the facility. A stand-alone financing institution, Secondly, a facility hosted within an existing institution. And third, a coordination platform focused on convening, mainstreaming and project support. The report finds that a hosted facility or a coordination platform offer the most feasible and cost effective modalities. Excellencies, the committee may wish to provide guidance on the proposed modalities, the priority functions of a future facility, and how LLDC priorities can be better mainstreamed across multilateral development banks, climate financing mechanisms, and other actors along the infrastructure financing lifestyle. A well-designed facility can serve as the connective tissue of the infrastructure financing ecosystem for LLDCs to ensure that landlockedness can be overcome through coordination, investments, and partnership. And last, Madam Chair, I now have the honor to introduce document A/81/313, the report of the Secretary-General on strengthening the capabilities and effectiveness of OHRLLS and the UN system to support the landlocked developing countries. The report submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/233 assesses whether existing institutional capacities are aligned with the responsibilities arising from the AVASA Programme of Action for the LLDCs. The report highlights the significant evolution of the international agenda for this group of countries, reflecting increasingly complex challenges related to trade and transit, connectivity, climate resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable development. In response, the AWASA program introduces ambitious new deliverables, including the regional agriculture research hubs, the high-level panel on freedom of transit for LDCs, and the exploration of an infrastructure investment finance facility. enhanced support for multilateral trade integration, and strengthened action on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction. The report recognizes the substantial contribution of the UN system to advancing the Programme of Action and underscores a central imperative: the success of the AWASA Programme will depend not only on the strength of its vision, but on the capacity of the UN system to implement it in a coherent, sustained and effective manner. The report therefore identifies five priorities. The first one, strengthening monitoring, reporting and knowledge management through integrated data platforms that support evidence-based policymaking and accountability. Secondly, Reinforce the system-wide coordination, including through full operationalization of the interagency consultative group for the LDCs. Third, mobilize resident coordinators, UN country teams, and national focal points to embed the WASSA priorities in national planning and cooperation frameworks. Fourth, expand partnerships with the development partners international financial institutions, regional organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academia. And lastly, provide OHRLS with adequate, predictable, and sustained resources to fulfill its expanded mandate and lead the implementation of the program and its flagship initiatives. Excellencies, in conclusion, the report is unequivocal. Achieving the ambitions of the Iwasa Programme of Action requires a stronger OHR LLS and a more coordinated UN system. The Committee's guidance can help ensure that these institutional arrangements translate commitments into tangible and lasting results for LLDCs. I thank you very much for your kind attention.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:15:15]:

Thank you, Mr. Malyarov, for the presentation of all these reports. Now, distinguished delegates, in accordance with the practice of the main committees, I now invite delegations to make comments or pose any question on the report that we have just heard from the speakers. I would like also to introduce that on the podium, we have Ms. Toni Shi, Fleckenton, Director of the New York Office of UN-Habitat, so she can reply any question you have on behalf of the Executive Director. Now I open the floor for the delegations, and I see that the floor has been requested by the Permanent Representative of Turkey. Mr. Ambassador, you have the floor.


Türkiye · Permanent Representative [1:15:58]:

Thank you, Madam Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. First, we thank the Secretary-General for his report on the work of the UN Technology Bank. for the least developed countries, and the new Managing Director, Mr. Roland Mollerius, for his briefing. I wish him success, and we really trust his experience and stamina in the work of the Bank. At the fourth LDC conference in Istanbul in 2011, Turkey had pledged to establish and host a technology bank dedicated to the LDCs. This year marks the 10th anniversary since the General Assembly decided to establish the Bank. With its establishment, the first SDG target was achieved. As the only UN entity exclusively dedicated to strengthening the science, technology and innovation capacities of LDCs, the Bank holds a unique place within the UN system. This role was further affirmed by the Doha Programme of Action, which designated the Bank as the focal point in this area. In this context, we welcome the report and take note of the progress achieved during the reporting period. As underlined in the report, the Bank's efforts to support LDCs, including through technology needs assessments, capacity building activities, as well as its work on digital and emerging technologies are encouraging. We also appreciate the Bank's engagement in the context of COP31, which Turkey will host in Antalya next month. Madam Chair, as the host country, Turkey is proud to have supported the Bank since the beginning of its operations in Gebze, including through more than US$20 million in voluntary contributions. These achievements provide a strong basis for the Bank to move from individual interventions towards implementation at greater scale. Over the past decade, we have witnessed its progress, which now provide a strong basis for the Bank to move from individual interventions to greater scale. At the same time, the continued development of the Bank requires a broader base of international support together with predictable and sustainable funding. We therefore strongly encourage Member States and other partners, this is really important, to strengthen their important engagement with the Bank through financial support and technical cooperation. Even some modest contributions may make a difference. Turkey remains committed to supporting the UN Technology Bank and looks forward to working with member states and partners to enable it to fully deliver on its mandate and further contribute to the sustainable development of LDCs. Before concluding, I reiterate my call for support, for a broader international support to the Bank. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:19:13]:

I thank Your Excellency for the statement. Now I'd like to invite the Permanent Representative of Cabo Verde to take the floor. Excellency, you have the floor.


Cabo Verde · Permanent Representative [1:19:29]:

Thank you, Madam Chair. Allow me to start by thanking the incoming Managing Director, Roland Mollerus, for the presentation of this comprehensive mid-year report that gave us a very clear overview of the ongoing work of the TBLDC. As a member of its Executive Council and also of the Subcommittee on Resource Mobilization and Partnership, I would like to commend the incoming Managing Director for his dynamic approach and transparent way in working with the Council's members. Cabo Verde welcomes the progress achieved during the first half of 2026. The report demonstrates that the UN Technology Bank is steadily translating its strategic plan 2025-2027 into concrete action with a stronger emphasis on implementation, country ownership, and tangible development results. This is precisely the direction needed if science, technology, and innovation are to become genuine drivers of sustainable development in the LDCs. We particularly commend the advances made under the technology needs assessments, which are increasingly serving as practical instruments to identify national priorities and build bankable, country-led solutions. We also welcome the growing focus on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and innovation ecosystems, as well as the efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and knowledge sharing among LDCs. The report also reflects the realities of the current global environment. So despite financial constraints, challenging resource mobilization landscape and limited human resources, the Technology Bank has continued to deliver meaningful results, expand strategic partnerships and strengthen its visibility. This is a remarkable achievement that deserves our recognition. Madam Chair, Allow me also to express Cape Verde's deep appreciation for the previous Managing Director, Deodhar Maharaj, for his exceptional leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to the mandate of the Technology Bank. Under his stewardship, the institution evolved into a more dynamic, responsive, and implementation-oriented organization, better positioned to support LDCs in harnessing science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. His dedication, professionalism and ability to build partnerships inspired confidence among Member States and guided the institution through a very challenging global context. We are confident that the progress achieved will continue to benefit the Technology Bank and the countries it serves for many years to come. We wish also to again warmly welcome the incoming Managing Director, Roland Mollerus, wish him every success in the future endeavors, and reassure him of Cape Verde's readiness to continue to work with him and the TBLDC team towards a successful implementation of the 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. And I thank you, Madam Chair.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:23:40]:

Thank you, Excellency, for your statement. Now I would like to give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Eritrea. Excellency, the floor is yours.


Eritrea · Permanent Representative [1:23:51]:

I thank you, Madam Chair. My delegation thanks the Secretary General for the report on the work of the Technology Bank for the least developed countries. And I thank Mr. Ronald Mollerose for his presentation and welcome him to the Technology Bank. Eritrea welcomes the progress made and reaffirms the importance of the Bank's mandate to help LDCs access the appropriate technologies while building their capacity to develop, utilize, and scale them including indigenous innovations. Madam Chair, as the Bank moves from institution building to implementation, its success should ultimately be measured not by the number of assessments, as the VGE said, assessments taken, meetings held, or partnerships announced, but whether the LDCs acquire durable national capacities to use and adapt and develop technology for productive transformation. We therefore welcome the emphasis on technology needs assessments and on translating their findings into concrete projects and investment opportunities. Eritrea notes with appreciation the Bank's mission to our country in 2025 and the preparation of a concept note for an agricultural focused assessment. Such work must remain aligned with national priorities and institutional capacities. technology transfer should go hand in hand with capacity transfer, strengthening institutions, human resources, research, and innovation systems, and the ability of LDCs to adapt and sustain technologies. The report also highlights, rightly, resource constraints. We encourage predictable and diversified financing while ensuring that additional resources translate into measurable development results and implementation at scale. We welcome the Bank's growing engagement in South-South and triangular cooperation and with development and financial institutions. Madam Chair, for Eritrea, the test is ultimately simple. Can technology strengthen national capacities, build productive capabilities, and contribute to sustainable development? If so, the Technology Bank will be fulfilling the purpose for which it was established. Eritrea stands ready, including through its engagement in the Governing Council, to contribute constructively to this objective. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:26:20]:

Thank you, Excellency, for the statement. I would like to invite the distinguished representative of Djibouti to take the floor.


