Statement
Mr. President,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). We align with the statement delivered by Uruguay, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset, allow me to express AOSIS’ appreciation to the co-facilitators for steering this difficult and challenging process. We recognize their efforts in an increasingly challenging global landscape to reach a substantive outcome document.
Mr. President,
Over the last two months, whether on its own or through the G77, AOSIS engaged constructively and in good faith throughout the negotiations of the outcome document. We engaged in the spirit of reaching a substantive and forward-looking outcome that, as stated by all delegations, does not rewrite, renegotiate or go below the Sevilla Commitment.
AOSIS also welcomes the outcome’s dedicated focus on specific issues and challenges facing SIDS, such as the decline in corresponding banking relationships, support for progress on the SIDS Center of Excellence, including its the Island Investment Forum and SIDS Data Hub, and the appointment of the members of the Expert Advisory Panel on the MVI.
Notwithstanding this, Mr. President, AOSIS wishes to raise the following key points, in explanation of position.
First, we deeply regret that key cross-cutting principles and commitments from the Sevilla Commitment was omitted from this text, and that the agreement made in the room to recommit to these cross-cutting principles broadly was changed without consultation.
AOSIS deeply regrets that this year’s outcome document does not reflect the precise agreement in the room, and omits key principles including addressing the needs of countries in special situations, the right to development, and common but differentiated responsibilities.
It also omits specific references to the implementation of the Rio Conventions and the urgency to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Therefore, AOSIS reserves the right to revisit this issue in subsequent negotiations and as such, the approach adopted in this outcome document shall not be considered as an established practice for future outcomes.
Secondly, Mr. President, AOSIS appreciates the format of the outcome document, which outlines updates on implementation, focus on the paragraphs under review, other actions areas, and next steps. We believe that this encapsulates the entire scope and integrated nature of the Sevilla Commitment and supports its full and effective implementation.
It is for this reason, AOSIS, together with the African Group and the Like-Minded Group of Middle Income Countries presented forward-looking language on the debt dialogue, as part of the intergovernmental process on debt, as contained in paragraph 50 (f) of the Sevilla Commitment. Collectively, our delegations recognized that an update on the holding of the debt dialogue as part of the intergovernmental process, would have provided a useful step for the international community ahead of the review of the debt and debt sustainability chapter.
AOSIS is deeply dismayed that, despite this proposal coming from over 120 delegations, it was not accommodated in a single revision of the draft outcome document, including the final text just adopted.
While we acknowledge that some delegations have disassociated from certain paragraphs, we kindly remind the membership today that the Sevilla Commitment was adopted as a cohesive, single document, and that exclusions on such a basis undermine the collective vision and integrity of Sevilla itself.
Mr. President,
AOSIS reaffirms its full commitment toward the implementation of the Sevilla Commitment. Despite the challenges facing the global landscape today, our countries remain resolutely optimistic.
Resolutely optimistic that the international community will keep its promise to address the deeply entrenched inequities and shortfalls in our international financial architecture.
Resolutely optimistic that every action of the Sevilla Commitment will be realized.
I thank you.
