EU General Statement – UN General Assembly 2nd Committee: Development cooperation with middle-income countries

Thank you Mr Chair,

I deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^* align themselves with this statement.

We would like to thank Ms Meryem Hamdouni of Morocco for her dedicated facilitation and all delegations for their constructive engagement.

Middle-income countries have long played an important role in global development dynamics. Many have been recipients of official development assistance and their transitions to higher income status are success stories we can all learn from. Outstanding challenges however, such as structural gaps and inequalities, also call for international cooperation to ensure that hard-won development gains are not reversed.

The European Union is a reliable and committed partner for middle-income countries, and we value our mutually beneficial cooperation.[1] The EU and its Member States support a comprehensive development model that fosters social cohesion, reduces inequalities, strengthens the provision of global public goods, and facilitates transition to more sustainable and resilient economic models. 

We also welcome initiatives such as the Global Alliance Beyond GDP and further discussion of more comprehensive sustainable development policy and financing metrics in this context. 

This resolution captures key outcomes of recent global processes. The Sevilla Commitment is especially relevant for middle-income countries, and this is reflected in the text.

We welcome the focus on integrated national financing frameworks (INFFs) as tools to align financing flows with national sustainable development strategies and social investment priorities. 

We welcome the emphasis on universal social protection systems and decent work opportunities as core drivers of sustained, inclusive and equitable growth. 

And we appreciate the inclusion of gender-responsive financing and investment in the care economy, as drivers of sustainable development, along with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls.

We would have preferred clearer formulation on the transfer of technology, which we recall must always be voluntary, and take place on mutually agreed terms. 

Mr Chair, we regret that a vote has been called on this normally consensual resolution. The EU and its Member States support this important resolution.

The crises and challenges we face today require continued collective action. The European Union and its Member States stand ready to continue our cooperation with middle-income countries and constructive contributions to this agenda, leaving no one behind.

I thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

[1] See EU Council conclusions “EU partnerships with Middle-Income Countries: Opportunities for the development in transition agenda”.