Djibouti [1:26:32]:

At the outset, let me first express my gratitude to you, Mr. Roland Morvillius, for the presentation of the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the UN Technology Bank for the least developed countries. We reiterate our profound gratitude to the Government of Turkey for its commitment and generosity as it continues to provide significant annual funding alongside physical promise, personnel and support for joint capacity building projects. We value the commitment of the Bank to assist LDC countries and welcome the progress made in the delivery of service in the three strategy pillar of the organization. Policy and technical advisory service, capacity building for transformation, and new ledge service for result. The Doha Program of Action rightly designed the UN Technology Bank as a focal point within the United Nations system for strengthening STI capacity in LDC. We further welcome, as highlighted in your report this morning, the fact that the institution is moving from analysis and project development toward implementation and country-level delivery. In this regard, we note with satisfaction the progress made in the cooperation on accelerating digital transformation for SMEs in Djibouti between the Technology Bank and the Ministry Delegate Charged de l'Economie Numerique et de l'Innovation. Through our joint effort, we are finalizing a project which aims at strengthening Djibouti's national capacity to provide structural digital transformation support to SMEs through institutional capacity development, direct enterprise support, and South-South cooperation with India. We are grateful to India for having granted in-principle approval under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund to this important initiative, which is aligned with Djibouti Vision 2035. the national digital transformation roadmap, and the United Sustainable Development Framework 2025-2030, in particular, priority relating to economic diversification, digital skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, and SME competitiveness. For Djibouti, in closing, we echo the call made to member states to urgently commit predictable, and sustainable funding to make the UN Technology Bank to fully operationalize its mandate and respond to the growing demand from LDCs. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that all countries have equal opportunity created by STI, leaving no one behind toward the SDG by 2030. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for your attention.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:29:58]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Djibouti for the statement, and now I would like to invite the presenters, if they have any comment or would like to make any statement after hearing the intervention from member states. Mr. Molyneux, you have the floor.


Technology Bank · Managing Director [1:30:16]:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and I'm thanking also the ambassadors and delegates from the four countries that intervened. with very positive and encouraging remarks about the work of the UN Technology Bank and our office. And in my new role as the incoming managing director, I would fully endeavor to make the suggestions that they're being made become the reality. So again, thank you very much for the support. I don't think there were any specific questions addressed to the Secretariat. So with that, I turn back to Madam Chair. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:30:56]:

Thank you. Thank you to both directors for presentation of the reports and for engaging with the committee at this point. Distinguished delegates, we should allow the presenters to leave the podium and we'll resume very shortly. And thank you as well to the delegations for their active participation.

Distinguished colleagues, good afternoon. I now invite the committee to begin the joint general discussion of agenda items 18 and item 20 and sub items A and B. Before we proceed, I would like to remind delegations that the agreed time limits for statements during the joint consideration of agenda items are five minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of a group of states and three minutes for national statements. The list of speakers has been prepared on this basis, and I intend to implement the time limit strictly, including as necessary through automatic microphone cutoff after the allotted time has elapsed. To assist speakers in time management, a countdown clock will be projected on the screens in the meeting room. Delegations are requested to submit longer versions of their statements by e-mail to e-statements. I thank speakers in advance for their cooperation. With these comments, I now call on the first speaker on my list, the distinguished representative of Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.


Uruguay · G77 + China [1:33:56]:

Mr. Chair, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Item 20, letter A, follow-up to the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms that the least developed countries, LDCs, remain central to achieving the 2030 Agenda. LDCs face deep structural constraints, fragile productive capacities, weak infrastructure, and severe vulnerability to external shocks, climate change, pandemics, and volatile global conditions. Their sustainable development depends on a predictable and supportive international environment with adequate resources. The group reiterates its full support for the Doha Program of Action 2022-2031 as a blueprint for structural transformation, productive capacity building, equitable trade, resilience, and social inclusion. National leadership must be complemented by scale-up and sustained international cooperation. We urge partners to fulfill ODA commitments, allocating 0.15 to 0.20% of GNI to LDCs and to expand concessional finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. The group also stresses the need for urgent reforms of the global financial architecture to enhance fairness, representation, and access for developing countries. The group supports the 2027 midterm review of the DPOA, which should renew political commitment, address gaps, and operationalize innovative tools such as a sustainable graduation support facility and strengthen the office of the high representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS to better serve LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. Item 21, letter B, follow up to the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. LLDCs continue to face unique structural challenges stemming from their lack of direct access to sea, high transport and transit costs, and limited connectivity to global markets. These factors severely constrain trade, economic diversification, and industrialization. The group reiterates its full support for the WSSER program faction for the landlocked developing countries for the decade 2024-2034, adopted by the General Assembly and emphasizes the urgent need for strengthened international and regional partnerships to address the persistent obstacles. Priorities must include developing efficient transit corridors, expanding physical and digital infrastructure, promoting value addition and export diversification, and harnessing science, technology, and innovation as drivers of transformation. We urge development partners to ensure the full implementation of all previous and new commitments to LLDCs through predictable financing, debt relief, technology transfer, and capacity building support. The group reaffirms that South-South cooperation remains an indispensable complement to North-South cooperation and expresses its solidarity with LLDCs in implementing the WASA Programme of Action. Item 18, implementation of the outcomes of the UN-Habitat. The group firmly believes that cities and human settlements can be key drivers of sustainable development and further underlines undeniable linkages between urban development, public health, social cohesion, and equitable access to opportunities and basic services. In this regard, adequate, affordable and sustainable housing for all should be at the center of our efforts, together with universal and equitable access to basic services, including safe drinking water, sanitation, food security and nutrition and social protection systems as appropriate. This effort should also contribute to the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, and to ending hunger, particularly in underserved and rapidly growing urban and peri-urban areas. We are deeply concerned about the complex urban challenges we face and call for the urgent implementation of our commitments on sustainable urban development. To this end, strengthened international cooperation must remain a central pillar of our collective efforts.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:38:56]:

I thank the representative of Uruguay for his statement, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian.


Lao People's Democratic Republic · ASEAN [1:39:13]:

Mr. Chair, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Mr. Chair, sustainable urbanization remains a key priority for ASEAN, with nearly 53% of the region's population expected to live in cities by 2030. ASEAN has implemented several regional initiatives that put the vision of the New Urban Agenda into practice. One, the ASEAN Smart Cities Network provides a platform for cities in the region to advance smart and sustainable urban development. With 134 projects as of September 2025, the network has strengthened knowledge exchange and deepened cooperation among ASEAN member states dialogue partners and other external partners. Two, we continue to emphasize the critical role of smart and sustainable urban development in enhancing ASEAN connectivity through the ASEAN Smart City Action Plan for 2026-2035. By fostering both regional collaboration and the use of innovative technologies and solutions, the action plan seeks to address pressing urban and rural challenges while advancing connectivity, resilience, sustainability and inclusivity. And three, ASEAN recognises that environmental pressures and climate change can threaten environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development. Through the adoption of the Framework for a Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality, ASEAN will further advance its sustainable ambitions by building a supportive ecosystem to unlock the potential of the green economy, enhance resilience by climate adaptation, and accelerate the decarbonization of regional supply chains. Mr. Chair, ASEAN attaches importance to addressing the specific development needs of countries in special situations, and recons its support for the full, effective and timely implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, or DPOA, for LDCs, the AwaSA Programme of Action for LDCs, and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS. Recognising that ASEAN's LDC members are at different stages of the graduation process, We underscore the needs for country-led and tailored international support measures before, during, and after graduation. As we look ahead to the comprehensive high-level midterm review of the DPOA in March 2027, ASEAN emphasizes the importance of renewed commitment and strengthened partnership to accelerate progress in implementing the program of action through 2031. At the regional level, ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to narrow the development gaps within and among ASEAN Member States through the effective implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration, or IAI, Work Plan 5 for 2026-2030 and its implementation plan. The IAI Work Plan 5 is strategically aligned with the ASEAN Vision 2045, our shared future. and is coherent with the relevant ASEAN Community strategic plans. It places emphasis on promoting inclusive, sustainable, resilient and equitable development. In this regard, ASEAN reaffirms its commitment to ensure that all ASEAN Member States are able to participate meaningfully in and benefit equitably from ASEAN Community building and regional integration efforts. by harnessing opportunities arising from digital transformation, sustainable development and regional economic growth. To conclude, Mr Chair, ASEAN remains committed to working closely with the UN system and our partners to build a future of smart, sustainable and resilient cities, while strengthening support for countries in special situations. We look forward to the effective implementation of the programmes of actions for LDCs and LDCs and SIDS to advance the 2030 Agenda. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:43:58]:

I thank the representative of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and I'm pleased to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Palau on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOSIS.


