Statement by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj during the Second Informal Consultations on the Preparations of the Pact for the Future

Chapeau and Chapter 1: Sustainable Development & Financing for Development

1 December 2023, 1000 hrs, ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ

Excellencies, colleagues,

We appreciate the efforts taken by our co-facilitators in the preparatory process of the Summit of the Future.

I would like to reiterate the timeless Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudaiva Kudumbakam,’ translating to ‘the world is one family,’ which we believe should drive our collective vision for A Pact for the Future. Today’s world fraught with conflicts needs a new hope and that would only be possible by “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity,” which is timely and is the theme of the 78^th UNGA. As the recently concluded G20 summit has demonstrated, restoring trust and solidarity will not be possible without the voice of the Global South being represented in key decision making bodies. Hence, our efforts should be to have stronger language on representation of the Global South especially of Africa through a reforming of the multilateral system which should also include a reform of the UNSC in both the categories. We hence hope to see the chapeau reflecting on this imminent need of representation of a voice for the Global South.

Today’s discussion, on sustainable development and financing for development is in a sense, a midpoint between the recently held SDG Summit and the Fourth Financing for Development Conference that will be held in 2025. We are all aware of the challenges amplified in multiple reports including increased conditional financial mechanisms and the shrinking of development financing, while cherry picking some sustainable goals over others. Hence to undo this, my delegation feels that the following should be reflected in the outcome document to give a fillip to Agenda 2030.

First, the philosophy of the SDG agenda itself must be reiterated that it is a landmark not only in its universality, in that it applies to all countries but also in its integrity, in that it can only be successful as a comprehensive agenda. Unfortunately, since its adoption in 2015, not only have we seen the political momentum wither, but we have also witnessed fragmentation in international priorities wherein some goals are deemed more important than others. Such cherry picking is not in our collective interest. Hence, my delegation envisages a Pact that provides us with the tools and direction to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, which are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development - the economic, social and environmental. From India’s perspective, the SDG Summit Political Declaration is a good starting point to build our roadmap on Sustainable Development as part of the Pact, as it not only gives us a clear picture of the existing gaps– both developmental and financial, but also informs us on the urgent action we need to undertake to achieve our goals.

Second, we need to emphasize on the development agenda especially of the Global South as much as we emphasize the climate agenda. Every development model in the past has polluted and caused climate change. Hence globally just energy transition and equitable access to development are essential with an internationally enabling environment to facilitate them. We need to collectively work on the means of implementation and timelines for delivering development while achieving our climate goals and a globally just energy transition. I would also like to place on record that India’s G20 Presidency has been monumental in coming out with some key guiding principles and actions concerning the achievement of agendas in an integrated manner related to climate, environment and sustainable development.

Third, we feel that without the means of implementation in the form of transfer of finance and technology and capacity building from developed to the developing world, we will miss our targets. We urge the developed countries to fully honor their Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments and for providing new and additional financing and the means of implementation of the SDGs in the developing countries.

Fourth, though there is a separate chapter on Global Governance, reforming the global multilateral framework is key to achieving Agenda 2030. Making it more representative for the Global South is fundamental for building a future where truly no one is left behind anywhere in the world. These efforts will enable human-centric globalization without creating a climate crisis or debt crisis. In this regard my delegation would like to reiterate the necessity of advancing the reform of the international financial architecture, such as reforms at IMF and the World Bank Group, which are aligned to supporting the 2030 Agenda and thus needs a strengthening of the voice and participation of developing countries in global international economic and financial institutions. India has consistently championed a cooperative, inclusive, and consultative approach to international relations. We firmly believe that the calls for reformed multilateralism, with Security Council reforms at its core, is supported by the overwhelming majority of the membership. If we do not deliver on these longstanding reforms in the roadmap of the UN in its Summit of the Future, we would have failed ourselves.

I wish to conclude by assuring all partners of India’s continued and constructive engagement in our discussions on the Pact of the Future and we look forward to making useful contributions to the zero-draft of the Pact.

I thank you.

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