H.E. Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai
Permanent Representative of Nepal and
Chairperson of the Second Committee 75th session
Excellencies;
Distinguished Delegates;
I wish to congratulate you Mr. Chair and members of the Bureau, on your election to steer the affairs of this Committee. Be assured of my delegation’s productive engagement and participation in the work of the Committee.
We also thank the outgoing Chair His Excellency Cheikh Niang (Senegal); for his leadership and guidance; and members of the Bureau of the Seventy-fourth (74th) Session; for their dedication during that Session.
Mr. Chair;
We note that the programme of work of this committee is very germane to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda; our development ambitions; particularly, protecting our planet; mitigating the effects of environmental degradation and climate change; ensuring economic growth and social progress, and building back better from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are thus conscious of the need for accelerated action; and transformative pathways for the full realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. At the center of it all is the eradication of poverty; with international cooperation and the mobilization of finance for development; being key.
Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has a regressive effect on gains made; and the potential to stall progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); if we do not take decisive actions. And as such, we stand the risk of “leaving millions behind”.
To this end; we believe that the theme of the general debate “Building back better after COVID-19: Ensuring a more equitable global economy, inclusive societies and sustainable recovery”, is in sync with our collective aspirations of addressing the devastating impacts of the pandemic and engendering a recovery for the good of the people of the world; ensuring that “No one is left behind”.
Thus, “Building back better...” requires global cooperation, solidarity, and collaboration among all stakeholders; with support for developing countries, particularly, Least Developed countries (LDCs) and vulnerable people; communities, and societies.
In this context, we welcome the SDG Moment convened by the Secretary-General on September 18, 2020; which among others was intended to set out a vision for delivering the SDGs over the course of the Decade of Action and recovering better from the COVID-19 pandemic; consider the challenges facing Member States as they respond to the pandemic and to pursue a recovery that is aligned with the SDGs.
Similarly, we laud the High-level meeting convened by the Secretary-General; the Prime Ministers of Canada and Jamaica on September 29, 2020; under the theme “Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the era of COVID-19 and beyond”.
Mr. Chair;
As emphasized earlier; the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed structural fragilities in countries across the world, with its socio-economic impacts posing enormous strains on countries’ ability to implement the 2030 Agenda; Liberia being no exception.
Nonetheless; we remain deeply committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Government, through our national flagship development Plan-The Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD); continues to make strides to address inequalities; gender imbalance; youth unemployment; promote inclusiveness; and initiate programs to empower the people through the provision of equitable opportunities in education; health; youth development; social protection; and; promoting an inclusive and accountable public sector; for shared prosperity and sustainable development; which are fundamental conditions for economic transformation; acceleration and full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, a socio-economic impacts assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the country’s national development plan (PAPD); and the 2030 Agenda are currently underway.
The assessment results will inform the reprogramming and implementation of the PAPD; the 2030 Agenda; and our post-COVID-19 Economy Stabilization and Recovery Plan; with focus on, among others; inclusion; human capital development (particularly the youth who constitute more than half of our population); women empowerment; and the eradication of poverty, which is central to the 2030 Agenda.
Finally, as underscored by His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, during the General Debate; the future we want is a United Nations that is more equitable and inclusive. We must have an inclusive society so that no one is left behind; and all member states must do their part in order to ensure that the United Nations is relevant to everyone”.
The Liberian Delegation wishes to further assure you, Mr. Chair of our preparedness to contribute meaningfully to the discourse of this august body.
I THANK YOU!
