President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s speech in Bolivia:
‘G77’s original vision still valid’
The G-77 + China was set up when most developing countries were
struggling to cast off the legacy of colonialism, and achieve
development and eliminate poverty. Since the birth of the Group, much
has been gained, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the 50th Anniversary
Commemoration Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of
77+China in Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Bolivia on June 15.
Since the birth of the Group, much has been gained, President Mahinda
Rajapaksa told the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Summit of Heads of
State and Government of the Group of 77+China in Santa Cruz de La
Sierra, Bolivia on June 15.
“A re-vitalised G77 will no doubt provide the necessary fillip to
reach our common goal of a more equitable and just international order,”
he said.
The President said some parts of the New International Economic Order
(NIEO) have been realised others have not. The G77’s original founding
vision of unity, solidarity and development, remains relevant. It is in
this context that Sri Lanka has been closely associated with the work of
the G77, and is currently the Chair of the Group’s Vienna Chapter.
Solidarity
“Today, we live in a world where many developing countries are no
longer dependent on ODA hand-outs from a few developed countries. “Some
of our members have achieved development comparable to countries in the
North. Others have improved their economies to become major players in
the world.
“Despite the burden of 27 years of terrorism, my country has
succeeded in leaving behind the indignity of poverty. Sri Lanka has
attained middle-income status.
“Solidarity manifested at the highest levels among the developing
countries, will help invigorate the collective efforts of the South to
put economic and development concerns of the Group, on top of the global
agenda. This is important to ensure that key issues of concern for
developing countries receive due recognition in the post-2015
Development Agenda. By availing of South-South Cooperation towards this
end, ‘a new world order for living well’, which is the theme of our
deliberations today, could be achieved.
The full text of the President’s
speech:
“It gives me great pleasure to join you in this beautiful city of
Santa Cruz de La Sierra to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the
founding of the Group of 77 and China.
“Thank you for the generous hospitality extended to me and my
delegation. This is my first visit to your great country. I have
observed the manner in which you have guided the people of Bolivia,
despite many challenges.
As the Group of 77 and China marks its Golden Jubilee this year, I am
confident that your leadership will revitalise our Organisation. Your
Excellency, your determined and far-sighted leadership was amply evident
from the profound words you expressed yesterday.
Better world
“The G-77 and China was established when most developing countries
were struggling to cast off the legacy of colonialism, and achieve
development and eliminate poverty. Since the birth of the Group, much
has been gained. However, there is still a long way ahead. I recall the
adoption of the framework of a New International Economic Order (NIEO),
with aspirations of creating a better world for all our peoples. Some
parts of the NIEO have been realised others have not.
The G77’s original founding vision of unity, solidarity and
development, remains relevant. It is in this context that Sri Lanka has
been closely associated with the work of the G77, and is currently the
Chair of the Group’s Vienna Chapter.
“Today, we live in a world where many developing countries are no
longer dependent on ODA hand-outs from a few developed countries.
Some of our members have achieved development comparable to countries
in the North. Others have improved their economies to become major
players in the world.
We can boast that almost 40% of the world’s industrial output comes
from just two of our members, India and China. Millions in the
developing world have been saved from poverty by the economic surge
achieved by some members of our Group.
“Literacy levels, health services and employment opportunities have
improved in the countries of the South.
Foreign currency reserves of G-77 States have reached record levels.
It is the market for commodities and manufactured goods, and the credit
provided by developing countries that sustained the economies of many
advanced countries, during the recent recession. This partnership, if
managed efficiently, will benefit the North and South.
“However, it is disappointing, Mr Chairman, that the commitments made
to transfer 0.7% of the GNI of developed economies to those developing
have not been met.
Had this happened, many developing countries would have succeeded in
emerging from poverty, to a more acceptable level of development.
Commitments are made to be kept – not simply to grab heart-warming
headlines.
“Currently, development receives less significance in multi-lateral
fora, and 2015 is a determining juncture of the global development
agenda.
Reforms
The G77 and China need to focus on the inter-link between the
processes of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Climate Change
negotiations.