Palau · AOSIS [1:44:18]:

Chair, I have the honor to deliver the statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOSIS, and we align ourselves with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Chair, AOSIS, as a group of countries who face significant challenges due to their special circumstances, express our full solidarity with and support to LDCs and LLDCs. Seven of our members are also categorized as LDCs, and while SIDS are not landlocked, as island and low-lying coastal states, the challenges faced by remoteness and limited connectivity are ones that we share and understand. For this reason, our group is fully committed to ensuring that the international community works in an effective and tangible manner to improve the lives of people across all countries in special situations, LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. SIDS/LDCs face severe structural challenges on both sides of their categorizations, limited access to resources, exposure and vulnerability to climate change, export marginalization, climbing debt burdens, and extreme poverty. The work undertaken this year by the Committee for Development Policy has again demonstrated why these vulnerabilities must remain central to how we approach graduation. In fact, the CDP has recognized more broadly that persistent structural vulnerabilities can constrain the sustainability of development progress. For AOSIS, this reinforces a simple principle. Graduation must be about sustainable development progress, not simply crossing a statistical threshold. In this regard, AOSIS welcomes the work undertaken through the General Assembly's ad hoc working group on the smooth transition for countries graduating from the least developed country category earlier this year. One key message emerging from this work deserves particular emphasis. There can be no one size fits all approach to smooth transition. This aligns with the CDP's findings that the extreme and permanent vulnerability of countries like Kiribati and Tuvalu to climate change requires support that is outside the scope of traditional support measures for LDCs. In other words, transition strategies must be nationally owned and tailored to country circumstances. Therefore, targeted approaches are necessary to support their efforts to achieve economy growth and sustainable development. And this is why it is this calls for the use of the multidimensional vulnerability index as a tool to better reflect these realities and guide tailored support and cooperation for these countries. Ultimately, chair, our objective cannot be graduation for graduation sake. The objective must be to ensure that countries graduate to higher income categories because their development progress is sustainable and resilient, and that graduation does not create a financial or development cliff. Therefore, as a principle, graduation should never feel like a punishment for progress. Instead, it should mark the beginning of a new development partnership in which international support evolves alongside a country's circumstances. This requires strong monitoring, effective response mechanisms, sustained engagement by development and trading partners, and transition periods that respond to the actual circumstances of graduating countries. In closing, Chair, there is no doubt Development cannot be understood through income or statistical thresholds alone. Vulnerability matters and resilience matters. EOSIS will therefore continue to advocate for an international system that provides a tailored and predictable support necessary to ensure that no country is left behind simply because it has crossed a threshold. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:48:05]:

I thank the representative of Palau for her statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Rwanda on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, LLDCs. Thank you.


Rwanda · LLDCs [1:48:22]:

Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries. We thank the Secretary General and UN OHR LLS for the four reports on implementing the OASO program of action for 2024 through 2034. Our 32 countries, home to more than 600 million people, need clear follow-up decisions, stronger partnerships, and common street resources. We welcome the first annual implementation review covering the program's five priorities. Strengthen UN coordination, The LLDC group under the UNFCCC and dedicated WTO processes are welcome advances, but progress must accelerate. We support structural transformation, value addition, skills and innovation with connectivity enabling diversification, decent employment and participation in regional and global value chains. We call for full and effective implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, supported by technical assistance and capacity building, and a dedicated WTO work program on LLDCs. Single window systems, border agency cooperation, and efficient transit procedures must reduce costs and delays. We welcome the Secretary General's appointment on 24th September 2026 of the High Level Panel on Freedom of Transit. Its practical and actionable recommendations should be informed by close consultations with the LLDCs and transit countries, strengthening freedom of transit in accordance with international law. We call on development partners to honor ODA commitments and reverse reductions. Adequate, predictable development finance requires greater access to concessional and adaption finance, effective responses to debt vulnerabilities, and improved access to the fund for responding to loss and damage. Chair, the report on a dedicated infrastructure investment finance facility finds it justified and technically feasible. We support timely consideration by member states of the proposed modalities to advance its establishment. A hosted facility or coordination platform should build on existing capacities and complement financing mechanisms. Addressing gaps in project preparation, cross-border coordination, regulatory and institutional arrangements, and risk mitigation would help mobilize finance for bankable projects, advancing national priorities and regional connectivity. We support UN OHR LLS convening an ad hoc meeting of technical experts, drawing on the interagency consultative group and bringing together member states, the UN system, multilateral development banks, and other relevant experts to guide responses to connectivity gaps and possible facility modalities. We encourage these banks through their governance processes to explore hosting or operational arrangements. including dedicated trust funds and specialized financing windows. LLDC infrastructure must be systemically reflected in project preparation, support, and development finance programming. Cooperation with transit countries must remain central. Corridor investments should combine transport, energy, and digital infrastructure with efficient border procedures and compatible regulations reflecting shared benefits and strengthening regional integration. The Regional Agriculture Research Hub report highlights a productivity and value addition gap. Agriculture accounted for 55% of employment in our countries, but 17% of GDP in 2023. We support a phased, network-based, demand-driven approach anchored in existing institutions and LLDC ownership. An initial phase should map research capacities, identify shared priorities, develop joint research agendas, exchange knowledge, and strengthen skills with early engagement by interested countries. Research must respond to farmers' needs, connect with agriculture practice, infrastructure, and markets, as well as strengthen access to regional value chains. Chair, we reaffirm UNOHR's unique role and the need to align institutional capacity with the expanded scope and the complexities of its responsibilities under the program. We call for adequate staffing and predictable financial resources throughout the decade for its coordination. We will work with all delegations for clear guidance and concrete follow-ups in this session's LLDC resolution. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:53:18]:

I thank the representative of Rwanda on behalf of LLDCs, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Jamaica on behalf of the Caribbean community.


Jamaica · CARICOM [1:53:31]:

Thank you, Chair. I do have the honor to deliver these remarks on behalf of the 14 member states of the Caribbean community. and we align with the statements of G77 and China and AOSIS. Chair Karakum reaffirms the steadfast support for the recognition of SIDS, LDCs and LLDCs as countries in special situations. This designation reflects permanent structural vulnerabilities rooted in geography, scale and disproportionate exposure to external shocks. For LDCs, poverty remains stubbornly high and hard-won gains are fragile. For LLDCs, distance from the sea and dependence on transit neighbors erode competitiveness. For SIDS, the climate crisis is a daily and existential threat. CARICOM wishes to highlight four priorities. First, closing the technological and digital divide. The full operationalization and expansion of the Technology Bank for LDCs, as well as dedicated support for SIDS and LLDCs is essential to ensuring that no one gets left behind in our collective pursuit of sustainable development. Second, building climate resilience. For nations facing recurrent disasters, multi-hazard early warning systems are life-saving infrastructure, not a luxury. We urge accelerated investment in early warning, real-time data systems, and resilient climate-smart infrastructure. Third, safeguarding food security and trade connectivity. Structural import dependence leaves our economies acutely exposed to supply chain shocks. CARICOM supports the establishment of a global food stockholding mechanism for vulnerable countries and of regional agriculture research centers. We also support harmonized transit procedures, digitalized transport documentation, and predictable infrastructure financing to reduce the prohibitive trade costs. Fourth, peace, security, and governance. Development cannot be separated from peace and security. Supporting Haiti on its path towards stability, security, and democratic governance remains an urgent priority for our entire region. Regional solidarity must be matched by sustained and coordinated international support. CARICOM remains deeply concerned that SIDS graduating to middle income status are often cut off from vital development support. Per capita income does not measure our vulnerabilities. We therefore urge the full implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS and the use of the multidimensional vulnerability index, as well as measures of progress that complement and go beyond the GDP to inform access to concessional finance. Chair, on the New Urban Agenda, at the midpoint of its implementation, CARICOM reaffirms its commitment to inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable settlements. For the Caribbean, this agenda is very practical. Our cities and coastal communities are centers of economic life, home to our ports, hospitals, schools, and public services. Yet they stand on the front line of sea level rise, coastal erosion, and hurricanes, where a single storm can erase years of progress. These risks are compounded by limited fiscal space, heavy debt burdens, and high costs of capital. For CARICOM, the New Urban Agenda is therefore inseparable from climate action, disaster risk reduction, and access to development financing. We welcome stronger partnerships with international financial institutions and development banks, and call for continued support for capacity building so that resilience priorities become bankable and implementable projects. Implementation must also be people-centered and locally driven, anchored in effective governance, and in reliable urban data and geospatial tools, accompanied by the capacity building and equitable access that countries with limited institutional resources require. Chair, whether we speak of countries in special situations or of the cities and communities in which our people live, CARICOM's message remains clear. Vulnerability must be recognized, our realities must be reflected, and partnership must translate into meaningful action. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [1:57:49]:

I thank the representative of Jamaica for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Gambia on behalf of least developed countries.


