Group of 77 and China

Statement on Behalf of the Group of 77 and China by ms. Farhat Ayesha of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on Agenda Item 6(b): Review and Coordination of the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 during the General Segment of the 2007 Substantive Session of the ECOSOC (Geneva, 19 July 2007)

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of Group of 77 and China on the Agenda item 6(b) "Review and coordination of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010"

2. We thank the Secretary General for the Annual Progress Report on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for the Decade 2001-2010 (BPOA). The Report contains useful information on the results achieved and the challenges and difficulties encountered by the LDCs. Unfortunately, the report does not sufficiently address the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action in all areas from the perspective of our development partners including the results achieved by them in the fulfillment of their commitments.
3. The Brussels Programme of Action is a partnership framework between the LDCs and their development partners, containing time-bound, measurable objectives, goals and targets besides setting out seven specific commitments.
4. The General Assembly undertook the mid term comprehensive review of the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action on 18-19 September 2006. During the Review process the Group had noted with concern that the progress in the implementation of the Programme of Action had been insufficient and uneven. Hence, very few LDCs will be able to meet the objectives, goals and targets of the Programme of Action if current trends persist. We had maintained that full and timely implementation of the seven commitments must be adhered to if the LDCs were to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.
5. As the 2010 deadline draws nearer, the need for achieving the objectives, goals and target of the Brussels Programme of Action in a timely manner is becoming ever more urgent. This would not be possible without the continued and vigorous commitment of the LDCs and our development partners.

Mr. President,

6. The LDCs have made tremendous efforts to build an enabling national environment for the implementation of the Programme of Action. The voluntary presentations made by a number of developing countries including four LDCs at the first ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review on their national development strategies to pursue sustained economic growth and sustainable development further speak of their commitment to fulfill the agreed commitments. The responsive support from their development partners in terms of fulfilling their commitments made in the BPOA is insufficient and at times completely lacking.
7. The Group of 77 hopes that the international community will draw upon the results of the mid term review and address the challenges that have been identified by the LDCs themselves as contained in the Cotonou Strategy for the further implementation of the BPOA.
8. This will require the development partners to fully and in a timely manner implement their commitments to LDCs including significant efforts, from donors that have not yet done so, to achieve the ODA target of 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of their gross national product for the LDCs by 2010.
9. We also call for the enhancement of the productive capacity of LDCs particularly in agriculture, physical infrastructure and technological development through allocation of increased Aid flows.
10. For the full implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action during the remaining period, there is a need for concerted efforts by the LDCs, their development partners, the UN system organizations, international financial and trade institutions, including the Bretton Woods Institutions and the World Trade Organization, Global Environment Fund, civil society, non-governmental organizations and the private sector at all levels.
11. It is vital that the partnership between the LDCs and the developed countries as envisaged in the Brussels Programme for Action be re-invigorated and enhanced by promoting mutual and shared responsibilities between Least Developed Countries and development partners.
12. The Group of 77 and China would also like to reiterate the critical importance of the participation of the LDCs in the annual review of the Programme of Action by ECOSOC. Despite contributions by many donors, the non mobilization of needed resources and their unpredictability does not so far allow adequate representation of LDCs in the ECOSOC substantive sessions.

Mr. President,

13. The Group of 77 and China would like to recall that in Resolution 56/277, the General Assembly decided to establish the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (USG). While welcoming the appointment of Ambassador Cheick Sidi Diarra, of Mali as High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, the Group notes that his mandate includes the mobilization and coordination of international support for the implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action for the LDCs for the decade 2001-2010; the Almaty Programme of Action for LLDCs and the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.
14. The Group is, therefore, deeply concerned at the decision to assign to the High representative additional functions, which would seriously undermine the realization of the specific objectives assigned to his office.
15. The Group of 77 and China would urge that the administrative and budgetary procedures should be respected and no changes be made in the programmes and mandates of the Organization without the approval of the General Assembly.
16. A coordinated action from the UN and its agencies, funds and programmes, we believe, should be able to make an important contribution to this effort aimed at enhancing the support for the least developed countries.

I thank you.