(27 October 2008, New York)
Madam Chair,
At the outset, the Chinese delegation would like to thank the Secretary-General for his reports under the Agenda Item 49: sustainable development. The Chinese delegation associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Item 49 (a): Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
Madam Chair,
In recent years, the international community and governments have done a lot of work in implementing Agenda 21 and have taken major steps in promoting the coordination between economic development and development in the fields of population, resources, and environment. However, the recent turbulences in the international financial markets, the energy and food crises, and climate change have become major threats to world economic growth and posed new challenges to sustainable development.
The international community must strengthen policy coordination, ensure food and energy security, and maintain a sustained, stable, and healthy growth of the world economy, so as to lay an economic foundation for sustainable development. We must continue to adhere to a holistic and balanced approach to development, promote coordinated economic and social advancement, ensure harmony between man and nature, and effectively address the questions of funding, technology, and other means of implementation. The developed countries, in particular, must take concrete actions to provide new and additional financial assistance, reduce and cancel debt, curb trade protectionism, open market and transfer technology to the developing countries. The United Nations should continue to play a leading role in sustainable development and promote the implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Item 49 (b): Follow-up to and implementation of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Program of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
The development of SIDS is an important link in the global sustainable development. Due to historical and geographical reasons, they encounter special difficulties in achieving sustainable development. The international community should keep this firmly in mind, fully understand and pay attention to the special concerns of these countries and, in the light of their characteristics and actual needs, strengthen cooperation with them, and effectively implement the Mauritius Strategy. Commitments in financial assistance and technological transfer must be honored so as to enhance the capacity-building of SIDS and help them achieve sustainable development.
As a developing country with a large population, China fully understands the difficulties encountered by SIDS. Over the years, the Chinese government has continuously deepened and broadened its cooperation with SIDS and provided them with assistance to the best of its ability. We stand ready to further enhance international cooperation and continue to work with SIDS in promoting global sustainable development.
Item 49 (c): International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
In recent years, there have been frequent occurrences of major disasters across the globe, seriously jeopardizing people’s lives and property and disrupting their daily lives. As a major strategic issue in economic and social development, disaster reduction must be given priority attention by all countries. In this age of globalization, preventing and responding to natural disasters require enhanced international and regional cooperation. The UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction have done a great deal of work in establishing the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and promoting the international cooperation in disaster reduction, for which we would like to express our appreciation. We believe that the international community should continue to improve the disaster reduction and humanitarian relief cooperation mechanism with the UN at its core, enhance natural disaster monitoring and early warning, strengthen developing countries' capacity in disaster prevention, preparedness and reduction, ensure long-term, stable and predictable core funding for disaster reduction, and increase support for the Central Emergency Response Fund.
A major earthquake shook Wenchuan in China's Sichuan Province this May, resulting in tremendous losses of life and property. The international community provided timely and generous emergency humanitarian relief and post-disaster reconstruction funds. The Chinese delegation would like to avail itself of this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude. China's cooperation with other countries in disaster reduction will develop further in depth and be more fruitful.
Item 49 (d): Protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind