A/72/PV.109 General Assembly

Members will recall that at its second plenary meeting, on 15 September 2017, the General Assembly decided to allocate sub-item (b) of agenda item 19 to the Second Committee. To enable the General Assembly to take action expeditiously on draft resolution A/72/L.60/Rev.1 and A/72/L.60/ Rev.1/Corr.1, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider sub-item (b) of agenda item 19 directly in plenary meeting and to proceed immediately to its consideration?

The General Assembly will now take action on the draft resolution entitled “Modalities for the high-level review of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway”, issued as document A/72/L.60/Rev.1 and A/72/L.60/Rev.1/Corr.1. I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt to introduce, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, as well as Palau and the Republic of Moldova, draft resolution A/72/L.60/Rev. 1 and A/72/L.60/Rev.1/Corr.1.

It is my honour, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, as well as Palau and the Republic of Moldova, to introduce draft resolution A/72/L.60/Rev.1 and A/72/L.60/Rev.1/Corr.1, on the modalities for the high-level review of the small island developing States (SIDS) Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway, which is of a technical rather than substantive nature. As we approach the mid-term mark since the historic adoption of the Samoa Pathway four years ago, we are heartened to know of the continued level of support from the international community to implement the pledges made. However, much more needs to be done. Although we welcome the recognition of SIDS as countries with special circumstances for development and as countries facing extreme economic and ecological vulnerabilities, we need to ensure that that recognition is matched with the resources required to help achieve the goals, as set forth by the Samoa Pathway. For small island developing States, the successful implementation of other agreements, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is closely linked to the implementation of the Samoa Pathway. The vulnerability faced by small island developing States means that we cannot allow another five years to pass without building upon our resilience. Throughout the coming five years, we cannot merely take stock of and note our unmet commitment and craft another agenda, as time is running out for SIDS. Climate change, water scarcity and natural disasters are accelerating in frequency and intensity. We therefore must build on progress and action, beginning today, to meet those challenges with creativity, cooperation and determination that fully reflect the urgency of the situation. We must clearly understand remaining gaps, scale up initiatives for success and determine how to improve areas of continued difficulty. The Group of 77 looks forward to maintaining close engagement and receiving the support of all States Members in the process, as we have much we can share and learn from one another to help ensure that we make progress in achieving sustainable development. We look forward to the constructive engagement of delegations in moving forward with the draft resolution, and take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to all Member States involved in these negotiations. We look forward to the adoption of the draft resolution.

The assembly will now take a decision or draft resolution A/72/L.60/Rev. 1 and A/72/L.60/Rev.1/Corr.1, entitled “Modalities for the high-level review of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway”. I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

This oral statement is made in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. Under the terms of paragraph 1 of draft resolution A/72/L.60/Rev.1 and A/72/L.60/Corr.1, the General Assembly would decide that the high-level review will be structured around an opening plenary meeting followed by two multi-stakeholder roundtable sessions with time for an interactive dialogue and a closing plenary meeting. With regard to the request contained in paragraph 1, it is understood that all issues related to the high-level review, including dates, venue, format, organization and scope, are yet to be determined. Accordingly, in the absence of modalities for the high-level review, it is not possible at the present time to estimate the potential cost implications of the requirements for meetings and documentation. Upon the decision on the modalities format and organization of the conference, the Secretary-General will submit the relevant costs of such requirements, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. Furthermore, the dates of the meetings will have to be determined in consultation with the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. Accordingly, the adoption of draft resolution A/72/L.60/Rev. 1 and A/72/L.60/Rev.1/Corr.1 will not give rise to any budgetary implications on the programme budget for the biennium 2018-2019.

The draft resolution has closed for e-sponsorship. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of draft resolution A/72/L.60/Rev.1 and A/72/L.60/Rev.1/Corr.1, and in addition to those delegations listed therein, the following countries have become sponsors of the draft resolution: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Tuvalu.

May I take it that the General Assembly decides to adopt A/72/L.60/Rev.1 and A/72/L.60/Rev.1/Corr.1?

Before giving the floor to representatives for explanations of vote after the vote, may I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

This is a brief explanation of position. While we join consensus on resolution 72/307, we would like to take the opportunity to clarify points regarding paragraphs 13 through 16. Certain elements of the small island developing States Accelerated Modalities of Action Pathway, such as on international trade, may have been overtaken by events and may no longer be implementable.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 19.