Gambia · LDCs [1:58:00]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of least developed countries. The group align itself with the statement delivered on behalf of Group of 77 and China. Mr. Chair, the assessment of the situation of LDCs is really sobering. Extreme poverty is still at 42% for LDC population. Food insecurity was around 57% in 2024, and participation of LDCs in global economy still remains at 1.0% of the global exports of commercial services. And 33% of our population are connected to internet services. Meanwhile, Mr. Chair, bilateral official development assistance to LDCs fell below 25.8% in 2025, and 21 LDCs are at the high risk of debt distress or already in debt distress. These pressures constrain investment in essential services and productive capacities needed to overcome structural vulnerabilities. Yet, Progress is made in certain areas like education, health, women participation in politics and parliamentary representation, and access to electricity. 14 countries already on the stage of different stages of graduation pipeline. However, this progress remain uneven, insufficient, and vulnerable to shocks. Climate disasters, we have all seen what is happening, conflicts arising, debt rising, debt burden and declining development finances are eroding hard-won gains. Mr. Chair, we still have hope that the Doha Programme of Action remains our shared framework for addressing these challenges. The upcoming mid-term review in 2027 is our opportunity to take stock of the situation on the ground and adopt necessary concrete corrective measures to put the LDCs on the right track to achieve SDG goals and ensure the full effective implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. Mr Chair, against this background, the Group puts forward five priorities to guide the Mid-Term Review. First, restore and expand affordable, predictable development finance and take urgent action on debt. Development partners should reverse the the decline in ODA and fulfill the commitment to provide 0.15 to 0.2% of gross national income as ODA to LDCs. International financial institutions and creditors should facilitate timely debt structuring and expand concessional financing, implementation of the CVA commitment, and address LDC financing needs. Second, scale up investment in productive capacities, trade, and technological capabilities. Third, scale up investment in digital and technological capabilities. The group underscores the importance of online university for LDCs. This initiative will expand access to accredited online degree, STEM education, digital vocational training, and open access learning resources. By widening higher education opportunity for women, youth, and rural communities, it will strengthen human capital and help bridge the digital divide. Therefore, adequate, predictable financing for UN Technology Bank that we have just had the report. Fourth, strengthen resilience and protect people from the current shocks. And fifth, ensure that incentive-based, sustainable, and irreversible graduation. Graduation must be accompanied by continued support that preserve development momentum. A strengthened smooth transition framework is needed with predictable arrangement for trade preferences, development finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. The sustainable graduation support facility, EGRAD, requires adequate resources to provide tailored assistance, including smooth transition strategies, readiness assessment, and post-graduation support. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the midterm review must be a turning point for implementation. We call for participation at the highest possible political level and the action-oriented outcome with focused priorities, clear responsibilities, new partnership, and effective follow-up. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:02:59]:

I thank the representative of Gambia for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus.


Belarus [2:03:12]:

Thank you, Chair. In our statement, Belarus will touch on item 20B. The Republic of Belarus attaches great importance to the Third UN Conference on LLDCs. And we very much value the outcome document, the OASR Programme of Action for 2024 to 2034. We share the priorities it contains, developing transit infrastructure, simplifying trade procedures and strengthening international partnerships. These tasks will be decisive when it comes to achieving the SDGs and implementing them requires an honest and predictable global economic environment. Belarus, although officially isn't an LLDC, is in a similar geographical situation. In our own experience, we know how artificial obstacles can negate competitive advantages and slow down national development. Thus, since 2022, our neighbours Lithuania has, for political reasons, cut off the transit of our potassium fertilisers, which has damaged not only our economy, but also global food security. And the most vulnerable states in Africa and Asia have suffered particularly from this. We're seeing that these kind of unilateral steps are not isolated cases, but they are part of a systemic policy of countries of the West to weaponise the global economy. In defiance of the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter and the principles of the WTO, Western states are more often wielding economic instruments as a weapon for political purposes. We're seeing a wave of illegal unilateral sanctions which are imposing circumvention of the UN Security Council, and we're seeing a practice of either seizing or freezing financial assets of sovereign states, imposing discriminatory duties and ill thought through tariffs, and also fragmenting supply chains on ideological grounds. All this has a tangible impact on LLDCs who by dint of their geographical vulnerabilities, they already have high transport overheads and suffer from insufficient infrastructures. We are convinced that the way out of this situation is to build a new, more just architecture for international cooperation. Belarus advocates for creating a system of international relations which would be non-discriminatory, it would be equal and it would be We would not use economics as a weapon. Progress in achieving the OEWASA programme of action is possible only if we create an atmosphere of trust and if we reject confrontational logic. Belarus is ready to actively participate in this process and share its experience. Thank you very much.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:05:58]:

I thank the representative of Belarus for his statement and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of India.


India [2:06:08]:

Honourable Chair, distinguished delegates and friends from media, I have the honour to address this august assembly on behalf of the Republic of India, the world's most populous democracy, home to 1.4 billion people and a steadfast pillar of international law, equity and peace. India is honored to address this gathering as we reflect on two decades of commitment under the New Urban Agenda. Mr. Chair, India aligns itself with the statement levered by the Group of 77 and China. India welcomed the political declaration adopted at July 2026 midterm review of the New Urban Agenda. The review underscored the need to expand affordable housing, basic services, and resilient infrastructure by strengthening urban planning and delivery. In India, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Urban Amrit, Daswaj, Bharat Mission, Urban, and PM Swarnadi are helping improve housing, service, and livelihoods. Digital tools are also strengthening urban governments and public service delivery. For landlocked developing countries, we welcome the Secretary General's appointment of the High-Level Panel on the Freedom of Transit and appreciate his feasibility reports on regional agriculture search hubs and an infrastructure investment finance facility. As these initiatives move forward, their success should be measured by improvement in productive capacity, connectivity and the cost and liability of transit for the landlocked developing countries. Turning to the least developed countries who continue to face debt pressures, declining development assistance, climate disaster and technological program of action flagship deliverable, including the launch of i-Grade, we look forward to further concrete steps on the international investment support center, food stockholding mechanism, online university and resilience building mechanism. At the same time, the regional operatives views provide an opportunity to bring less developed countries priorities into the 2027 midterm review and identify where greater support is needed. India remains committed to advancing the priorities of less 12 countries and landlocked 12 countries. India's South-South cooperation is guided by the priorities of our partners. India has offered lines of credit worth around US$32 billion to 68 countries for development projects. We offer more than 13,000 fully funded IT attaining opportunities annually to develop countries. At the UN, the US dollar 150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund supports country-led projects with particular attention to countries in special situation. These partnerships share practical experience in health, agriculture, renewable energy, and disaster resilience. Our task is to turn the commitments under these three agendas into measurable improvements in people's lives. India will continue to work with least developed countries and landlocked developed countries on the basis of national ownership and mutual benefit to achieve that goal. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:09:04]:

I thank the representative of India for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of El Salvador.


El Salvador [2:09:13]:

Excellencies, the distinguished delegates, El Salvador recognizes the growth and the transformation of our cities pose challenges that are increasingly complex for territorial planning, access to services, community resilience and meeting the housing needs of our people. We therefore need holistic urban policies and capacity building for institutions. In that context, El Salvador reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, 12 years after its adoption, and following the mid-term review, we think it's necessary to accelerate its implementation. El Salvador therefore continues to increase the planning and management of its cities, which are more smarter, more resilient and intelligent. The results of the seven population centers and the six housing centers, the strengthening of the housing and habitat observatory and the use of geospatial tools has made it possible to identify territorial gaps, guide public investment and strengthen urban and territorial planning. We must strengthen social infrastructure and essential services. El Salvador is therefore encouraging initiatives like Mi Nueva Escuela, My New School, together with the modernization of the hospital network and other things. The development of smart cities must be people-centered. Innovation, data and digital transformation must be tools to improve planning, facilitate access to services and strengthen urban resilience, especially in developing countries. Mr. Chair, El Salvador has encouraged measures to provide access to financing, social housing, regularization of property, settlement of people in risk areas. And the housing system in that context has invested $1.275 billion in credits, property deeds, resettlements, construction and improvement of homes, and urban interventions and housing projects. In addition, more than 118,600 lots have been regularized at the national level. That has increased legal certainty and protection of the assets of thousands of families. Also through the resettlement program, thousands of families at the national level have received a social investment reported at $56 million. El Salvador has attempted to provide more investment, increased technical assistance and cooperation. It will also need to improve the role of UN-HABITAT and its capacity to provide settlements that are adapted to national priorities. Next decade, we will need to have intelligent cities, sustainable cities, resilient, people-centred to generate well-being, opportunities and a better quality of life for all. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:12:03]:

Thank you, El Salvador, for her statement. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Yemen.


Yemen [2:12:13]:

Thank you, Chair. The delegation of my country has submitted the full text of its statement. And so therefore I will set out the main elements of it in this statement. We align ourselves with the statement made by G77 and China. And the statement made by the LDCs. On terms of the conclusions from UN Habitat, we would insist on the importance of the implementation of the new urban agenda, particularly at the halfway point, so that we can move from commitments to concrete measures that would foster sustainable urban development that is inclusive and resilient. Our cities are facing cumulative urban challenges because of years of conflicts and the consequences of internal displacement and the effects of climate change. This situation has had a direct impact on housing, infrastructure, essential services, and particularly in terms of water supply and sanitation. 5.3 million people are displaced within our country and they are suffering from all of these crises. My country believes it's important to support sustainable urban renewal and support essential services, particularly better access to affordable housing, all the while strengthening urban planning and land management. Yemen also highlights the importance of including disaster risk reduction in all of the plans that we make. In terms of the follow-up of the fifth UN Conference on LDCs, my delegation would like to reiterate the following. It is necessary to accelerate the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action and to translate commitments into concrete results. Indeed, there are countries who are facing growing difficulties, particularly insufficient funding, debt burdens, low production capacity, and also consequences of climate change. Therefore, we call for the strengthening of the outcomes of the International Conference on Financing for Development, the Seville Commitment, And to better support those countries, we'd also highlight the importance of productive capacity building, of diversifying economies, of consolidating the link between humanitarian action and development and peace building. Yemen's experience has shown that sustainable development in conflict affected countries requires attacking the root causes of this fragility first and foremost. As we were saying, It's important to link humanitarian action with development work, the aim being to support economic recovery. In conclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action, and we call on the international community to move from commitment to action and provide the technical and technical support, taking into account the particular situation of countries. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:15:13]:

To the distinguished representative of Lao People's Democratic Republic.


