Plenary

STATEMENT BY MS ARIEL TAN, DELEGATE TO THE 65TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE RESOLUTION, 'SUSTAINED, INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR POVERTY ERADICATION AND ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MDGS', UNDER AGENDA ITEM 13, AT THE 52ND PLENARY MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 23 NOVEMBER 2010

Mr President,

1 I have the honour to deliver this statement on the draft resolution, "Sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth for poverty eradication and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)", tabled under Agenda Item 13. Singapore is pleased to align ourselves with the respective statements delivered by Viet Nam, on behalf of the thirteen member states,* which first proposed the resolution, and that of the Republic of Korea, on behalf of the resolution's eighty-eight co-sponsors.

* Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

2 Through this resolution and its implementation, we hope to encourage a greater emphasis and attention, and exchange of experiences and expertise, on the role of economic growth strategies in efforts to achieve the MDGs.

3 Why? First, there are direct and indirect connections between the eight MDGs; progress in one area often has a positive effect on others. Similarly, we see a basic correlation between sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth and each of these MDGs. Growth is often an indispensible, though insufficient condition for development. It is what helps generate the long-term national resources for achieving the MDGs. Progress on the MDGs front would in turn help promote economic growth. For instance, gender equality in all spheres, including in education and the workforce, could help reduce poverty and drive economic growth. It is therefore useful for countries, in pursuing economic growth and the MDGs, to take into account this close, complex, and often positive relationship, in their national development plans and strategies.

4 This may sound like common sense to most. However, in the real world of scarce resources, compartmentalisation in policy-making and stove-pipe bureaucracies, countries are sometimes presented with a false choice between these goals. Countries should not have to choose, for instance, between environmental sustainability and economic growth - we need to work smarter to find complementarities and achieve both because there will be no good long-term prospects for one without the other.

5 Second, we see benefits in greater cross-regional exchanges of views and expertise on this issue. The UN, with its universal membership, and the deep expertise and wide reach of its institutions, is well-placed to facilitate this exchange. And while the food, fuel and financial crises of recent years have significantly slowed down development efforts, key regions have shown strong improvement in niche areas. Africa and Latin America have made great strides towards education and gender equality. These regions offer valuable lessons for Asia.

6 Countries in Asia would also be keen to participate and offer some of their lessons learnt. A key message would be the critical need for national efforts, including pro-growth strategies and supportive social policies, aimed at lifting millions out of poverty and hunger. In Asia, national strategies and regional cooperation often go hand-in-hand. Regional integration has undoubtedly played an important role in boosting trade, investment and development. One example of this regional approach to collective growth is the ASEAN Connectivity Initiative (ACI). This seeks to close the gaps in road and rail links, and aviation and maritime services, in order to allow people, goods and services to flow more freely within the region. In then linking up with the broader East Asian region and international markets, we bring more opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and development to our people.

7 Open markets and free trade are lynchpins of Asia's growth. The region's belief in the importance of an open international trading system is undiminished despite the fact that the Doha Development Round has stalled. Countries in Asia have embarked on an ambitious series of free trade negotiations, which would hopefully bring impetus to global trade talks.

8 On the whole, regional cooperation in the economic, social, political and security spheres have provided a uniquely enabling environment. This regional approach to development, particularly within the context of South-South cooperation, is one that other regions may find relevant.

9 Third, Singapore has worked bilaterally within ASEAN, with Japan, Korea and others outside of Asia, and formed partnerships with various organisations of the UN system, such as ESCAP, the UNDP, IMF, World Bank, IMO, WTO, and WIPO, to provide technical assistance to other developing countries in macroeconomic and financial management, urban development, trade and tourism promotion, port management, human resource development etc. With the adoption of this resolution and its implementation, Singapore hopes to do more, to learn from other countries, and work with them to contribute towards the sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth of all countries.

10 Thank you.

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