STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) AT THE SECOND COMMITTEE PLENARY MEETING, AGENDA ITEM 23 ON ERADICATION OF POVERTY AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

Thank you, Mr Chairman,

1        I am honoured to be speaking on behalf of the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2        ASEAN aligns itself with the statement made by Bolivia on behalf of the G-77 and China on this agenda item.

Mr Chairman,

3        The international community has certainly accomplished much, having already achieved the Millennium Development Goal of reducing extreme poverty rates by half, compared to 1990.

4        But even as we focus on charting the way forward, we must not lose sight of the fact that an estimated 1.2 billion people around the world are still living in extreme poverty.

5        Furthermore, there has been a growing realization that the eradication of poverty is not only a moral imperative, but is also a requisite for truly sustainable development. As highlighted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on the occasion of the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the G77, “Ending poverty and transforming our societies and economies to meet fundamental human needs is an essential step toward achieving planetary sustainability.”  

6        And around the world, we have seen how widening income inequality has led to increasing levels of discontent, and in some instances even social and political upheaval. There is therefore a need to continue to put the spotlight on the issue of poverty eradication, as illustrated by the proposed Sustainable Development Goal 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Mr Chairman,

Poverty Eradication and Rural Development

7        On ASEAN’s part, we are keenly aware that much more needs to be done to eradicate poverty. While tremendous progress has been made by ASEAN on this front, as of 2011, an estimated 18% of ASEAN’s population still lives in extreme poverty.

8        In the Southeast Asian context, poverty eradication and rural development are intricately linked. In Southeast Asia, it is estimated that 70% of the poor live in rural areas. The growing phenomenon of urban poverty also often has its roots in rural poverty.

9        This is why ASEAN has adopted the Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (2011-2015) which outlines the strategic thrusts and concrete actions in six priority areas: (1) sustainable rural development and rural economic growth; (2) food security and food sovereignty amidst climate change; (3) social protection and safety nets; (4) development of infrastructure and human resources in rural areas; (5) constituency building for rural development and poverty eradication; and (6) monitoring and evaluation of the poverty.

10      During the most recent ASEAN Summit, held in Myanmar in May 2014, ASEAN Leaders reiterated their commitment to implementing the projects under this framework.

Community Empowerment

11      ASEAN is also of the view that community empowerment is the key means for bringing development to rural communities, which in turn alleviates poverty. During the last ASEAN Forum on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication in 2013, government officials as well as NGO/CSO representatives exchanged views on national strategies, good practices, and experiences in empowering communities to improve and sustain the welfare and livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable groups, and to become self-reliant.

Recognising the Role of NGOs

12      A participatory approach that involves all stakeholders – the communities themselves, government agencies, the private sector, NGOs and others - ensures that the programmes implemented are relevant, effective, holistic and sustainable.

13      In 2013, ASEAN paid special attention to the contribution of NGOs to rural and community development. We are pleased to highlight that the first ASEAN Leadership Awards on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication were given to ten exemplary NGOs from ASEAN Member States. By opening access to opportunities, providing sources of livelihood, promoting self-reliance, and empowering local communities, these NGOs have become ASEAN’s invaluable partners in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups in ASEAN. ASEAN looks forward to working with these and other NGOs to continue the fight against poverty in our region.

Partnerships

Mr Chairman,

14      We believe in national ownership, that countries must take ownership over their own efforts to eradicate poverty. But we also believe that more can be achieved through partnerships, particularly assistance from regional and international partners. 

15      ASEAN is of the view that developed countries can and should provide continued support to developing countries, particularly the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Middle Income Countries (MICs).   In this regard, we urge developed countries to meet their commitment to the internationally agreed target of 0.7% of their GNP for ODA for all developing countries, and  0.15% - 0.20% of their GNP to LDCs.

16      In addition, cooperation through regional institutions and initiatives - from the sharing of best practices, to technology transfer, to the creation of new economic opportunities through economic integration and liberalisation - can help accelerate the progress of efforts to raise people from poverty. 

Finally, Mr Chairman,

17      2015 is a significant year in the history of ASEAN. That is when ASEAN Member States will come together to establish the ASEAN Community. The year 2015 is also an important one for the United Nations, as it finalizes and adopts the post-2015 Development Agenda.

18      In this context, ASEAN stands committed to addressing the issue of poverty, and looks forward to contributing to the development of the post-2015 Development Agenda on this issue.

I thank you.

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