Mr. President,

1- On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I have the honor to introduce before the Plenary of the General Assembly the draft resolution entitled “International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development,” contained in document A/74/L.31

2- As we present this draft resolution again this year, the Group of 77 and China continue to reaffirm the importance of international cooperation in providing assistance to countries and peoples affected by natural disasters in accordance with resolution 46/182 and the guiding principles for the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations system.

3- This draft resolution includes these important elements while also recognizing that affected States have the primary responsibilities in the initiation, organization, coordination and implementation of humanitarian assistance within their territories.

4- The resolution continues to recognize the clear relationship between emergency response, rehabilitation and development, and reaffirms that, in order to ensure a smooth transition between these three stages, emergency assistance must be provided in ways that will be supportive of short- and medium-term recovery ultimately leading to long-term development.

5- The draft resolution of this session of the General Assembly puts a particular emphasis on climate change and its impact on natural disasters. In this regard, the resolution welcomes the holding of the 2019 Climate Action Summit convened by the Secretary-General on 23 September and takes note of the multi-partner initiatives and commitments presented during the Summit.

6- The resolution further addresses the growing magnitude and scope of natural disasters. As such, the draft resolution stresses upon the need to re-double our efforts in building community capacities and capabilities by helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.
7- The draft resolution underlines the importance of taking early action with the view to minimize and mitigate the consequences that might be caused due to natural disasters. Furthermore, the resolution encourages Member States to develop coherent approaches to address the challenges of displacement in the context of natural disasters, including sudden-onset and slow-onset, and takes note of relevant initiatives in this regard.

8- While recognizing the important contribution of healthy ecosystems to reducing disaster risk and building community resilience, the resolution encourages all states, UN entities and other relevant actors to promote ecosystems-based approaches and nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction at all levels and across all phases of disaster risk reduction and management.

9- Moreover, it encourages the increased efforts and engagement by the private sector in disaster risk management activities and in humanitarian assistance. It also encourages stepping up our efforts to mobilize predictable and multi-year support to work collectively towards common results in order to reduce need, risk and vulnerability, and to mobilize additional resources through anticipatory financing approaches. The draft resolution attaches great importance to address the full spectrum of natural disasters, from early action to reconstruction efforts aiming at re-building strong communities and achieving sustainable development.

10- Finally, the resolution this year encourages Member States, humanitarian organizations and other relevant stakeholders, in the context of natural disasters, to ensure access to safe drinking water and adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, including women and girls.

Mr. President,

11- The Group would like to thank the delegation of Morocco for coordinating the negotiations of this draft resolution on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. We also appreciate the constructive spirit and the invaluable support shown by all Member States in order to arrive at this final text. It is our hope that this resolution will be adopted by consensus once again at this 74th session of the General Assembly.

12- Finally, I would like to end by urging all delegations to support the integrity of this draft resolution and vote against the proposed amendment of the United States. I would also urge all delegations to vote for the preservation of every paragraph of this resolution.

Thank you.