Lao People's Democratic Republic [2:15:20]:

Thank you, Chair.

The Lao PDR allies serve these statements delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, ASEAN, LDCs and LLDCs. The implementation of the New Urban Agenda can contribute significantly to strengthening productive capacities, connectivity, resilience and inclusive development, particularly for countries in special situations. In the context of the Lao PDR, urban population is growing at nearly three times the national population growth rate, placing sustainable urbanization increasingly at the center of our development agenda. We have made progress in expanding access to safe water, adequate and affordable housing, climate resilient infrastructure, and have advanced digital planning through our national smart city strategy and urban planning information system. Chair, as the Lao PDR prepares to graduate from the

LDC status this November.

We remain committed to ensuring that this important milestone translates into a smooth, sustainable and irreversible transition. In this connection, we underscore the need for the continued and tailored international support, including for graduating and recently graduated LDCs. Smooth transition measures should help ease abrupt reductions in ODA, facing out of LDC specific trade preferences, spatial and differential treatment and other forms of development assistance that are important to sustaining our development gains. Taking stock of the Secretary General report, we note that implementing the Doha Programme of Action for LDC still requires accelerated action. We highly expect that its mid-term review in 2027 will provide an opportunity for renewed political commitment and governize comprehensive and coordinated measures toward the full and effective implementation of the DPOA and its key deliverables. On another note, we also reaffirm the role of the ambitious OASAP program of action in addressing challenges faced by LLDCs. In particular, for the Lao PDR, resilient infrastructure, efficient transport and economic corridors are reinforcing priorities. They are central to our vision of transforming from a landlocked to a land-linked country and strengthening our integration into regional and global value chains. To conclude, Chair, I wish to reaffirm the Lao PDR's determination to advance the implementation of the relevant programme of action. for LDCs as well as other development agendas. We look forward to working with our partners in this endeavor.

I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:18:09]:

I thank the representative of Lao for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.


Malaysia [2:18:19]:

Chair, Malaysia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China, and Lao PDR on behalf of ASEAN. Chair, 10 years after Quito, the New Urban Agenda has reached its midpoint. As President of the UN Habitat Assembly, the Minister of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia reminded the High-Level Meeting in July that a midterm review is meaningless if it merely documents our shortfalls. It must be an inflection point. It is in this spirit that Malaysia welcomes the political declaration and the Baku Call to Action. According to UN-Habitat, the world is facing a global housing crisis, affecting nearly 2.9 billion people. It is for this reason that Malaysia's Presidency has placed adequate housing at the centre of its work, together with resilient and inclusive cities and the localisation of the SDGs. Yet ambition alone is not enough. To move from statements to measurable results, developing countries need predictable financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. Malaysia sees sustainable urbanization and climate action as mutually reinforcing. We therefore support a stronger urban focus in the UNFCCC process, including resilient infrastructure and climate finance for cities. For our part, Malaysia contributes $200,000 annually to the Asia-Pacific Urban Agenda Platform. Beyond our presidency, we will continue to support UN-Habitat as a member of its Executive Board from 2027 to 2029. Our shared goal should be cities that are not only livable but sustainable. Chair, housing needs, financing gaps and climate risks are felt most by countries in special situations. Malaysia remains committed to supporting LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS whose vulnerabilities are structural. Through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme, Malaysia will continue to share its experience on human capital development and capacity building with countries in special situations. No country and no one should be left behind. Thank.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:20:37]:

I thank the representative of Malaysia for her statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Armenia.


Armenia [2:20:48]:

Chair, Armenia aligns itself with Rwanda's statement on behalf of the LDC group and offers additional remarks in its national capacity. We thank Madam Rabab Fatima for her leadership and advocacy for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. during her tenure as High Representative. Declining development assistance and debt pressures require targeted international support. We advocate flexible UN development funding and long-term programs responding to national needs. The Abasa Program of Action provides a roadmap for strengthening resilience, connectivity, and productive capacities. We welcome the Secretary-General's report and support follow-up on infrastructure financing, institutional support, and regional agricultural research hubs. As the LLDC group coordinator on financing for development, Armenia supports exploring a dedicated infrastructure investment and financing facility for LLDCs, focusing on project preparation, risk sharing, and cooperation with multilateral development banks. We support strengthening and coordinated UN assistance, along with engagement with development partners, transit countries, and the private sector. Reliable connectivity and efficient transit reduce trade costs. Armenia's Crossroads of Peace initiative, including its integral component, TRIP, advances regional connectivity on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity, international jurisdiction, and reciprocity. also advance economic diversification, technology access and agriculture research to strengthen food security and climate resilience. Chair, Armenia advances its priorities through its co-chairmanship of the UNESCO Group of Friends of Seeds and its initiative leading to the proclamation of 25 April as the International Day for Seeds. As host and incoming president of COP17, Armenia will promote attention to the priorities of countries in special situations, including biodiversity, finance and resilience, and the and coastal ecosystems of SIDS. To ensure that the voices of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS are heard, Armenian presidency will finance the participation of LDCs and SIDS in the conference. We look forward to welcoming you to Yerevan. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:22:57]:

I thank the representative of Armenia and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guatemala.


Guatemala [2:23:05]:

Mr. Chair, in this debate, joint debate and Guatemala runs itself the debate and with the statement of the G77 in China. In our national capacity, we'd like to reaffirm the capacity of the new and urban agenda as a fundamental framework to guide sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth and the need to carry on strengthening its implementation at the national and local levels. Urbanization shouldn't only be measured in terms of the growth of cities, but also in terms of their capacity to guarantee adequate housing, basic services, mobility, resilience, and better living conditions for people. With regard to Guatemala, we are encouraging our housing fund and a decent floor for housing to helping vulnerable families. And Guatemala was also making progress in territorial planning, infrastructure, and renovation of neighborhoods, in particular in high-risk areas, in environmental areas. We recognize the fundamental role of cities in adaptation to climate change and the construction of resilience, resilience building. For Guatemala, the implementation of the new urban agenda also requires democratic governance that is cross-cutting and close to the local areas. With regard to, we have identified committees that will help to identify solutions and strengthen coordination between institutions and the people. This participation is essential for building cities and communities that are more habitable and resilient, that can respond better to social, environmental and territorial challenges. In that context, Guatemala underlines the importance of reinforcing UN-Habitat to ensure that it has the capacities and resources that it needs to help support the Member States, particularly developing countries, in implementing the new urban agenda. It's essential to enhance international cooperation and mobilize investment in housing, sanitation, water, mobility, and sustainable development. Thank you very much.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:25:27]:

I thank the representative of Guatemala for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sierra Leone.


Sierra Leone [2:25:36]:

Mr. Chair, Sierra Leone aligns itself with the statement delivered by G77 and China. and the Gambia on behalf of the LDC. We thank the Secretary-General for his report and the briefers for their invaluable insight. With fewer than five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, we must advance efforts to prioritize affordable, sustainable housing, universal access to water, sanitation, food, nutrition, and social protection. while eradicating poverty and hunger, especially in undeserved, rapidly growing urban and pre-urban areas. Small island developing states, landlocked developing countries, least developing countries in special situation, and countries emerging from conflict, particularly in Africa, remain disproportionately affected by climate change, drought, coastal erosion, land degradation, sea level rise, and limited access to clean energy. These overlapping vulnerabilities, together with shrinking physical space, limited climate finance, rising debt, declining ODA, and higher energy costs continue to impede national efforts to close implementation gaps under the New Urban Agenda. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, The Global Compact on Refugees and the Paris Agreement provide essential guidance for implementing the New Urban Agenda. Sustained international cooperation, including South-South and triangular cooperation, is needed to support these frameworks and complement national efforts. Technology transfer, early warning systems, capacity building, and the operationalization of the loss and damage fund essential to building smart cities that are climate-resilient, environmentally sound, and able to withstand external shocks. The African Union Green Wall Initiative is a laudable project which demands support to implement this project to support biodiversity across the Sahel. At the national level, Senegal has established the National Disaster Management Agency to coordinate disaster response. It is also investing in tree planting, engaging women and youth as agents of climate resilience, and consulting stakeholders on plans for modern, environmentally sound, smart cities. Increased investment in renewable energy, especially solar and wind, is vital, building on the foundation of the UN Decade for Sustainable Energy for All, a source framework which will celebrate energy transition and deliver universal access to affordable and clean energy. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:28:30]:

I thank the representative of Sierra Leone for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Maldives.


