Statement by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Pankin at the event of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN “Progress in the implementation of the Global Development Initiative”
Dear Colleagues,
Russia was one of the first to join the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), which we consider as an important complementary tool for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is especially relevant during the recovery from negative socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and against the background of other global threats.
The primary goals of the GDI are commendable. It timely emphasizes fight against poverty, ensuring food security, promotes human-centred approach
to development, develops social partnerships, highlights the imperative to support countries most in need, including through technology transfer and innovation.
Distinguished Colleagues,
We are only seven years away from the agreed deadline for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current situation in the world does not give us much optimism. Confrontation and split between countries are still on, driving economic wars and pressure by the use of illegal coercive measures in trade and economy; food and energy prices are rising; half of the world's population lives below the poverty line.
At the same time, Western countries continue to pursue a policy towards weakening the UN, blurring the principle of “division of labor” between the main bodies of the Organization, undermining the intergovernmental nature of decision-making and making assistance to developing countries subject to political preconditions.
Against this background, we support the focus of the GDI on stimulating South-South and triangular cooperation with the participation of new donors. It is important to unite efforts in order to reverse the current negative trends and give a qualitatively new impetus to unifying instruments based on a strong consensus of all member countries. There is an increasing demand for universal creative programs, within which it is possible and necessary to form common approaches, work on rapprochement of positions and strengthening trust, thereby defusing the global crisis and helping those most in need.
At the same time, it is necessary to fight the fragmentation of efforts – that is not to produce alternative dialogue platforms, but, on the contrary, to concentrate
on creating synergy between various platforms and framework programs in the field of sustainable development. The GDI is one such unifying agenda. This initiative to accelerate progress towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals has significant potential to consolidate the efforts of the international community, overcome discrimination and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.
We continue to follow with interest the practical results of the initiative. We welcome the announcement of significant investments in the South-South Cooperation Support Fund and the China-UN Joint Peace and Development Fund. We are ready to join the events held within the framework of the GDI, including the involvement of our national experts in research work and the preparation of joint reports.
Thank you.
