20 December 2017: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted 41 resolutions that had been negotiated in the Second Committee (Economic and Financial), including on climate change, financing for development (FFD), and small island developing States (SIDS). The Assembly also adopted a resolution on restructuring the UN peace and security pillar.The UNGA meeting took place on 20 December 2017, at UN Headquarters in New York, US, following the completion of the Second Committee’s work on 30 November 2017.

On global climate, the Assembly urges Member States to provide adequate resources for the participation of women in decision-making.

A resolution titled, ‘Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind’ (A/C.2/72/L.69), urges Member States to provide adequate resources towards achieving the full and equal participation of women in decision-making at all levels on environmental issues, and stresses the need to address the challenges posed by climate change that affect women and girls in particular.

A resolution titled, ‘Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development’ (A/C.2/72/L.50), requests the Secretary-General to address a joint meeting of the Second Committee and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) discussing the issues to be addressed in the thematic chapter of the 2019 and 2020 reports of the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF), and to summarize the discussions in a report to guide the IATF on the thematic issues to be covered in those reports.

Also on finance, through a resolution titled, ‘Promotion of international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) in order to foster sustainable development’ (A/C.2/72/L.53), UNGA expresses its concern that cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used for illicit activities, and in this regard encourages Member States and other relevant organizations to consider taking measures to prevent and counter their illicit use. By the text, Member States look forward to the inclusion, in the 2018 report of the IATF, of an analysis of international cooperation to combat IFFs and strengthen good practices on assets return to foster sustainable development. The resolution also decides to include in the provisional agenda of the Second Committee’s 73th session a sub-item on ‘Promotion of international cooperation to combat IFFs and strengthen good practices on assets return to foster sustainable development.’

A resolution titled, ‘Follow-up to and implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States’ (A/C.2/72/L.48*), requests UN system entities, including the international financial institutions (IFIs), to contribute to addressing the vulnerabilities of SIDS, including through a more “holistic” approach for concessional financing so as to enable better access to FfD for SIDS. The resolution requests the Secretary-General to submit to the 73rd UNGA a report on the follow-up to and implementation of the Samoa Pathway, including progress made and continuing challenges faced. The UNGA also decides to convene, in 2018, regional preparatory meetings of SIDS in their respective regions, as well as an interregional meeting for all SIDS, in order to undertake a review of progress in the implementation of the Samoa Pathway at the national and regional levels.

By a resolution titled, ‘Globalization and interdependence: development cooperation with MICs’ (A/72/422/Add.4), UNGA encourages shareholders in multilateral development banks to develop a graduation process (from a nation’s lesser developed status) that is sequenced, phased and gradual.

UNGA also took action on a draft resolution titled, ‘Restructuring of the UN peace and security pillar’ (A/72/L.33). By the text, the Assembly takes note of a Secretary‑General’s report containing five proposals, including the creation of a single political‑operational structure under Assistant Secretaries‑General with regional responsibilities, and the establishment of a ‘Standing Principals’ Group’ of the Under‑Secretaries‑General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and for Peace Operations.

After the adoption, Mexico suggested that it is “contradictory” that the resolution does not include references to sustainable development or “the 2015 review process.” Argentina said the UN should adopt a holistic and comprehensive approach to conflict prevention, building sustainable peace and development. She added that the peace and security reform should focus more closely on the root causes of conflict, ensure national ownership, enhance conflict prevention and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Russia acknowledged that the interlinked relationship between the UN’s three pillars underpins its work, but said that does not mean they must be carried out in the same way. China emphasized that the restructuring of the UN peace and security architecture will necessitate greater consultation between Member States. [UN Meeting Coverage] [SDG Knowledge Hub on Briefing on Second Committee Resolutions] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Peace and Security Resolution][Resolution ‘Promotion of international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows in order to foster sustainable development’] [Resolution ‘Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development’] [Resolution ‘Follow-up to and implementation of the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway and the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States’] [Resolution ‘Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind’] [Resolution ‘Globalization and interdependence: development cooperation with middle-income countries’]