Maldives [2:28:40]:

Thank you, Chair. The Maldives aligns with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China, and Palau on behalf of AOSIS. The Maldives speaks from experience. The LDC category was created by the General Assembly in 1971, six years after the Maldives joined the UN as its smallest and poorest member. And in 2011, we became the third country to graduate from the LDC status. This experience leads us to ask a broader question. Does development progress leave a country with greater capacity and greater freedom to shape what comes next? In this regard, we wish to highlight three points. First, support should recede as replacement capacity grows. In the Maldives, post-graduation, we lost access to ODA and concessional finance. However, we saw an over two-fold increase in FDI and public and private external finance. We also saw our economy grow faster than in the years prior. Graduation arrangements should therefore consider whether countries have secured alternative financing, institutional capacity, and sufficient fiscal space before key forms of support are withdrawn. Graduation should mark an expansion of national choice, not a sudden contraction of policy space. Second, international financial system must reform. International financial institutions and other risk assessors should explicitly account for verified investments that reduce vulnerability when assessing risk and determining financing terms. Current methodologies and indicators fail to account for these investments. Instead, they focus on vulnerabilities and weaknesses, some that countries may not be able to graduate out of. If vulnerability raises the cost of finance, Resilience should bring that cost down. Third, as an archipelagic state for the Maldives, urban development is also about preserving choice. Access to housing, healthcare, education, connectivity, and economic opportunity should determine where communities can thrive, rather than force people to move because those opportunities exist only elsewhere. The New Urban Agenda should therefore pay greater attention to distributed service delivery and resilient settlements across archipelagic states. Whether the issue is graduation, finance or urban development, the measure of progress should be the same. Does it leave countries with greater capacity, greater resilience and greater freedom to shape their own future? I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:31:25]:

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


Brazil [2:31:33]:

Chair, Brazil aligns itself with the statement made by the G77 and China. The New Urban Agenda sets out commitments to adequate housing, basic services, and inclusive cities. Alas, paragraphs on housing do not keep out the rain, and resilience, however often repeated, it's not a drainage system. Brazil's approach combined social housing, the upgrading of favelas and urban peripheries, sustainable mobility and climate adaptation. The Brazilian programs Minha Casa Minha Vida and Periferia Viva address both the need for homes and the conditions in the neighborhood surrounding them. Our national framework also emphasizes public participation, bringing residents, municipalities, and national institutions into the planning process. At July's midterm review of the New Urban Agenda, Brazil emphasized financing and local capacity. We also highlighted predictable support for UN-Habitat. Technical assistance requires specialists. The agenda recognizes the particular challenges facing least developed countries and landlocked developing countries. Its implementation framework addresses financing and capacity building adapted to national circumstances. For their cities, this concerns housing, services, and infrastructure, not abstract categories of vulnerability. In Gaza, UN-Habitat 2026 Urban Profile documents extensive damage, displacement, and the breakdown of essential services. In this sense, Brazil has persistently and consistently condemned renewed attacks and called for humanitarian access and restored electricity. For this displaced family, recovery means a safe home, running water, a functioning school, and a neighborhood to return to. These are the practical dimensions of the urban agenda. A tent is an emergency response, not a reconstructed neighborhood. A housing unit is a statistical category. For its residents, it is where life happens. Brazil cannot but mention the actions of the IPSA Fund in this context. Through the IPSA Fund, Brazil, India, and South Africa pulled scarce resources to, for example, rehabilitate and equip Palestinian health facilities, including Al-Quds Hospital, a hospital destroyed by war. This is an example of how the Global South builds partnerships to address its own development challenges, while conflicts and wars destroy those efforts with the silence of many times of the Global North.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:34:14]:

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


South Africa [2:34:22]:

South Africa aligned itself with the statement delivered by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China, and would like to add the following in its national capacity. The New Urban Agenda and the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026-2029 are important global policy instruments that guide South Africa's approach to addressing rapid urbanization and the concomitant complex challenges associated with human mobility. South Africa's approach to implementation of NUWA and the strategic plan is premised on a set of strong, comprehensive policy frameworks that cover regional, national and local levels. At the regional level, South Africa continues to implement the outcomes of the Africa Urban Forum, especially the mainstreaming of housing delivery as an integrated economic and social development instrument. At the national level, key policy frameworks such as the Integrated Urban Development Framework, the White Paper on Local Government, and the White Paper for Human Settlements ensure that South Africa's domestication of NUWA and UN-Habitat's strategic plan respond to the realities of rapid urbanization whilst advancing human development in an inclusive and resilient manner. At the local level, The district development model fosters greater coordination between the three spheres of government, ensuring that development is integrated and responsive to the needs of local communities. Moreover, the district development model also ensures that the sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 11, is the central thread running through the three spheres of government. NUHA and the strategic plan, coupled with South Africa's domestication efforts thereof, help to strengthen the range of housing instruments, especially social housing, affordable housing, and fully subsidized housing. More to the point, NUHA and the strategic plan help South Africa address persistent, complex, and multilayered human settlement challenges. which are driven by rapid urbanization, historical spatial inequality, and significant unmet housing demand. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:36:48]:

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


Mongolia [2:36:56]:

Mr. Chairman, at the outset, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Uruguay on behalf of the group of G77 and China. and Rwanda on behalf of the group of LLDCs. I have the honor to deliver the statement for the agenda item 20B on follow-up to the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. Mr. Chairman, Mongolia welcomes the progress towards five priority areas of the Program of Action. We took notes with the appreciation of the Secretary General's reports on the establishment of infrastructure investment, finance facility, and the regional agricultural resource hubs. In particular, Mongolia is pleased to serve as a member of the high level panel on the freedom of transit. We are confident in our participation will contribute to the work of the panel and to the effective and timely implementation of this key deliverable. Yet, I would like to highlight that one of the key deliverables of the Avaza program faction, the establishment of the dedicated work program under WTO on the specific trade issues LLDCs has yet to be realized. Such work program would provide sustained and institutional attention to distinctive challenges faced by landlocked developing countries, particularly amid the current uncertainty affecting global trade and supply chains. In this regard, Mongolia encourages members of WTO to give a due consideration to interest and specific circumstances of LLDCs and to advance efforts towards establishing dedicated work programs. Mr. Chairman, Mongolia remains steadfast in advocating for the development aspiration of LLDCs and advancing their common interest within the United Nations. We have contributed to international efforts to represent collective interest of LLDCs at key conference and events held in 2025 and '26, including ACD 16, MC 14 of WTO, and the UNCCD COP 17 held in Mongolia. In closing, I would like to reiterate LLDC's call on the Secretary General and the Member States to significantly strengthen the capacity and functions of OHRLS dedicated to landlocked developing countries, as well as to provide adequate resources for the effective implementation of the AwaSA Programme of Action. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:39:30]:

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


Thailand [2:39:37]:

Thank you, Chair. Thailand aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and Lao PDR on behalf of ASEAN. With four years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda, accelerating sustainable urban development is more urgent than ever. The mid-term review of the New Urban Agenda, NUA, highlights that the rapid urbanization and growing urban challenges are outpacing our capacity to respond. Gaps in local institutional capacity, financing and meaningful community participation remain key barriers to achieving sustainable cities for all. In this regard, Thailand would like to highlight three points. First, sustainable urban development is a key driver of poverty eradication, economic growth, social inclusion and resilience. Well-planned and well-managed cities can translate commitments under the NUA into action, including by strengthening resilience to growing climate and disaster risk. Thailand continues to strengthen local governance and advance SDG localization to build local resilience and enable cities to better respond to challenges on the ground. Flooding and other natural hazards underscore the importance of building resilient cities that can protect people and livelihoods. This includes promoting nature-based solutions, such as sponge city concept in Bangkok, which can enhance urban water management while creating greener and more livable public spaces. Second, Thailand puts people at the heart of urban development, ensuring that local communities have a voice in shaping their cities. We continue to expand access to adequate and affordable housing through initiatives where communities lead the planning and improvement of their own neighborhoods. Thailand showcased its community-led development experiences at the latest World Urban Forum, including through the Thailand Pavilion, recognizing the value of sharing and scaling up successful local solutions. Third, translating successful local practices into broader and lasting impact requires strong partnerships and adequate means of implementation, peer learning, capacity building, and adequate predictable financing are essential to accelerating implementation of the NUA. Through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency, Thailand leverages South-South and triangular cooperation to share practical, locally driven solutions with LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, which face particular urban vulnerabilities, including inadequate housing, limited access to basic services, and rapid and unplanned urbanization. This year, Thailand organized an international training course on community-led housing development and collective housing, sharing lessons from the Ban Muang Khong program and promoting people-driven approaches to housing development. Thailand stands ready to work with partners to build cities for all, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:42:27]:

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


China [2:42:38]:

Chair, China supports the statement made by Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China. Currently, The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is off track, and LDCs and LLDCs are facing particularly acute challenges. The international community should uphold multilateralism, place development front and center, stay focused on supporting countries in special situations, and promote the effective implementation of the Doha and Ouagadougou programmes of action. Developed countries should fulfill their ODA commitments in good faith, and the UN development system should further enhance its financing capacity to ramp up support for countries in special situations. Such support should be mobilized from all quarters to strengthen their productive capacity and infrastructure development, advance structural transformation of the economy, promote connectivity, and boost their capacity for self-reliant development. China has long supported the development efforts of countries in special situations under the framework of South-South cooperation. Five years since its launch, the Global Development Initiative has mobilized over $23 billion to fund more than 2,000 projects, benefiting a large number of countries in special situations. China has also granted zero tariff treatment for 100% of goods imported from all the LDCs having diplomatic relations with China. We will continue to support the work related to countries in special situations and work with all parties for positive outcomes from the DPOA midterm review and to build greater international consensus around this effort. On the urban front, cities are vital to modernization. They are important spaces in which people can build happy lives. China has been consistent, proactive, and committed in advocating and implementing the new urban agenda, we never waver in upholding the people's city philosophy as championed by President Xi Jinping, helping the public fulfill their aspiration for a better life is our mission and our objective in urban development to put the simple development of Chinese cities on an unstoppable unstoppable trajectory. Going forward, we shall continue to support UN-Habitat in playing a greater role in global human settlements endeavors and in implementing the New Urban Agenda faster. We remain committed to working with all nations through international cooperation platforms such as World Cities Day and the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities. We welcome extensive and in-depth exchanges on the vision and experience of urban development. Together, we can take sustainable development of cities worldwide to the next level. Thank you, Chair.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:45:16]:

I thank the representative of China, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brunei Darussalam.


