General Assembly President urges extending benefits of sustainable development

The President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, today called for action to extend the benefits of sustainable development to all people, particularly those living in poorer countries, and urged the international community to develop consensus on how that can be done.

“Sustainable development relies on the willingness, availability, accessibility and timely provision of adequate means of implementation, through both domestic and international efforts,” Mr. Al-Nasser said when he addressed a meeting of the Assembly’s second committee – which deals with economic and financial issues – on sustainable development.

“To ensure the broadest possible participation and engagement of Member States throughout the preparatory processes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), I reiterate my call for Member States that are in position to provide a financial support to address the budgetary constraints faced by developing countries.”

He also called for continued strengthening the disaster risk reduction and prevention capacity of the UN system.

“Disaster risk reduction is a key component contributing to reducing socio-economic vulnerabilities. Based on preparedness, disaster risk reduction is an essential component of building resilience and sustainable development.”

On climate change, Mr. Nasser urged parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to adopt a “comprehensive, equitable and balanced outcome” document that will be based on the “principles of equity and common, but differentiated responsibility” when they meet in Durban, South Africa, at the end of next month.

Mr. Al-Nasser also addressed the Assembly’s sixth committee, which deals with deals with international legal matters, where he stressed that the rule of law is key to building prosperous and just societies, and strengthening the stability of the larger international community.

“[The] establishment of the rule of law is essential for building a prosperous and stable society, and the same applies to the global community as a whole,” he said.

He voiced his appreciation of the committee’s efforts to prepare the foundation for a General Assembly high-level meeting on the rule of law.

“I will do my part to complement and support your efforts to make this high-level event a building block towards strengthening the rule of law at all levels,” said Mr. Al-Nasser.