Excellencies,

1) I have the honor to deliver these remarks on behalf of Group of 77 and China.

2) At the outset, allow me to appreciate the Co-Chairs of this leadership dialogue – Germany and Indonesia – for their hard work.

3) Countries around the world are still suffering from the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions have lost their jobs and are facing extreme hardships in the form of increasing food prices and hunger, extreme poverty, and unsustainable debts.

4) All these challenges have disproportionately impacted the developing countries. Their miseries and economic hardships have been further aggravated by the devastating impacts of climate change and heightened geo-political tensions.

Excellencies,

5) There is no doubt that if we continue the path of unsustainable consumption and production, we risk reinforcing our social, environmental, and economic vulnerabilities.

6) The achievement of the 2030 Agenda goals and targets and the successful and effective implementation of the UNFCCC and its Paris agreement are seriously in question. The Group, therefore, proposes the following actions:

7) First, we must take urgent actions in key covid-affected sectors, such as food, energy, and the tourism and manufacturing sectors, to protect the poor and most vulnerable living in the developing countries.

8) This includes ensuring that our supply chains are resilient, ready to adapt and can deliver quality assured products and materials in the face of future pandemics.

9) This also includes recognizing the essential role of Micro, Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), which provide jobs and income to a large portion of our workforces, in achieving an inclusive and transformative recovery.

10) Second, it is important to mobilize adequate financial resources to enable recovery. An additional US$ 4-5 trillion are needed to finance recovery in the developing countries. So far, only a fraction of this has been made available. We should utilize all possible channels to mobilize finances: ODA; debt relief; rechanneling of SDRs, expanding financing facility for MDBs.

11) Third, we must re-think our patterns of consumption and production. We can produce with greater respect for nature. We can stop the pollution of our lakes, rivers, and oceans. We can produce more with less water, and without dangerous chemicals.

12) Technology transfers and technical assistance are key to achieve these goals and environmentally conscious lifestyles should also be encouraged.

13) We must also recall the harmful impacts of agricultural subsidies and protectionist policies on sustainable food systems. A universal, open, non-discriminatory, and equitable multilateral trading system is necessary to facilitate access to safe, diverse, and nutritious food.

14) Fourth, recovery efforts should also address the widening technology and digital gap that exists between the developed and developing countries. Without equal access to innovative and clean technologies, the current digital divide may become the new face of development divide.

15) Fifth, we must work towards promoting the alignment of business practices with the SDGs and the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. We also need to adopt criteria of beyond GDP in measuring and calculating progress.

16) Sixth, the pandemic has highlighted the need for better foresight capability and resilience planning in national and international governance. This cannot be achieved without building the capacities of developing countries on data collection and analysis and without equal access to internet for all particularly in developing countries.

17) We need to improve market access for developing countries and promote their inclusion in the global supply chains. It is crucial that we combat the growing digital divide to ensure equitable digital access and opportunities for all.

18) Seventh, there is a lot that we can learn from each other. A global repository of successful practices from the South as well as from the North would increase our knowledge base for the pursuit of our collective future of harmony with nature.

19) And finally, the Group also believes that discussion outside the existing multilaterally agreed frameworks and conventions must not undermine the work and negotiations under these frameworks.

I thank you.