Brunei Darussalam [2:45:24]:

Thank you, Chair. At the outset, Brunei Darussalam associates itself with the statement

delivered by Lao PDR on behalf of ASEAN, and Uruguay on behalf of G77 and China.

Chair, in an era of unprecedented economic, environmental, and spatial challenges, resilient socioeconomic development is not optional. It is the foundation for sustainable growth and of our people's well-being. As our cities continue to urbanize, Brunei Darussalam is determined to secure a high quality of life for all citizens, guided by our National Development Plan, our Digital Brunei 2030, and our national vision, Wawasan Brunei 2035. This is anchored in the new urban agenda and the 2030

agenda for sustainable development, particularly in advancing SDG 6, SDG 9, and SDG 11.

Chair, views housing as a central pillar of the new urban agenda. For us, a home is more than a roof. It is where dignity, security, and opportunity begin. Through our national housing scheme, we continue to provide subsidized public housing built to sustainable design standards.

From Kampung Air, our centuries-old water village, Brunei Darussalam has long learned to live with water.

We now carry that lesson into flood mitigation, coastal protection, and universal access to clean water and sanitation,

while safeguarding our forests, which covers 72.1% of our land that sustains our watersheds. Chair, as a member of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, we support

its action plan, which places people at the center of smart and sustainable urban development through digitalization and local innovation, an approach reflected in our Digital Brunei 2030 strategy for smart city management.

In July 2026, we participated in the high-level meeting on the mid-term review of the New Urban Agenda, reaffirming our support for people-centered planning approaches that balance economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social well-being.

To conclude, Chair, Brunei Darussalam remains firmly committed to localizing the New Urban Agenda, believing that this is fundamental to the well-being of our people. We look forward to deepening cooperation with the UN-Habitat, including on capacity building and sharing best practices among developing states, so that together we can build resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities for present and future generations. I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:47:53]:

I thank the representative of Brunei Darussalam, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.


Saudi Arabia [2:48:03]:

In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, Mr. Chair, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterates its steadfast commitment to the New Urban Agenda. We believe that sustainable urban agenda is a pillar for achieving inclusive development, improving the quality of life, and building resilient societies. Since the Saudi Vision 2030 was launched, we have followed a transformative path that aligns with the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11. We have the quality of life and facilitating balanced life and housing as our main priorities. The Kingdom has translated these priorities into concrete outcomes. the possession of housing by citizens has gone from 47% in 2016 to 66% at the end of 2025 and we have more 63,000 families that took up housing in the first half of 2026 the BHA program has taken Community space working also on developing transport infrastructure and Municipal Services Mr chair This experience proves that sustainable urban development requires inclusive governance and effective partnerships and long-term investment and using innovation for the benefit of humans. We work on the integration of data and spatial planning and assessing environmental and climate risks and benefiting from digital solutions and partnerships with the private sector to raise the effectiveness of services and protect development gains as there is a difference in the resources in different countries, there must be international cooperation, but in a way that protects sovereignty and the national needs and also supports capacity building and the exchange of experience. This requires facilitating access to technology and sustainable financing, including adaptation finance and finance for infrastructure, especially for those in special situations. UN and also to help UN-Habitat as part of its mandate to turn agreed-upon commitments into tangible outcomes. In conclusion, we reiterate our commitment to work with member states and partners to advance the implementation of the new urban agenda and reducing gaps in resources and capacities and build more sustainable, inclusive cities where people and their dignity and their quality of life are at the heart of development. Thank you. May the peace of God be upon you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:50:45]:

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nicaragua.


Nicaragua [2:50:54]:

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. For Nicaragua, urban development must have at its center people, families, and communities. A sustainable city is one that can guarantee decent housing, basic services, mobility, safety, public spaces, and opportunities for all. Our Government of National Reconciliation and Unity continues to promote a model of urban development that is sustainable with social justice and community participation. Through national housing programs, we are building and improving homes for lower-income families. The New Victories program is making progress in Managua and other municipalities. It includes decent housing with drinking water, electricity, public lighting, paved roads, drainage, pedestrian pavements and spaces for family recreation. These initiatives show that housing must be part of organized communities that are safe and connected, in which families have access to schools, health centers, transport and high-quality public spaces. In addition, the Streets for the People program continues to transform the neighborhoods and communities through the construction and restoration of streets. This work improves connectivity, facilitates access to essential services, and provides thousands of families with better security and well-being. It is also strengthening its collective transport systems, road infrastructure, access to water and sanitation, public lighting and protection against floods and other climate events. We reiterate the importance of preserving our historical and cultural heritage, promoting green spaces and guaranteeing territorial planning that respects Mother Earth and the specific characteristics of each municipality and community. The implementation of the New Urban Agenda requires accessible financing and solidarity-based international cooperation and technology transfer. This cooperation requires priority attention without political conditions or unilateral coercive measures that hamper the national efforts of developing countries with regard to sovereignty, priorities, and development measures of each state. Nicaragua will continue to build cities for life, peace, and the common good in which each family and community is included. We will continue to make progress with dignity and hope, transforming our neighborhoods and municipalities in spaces of well-being, coexistence, and new victories for our people. Thank you very much.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:53:41]:

I thank the representative of Nicaragua, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.


Cuba [2:53:48]:

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Cuba welcomes the political declaration on the midterm review of the New Urban Agenda. Its approval shows the compromise of the international community to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. We have a plan for the implementation of that agenda. We have a national urban agenda and national scheme for territorial planning and a legal framework that orients our planning of territory, facilitates urban planning, and promotes the sustainable use of the soil. We are promoting programs for improving housing, improving neighborhoods, disaster risk reduction, adaptation to climate risk through renewable energy service to improve the resilience of our communities and cities. The main obstacle for the implementation of the new urban agenda in Cuba remains the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States for more than six decades. The tightening of that blockade in the last few months has been accompanied by an energy siege and it has impeded the access of Cuba to fuel, technology, equipment and so on that is essential to the development of the country. The consequences are profound, the difficulties in getting fuel and repairing the energy infrastructure or having access to technologies directly affect housing programs, urban rehabilitation, public transport, water provision, the provision of basic services and the capacity of our cities to make progress towards more resilient and sustainable models. In our case, resilience is becoming difficult and we're making huge efforts to continue with the recovery of housing affected by meteorological phenomena, the resettlements, community participation, and the enhancement of capacities of local governance. This is not done without enormous challenges, and we will carry on to work to realize the new urban agenda. We're convinced that only multilateralism and the national sovereignty and the right to development will realize the joint promise of leaving no one behind. As a member of the group of countries in special situations, we firmly support the LDCs and LLDCs, and we underline the importance of the completion of their programmes of action. It is essential for the international community to turn its commitments into sustained, adequately financed, concrete results that will allow us to get over structural gaps and the limitations that affect these countries. Thank you very much.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:56:31]:

I thank the representative of Cuba, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Angola.


Angola [2:56:40]:

Mr. Chair, Angola thanks the Secretary-General for his reports and welcomes the report of the ad hoc working group on smooth transition for countries graduating from the least developed country category. The international community must translate the Doha Programme of Action into stronger implementation, adequate financing, and measurable development results. Angola had the honor to co-chair, together with Finland, the Ad Hoc Working Group. Its deliberation confirmed that graduation must be treated as a development milestone, not an endpoint, and must be supported by the capacity to sustain development gains and withstand external shocks. Angola, therefore, encouraged action in four areas: first, Promote early nationally owned smooth transition strategy, integrated to national development plans and support by readiness assessment. Second, ensure the gradual and predictable phasing out of international support measures, avoiding abrupt losses in financing, trade preferences, or technical assistance. Third, strengthen access to concessional and climate finance, technology transfer, productive capacity development, and resilience building. Fourth, full operationalize and adequately resource I-Grade while improving coordination among the United Nations system, international finance institution, and development partners. Mr. Chair, Angola's experience confirms the importance of economic diversification, infrastructure, regional integration, and productive transformation. including through initiatives such as the Lubito Corridor and investments in energy and drought resilience. The 2027 midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action should therefore secure concrete commitments, predictable resources, and stronger partnerships. Angola will continue to work for graduation that is sustainable, resilient, and irreversible, leaving no country behind.

I thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [2:58:50]:

I thank the representative of Angola for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Senegal.


Senegal [2:59:02]:

Chair, Senegal aligns itself with the statement made by Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China, and by Gambia on behalf of the LDCs. For Senegal, the implementation of the New Urban Agenda must fully take into account the realities and challenges that our cities are facing. Urban growth provides opportunities for development, but also growing needs in terms of infrastructure, housing, sanitation, mobilities, and essential services. Recent events in Senegal particularly clearly illustrate these challenges. Because of strong rain over the last weekend, several areas of the country, particularly in Dakar, have been facing flooding, significant flooding. This rain has affected people, infrastructure, and continuity of certain essential services and infrastructures too. This situation reminds us of the importance of strengthening the resilience of our cities when faced with climate risks. For Senegal, this requires implementing rainfall drainage, waste management, and urban planning projects while ensuring equitable access to housing and basic services at the same time. These efforts require significant resources and increased access to predictable, affordable and needs-based funding. Capacity building of local authorities and access to technologies and expertise are also essential elements in this work. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Senegal also attaches particular importance to the work done by group of countries in special situations, and particularly LDCs. As we are working on our graduation from LDC category, we are paying particular attention to the need for a gradual, sustainable transition. Preserving what has already been achieved during the classification period as an LDC remains essential. and thus the implementation of transitional measures and continued support that is adapted to our situation will be key. Broadly, we reaffirm the importance of taking into account the vulnerabilities and special needs of LDCs, LLDCs and small island developing states. Chair, in conclusion, Senegal remains convinced that the Achievement of sustainable urban development requires international cooperation on a greater level, the mobilization of adequate resources and sharing of knowledge and technology too. Thank you very much.


2nd Committee · Chair [3:01:39]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Senegal.

Now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Turkey.


Türkiye [3:01:48]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. The LDCs continue to face multiple and interconnected challenges, such as limited productive capacities, debt vulnerabilities, climate change, food and energy insecurity, persistent gaps in digital infrastructure and access to technology. They are often the first to be hit by the crisis and the last to recover. In this context, the 2030 Agenda and the Doha Programme of Action remain our key frameworks for action. As we approach the mid-term review of the Doha Programme of Action in 2027, with the 2030 deadline approaching, we must accelerate efforts to translate our commitments into tangible development outcomes for LDCs. This requires strengthened international cooperation adequate financing and concrete action. Mr. Chair, Turkey attaches great importance to the sustainable development of LDCs. As the co-chair of the Group of Friends of LDCs, we remain committed to advancing their priorities and supporting the full and effective implementation of the Doha Programme of Action. Turkey continues to contribute to international efforts to address the challenges facing LDCs with a particular focus on climate action and access to technology. In this regard, through its COP31 presidency, Turkey is committed to placing the needs and priorities of LDCs at the heart of the climate agenda. We aim to make COP31 a COP of implementation and support the green transition of LDCs through the planned launch of LDCs Green Industrialization Facilitation Mechanism. Moreover, access to technology is also essential for LDCs to strengthen their science, technology and innovation capacities. Turkey is proud to host the UN Technology Bank and invites all Member States to support the Bank in an effective manner. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [3:04:03]:

I thank the representative of Turkey for his statement, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Venezuela.


Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [3:04:16]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela aligns itself with the statement made by the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on behalf of the G77 and China. Venezuela is convinced that sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban development is essential to ensuring the well-being of our peoples and advancing towards fairer and more equitable societies. This debate is of particular importance in a global context in which there are many crises and an increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Given the devastating impact of the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, the national government has been implementing territorial organization plans based on technical criteria of earthquake proofing and climate resistance in order to protect infrastructure and, above all, safeguard the lives of our communities. The Venezuela Renace, Venezuela Reborn initiative, promotes the recovery of the affected areas through financial support mechanisms, including subsidies of up to 80% for the affected families. For Venezuela, guaranteeing access to decent housing is an absolutely essential priority, particularly in emergencies where loss of one's home can deepen vulnerability and poverty. The Venezuelan state is taking these steps with the valuable support of the United Nations system and the solidarity-based support of the international community. We would like to express our recognition to all those who have contributed to these efforts, which show the importance of international cooperation for full and sustainable reconstruction. Mr. Chair, it is essential to implement the New Urban Agenda. We must accelerate that implementation by ensuring predictable, adequate and sustainable resources for UN-Habitat in order to strengthen its capacity to support Member States in achieving their objectives. In addition, Venezuela reaffirms its support for the enhancement of international cooperation for LLDCs and SIDS. These countries require fair and effective access to financing, to technology transfer and to capacity building. in accordance with their priorities, the national development priorities. In conclusion, we reiterate our commitment to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and to the construction of more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities and communities for all. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.


2nd Committee · Chair [3:06:44]:

I thank the representative of Venezuela, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ethiopia to make the last intervention in this segment. Ethiopia, you have the floor.


Ethiopia [3:06:58]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We align with the statements delivered by G77, China, LALCs and LDC groups. The New Urban Agenda provides a transformative framework for building inclusive, resilient, safe and sustainable cities. In Ethiopia, where urbanization is growing at 5.4% annually, sustainable urban development is a national priority. In June 2026, Ethiopia adopted a new urban development policy aligned with the new urban agenda by ensuring that urban development is fully embedded in the national planning and implementation. Our flagship corridor development program is now expanded to more than 75 cities and towns. It's transforming urban environments through people-oriented infrastructures like pedestrian requests, bicycle lanes, green public spaces, riverside development, and modern public infrastructure, which is creating livable, inclusive, climate-resilient, and economically vibrant cities. Mr. Chair, with regards to LDCs, Ethiopia's 10-year development plan is serving as the overarching framework for mainstreaming DPOA priorities into national development planning. The plan's 10-year strategic plans are directly linked to the DPOA six priority areas, while addressing Ethiopia's context and development challenge. Ethiopia has made an important progress across several areas of the DPOA. We have continued to strengthen human capital, expand social protection, accelerate digital transformation, improve energy access, increase agricultural productivity, expand manufacturing capacity, deepen regional integration, and strengthen climate resilience. Mr. Chair, for landlocked countries seeking greater participation in international commerce, reliable and diversified trade routes are essential.

For Ethiopia, therefore.

Strengthening logistics network and securing reliable and diversified trade routes are essential to deepening its participation in the global economy. As a fast growing economy, we need efficient connection to international markets. That's why we are pursuing, We are putting in place national policies to help establish stronger logistics systems and improve trade corridors. In conclusion, we should advocate for a renewed commitment to an inclusive, transparent and effective global partnership to enable LDCs overcome their challenge and achieve their full potential for sustainable development. I thank you, Mr. Chair.


2nd Committee · Chair [3:09:35]:

I thank the representative of Ethiopia for her statement. Distinguished delegates, we've heard the last speaker on the list of speakers for this morning. Speakers remaining on the list will have an opportunity to deliver their statements under agenda items 18 and 20 following the conclusion of the joint discussion of items 14 and 19 in the afternoon of Friday the 9th of October. The exercise of the right of reply has been requested in accordance with rule 115 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. I should like to remind delegations that the number of interventions in exercise of the right of reply for any delegation at a given meeting should be limited to two per item. The first intervention should be limited to three minutes and the second to two minutes. For the first intervention, I give the floor to the representative of Lithuania.


Lithuania [3:10:41]:

Microphone, please.


2nd Committee · Chair [3:10:41]:

Microphone to Lithuania, please. Yes.


Lithuania [3:10:45]:

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, Lithuania would like to reply to the statement made by Belarus. The statement was misleading and intended to distract from Belarus' own activities supporting aggression against Ukraine, forcefully diverting and illegally boarding civilian airline flight between two EU capitals, Athens and Vilnius, and actively engaging in neighboring states' border violations, including by actively supporting and shielding illegal smuggling and human trafficking activities. Lithuania has and will continue to respond in close cooperation with our partners in the European Union in full accordance with our international obligations. Thank you.


2nd Committee · Chair [3:11:34]:

I thank the representative of Lithuania for her statement. I see the representative of Belarus has requested the floor. You have the floor, sir.


Belarus [3:11:52]:

Thank you, Chair. In response to the statement from the representative of Lithuania, I'd like to note the following. Firstly, Belarus is not part of any armed conflict. Secondly, Belarus is not weaponizing migration, and three, Belarus calls on Lithuania to put a stop to its unlawful sanctions against potassium fertilizers. Thank you very much.


2nd Committee · Chair [3:12:24]:

I thank the representative of Belarus. I see no further requests for the floor. I wish to recall that the submission deadline for draft proposals under item 18 and agenda item 20 and its subitems A and B is Friday, the 9th of October at 3:00 p.m. The committee will reconvene in this conference room tomorrow, Thursday, the 8th of October at 10:00 a.m. to jointly consider agenda item 15 and its subitems A through G and agenda item 16. The meeting is adjourned. I thank you.