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STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. SUKHBOLD SUKHEE, AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MONGOLIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AGENDA ITEM 20: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Presenter: 
H.E. MR. SUKHBOLD SUKHEE, AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MONGOLIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Location: 
CB 2

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representative of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, and the distinguished representative of Zambia on behalf of the group of LLDCs.

Mr. Chairman,

Mongolia is fully committed to sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development effectively reflects the achievements and lessons learned from the implementation of the MDGs, and will create a new roadmap for global development for the next 15 years.

Mongolia has made significant progress in the implementation of the MDGs. The Mongolian economy has experienced steadfast growth for the last 14 years. As a result, Mongolia’s GNI per capita reached US$ 3,770 in 2013 according to the World Bank estimate, and Mongolia has joined the rankings of lower-middle income countries, which has been a major step forward for the country.  

However, Mongolia could not halve the poverty level, but succeeded in reducing poverty by one third to 27.4 percent in 2013 from 36.3 percent in 1995. Mongolian experience shows that high economic growth does not necessarily enable everyone to participate in and benefit from economic opportunities and effective social policies. Therefore, it is important to continue to recognize "poverty eradication" as the overarching objective for the realization of sustainable development in the country.

I believe, poverty eradication, inclusive growth and efforts to combat climate change are mutually reinforcing goals that can provide prosperity and security for current and future generations.

Mr. Chairman,

Recently, Mongolia has completed its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  The INDC of Mongolia has its conceptual roots in the National Green Development Policy (NGDP), approved by the Mongolian Parliament in 2014, which addresses key sectorial action plans at the national level, including energy and agriculture sectors are being adjusted. Key indicators for measuring progress in the implementation of the NGDP include the savings of natural resources derived from production and services, level of recycling, green employment, green procurement, sustainable use of energy, water, reduction of GHG emissions, and ecological footprint per unit of production.

Mr. Chairman,

Mongolia believes that global development cooperation and partnership will play a significant and unique role to support in the implementation of 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Mongolia supports a renewed global partnership and holds a positive outlook on the future of development cooperation.

I would like to highlight few areas, which are significant to my delegation. Mongolian traditional nomadic culture is rooted in the idea of living in harmony with nature, which in modern terms translate to sustainability. The effects of climate change, increased natural disaster frequency, water scarcity, land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss, and air pollution are major environmental challenges Mongolia faces today.

In this context, Mongolia supports the international efforts on water, in particular support to continue a new Decade on Water for Sustainable Development. Mongolia also recognizes the importance of establishing national coordination mechanisms to foster implementation of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk reduction. We are looking forward to the successful outcome of the UNCCD COP 12, which will complete its agenda this week in Ankara.

Mongolia believes that the Vienna Action Programme will respond to the needs and challenges of LLDCs, associated with their lack of direct territorial access to the sea, remoteness and isolation from the world trade market and to overcome their vulnerabilities and build resilience.

Mongolia hopes that a new climate agreement to be adopted at the COP 21 in Paris this December will give due consideration to challenges faced by developing countries, in particular by LLDCs. A few weeks ago at the UNGA 70th Session, the President of Mongolia emphasized the importance of this meeting by stating, “the future of the SDGs will depend on how successful the Paris climate conference will conclude”.  

Finally, I would like to reiterate profound significance of our work to implement and achieve the SDGs. We must continue our united effort in improving the state of the world and strive towards leaving a better planet for generations to come.

I thank you for your attention.