Second Committee

STATEMENT BY MS WU YE-MIN, FIRST SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 19: ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SECOND COMMITTEE, 31 OCTOBER 2011 

1. I would like to begin by aligning myself with the statements by Argen-tina, on behalf of the G77 and China, and Indonesia, on behalf of ASEAN, on this agenda item.

Mr Chairman,

2. We at the UN often highlight sustainable development as a key priority for many countries. We should match our words with deeds. In this regard, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20) in June 2012 provides a timely and important opportunity for Member States, the UN system and other stakeholders to take stock, reflect and improve on the work done in the sustainable development field in the last ten to twenty years. Three areas for reflection are:

(a) First, examine the gaps in the sustainable development infrastructure and address why these gaps exist and how we can effectively tackle them. For example, why has there been a lack of political will to strengthen UNEP and provide it with the support it needs to fulfil its mandate;

(b) Second, study the initiatives and measures that have and have not worked so that we can continue to build on our successes and avoid repeat-ing our mistakes. The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) is a case in point. We should ask ourselves why was CSD able to attract high-level representation when it was first established but not in the last few years? Why did CSD fail to reach an outcome twice in its last three cycles; and

(c) Third, evaluate the work of the Second Committee in promoting sustain-able development. For example, does negotiating multiple sustainable de-velopment resolutions every year, including on issues where the primary forum is clearly not the UN General Assembly, help in any way in moving the sustainable development agenda forward? Given the sheer number of such resolutions, how do we ensure coherence, let alone adopt a holistic ap-proach to implement sustainable development? Do multiple proposals on creating new trust funds actually enhance financing for sustainable devel-opment?

Mr Chairman,

3. It is only by looking at the hard questions can we find the real answers to problems that we have been trying to tackle in the sustainable development field in the last few decades. In this context, my delegation would like to share some views:

(a) First, creating new structures and bodies can only work if we understand where we went wrong with the existing framework for sustainable development. Otherwise, they are placebos that will not improve the current sys-tem and could even burden the system;

(b) Second, coordination at the national level is key to greater coherence and coordination in the sustainable development framework. It is futile for the UN to call for greater coordination with the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWI) if our own representatives at the BWIs are not calling for such coor-dination with the UN; and

(c) Third, we need to go beyond our usual negotiating rituals and rediscover the spirit that went into Rio in 1992. Today, we are facing many serious challenges, underpinned by a common longing for real social justice. We must use this moment and bring together governments, citizens and busi-nesses to implement Agenda 21, the JPOI and the outcome of Rio + 20. Sustainable development needs to be integrated into the lifestyles of the 21st Century.

Mr Chairman,

4. I would like to conclude by highlighting that the implementation of sus-tainable development should take place at all levels, including at the UN. In this regard, we should look around this building and ask where the recycling bins are, given the large amount of paper we go through each day. If we want to conserve forests, we should start by looking at how many trees we can save by implement-ing a proper system to recycle paper. We should also question why there are not more options for non-plastic food and drink containers at the Vienna Cafe. Because if we do not practise sustainable development, who are we expecting to do so for us?

Thank you.

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