Reforms of the global governance framework are critical for us in the
South to secure support for a pro-development agenda. This is essential
if the nations in the South are to realise their full potential.
“The sovereign rights of states, non-interference and political and
economic independence are linked. Continued economic dependence and the
global domination of financial, economic and technological systems by a
few nations have made many developing countries economically and
politically vulnerable.
This makes it important for countries of the South to chart their
course wisely. Focus therefore, should be on development models
culminating in sustainable development, balancing material progress,
spiritual well-being, and protection of the environment.
Hub status
“Despite the burden of 27 years of terrorism, my country has
succeeded in leaving behind the indignity of poverty. Sri Lanka has
attained middle-income status.
We have also achieved an impressive literacy rate, thanks to free
education, effective free of charge healthcare system, and a low
unemployment rate. We have constructed a new network of highways and
railways, harbors, airports and other infrastructure facilities. Sri
Lanka will use these new facilities to attain the Government’s goal to
become an aviation, shipping, knowledge and financial hub.
“Sri Lanka has taken a proactive role in the Open Working Group of
the United Nations, on developing the Post 2015 Sustainable Development
Agenda. We have advocated for the mainstreaming of youth aspirations and
concerns in the global agenda. Sri Lanka hosted the World Conference on
Youth in May this year.
The Colombo Declaration on Youth, was finalised with the
participation of policy makers, and young people to formulate youth
initiatives in accordance with respective national requirements. Youth
are not only our future but also our present.
“Within the Open Working Group, Sri Lanka has also advocated
industrialisation as a possible solution to unemployment challenges.
It was industrialisation that expanded employment opportunities and
generated vast wealth in many countries of the North. I note that UNIDO
has endorsed industrialisation to address unemployment for the future.
Lessons
“The eradication of poverty and hunger must remain high on our
agenda. Over a billion human beings are victims of poverty. An essential
part of our approach must be to provide relevant education and
marketable skills to expand employment opportunities.
Unemployment in Sri Lanka has come down to around 4.1% as a result of
a policy approach entitled, the “Mahinda Chinthana”. The Sri Lankan
model is not the only one for developing countries, but, certainly,
there are lessons to be learnt from our success story.
This is especially so, with regard to practical modalities for the
elimination of terrorism, which has made stable government as well as
economic and social progress possible. “A future knowledge based economy
will need to be reliant on ICT. Sri Lanka in this context, has declared
the goal of ensuring ICT literacy for over 70% of our population, by the
year 2016. Many economies have surged forward dramatically, by embracing
ICT. Therefore, we must have in place, clear policies for utilisation of
ICT.
While development of ICT must remain a firm priority, we must always
be alive to the potential for abuse, which puts in danger the well-being
of our youth, in particular. “This is why a sense of balance is
essential in formulating our policies in this field.
Resources
“Oceans are of immense importance to Sri Lanka and many other
countries, particularly small island states. Oceans produce 3 trillion
dollars’ worth of goods and services annually. Many in the developing
world are dependent on oceans for their livelihood and nutrition.
However, oceans and its resources are under threat due to
over-exploitation and pollution. G-77 and China must take the lead in
ensuring that the oceans are adequately protected, and sustainably
used.“Human activity has pushed the global climate to near tipping
point. If we continue with business as usual, future generations will be
condemned to an uncertain existence.
The prospect of climate related refugee flows is also of serious
concern. Climate change must be dealt holistically, in a practical
manner in keeping with the principle of common, but differentiated
responsibility.
“Solidarity manifested at the highest levels among the developing
countries, will help invigorate the collective efforts of the South to
put economic and development concerns of the Group, on top of the global
agenda. This is important to ensure that key issues of concern for
developing countries receive due recognition in the post-2015
Development Agenda.
By availing of South-South Cooperation towards this end, ‘a new world
order for living well’, which is the theme of our deliberations today,
could be achieved.
“A re-vitalised G77 will no doubt provide the necessary fillip to
reach our common goal of a more equitable and just international order.
“I take this opportunity to thank you once again, for hosting this
event in this beautiful city of Santa Cruz”.
- Asian Tribune |