Press Statement by the Global Governance Group (3G) on its Sixth 3G Ministerial Meeting in New York, 25 September 2013

The Global Governance Group (3G) ^[1] held its Sixth Ministerial Meeting in New York on 25 September 2013, on the sidelines of the 68th United Nations General Assembly.  As part of its efforts to promote a more effective, accountable and inclusive framework of global governance, the 3G had a constructive dialogue with the President of the 68th United Nations General Assembly, H.E. John Ashe, as well as the past, present and future Chairs of the G20 - Mexico, Russian Federation, and Australia - during the meeting.

The 3G Ministers had a fruitful exchange with the G20 members on the outcomes of the G20 Summit in Saint Petersburg.  Taking note that global growth continues to be weak and unemployment remains high in many countries, the 3G Ministers welcomed the Saint Petersburg Action Plan, which presents a comprehensive set of actions to stimulate economic activities and boost job creation.  The Ministers also welcomed the G20’s commitment to take broad-range action, tailored to national circumstances, to promote more and better quality jobs.  They expressed support for the first G20 joint Labour, Employment and Finance Ministers’ meeting, which enhanced coordination and integration within the G20 to support jobs growth.  

The 3G Ministers agreed that more international cooperation was needed to overcome fiscal and financial imbalances.  They urged the G20 members to continue to support financial inclusion and help in building an integrated and resilient global financial system.  In this regard, 3G Ministers called on the G20 to refrain from global standard-setting exercises, best placed in a formal organisation with universal membership.  Noting the key role of long-term investment for sustainable growth and jobs, the Ministers agreed that ‘Financing for Investment’ is a useful and practical topic for the G20 to discuss and continue to focus on. 

The 3G Ministers recognised the importance of an open, rules-based and transparent multilateral trading system in restoring global growth.  In this regard, they welcomed the G20’s reaffirmation of the centrality of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in global trade.  The Ministers reiterated their call for G20 members to push for a swift conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations.  To that end, they urged for a successful outcome at the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali in December 2013.  The Ministers also welcomed the G20’s extension until the end of 2016 their standstill commitment on new protectionist measures and reaffirmed commitment to roll back new protectionist measures.

The 3G Ministers were encouraged that the G20 stated its intention to support ongoing efforts in the United Nations on the post-2015 development agenda.  In this regard, they welcomed the G20’s endorsement of the Saint Petersburg Development Outlook. The Ministers reiterated its call on the G20 and other relevant stakeholders to continue to help developing countries achieve sustainable growth through measures such as poverty eradication, promotion of green growth and the fight against climate change.  The Ministers also welcomed the reaffirmation by the G20 on its commitment on fossil fuel subsidy reform.

The Ministers took stock of the efforts of the 3G to promote an effective, accountable and inclusive framework of global governance, and in this context underlines the importance of General Assembly resolution 67/289 “The United Nations in global economic governance”, adopted by the General Assembly on 9 July 2013.  They urged the G20 to strengthen its engagement of non-members as well as regional and international organisations, in particular the United Nations.  The Ministers reiterated the role of the United Nations as the only global body with universal participation and unquestioned legitimacy, and stressed that the actions and decisions of the G20 should complement and strengthen the United Nations system.  The Ministers also called on the G20 to go beyond consultations with non-G20 members, groupings like 3G and relevant stakeholders, and find ways to incorporate their inputs into G20 outcomes.  The Ministers expressed their appreciation for the Russian Federation’s engagement of the 3G during its G20 chairmanship this year.

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26 September 2013

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[1] The 3G comprises the following Member States of the United Nations: Bahamas, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, the Republic of Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Republic of the Philippines, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of San Marino, the Republic of Senegal, the Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovenia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.