STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY INGRID SABJA, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, INTRODUCING DRAFT RESOLUTION A/69/L.49 ENTITLED "INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE FIELD OF NATURAL DISASTERS, FROM RELIEF TO DEVELOPMENT" (New York, 23 December 2014)

Mr. President,

It is my honour to introduce on behalf of the Group of 77 and China the Draft Resolution in document A/69/L.49 entitled "International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, from relief to development''.

First, I would like to express the gratitude of the Group of 77 and China to Mr. Omar Rabi, from the Permanent Mission of Morocco, who successfully coordinated the negotiation of this draft document.

Mr. President,

By introducing this resolution, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms the importance of international cooperation in support of the efforts of the affected States in dealing with natural disasters in all their phases, in particular in preparedness, response and the early recovery phase. At the same time, it is recognized that the affected State has the primary responsibility in the initiation, organization, coordination and implementation of humanitarian assistance within its territory. The importance of the humanitarian principles contained in resolution 46/182 are also highlighted in this resolution.

The resolution also recognizes the clear relationship between emergency response, rehabilitation and development, and reaffirms that, in order to ensure a smooth transition from relief to rehabilitation and development, emergency assistance must be provided in ways that will be supportive of short- and medium-term recovery leading to long-term development.

 Mr. President,

Given the fact that the Hyogo Framework for Action is coming to an end in 2015, the Draft resolution calls upon Member States, the United Nations system and other relevant humanitarian and development actors to accelerate the full implementation of this framework , in particular those commitments related to assistance for developing countries that are prone to natural disasters.
Mr. Chairman,

The text in document A/67/L49. is the result of the consensus reached through five informal consultations that were convened over the past few days, and which includes the most proposals made during those consultations. The Group has made a concerted effort to include the concerns of other groups and member states.

The text of this year's Draft resolution contains new elements based on the recommendations of the secretary general's report. Noting the determination of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in its decision 2/CP.18, to adopt a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention applicable to all Parties at its twenty-first session, due to be held in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015, and for it to come into effect and be implemented from 2020;

It emphasizes the fundamentally civilian character of humanitarian assistance and reaffirming in situations where military capacity and assets are used as a last resort to support the implementation of humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters, the need for their use to be undertaken with the consent of the affected State and in conformity with international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as humanitarian principles,

The text references and notes with concern that persons with disabilities, the elderly, women and children are disproportionately affected by natural disasters.

Encourages innovative practices, which draw on the knowledge of people affected by natural disasters to develop locally sustainable solutions and to produce life-saving items locally, with minimal logistical and infrastructure implications;

Mr. President,

This year's text urges Member States, the United Nations, humanitarian and development organizations to prioritize risk management and shift towards an anticipatory approach to humanitarian crises in order to prevent and reduce human suffering and economic losses;

Encourages the United Nations, humanitarian and development organization to work towards a common understanding of underlying risks, clarify roles and responsibilities according to respective mandates and establish joint objectives and programmes to strengthen coordination and coherence among short, medium and long term activities;

Mr. President,

In closing, I would like to express the appreciation of the Group of 77 and China for the spirit of cooperation and collaboration shown by all our partners during the informal consultations which enabled us to agree upon the important issues addressed by this resolution.

The Group also wishes to thank all the Member States that are co-sponsoring this important resolution and looks forward to its adoption by consensus once again.

I thank you.