A/73/PV.80 General Assembly

Members will recall that, at its 3rd plenary meeting, on 21 September 2018, the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 20 to the Second Committee. To enable the Assembly to take action expeditiously on the document before it today, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider agenda item 20 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 73/504 B).

I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya to introduce draft resolution A/73/L.82.

My delegation is pleased to address the General Assembly on agenda item 20, “Sustainable Development”, and sub-item (a) of agenda item 78, “Oceans and the law of the sea”. Kenya and Portugal had the great honour of coordinating the informal consultations on draft resolution A/73/L.82, entitled “2020 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. The Permanent Representative of Portugal, Ambassador Francisco Duarte Lopes, and I are therefore pleased today to introduce the text on behalf of our two countries and all the 90 Member States sponsoring it so far. The door is not closed; delegations are still free to append their support for the text. I would like to start by expressing our deep appreciation to all delegations for their cooperation and constructive engagement throughout the negotiations. This cooperation and positive spirit of engagement were vital to ensuring an outcome that was agreeable to all. The draft resolution before us convenes the high- level 2020 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, in Lisbon, and sets its modalities. It reaffirms the commitment made by Portugal and Kenya to following up on the 2017 Conference, which was successfully organized by Sweden and Fiji. More importantly, it marks a renewed mobilization of efforts to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 — essentially to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Allow me to reiterate that the 2017 Conference was indeed a huge success. It raised awareness of the state of the oceans and the many challenges they face. It encouraged tangible, significant commitments by Member States and other stakeholders, and similarly inspired subregional and global conferences like the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, in Nairobi, to support the implementation of Goal 14. The 2017 Conference similarly stimulated new and strong partnerships, with ocean health and sustainability at the core of the discussions. We, however, cannot afford to rest on our laurels. We must continue to maintain the momentum that has been created and carry out the immense work that remains to be done in pursuit of our desired goals for the oceans and seas. That is important, as the full implementation of Goal 14 still faces a number of obstacles, some of which will be difficult to overcome without our combined efforts. More efforts are therefore necessary to reverse the current cycle of decline of ocean and marine resources. The draft resolution also reiterates the fact that the importance of our oceans, our seas and our marine resources for sustainable development cannot be overstated. They provide livelihoods for millions of people, enable food, security and maritime trade, regulate the climate and are an important source of renewable energy. It is for those reasons that we cannot afford to lose more time. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, whose universal and indivisible character we are bound to uphold, provides us with a clear road map of what we need to do if we want future generations to benefit from the wealth of the oceans. We need to ensure that we implement that road map and reaffirm our collective commitment to conserving and sustainably using our oceans, our seas and our marine resources. Failure is not an option. It is therefore imperative that the international community continue to keep the oceans and seas high on its agenda. In that regard, the 2020 United Nations Oceans Conference may not meet all the challenges that we face. However, it will accord us the opportunity to bring about a new generation of concrete, ambitious commitments and help us forge new, inclusive and effective partnerships to support the implementation of Goal 14. We must take advantage of this opportunity to get ourselves one step closer to the realization of our commitments under the 2030 Agenda. In conclusion, Portugal and Kenya are committed to making the 2020 United Nations Oceans Conference in Lisbon a transformative moment for the oceans and for the implementation of Goal 14. We pledge to work closely with Member States and relevant international organizations and partners in preparing for the Conference in June 2020, and to ensure that the Conference delivers on the mandate given it by this organ. We count on the support of the Assembly in this worthy endeavour.

We shall now proceed to consider draft resolution A/73/L.82. I 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 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of draft resolution A/73/L.82, the General Assembly would decide to convene the high-level 2020 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, in Lisbon, from 2 to 6 June 2020, to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. The Assembly would also decide that all costs relating to the Conference and its preparation shall be financed through extrabudgetary resources, and welcome the generous offer by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal to co-host and assume the costs of the Conference. Under the terms of paragraph 30, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to provide appropriate support from all relevant parts of the Secretariat, and in cooperation with other relevant parts of the United Nations system, to the work of the Conference and to facilitate inter-agency cooperation to that end, as well as to ensure the efficient use of resources, so that the objectives of the Conference can be achieved. Pursuant to the requests contained in paragraphs 2, 3 and 30, it is understood that the Governments of Kenya and Portugal would be responsible for the co-hosting of the high-level 2020 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, and would assume all the costs associated with the Conference and its preparation, including all costs relating to the official documentation of the Conference issued before, during and after the Conference. Accordingly, the adoption of draft resolution A/73/L.82 would not give rise to any financial implications under the programme budget.

