Permit developing nations to set policy priorities - Dr. Kohona

by Daya Gamage

Countries must be allowed the policy space to set their own domestic priorities while developing the post-2015 development agenda. Instead of demanding that countries re-prioritise domestic spending, there should be a focus on strengthening partnerships between developed and developing countries, backed by a sincere commitment to realise the goals as agreed, Sri Lanka's ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona told the General Assembly during the debate on 'Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda', last week.

Sri Lanka's ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona

He said “there are certain key areas, which we believe, should sustain our attention, in the context of a transformative post-2015 development agenda.”

One was, Dr. Kohona said “Creating a solid and sustainable human resource base for the future is imperative for development”.

Resolution

He singles out Sri Lanka saying it has “mainstreamed youth in its post 2015-development agenda. Youth concerns must remain in the spotlight and the improvement of their skill levels must be a priority. Sri Lanka hosted the Commonwealth Youth Forum in November 2013 and the World Conference on Youth in May 2014. Sri Lanka’s endeavors to table a resolution calling for a World Youth Skills Day reflects the importance that we attach to youth”.

“This year’s resolution must therefore support the ever-increasing demand to give effect for the World Summit on Information Society, which requires active engagement of traditional and non-traditional stakeholders," Dr Kohona said.

Development

"National level policies and strategies, including in my own country, have narrowed down the digital divide and reduced the cost of intermediaries in the supply chain. Sri Lanka’s IT literacy has grown steadily from a mere 3 percent in 2005 to almost 50 percent in 2014, and its IT literacy programs have received international acclamation," he said.

"Sri Lanka has not only encouraged the private sector to invest in ICT with significant concessions, but has also ensured a conducive regulatory framework. Today, ICT is a 720 million dollar exchange earner for the country with a projection of 5 billion dollars by 2022,” Dr. Kohona said.

This is what the impressing record Sri Lanka's ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona presented.

The Government of Sri Lanka's commitment on an inclusive and people-centric development program resulted in:

“Involved bold policy decisions connected with macro-economic management, revitalisation of agriculture, infrastructure development, including rural roads and expressways, ports and airports, irrigation and water distribution, a strong telecommunication network and well distributed urban and township development resulting in a GDP growth of 7.8% and per capita income of US$ 3,280 in 2013.

“Absolute poverty in Sri Lanka declined to 6.7% in 2013 from 15.2% in 2007, surpassing the MDG mid-term target. We will easily achieve the goal of universal primary education by 2015. Increased investments in relevant educational infrastructure have resulted in a drastic reduction in the unemployment level.

“The infant mortality rate of 9.02 per 1,000 live births, is on par with many affluent countries. Our accomplishments in healthcare have been highlighted by UNICEF as a success story”.

Excerpts from the speech.

“As we commence our work in this Committee, our guidelines are encompassed by the overall theme, “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda”, as outlined by the President of the General Assembly.

However, we agree that we need to set priorities as we begin work on the post-2015 development agenda, especially as we transition from the Millennium Development Goals.

The MDGs brought a real sense of optimism to all, especially to the poor and the marginalized. Now, the numerous multilateral processes must converge to create a single and coherent post-2015 development agenda to continue the progress made by the MDGs while adapting to the challenges of our times. We owe this to future generations.

Threat

The post- 2015 Development Agenda must be consistent with the outcomes and agreed principles of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). Centuries of unbridled growth in advanced economies have left little carbon space for the developing world who also yearn for the benefits of development. Balancing economic growth and simultaneously protecting the environment will therefore remain a preeminent challenge.

In this context, it is critical that developed countries honour their commitments and balance the damage that they have done to the environment, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

This would be particularly important as we approach the COPs in Lima this year and Paris in 2015. We no longer can engage in obtuse argumentation as climate change poses a critical threat to the very existence of humanity.

We are grateful to the outstanding work done by the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. Sri Lanka was an active participant of the Open Working Group.

The outcomes of the Open Working Group must be preserved and we firmly believe that they should not be re-opened or re-negotiated. They must be

Clearly, the post- 2015 Development Agenda must focus on implementation. This is vital. The failure of developed countries to fulfill Millennium Goal 8 – to develop a Global Partnership for Development should not be repeated in the post-2015 agenda.

As we develop the agenda, countries must be allowed their policy space to set their own domestic priorities.

Skills

Instead of demanding that countries re-prioritize domestic spending, there should be a focus on strengthening partnerships between developed and developing countries, backed by a sincere commitment to realise the goals as agreed.

There are certain key areas, which we believe that should sustain our attention, in the context of a transformative post -2015 development agenda. Creating a solid and sustainable human resource base for the future is imperative for development.

