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Mr. Chairman,
My delegation associates itself with the statement made by the Representative
of Jamaica on behalf of G-77 and China.
2. In 1992, we adopted Agenda 21 and committed to eliminate poverty through
sustainable development. That resolve has been reiterated ever since. As we
entered the new millennium, the international community set itself time-bound
targets of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A decade after the Rio
Conference, the World Summit on Sustainable Development took stock of our
failures and successes. The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation demonstrated our
renewed resolve to address the challenges of poverty and under- development by
forging global partnerships.
3. However, thirteen years since Rio and scores of international conferences in
between, the dark shadows of poverty, disease, under-development and
environmental degradation continue to defy our endeavors. Not only that the
situation has not changed, in many cases it has deteriorated. This is
disappointing.
4. Globalization, Mr. Chairman, seems to have accentuated economic asymmetries.
However, it has also brought into sharp focus the close relationships between
trade, finance, and technology, and sustainable development. Today, in this
inter-linked and inter-dependent world, the need for integration of the three
components of sustainable development – economic growth, social development and
environmental protection- as mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable
development, is felt more than ever.
5. It is indeed encouraging that at the 2005 World Summit last September, the
world leaders expressed unequivocal determination to ensure full and timely
realization of the internationally agreed development goals by undertaking
“concrete actions and measures at all levels”.
6. In follow up to the World Summit, we need to move expeditiously to realize
the implementation of internationally agreed development goals, including those
relating to the three pillars of sustainable development.
Mr. Chairman,
7. We thank the Secretary-General for his reports on Agenda item 52 and its sub
items. Pakistan fully supports the Secretary General’s call on the donor
governments and international financial institutions to provide funding support
to developing countries in key policy options and practical measures as
identified by CSD-13.
8. Pakistan attaches high importance to the second implementation cycle of the
CSD focusing on “Energy, Climate Change, Industrial Development, and Air
Pollution/atmosphere”. Energy is of critical significance to development.
Expanding economies and rapid population growth have already burdened the
resources of energy. Adaptation and development of alternate sources of energy
are therefore essential. Equally important is the need for investment in the
field of renewable energy resources.
Mr. Chairman,
9. There is a clear relationship between disasters, rehabilitation and
development. Natural disasters severely affect hard-earned developmental gains
in developing countries. The link between poverty and environmental degradation
turns natural hazards into disasters. Many disasters reflect the underlying
crisis in development facing developing countries. Sustainable development is,
therefore, essential for better preparedness in dealing with natural disasters.
10. For its part, the United Nations can play a crucial role in mobilizing and
assisting with relief and rehabilitation efforts. In order to ensure smooth
transition from relief to rehabilitation and development, humanitarian
assistance should be provided in a manner that supports and facilitates long
term development.
11. In this regard, we welcome Secretary General’s report on sub item “c” on
International Strategy for Disaster reduction (ISDR). We concur with his call
that the world community urgently needs to join forces to break the vicious
relationship between poverty, environmental degradation and natural disasters. I
would also like to recall here the decision of the World Summit 2005 relating to
the full implementation of the Hyogo Declaration and Hyogo Framework of Action
2005-2015 and the commitments related to assistance for developing countries in
the post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation processes. We support
strengthening of regional mechanisms for collaboration and networking in support
of national and local efforts to reduce disaster risk, as recommended by the
Secretary General. We also stress the need for strengthening and promoting
global mechanisms to develop capacities and establish early warning systems.
12. The unprecedented scale of death and destruction in Pakistan in the wake of
earthquake on October 8, 2005, has highlighted the need for a permanent
mechanism at the international level, guided by the UN, which is able to respond
quickly to such catastrophes and to engage the international community for a
well planned reconstruction strategy. This need was also underscored recently by
the world leaders in the September Summit and reflected in the Outcome Document.
Mr. Chairman,
13. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) has reached near
universality and the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 152 states, Pakistan
being one of them. We are encouraged by references in the Summit Outcome calling
for assistance to developing countries to integrate goals into their sustainable
development strategies. Changing unsustainable patterns of production and
consumption, particularly in the developed world and provision of support
particularly in the areas of capacity building and technology transfer to
developing countries remains crucial to efforts for the protection of
environment. In this regard we call for coordinated efforts by UN agencies to
implement the ‘Bali Strategic Plan for Capacity Building and Technology Support’
at the earliest.
14. Pakistan has taken significant measures in this regard. Pakistan
Environmental Protection Act, in force since 1997, has led to building of
capacity of environmental protection agencies. Pakistan’s National Conservation
Strategy (NCS) has helped strengthen environmental institutions. In partnership
with UNDP, the government of Pakistan is implementing the National Environmental
Action Plan. It aims to achieve economic growth without causing damage to the
environment. Pakistan is also promoting renewable forms of energy, winds, solar
and bio-gas, so as to increase its share in total power generation to at least
10% by 2015.
15. Pakistan is fully committed to the implementation of Agenda 21, the
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, and other internationally agreed
developmental goals, including the MDGs. Together with our partners in the
international community, the civil society and other stakeholders; we shall
continue our march to the realization of the agreed goals.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.