STATEMENT BY H.E. KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE GROUP (3G) AT THE BRIEFING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE G20 SAINT PETERSBURG SUMMIT, 9 SEPTEMBER 2013

Mr President,

1                I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the informal Global Governance Group[1] or 3G.  The 3G would like to thank the President of the General Assembly H.E. Vuk Jeremić for convening this informal plenary meeting.  We thank the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Shamshad Akhtar her comments and insights.  We also thank the Russian Federation Deputy Foreign Minister Vassily Nebenzia for briefing Member States on the outcomes of the G20 Saint Petersburg Summit.

2                 The 3G congratulates the Russian Federation on its successful hosting of the G20 Summit in Saint Petersburg last week.  The 3G also appreciates Russia’s invitation to participate in the G20 process under its Presidency.  I had the privilege of being there to personally witness how Russia had demonstrated strong leadership in facilitating the smooth execution of the Summit.

Growth, financial reform and jobs

3                 The 3G recognizes that global growth continues to be weak and unemployment remains high in many countries.  Recovery also remains uneven and is progressing at different speeds.  Against this backdrop, we welcome the Saint Petersburg Action Plan, which presents a comprehensive set of actions designed to boost both economic activity and job creation.  The Action Plan sends a strong, positive message to the world that the G20 is working hard to address these challenges.   

4                  With emerging market economies beginning to slow from high growth while advanced economies are experiencing a pick up in growth and growth prospects, the 3G is encouraged by the commitment of the G20 members to a wide range of reforms to strengthen the foundations for strong, sustainable and balanced growth.  In this regard, we welcome the G20’s reaffirmation of the significance of the multilateral trading system and the need for a successful outcome at the 9th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (MC9) in Bali, which is essential to restore global growth.  We commend the G20 for recognising the importance of the Doha Development Agenda and the need for flexibility in order to bridge existing gaps and deliver positive and balanced results at MC9.  The 3G further welcomes the G20’s extension until the end of 2016 their standstill commitment on new protectionist measures and reaffirmed commitment to roll back new protectionist measures.

5                 On financial reform, the 3G understands the need for countries to work together to improve global tax rules.  Profits should rightfully be taxed in jurisdictions where substantive economic activities take place.  Our aim should not be to converge on high taxes globally to avoid competition. That would only hurt growth and jobs.  The 3G is also of the view that ‘financing for investment’ is a useful and practical topic.  We are pleased that this will continue to be a focus under the next G20 Presidency.

6                 The 3G observes that unemployment and underemployment in many countries, particularly among young people, remains a key challenge.  In line with the 3G’s inputs to the G20’s Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting, the 3G welcomes the emphasis by the G20 to create more productive and better quality jobs.  In particular, we note the G20’s commitment to take broad-range action, tailored to national circumstances, to promote more and better jobs.  The G20 should continue to work with relevant institutions such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to identify good practices and effective measures for more inclusive labour markets.  The 3G also welcomes the first G20 joint Labour, Employment and Finance Ministers meeting.  Such co-ordination and integration would enhance policy making between the Ministries to support jobs growth.

Post-2015 Development Agenda and Global Governance

7                 In line with the 3G paper to the G20 this year on ‘Development for All’, the 3G is encouraged that the G20 has stated its intention to support the ongoing efforts in the UN on the post-2015 development agenda.  To this end, we welcome the G20’s endorsement of the Saint Petersburg Development Outlook.  We are also encouraged by the progress made by the G20 on issues such as food security, infrastructure, financial inclusion, human resource development, inclusive green growth and domestic resource mobilisation.  The 3G reiterates that the G20 should continue to respect the mandates of the UN and its agencies with regard to the post-2015 development agenda. 

8                 The 3G is pleased to note that this informal briefing to the UN is held in accordance with established practice and the UN General Assembly resolution 67/289 on “the United Nations in global economic governance’.  The 3G emphasises that the UN system must remain the cornerstone of global governance, in recognition of the universal membership and unquestioned legitimacy of the UN.  We consistently call for the strengthening of the engagement between the UN and the G20.  In this regard, the 3G welcomes the continuing participation of the UN Secretary-General at the G20 Summit. 

9                 The 3G also appreciates the Russian Federation’s inclusive and consultative approach during its chairmanship of the G20 in 2013.  We hope that Russia will follow up with a further briefing to the 6^th 3G Ministerial Meeting on 25 September 2013 in New York.  We also look forward to working closely with the Australian chair in 2014.

10               Finally, the 3G stresses the need to build on such good practices.  We reiterate our call for the G20 to implement the recommendations contained in the report by United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron, such as the appointment of a senior official to oversee G20 engagement with the wider UN membership.  The G20 should also continue and deepen the application of the principle of “variable geometry” to allow for the participation of non-G20 members on issues of concern to them.  The G20 should also go beyond consultations with non-G20 members and groupings, and find ways to incorporate their inputs into G20 outcomes. 

11               Thank you.

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[1]    The 3G comprises the following member states of the United Nations: Bahamas, Kingdom of Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Republic of Finland, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kuwait, Principality of Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, State of Qatar, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of San Marino, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovenia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.