Statement by H.E. Ambassador Masood Khan, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, in the Sixth Committee on the Agenda Item 171 regarding Observer Status for the Developing Eight Countries Organization for Economic Cooperation in the General Assembly (New York – October 14, 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

I take this opportunity to introduce draft resolution A/C.6/69/L.2 on Observer Status for the Developing Eight Countries Organization for Economic Cooperation in the General Assembly, on behalf of the sponsors of the resolution.

Since the publication of the draft resolution as an L-document, Nigeria has joined as sponsor of the resolution.

I would like to draw the attention of the Committee to the Explanatory Memorandum for the grant of observer status to the D-8 Organization, contained in Annex-I to the document A/69/142.

Mr. Chairman,

The D-8 is an intergovernmental organization which was established in June 1997 to promote development cooperation. Its members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

The objectives of the organization are to promote its member states’ role in the global economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, and improve standards of living.

The socio-economic activities of the D-8 are in the areas of interest for the work of the UN General Assembly.

The organization’s activities are guided by its laid down principles: peace instead of conflict; dialogue instead of confrontation; co-operation instead of exploitation; justice instead of double standards; equality instead of discrimination; and democracy instead of oppression.

The D-8 focuses on cooperation in the areas of trade, agriculture and food security, industry and SMEs, transportation, energy, communication and information, finance, banking, privatization, science and technology, poverty alleviation, human resource management, environment, health, tourism, and culture.

These are, in fact, also the priorities of the United Nations in the context of socio-economic growth and sustainable development in the developing countries.

Mr. Chairman,

The Charter of the D-8 stipulates establishment of collaborative relationships with other countries, regional and international organizations, institutions and non-governmental organizations, with a view to establishing partnerships and initiating joint projects. The D-8 Roadmap and Global Vision set the framework for the priority areas of cooperation.

Seeking observer status in the UN General Assembly is in line with the vision of the founders of D-8 to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development and reduction of poverty worldwide, especially in the D-8 community.

The observer status will help the D-8 in furthering its objectives, and developing synergies with the United Nations-led efforts to promote sustainable development .

Mr. Chairman,

We are confident that the grant of observer status to the D-8 will strengthen the linkages between the D-8 and the United Nations and reinforce the mutual benefits that would accrue from this relationship. We appeal to member states to support this request eight countries constituting the D-8.

I thank you.