The Assembly will now take a decision on draft resolution A/73/L.82, entitled “The 2020 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce that, since the submission of the draft resolution, and in addition to those delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of A/73/L.82: Algeria, the Central African Republic, the Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Guinea, Honduras, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Ukraine.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution A/73/L.82?

Before giving the floor to speakers in explanation of position following the adoption of the resolution, I would like to remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I now give the floor to the representative of the United States.

In joining consensus on resolution 73/292, the United States reaffirms the statements and clarifications made at the adoption of resolution 71/312, on 6 July 2017, on the declaration entitled “Our ocean, our future: call for action” (see A/71/PV.90), as well as my country’s explanations of position on relevant outcomes, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The United States supports the spirit of the 2030 Agenda as a framework for development, and we will continue to be a global leader in sustainable development through our policies, partnerships, innovations and calls to action. We recognize the call for shared responsibility, including national responsibility, in the 2030 Agenda and emphasize that all countries have a role to play in achieving its vision. However, the 2030 Agenda also recognizes that each country must work towards implementation in accordance with its own national policies and priorities. We take this opportunity to make important points of clarification with regard to the reaffirmation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Specifically, we note that much of the trade-related language in the Addis Ababa outcome document has been overtaken by events since July 2015. It is therefore immaterial, and our reaffirmation of the outcome document has no standing for ongoing work and negotiations that involve trade. The United States remains committed to working with all stakeholders within and outside the United Nations system to protect our oceans and promote development through its sustainable use. Through our collective commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of the ocean, we can ensure security and economic prosperity.

We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position following the adoption of the resolution. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of the consideration of agenda item 20 and of sub-item (a) of agenda item 78.

Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 25 at its 75th plenary meeting, on 15 April 2019. To enable the Assembly to take action on the draft decision before it today, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 25. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to reopen consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 25? It was so decided (decision 73/504 B).

I now give the floor to the representative of Uganda to introduce draft decision A/73/L.83.

I have the honour to introduce draft decision A/73/L.83, entitled “Twentieth session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation”, for adoption by the General Assembly. I do this on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Bureau of the High- level Committee on South-South Cooperation. The High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation attaches great importance to its regular sessions, as they provide Member States and other relevant stakeholders with the platform to share knowledge, experience and best practices on South-South and triangular cooperation on a voluntary basis in the attainment of sustainable development and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The draft decision contains actions to postpone the twentieth session of the High-level Committee, previously scheduled for June 2019, to allow enough time to prepare for the session, while taking into consideration the Buenos Aires outcome document, which calls upon the Committee to continue to engage with Member States in inclusive and transparent consultations during regular sessions for further enhancing South-South and triangular cooperation. It is our belief that postponing the session would enable the High-level Committee to fully implement the outcome document. We hope that the General Assembly will adopt draft decision A/73/L.83 by consensus, as it has done in previous sessions on issues related to South- South cooperation. Finally, we wish to express our appreciation to all delegations, through their respective Bureau representatives, for their constructive engagement during the informal consultations on the draft decision.

The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/73/L.83, entitled “Twentieth session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision?

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 25?

Members will recall that the General Assembly concluded its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 117 at its 71st plenary meeting, on 25 March 2019. In order for the Assembly to consider the report of the Fifth Committee, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 117. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to reopen consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 117 and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 73/504 B).

The General Assembly will now resume its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 117 entitled “Appointment of members of the Committee on Contributions” in order to consider the report of the Fifth Committee contained in document A/73/483/Add.3, concerning a vacancy in the membership of the Committee on Contributions as a result of the resignation of Ms. Yoon Seongmee of the Republic of Korea. In paragraph 4 of its report, the Fifth Committee recommends that the General Assembly appoint Mr. Na Sang-deok of the Republic of Korea as a member of the Committee on Contributions for a term of office beginning on 9 May 2019 and ending on 31 December 2020. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to appoint Mr. Na Sang-deok of the Republic of Korea as a member of the Committee on Contributions for a term of office beginning on 9 May 2019 and ending on 31 December 2020? It was so decided (decision 73/405 B).

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of sub-item (b) of agenda item 117?