Fiji’s role as the Group of 77 (G-77) chair in 2013 is critical to ensure sustainable development challenges and concerns of 132 developing countries are being addressed properly in the United Nations and its agencies.
The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Colonel Timoci Natuva said this while opening the two-day preparatory workshop to the 2013 G-77 chairmanship today.
Colonel Natuva said the effects of Tropical Cyclone Evan had demonstrated how vulnerable we, the small island states, were to natural disasters and climate change.
“There is no doubt that the intensity and frequency of natural disasters in Fiji is increasing. And this has devastating impacts on our economic development and our livelihoods as Fijians,” Colonel Natuva said.
“As such, it is essential for us to be well equipped and have a well-coordinated government machinery in order to carry out our responsibilities as chair of G77 efficiently.
“It is indeed a proud moment in the history of Fiji. It is a testament of the reputation that we have earned and gained within the international community. Importantly, I see our chairmanship as another opportunity for us to further advance our foreign policy, including Pillar 11 of the Peoples Charter: Enhancing Global Integration and International Relations.”
Fiji will become chair of the G-77 in 2013.
The G-77 executive secretary Mr Mourad Ahmia said Fiji had been a strong supporter of the vision, principles and objectives of the Group of 77 and was deeply committed to the cause of the South- South co-operation.
“As a small island developing state, you understand fully the scope for developing countries’ struggle to achieve economic independence and development in this world. We have full confidence in Fiji to champion the cause of developing countries during 2013. We have no doubt that Fiji’s leadership of G77 next year will further strengthen the group’s ranks,” Mr Ahmia said.
He also warned that developing countries would continue to deal with the consequences of the world economic and financial crisis next year.
“The current crisis however, cannot be under any circumstances another excuse by our developed countries to disregard their international commitments, particularly the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” Mr Ahmia said.
“Sustainable development will be at the center of the United Nations´ agenda, with the follow-up process of the Rio +20 Conference and the elaboration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified as the focus of the UN development agenda for the post-2015 period.
“The SDGs will aim at consolidating the achievements under the MDGs by broadening the scope of implementation to integrate the three pillars of sustainable development, namely economic, social and environmental pillars, with a view to further fostering sustainable development agenda and taking equity among nations into due consideration.”
G-77 also gives high political importance to South-South co-operation initiatives.
“We believe the South must be adequately supported by more inclusive and innovative public and private partnership mechanisms in order for developing countries to effectively participate in the development process and the world economy,” Mr Ahmia said.
“The efforts of developing countries to promote and implement South-South cooperation should not be regarded as a substitute for traditional North-South cooperation with our developed partners. The premises are different, the conditions are different, and the expectations are different and must be accordingly reflected,” the executive secretary said.
G-77 is hopeful that Fiji’s leadership will strengthen South-South cooperation initiatives at the sub-regional, regional and inter-regional levels.
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