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Mr. Chairman,
My delegation wishes to align itself with the statement made by the Kingdom
of Morocco on behalf of G-77 and China.
2. In 1992 at Rio, we adopted Agenda 21- a document, which raised high hopes and
manifested the aspirations of millions of people, calling for the elimination of
poverty, protection of environment and sustainable development for all. Last
year at Johannesburg, we reaffirmed the document and agreed to redouble our
efforts and evolved a concerted approach to ensure that our entire objectives
are achieved in a minimal time period.
3. Today, the world scene is quite different from what it was in 1992. The
dynamics of global economy have altered some of the basic premises of Agenda 21.
The process of globalization has accentuated economic asymmetries sharpening
close relationships between trade and finance, technology and sustainable
development. The polarization of wealth has led to a world in which an
increasing number of people live precariously balanced on the edge of hunger.
Several objectives, which Agenda 21 was meant to address, continue to defy us.
In most cases, the situation has even worsened. For instance; of the 4.6 billion
people living in developing countries, some 826 million still lack basic
amenities of life; more than 850 million are illiterate; one billion people do
not have access to clean water; 2.4 billion lack basic sanitation; and nearly
325 million children are out of school. Above all, more than 1.2 billion people
still live on less than one dollar a day; over 2.4 billion on less than two
dollars a day.
4. Equally disappointing is our record in environmental protection. Today, the
danger to the planet’s environment is far greater than it was in 1992. During
the last one decade, the world has witnessed steady depletion of its natural
resources, increase in unsustainable patterns of production and consumption,
and, a dangerous level of hazardous emissions threatening the global climate.
Mr. Chairman,
5. The World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, South
Africa last year provided us an opportunity to take stock of our successes as
well as failures since 1992. In this gathering, our leaders once again
demonstrated their resolve to fight poverty and under-development by forging a
global partnership. In this regard, the “Johannesburg Programme of Action” and
the “Johannesburg Declaration” adopted our leaders provide us the necessary
framework for our future actions.
6. It is, however, clear that the problem we face today is not that of absence
of objectives, targets or frameworks but a lack of implementation and
non-compliance with the commitments, particularly those relating to financial
resources, technology transfer and capacity building. This trend can only be
resumed if our efforts are geared towards the fulfillment of the commitments
made at Rio, Doha, Monterrey, Johannesburg, and above all during the Millennium
Summit. In this regard, particular attention needs to be given to the following:
One, Poverty eradication is undeniably the most serious challenge concerning the
world today. Poverty eradication should therefore be the over-arching theme of
our efforts towards sustainable development. Poverty should not be viewed in
terms of income poverty alone. Lack of education, basic health facilities, safe
drinking water, sanitation, shelter and clean environment - all contribute to
poverty and hence need to be addressed in a holistic manner.
Two, the conservation of natural resources is our common responsibility. We must
acquit this responsibility in a differentiated manner as propounded in Agenda
21. The unsustainable patterns of consumption and production continue to be a
major challenge for the humanity. If one looks at hard statistics, today 25% of
the world population is consuming more than half of the global resources. Such
pattern surely contributes to widen the resource gap, aggravates poverty and
sustains imbalances among nations. As the world globalizes, these disparities
are becoming even more incongruous. We need to seriously address this issue.
Three, Financing of sustainable development is the crucial issue in this whole
debate. The price-tag for the implementation of Agenda 21 as committed in 1992
was US$ 625 billion per year, including US$ 125 billion to be provided by
developed countries in ODA. Today ODA has decreased by about 20 % from the 1992
figure whereas the requirements for aid have continued to increase manifold.
This calls for exploration of new and innovative methods of financing.
Fourth, release of domestic resources for social development through debt relief
should be considered an integral part of a comprehensive concept of development
and poverty reduction. Developing countries are paying billions of dollars each
year to the developed world in debt servicing. This necessitates a serious
consideration of the proposal of “debt for sustainable development swaps” as
suggested by the WSSD.
Finally; Agenda 21 has recognized that trade and flow of global finance has a
major impact on the role of sustainable development. We believe that trade is
the single most important external source of financing sustainable development.
Every extra dollar of exports from a developing country feeds a poor family and
builds a better future for them. Increased market access, particularly to their
agricultural products, is an effective way for developing countries to reach
sustainability in growth and development. In this regard, we would like to make
a special emphasize on the need to mitigate the devastating affects of domestic
and export subsidies provided by developed countries to their farmers, on
sustainable development of millions of farmers in developing countries.
Mr. Chairman,
7. The eleventh session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-11)
has adopted a multi-year programme for taking stock of our achievements or lack
of it, in a holistic manner. We look forward for a fruitful discussion in the
forthcoming 12th session of the Commission, on the first cluster of issues
namely water, sanitation and human settlement. Pakistan on its part is ready to
actively participate in these deliberations and share our experiences.
8. Pakistan is committed to implement Agenda 21 and has taken significant steps
in that direction. We have developed a national conservation strategy by inter-alia,
promulgating an environmental protection act and establishing various
institutions at national and international levels to address environmental
problems. A national action plan on environmental protection (NEAP) is being
pursued with the active participation of government, civil society and private
sector. This action plan aims at improvement of living standard and
environmental conditions of the citizens of Pakistan. The Priority areas of NEAP
are provision of Clean Air, Clean Water, Solid Waste Management and Ecosystem
Management.
9. Pakistan remains committed to implement Agenda 21 and the decisions of the
Johannesburg Programme of Implementation, in order to attain sustain economic
growth and sustainable development of its people. Needless to say that the
efforts of Pakistan and other developing countries would not yield the desired
results without firm international support particularly in the areas of
technical cooperation, technology transfers and financial assistance.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.