Your Excellency Abdulla Shahid, President of the General Assembly,
Your Excellency Ambassador Luigi Mattiolo, G20 Sherpa of Italy,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to join the President of the General Assembly in welcoming Ambassador Mattiolo to brief Member States on the outcome of the G20, under the Italian G20 Presidency.
I congratulate Italy on the successful G20 Rome Summit. And I extend my sincere gratitude to Ambassador Mattiolo for his leadership, and strong engagement with the United Nations.
As we meet today, the emergence of a new variant cast uncertainties to a sustainable recovery. Fighting the pandemic, addressing the financing needs of the most vulnerable countries, accelerating climate action, and building the resilience of societies, should be at the front and center of the UN-G20 collaboration.
First and foremost, ensuring vaccine equity remains the immediate priority. It is crucial that the G20 implement its pledge to substantially increase the provision of and access to vaccines. And, to significantly narrow the existing vaccination gaps, in line with the WHO’s global vaccination strategy.
Global health threats are multidimensional and complex in nature, and require a robust multilateral and multisectoral response. The work of the G20 on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, should take into consideration the concerns of the broader 缅北禁地membership.
The United Nations has contributed to the G20 Health and Finance Initiative under the Italian Presidency. It looks forward to continuing the engagement with the newly launched G20 Joint Finance-Health Task Force.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Developing countries have been hit particularly hard by liquidity and debt sustainability challenges. The series of steps taken by the G20, including the DSSI, the implementation of the Common Framework, and general allocation of SDRs, are important initial actions.
More durable solutions to achieve longer-term debt sustainability are imperative. We must strengthen inclusive dialogues and mechanisms on sovereign debt, to advance:
- debt transparency and
- responsible lending and borrowing, and
- the rules of engagement, including with the private sector.
Domestic resources mobilization remains the bedrock for investing in SDGs. The political agreement to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalization of the Economy, by G20, demonstrated strong momentum for global tax reform.
A stabilized and more certain system for taxation, of the more digitalized and globalized economy, will be best achieved by a tax system that – at both the political and technical levels – reflects the reality of modern and evolving business models, but also the needs and realities of developing countries. All partners, including the G20, should step up efforts to help developing countries strengthen their capacities to engage effectively, in tax norm and policy shaping.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The G20 commitment to significantly reduce collective greenhouse gas emissions is commendable. More decisive and ambitious climate actions are needed, to make the 1.5-degree Celsius target within reach.
For countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis, adapting and building resilience is not a luxury, but rather an urgent priority. We need a step-change in supporting developing countries as they make the shift to sustainable economies.
The Secretary-General has repeatedly called on developed countries to deliver and surpass the $100 billion dollar goal. All developed countries need to do more – not only in terms of quantity – but also in terms of quality.
The shift to align public and private financial flows with the achievement of Net Zero emissions and SDGs, must be accelerated, as envisioned in the G20 Sustainable Finance Roadmap.
Distinguished Delegates,
The massive human suffering and inequalities caused by the pandemic, have highlighted the crucial importance of a renewed social contract, leaving no one behind.
I welcome the G20 call to adopt human-centered policy approaches to promote social dialogue. And, to ensure greater social justice and decent work for all, with particular focus on enhancing women’s employment.
Developing countries face specific challenges in providing essential social services, as well as safeguarding and expanding social protection systems. The 缅北禁地stands ready to work with the G20, in exploring further international support measures for developing countries, in building the first line of defense against future shocks.
Ambassador Mattiolo,
As you pass the torch to Indonesia, I wish to acknowledge, on behalf of the Secretary-General, the strong collaboration between the Italian G20 Presidency and the United Nations. The Secretary-General outlined his vision to further UN-G20 cooperation in his Our Common Agenda report. I look forward to continuing the productive engagements with the G20 under the Indonesian Presidency.
I thank you.