19 October: During a meeting with the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) on priorities and objectives of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Miroslav Lajčák, UNGA President, noted that one of the major objectives of his Presidency is to maintain the momentum in the area of sustainable development, including on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, among other relevant frameworks.

The meeting took place on 19 October 2017, at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

Lajčák outlined peace and prevention as his first priority, adding that more attention should be paid to UN action taken before conflict erupts. He remarked that progress is being made on the issue of migration and momentum is building on preparations towards a Global Compact on Migration. He indicated that water, financing for development and youth would also be part of his priority areas, and stressed the importance of climate change, referring to Hurricane Irma and other natural disasters. On water, he informed that he will launch the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development in March 2018 to help raise the profile of water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets.

Lajčák will engage with UN Member States on alignment of the UNGA and ECOSOC, so both entities can act as agents and reviewers of SDG implementation.

Lajčák said progress has been made on sustainable development in recent years, but called for more global partnerships, and innovative and smart platforms that involve governments, donors, international organizations, agencies, the private sector and philanthropic entities. He said he would engage with UN Member States to determine ways to best to align the UNGA and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as well as their subsidiary bodies, with the 2030 Agenda, so both entities can act as agents and reviewers of SDG implementation. He announced he would appoint the co-facilitators for the ECOSOC review process over the coming days.

In the context of the UN Secretary-General’s proposed reforms on development, peace and security, and management, Lajčák stressed the need to ensure that the UNGA’s work contributes to a UN that is strong, inclusive, transparent and fit for purpose. He also reported that he would focus his attention on the UNGA Revitalization and UN Security Council Reform processes, as well the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review, among other issues.

On events and thematic debates, Lajčák indicated that he will convene a high-level event on sustaining peace in April 2018 to take stock of what has been done to implement the sustaining peace resolutions adopted by the UNGA and the UN Security Council in 2016, and to provide ideas and recommendations on ways to evolve this topic at a “much faster pace.” He also reported that he and his office will actively engage in organizing, inter alia, a sand and dust storm thematic discussion, a high-level meeting to fight tuberculosis, and a review of progress achieved in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). He added that he will prioritize UNGA activities aimed at advancing the empowerment of women and girls and promoting human rights.

Composed of 134 countries, the G-77/China is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the UN, and includes the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), small island developing States (SIDS), African states and middle-income countries (MICs). Ecuador assumed the chairmanship of the G-77/China in 2017, and will be succeeded by Egypt in 2018. [UNGA President Statement] [G-77/China Website]