STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMBASSADOR BYRON BLAKE, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PREPARATORY MEETING FOR THE 13TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ON LINKAGES AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES (New York, 3 March 2005)

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China is most pleased to see you in the Chair for this very important session to examine the linkages and cross-cutting issues and develop policy recommendation.

The Group of 77 and China in its overview statement on Monday last highlighted a number of cross-cutting issues, the resolution of which will have positive effects in each of the areas and lead to accelerated implementation. I recall some, not necessary all in order importance. These are poverty, lack of integrated planning; lack of finance; the need for the transfer of technology and for research; limited institutional and technical capacity; the need for public awareness raising, information and training; the need for balance between the treatment of urban and rural areas; the need for coherence in international policies and with national policies. There are also issues such as the impact of natural disasters, the impact of refugees on receiving countries as highlighted in paragraph 65(d) of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI); the need for gender equity and involvement; and the need to change production and consumption patterns especially in developed countries.

Mr. Chairman,
You have highlighted and posed questions on some specific cross-cutting issues. I will attempt to respond while focussing on some of the most pivotal of the issues raised by the G-77 and China.

First, the G-77 and China recognises that it is not possible to optimise development while one-half of the population is not involved. In the areas under consideration, women have particularly dominant roles.

Many of your questions, in particular the ones relating to mainstreaming gender, mainstreaming and integrating water, sanitation and housing into national development plans, strategies or poverty reduction strategy papers can be addressed through integrated planning. Integrated planning is critical because of the nature of these and other MDG targets. Integrated planning requires technical and financial resources, significant information and takes time. Developing countries need assistance especially if these plans are to be completed in 2005 to provide the basis for action.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

This is the most inhibiting constraint in all the areas and must be addressed in a variety of ways. These include:

• The removal of the debt burden including through cancellation, debt swaps etc and the allocation of the resources released to MDG related activities, in particular for settlements, water and sanitation;
• Significant increase in ODA and increased proportion to the settlement, water and sanitation activities;
• Increase priority in national budgets;
• Fair trade and effective market access for the products - goods and services - of developing countries; and
• Increase in the resources to the GEF especially for the Desertification Convention to assist land management.

TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY

Arrangements to facilitate the transfer of appropriate and cost effective technology including remote sensing technology to assist in the detection of water and land mapping;

• The transfer of technology and skills among developing countries;
• The identification of experts, particularly from developing countries, who could be made available utilising modified versions of the TCDC and UN TOKTEN models.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.