Mr. Chair,

I have the honour to 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, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, align themselves with this statement.

I would like to start by thanking Mr. Cyril Prissette of Switzerland for his skilful work as facilitator, as well as the Secretariat and other delegations for their cooperative work on this resolution.

Throughout the negotiations, the EU made every effort to engage openly and constructively, with the aim to ensure a more efficient and effective UN development system that is fit purpose to achieve the 2030 Agenda and we are glad to see this text adopted by consensus today.

We are pleased that the text maintains normative language on human rights, leaving no one behind, youth participation and gender equality, as well as coherence between humanitarian-development-peace actors. We welcome that the QCPR – for the first time – calls on the UNDS to strengthen actions to accelerate progress on SDG6.  Similarly, we welcome the ambition on climate, environmental sustainability, disaster risk reduction, energy and the digital transition, including the Global digital compact, as well human development, health and population dynamics. Not to forget, the strengthened social protection language, the reference to the needs and interests of future generations, the integration of solutions to internal displacement as well the additional para on ending hunger and malnutrition and strengthened agrifood systems.

A more impactful UN Development System that delivers results on the ground requires robust financing. We are pleased to see the new Funding Compact reflected, incentivizing both core, and high-quality non-core funding by giving clear visibility to the outcomes achieved through these types of funding and by diversifying the donor base.

As part of this, support to the RC system is particularly essential to ensure effective coordination and to advance the UNDS commitment to deliver “as One”. We are therefore pleased to see reflected the importance of providing adequate, predictable and sustainable funding to the RC system, along with further strengthening of collaboration with international financial institutions, including multilateral development banks. We also welcome the call on the UNSDG to streamline the different reporting requirements across the development system, as well as stronger language on the oversight and accountability functions of the governing bodies of UNDS entities.

We are, also, pleased that the text welcomes the convening of the Summit of the Future, and has the reference to the Pact for the Future and its annexes. As we have articulated, the EU is keen to work with others in ensuring that the Pact for the Future can be a roadmap for reinvigorated efforts toward achievement of the SDGs through a strong UNDS and the revitalisation of the multilateral system.

The EU would have liked to see more progress around three areas that we consider crucial to our joint commitment to achieving sustainable development.

First, we welcome the improvements in gender language but we are disappointed that the text lacks references to sexual and gender-based violence and agreed language from the 2030 Agenda on sexual and reproductive health-care services.

Second, we would have liked to see references to the UN System-Wide Strategies on Water and Sanitation, on Climate Change Action and the UN System-wide Framework of Strategies on the Environment, as these documents provide critical guidance to the UN development system.

Third, in the light of the fact that, this resolution sets the tone within the UNDS for the next four years, we would have liked it to have the clear reference to the First Global Stocktake to reiterate our climate ambitions as well as that it maintained stronger language on biodiversity. Nonetheless, we welcome the reference to all decisions adopted at COP28 under the UAE consensus, as a key compass for the UNDS’ climate ambition and action, in line with the commitments made by members.

However, let me reassert that we welcome the adoption of this adoption and we can be proud of the fact that together we are enabling the UN development system to be equipped to deliver more effectively, collaboratively and coherently, and with more impact, leaving no one behind.

Thank you.

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