STATEMENT BY MR. ABDELLAH BENMELLOUK (MOROCCO), ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, ON AGENDA ITEM 13 (a) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, DURING THE GENERAL SEGMENT OF THE SUBSTANTIVE SESSION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (GENEVA, 21 JULY 2003)

Mr President,

On Behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like to make the following observations:

- Presently, the international community has at its disposal a solid and comprehensive repertoire of commitments pertaining to sustainable development goals and targets. What is critically needed now is how to turn these commitments into reality by moving to the implementation track in order to put an end to global poverty and hunger so as to ensure a prosperous and promising world for the future generations.

- The path to sustainability that we have jointly chosen and clarified during CSD11 implies the urgent need to make available , durable, reliable and measurable means of implementation for achieving the objective of sustainable development.

- By the adoption of a long term program of work, the CSD will be in a position to fulfill its vitally important role and function within the United Nations system and consequently serve as a viable forum for consideration of issues related to integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development.

- We would like to reiterate that Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, the program for further implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, which constitute a solid and indivisible repertoire of commitments, should continue to provide the basic comprehensive framework for the future work of the Commission on sustainable development.

- We believe that addressing means of implementation as a cross-cutting issue in every cycle and for every theme, action and commitment is of paramount importance to ensure an effective durable and measurable implementation of sustainable development targets.

- We would like to reiterate in this context that while the primary focus of implementation remains at the national level, it should be recalled that Johannesburg Declaration and the Plan of Implementation strongly emphasized commitments to multilateralism and the urgent need for a more focused practical approach for the implementation of Agenda 21 through the reinforcement of the international community support and the provision of the required means of implementation.

- In this context, while recognizing the importance of enhancing partnerships between governmental and non-governmental actors, including major groups, on programs and activities for the achievement of sustainable development, the Group would like to reiterate the following remarks:

- " Partnerships should be considered as complementary instruments to enhance the process of implementation but not as a substitute for the intergovernmental commitments contained in Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of implementation;

- " UN agencies involvement in partnerships should conform to the intergovernmental agreed mandates and not lead to diversion of resources otherwise allocated for intergovernmental agreed priorities;

- Eradicating poverty should remain an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, particularly for developing countries.

- The review and assessment of the implementation of actions, commitments and targets of all issues and sectors should be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of Agenda 21, the program for further implementation of Agenda 21, JPOI and the outcome of specific CSD sessions as well as the Rio principles. Review of the implementation process should be presented in a transparent manner that should include achievements by the different actors involved in partnerships.

We remain convinced that it is only through an effective and accountable process of implementation of the specific goals and time-bound targets that we can, together, translate sustainable development objectives from abstract concepts to reality.