[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/strong><\/p>\n Mr. Dennis Francis,<\/strong><\/p>\n at the Informal meeting of the plenary to hear a briefing by the Co-Chairs of the High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for Small Island Developing States<\/strong><\/p>\n 28 March 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n [As Delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your Excellencies, Gaston Brown and Erna Solberg, Co-Chairs of the High-level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for Small Island Developing States (SIDS),<\/p>\n Under-Secretaries-General of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ-DESA and OHRLLS,<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Distinguished Delegates,<\/p>\n Welcome to today\u2019s informal plenary meeting \u2013 which is intended to allow the Co-chairs of the High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States to present their final report.<\/p>\n I extend a warm welcome to the esteemed Co-Chairs \u2013 His Excellency, Mr. Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and\u00a0 Barbuda, and Her Excellency, Ms. Erna Solberg, former Prime Minister of Norway \u2013 and the Panel members joining us today, both virtually and in-person, with sincere thanks for the opportunity to engage with them on their important work.<\/p>\n As you will recall, in 2022, the President of the General Assembly at the 76th session appointed the High-Level Panel on the Development of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index for Small Island Developing States.<\/p>\n Its 12 members \u2013 world leading experts from the public sector, academia, civil society, and the private sector \u2013 have spent the last two years developing a proposed structure for the MVI.<\/p>\n On behalf of the General Assembly \u2013 and indeed on my own behalf \u2013 I wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Co-Chairs and the entire Panel for their exemplary work in producing the final report, which, inter alia, contains the MVI and recommendations for advancing the Index.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n The need for the MVI stems from the necessity to recognize that vulnerability to exogenous shocks, itself, is an impediment to a country\u2019s sustainable development.<\/p>\n Vulnerability, therefore, should be considered a factor in determining a country\u2019s eligibility for development assistance \u2013 particularly if the country lacks resilience.<\/p>\n We know that the exorbitant costs of climate change, debt burden, health emergencies \u2013 and especially, disaster prevention, preparation, and recovery \u2013 are an increasing burden on countries that are the most vulnerable to external shocks.<\/p>\n This is especially true for countries in special situations \u2013 that is, the Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries.<\/p>\n And against this backdrop, I wish to particularly highlight the tireless efforts of Small Island Developing States \u2013 for being at the forefront of advocacy for the establishment of the MVI.<\/p>\n To fulfil my mandate and commitment to addressing the special needs of the most vulnerable countries, I have convened my Board of Advisors on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, as well as organized a morning Gayap Dialogue in February, to gain insight and guidance on the best ways to advance the MVI.<\/p>\n Because one thing is clear: traditional measures of development \u2013 such as the GNI per capita \u2013 simply do not fully capture a country\u2019s risk of harm from exposure to adverse external\u00a0 shocks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n The final edited version of the High-Level Panel\u2019s Final report was circulated a few weeks ago \u2013 on 4 March 2024.<\/p>\n Earlier on 6 February, I appointed His Excellency, Mr. Walton Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda, and Her Excellency, Ms. Ana Paula Zacarias, Permanent Representative of Portugal, as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental process, mandated by resolution 78\/232, to consider the recommendations contained in the final report.<\/p>\n I sincerely thank the Co-Facilitators for accepting this role \u2013 and I trust that they will receive the full support and cooperation from the Member States and other stakeholders in this important undertaking.<\/p>\n I welcome this final report as a starting point \u2013 a valuable tool to advance the development of the MVI, which in turn, can assist countries in gaining access to the development support they need before a crisis hits.<\/p>\n It can also aid in the formulation of evidence-based and risk-informed policies to help countries reduce their vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n I strongly encourage Member States to use today\u2019s excellent opportunity to engage with the High-Level Panel co-chairs to better understand the MVI and the recommendations contained in their report.<\/p>\n The opportunity is timely \u2013 as Member States will soon embark on the important process to consider the MVI\u2019s applicability, scope, custodianship and governance, as well as ways to improve the MVI that would allow for its implementation, with the duty of reporting back to the General Assembly by the end of the 78th session, in accordance with resolution A\/RES\/78\/232\/.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Distinguished Delegates,<\/p>\n I trust that today\u2019s meeting will serve as a solid start to this essential process \u2013 with the aim of building consensus to advance the MVI.<\/p>\n Together, let us build a more resilient, prosperous future for the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, ensuring that no nation is left behind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I thank you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n * *** *<\/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 General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, at the Informal meeting of the plenary to hear a briefing by the Co-Chairs of the 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