STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. CHERRYL GORDON, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, INTRODUCING DRAFT RESOLUTIONS AND A DRAFT DECISION BEFORE THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (New York, 20 July 2005)

Thank You, Mr. President,

I have the honour to introduce, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, six (6) draft resolutions and one (1) draft decision under agenda items 6, 7, 8 and 13. The draft resolutions refer to the Role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and co-ordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits; the Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on Burundi and Guinea-Bissau; Implementation of the Programme of Action for the LDCs for the Decade 2001-2010; the need to harmonize and improve United Nations informatics systems for optimal utilization and accessibility by all States and Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development.

The draft decision, as you have said, refers to Human Settlements.

Mr. President,

I place before the Council the draft resolution E/2005/L.31 on the Role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and co-ordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits.

As with previous resolutions on this topic, this draft is focused on ways to implement General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B and 57/270 B – the latter, in particular. This year’s draft resolution is drafted against the background of the review of the Millennium Declaration and of the outcomes of UN conferences and summits being undertaken by the Council and the General Assembly. During these discussions, the G77 and China has consistently highlighted the slow pace of implementation of the three resolutions, in particular, resolution 57/270 B. This year’s draft is therefore intended to give greater guidance on ways and means to carry out the implementation of the resolutions; as a result, it is more heavily skewed to reflect areas where integration and co-ordination may be promoted. In addition, the draft contains a significant section related to the role of the functional commissions (operative paragraphs 2 to 6), which the Group feels is key to the role of the Council, including in the follow-up process. In this connection, OP2 underlines the urgency of completing the ECOSOC’s multi-year work programme for its co-ordination segment – an appeal that was also mentioned in our statement on this item yesterday morning. The draft resolution also takes on board several of the recommendations made by the Secretary-General in his Report and ends with a repeat of the request to the Secretary-General to submit a report on the matter under consideration to the ECOSOC Substantive Session in 2006.

Mr. President,

I also place before the Council the draft resolution E/2005/L.28 on the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010.

This draft resolution builds upon previous deliberations by the ECOSOC, in particular, its substantive sessions of 2003 and 2004, and the third annual progress report of the Secretary-General that was discussed in the Council yesterday. The draft resolution tries to reflect many of the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s review report and is therefore very specific and action-oriented, particularly as regards certain actions to be undertaken by the LDCs themselves, as well as the United Nations development agencies and actors and the development partners. The draft resolution contains a specific request, also alluded to in our statement yesterday, for the Secretary-General to ensure predictable funding for the participation of representatives from the LDCs to attend the annual review by ECOSOC of the Programme of Action for LDCs. Finally, the draft reiterates the request for the Secretary-General to submit a results-oriented annual progress report on the implementation of the Programme of Action, with a more analytical focus.

Mr. President,

I now place before the Council the draft resolution E/2005/L.30 on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau as well as draft resolution E/2005/L.25 on the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi. Both texts were drafted to take account of the positive efforts made by the countries to ensure stability, and the findings of the respective reports of the ad hoc advisory groups.

The draft resolution on Guinea-Bissau is based on the previous resolution, with the addition of several new paragraphs. In the preambular section, we welcome progress that has been made in the promotion of stability in Guinea-Bissau, reflecting the actions of Guinea-Bissau, the United Nations and partners. The operative section contains specific recommendations and references related to ensuring the long-term development of Guinea-Bissau, emphasising the need for assistance by the international community, including the UN System, to bolster the commitment demonstrated by Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the draft calls for the extension of the mandate of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group by one year until the substantive Session of ECOSOC in 2006.

The draft resolution on Burundi is based on the previous resolution, and allows for the inclusion of more specific, action-oriented proposals intended to consolidate the drive for long-term development in Burundi. The draft welcomes progress made in the promotion of stability in Burundi, reflecting the actions of Burundi, the United Nations and partners. The draft also calls for increased assistance to Burundi and, in this regard, encourages the convening of a donor roundtable with participation by the Burundi authorities and the development partners. Finally, the draft requests the Ad Hoc Advisory Group to, among other things, continue to follow closely the humanitarian situation and to examine the relief to development activities in Burundi and to report to the ECOSOC Substantive Session in 2006.

Mr. President,

It will be recalled that consultations had already begun on this draft resolution, under the guidance of a Facilitator appointed by you. Negotiations have been proceeding and it is our hope that the ECOSOC will continue to support and encourage the Ad Hoc Advisory Groups in their work and Burundi and Guinea-Bissau in their efforts to pursue their long-term development objectives.

Mr. President,

I place before the Council the draft resolution E/2005/L.33 on The need to harmonise and improve United Nations informatics systems for optimal utilisation and accessibility by all States. This draft resolution has been largely unchanged from that adopted last year by the ECOSOC; in operative paragraph 3, we have continued the usual tradition of highlighting specific activities and initiatives undertaken by or with the Working Group and so this year, the draft expresses appreciation for the implementation of wireless Internet in UN conference rooms and the new global search in the Official Documents System (ODS), revitalisation of the UN Delegates’ web-page and free access to the ODS.

Mr. President,

As mentioned in our statement on this item yesterday, the G77 and China strongly supports the positive work being undertaken by the Ad Hoc Working Group and its proactive approach, which was borne out by the assessment of the Secretary-General in his Report. The draft resolution therefore requests the President of the ECOSOC to convene the Working Group for an additional year in order to enable it to continue to carry out its efforts to act as a bridge between the evolving needs of Member States and the actions of the Secretariat, in furtherance of its mandate.

Mr. President,

It will be recalled that the Council has traditionally adopted this resolution by consensus and without extensive consultations. It is the hope of the G77 and China that this year’s draft will enjoy similar favour.

Mr. President,

I now place before the Council the draft resolution E/2005/L.27 on Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development. This draft resolution is largely procedural, and follows from the previous deliberations held by the Council on this matter, during its substantive sessions in 2003 and 2004, as well as the discussions held during the High-Level Segment of the current substantive session of the Council. In this connection, the draft resolution intends to give structure to the outcome of these various discussions, by requesting the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report, for review by the Council at its substantive session in 2008, on the progress or lack thereof in the implementation of both the 2003 Ministerial Declaration and ECOSOC Resolution 2004/48.

Finally, Mr. President,

I place before the Council the draft decision E/2005/L.26 on Human Settlements.

As is immediately clear from the document before the Council, this draft is strictly procedural and self-explanatory. It is our hope that the Council will be able to adopt it by consensus and without further amendment.

I thank you, Mr. President.