Sri Lanka has therefore, mainstreamed youth in its post 2015-development agenda.

Youth concerns must remain in the spotlight and the improvement of their skill levels must be a priority. Sri Lanka hosted the Commonwealth Youth Forum in November 2013 and the World Conference on Youth in May 2014. Sri Lanka’s endeavors to table a resolution calling for a World Youth Skills Day reflects the importance that we attach to youth.

Similarly, sustainable industrialisation is a key area in development. Information and Communication Technology is pivotal in future industrialisation, and, therefore, should be an integral part of the post-2015 development agenda. ICT has proved to be a successful catalyst for enhancing and accelerating development in a wide range of countries.

This year’s resolution must therefore support the ever-increasing demand to give effect for the World Summit on Information Society, which requires active engagement of traditional and non-traditional stakeholders.

IT literacy

National level policies and strategies, including in my own country, have narrowed down the digital divide and reduced the cost of intermediaries in the supply chain.

Sri Lanka’s IT literacy has grown steadily from a mere 3 percent in 2005 to almost 50 percent in 2014, and its IT literacy programs have received international acclamation. Sri Lanka has not only encouraged the private sector to invest in ICT with significant concessions, but has also ensured a conducive regulatory framework. Today, ICT is a 720 million dollar exchange earner for the country with a projection of 5 billion dollars by 2022.

Oceans, seas and coastal areas form an integrated and essential component of the Earth's ecosystem and are critical to sustaining it.

Today, these areas account for 3 trillion dollars of global income. Conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources are vital.

Marine resources contribute to poverty eradication, sustained economic growth and food security.

On average, 17% of the global animal protein intake comes from the oceans and seas. The post-2015 development agenda must ensure the sustainable use of our oceans and their resources.

The critical needs of Middle Income Countries must be recognised, while not forgetting the particular vulnerability of Least Developed Countries.

Middle Income countries have the world’s largest workforce and agricultural and industrial capabilities.

The post-2015 development agenda must address issues of reform of global economic governance institutions in order to strengthen the voice and participation of developing countries in decision-making processes. We must firmly recognize that the economic gravity of the world has shifted and this needs to be reflected in these institutions. The world needs a fair international economic system. South-South Cooperation emerges as crucial but this cannot replace existing commitments on North-South cooperation.

Ahead

While we stand on a very important juncture in history, looking forward to implementing a transformative post-2015 development agenda, let me briefly touch upon some of the developmental achievements of Sri Lanka.

The socio-economic accomplishments of Sri Lanka have resulted from the people-centric policies implemented by our government. Our vision has been to distribute the benefits of growth across all segments of the population and to mitigate inequality. Despite being challenged by a ruthless terrorist group, and the devastating 2004 tsunami, Sri Lanka has achieved most of the MDGs. Sri Lanka has been ranked ahead of all South Asian countries in the 2013 Human Development Index.

Through the adoption of the National Development Strategy, the Mahinda Chinthana, ‘Vision for the Future’, the Government of Sri Lanka embarked on an inclusive and people-centric development program.

This has involved bold policy decisions connected with macro-economic management, revitalization of agriculture, infrastructure development, including rural roads and expressways, ports and airports, irrigation and water distribution, a strong telecommunication network and well distributed urban and township development resulting in a GDP growth of 7.8% and per capita income of US$ 3,280 in 2013.

It is also a matter of deep satisfaction to recognize that the economic and political empowerment of the people of the formerly conflict affected North, supported by massive investments in infrastructure and livelihoods, have also contributed to this growth.

Accomplishments

Absolute poverty in Sri Lanka declined to 6.7% in 2013 from 15.2% in 2007, surpassing the MDG mid-term target. We will easily achieve the goal of universal primary education by 2015. Increased investments in relevant educational infrastructure have resulted in a drastic reduction in the unemployment level.

The infant mortality rate of 9.02 per 1,000 live births, is on a par with many affluent countries. Our accomplishments in healthcare have been highlighted by UNICEF as a success story. The early recognition of the crucial role of women in political leadership was demonstrated by Sri Lanka producing the first elected Woman Prime Minister.

This Committee has also within its mandate the subject of “Maintenance of International Peace and Security with special reference to the Permanent Sovereignty of Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory”. Sustainable peace in the region is a critical factor for the maintenance of international peace and security. We reiterate Sri Lanka’s support for the early realization of a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, existing within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side and at peace with Israel. We also look forward to welcoming Palestine as a full member of the United Nations at the earliest. The international community must assist Palestine to grow as a state

Courtesy: Asian Tribune