[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-21px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Remarks by the President of the 78th session of the General Assembly,<\/strong><\/p>\n H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis,<\/strong><\/p>\n Eighth Ministerial Meeting<\/em>\u00a0of the\u00a0Like<\/em>–Minded Group<\/em>\u00a0for\u00a0Middle<\/em>–Income Countries<\/em><\/p>\n [recorded]<\/strong><\/p>\n 21 September 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this important and timely discussion.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My sincere apologies for not being able to join you in person, despite my keen interest to be involved on issues that affect your group of countries.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Clearly, achieving the SDGs by 2030 requires that the distinct and peculiar challenges faced by different countries be taken into account.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It will simply not be possible to achieve these Goals without the involvement of the Middle-Income Countries (MICs).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This group of nations represent 75% of the global population and 33% of the global GDP.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is therefore imperative that the MICs be empowered with the tools they need to deliver on the SDGs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of being abandoned on the premise that they are adequately covered in view of their economic status, there should be effective and inclusive access for them to concessional and non-concessional finance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is not only good for middle-income countries, but for the broader international community.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Adequate support measures would enhance the ability of these countries not only to achieve sustainable development, but also to enhance their comparative advantage to contribute to schemes such as South-South and Triangular Cooperation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As drivers of South-South and Triangular cooperation; and changemakers in addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and migration, middle-income countries are at the forefront of development policy and action.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Empowering middle-income countries can therefore catalyze co-benefits for the entirety of the developing world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In that regard, I welcome the priorities identified by the Like-Minded Group of Countries to advance the interests of the MICs, including:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let me end by reassuring you that, during my Presidency, I am committed to engaging further with your group of countries, and my Office stands ready to support you in realizing these priorities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I wish you a constructive discussion, and I look forward to taking this conversation forward throughout the 78th session.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the 78th session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, Eighth Ministerial Meeting\u00a0of the\u00a0Like-Minded Group\u00a0for\u00a0Middle-Income Countries [recorded] 21 September 2023 \u00a0 Excellencies,\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Thank […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-272591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n\n