STATEMENT BY THE RT. HON. PRIME MINISTER
DR B.SIBUSISO DLAMINI
AT THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT
ADDIS ABABA
13-16 JULY 2015
Mr President
Heads of State and Government
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty and the Government and people of the Kingdom of Swaziland, it is my honour to convey their very best wishes and thanks for the convening of this Third International Conference on Financing for Development.
The Kingdom of Swaziland is acutely aware that, from this session, there is a need to formulate and adopt an outcome that is far-reaching. The post-2015 development agenda should be ambitious, with adequate, predictable and timely means of implementation to meet the target of achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and completing all outstanding Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Mr President, among issues, that need to be addressed during this Conference, are the specific means of implementation for the SDGs and the respective commitments in those areas in which development is needed. Though not attempting to present an exhaustive list, I include issues related to trade facilitation, economic diversification, rural development, debt sustainability, reform of the international financial system, agriculture and cooperation in the fields of finance, technology and data management.
There is a clear need for the mobilization of resources to ensure that developing countries are better equipped to meet the challenges when implementing the SDGs. We support the call for the international community to provide enhanced means of implementation to developing countries, through clearly defined and quantified targets.
We are mindful, Mr President, that the development that we seek has to occur within a context of greater sustainability. It is, therefore, imperative that the increased financial assistance be supported by an appropriate transfer of technology.
Mr President, it goes without saying that there is a need to conclude the negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda, and to recommit to placing the interests and concerns of developing countries at the heart of these negotiations.
The Kingdom of Swaziland welcomes the efforts to establish new infrastructure investment platforms by the multilateral financial institutions, including the Africa 50 Infrastructure Fund by the African Development Bank. Regional investments in key priority sectors require the expansion of new financing mechanisms, hence the call upon multilateral financial institutions to support regional and sub-regional organizations and programmes.
The continuing emergence of serious diseases necessitates the strengthening of national health systems, as well as an early detection capability, risk reduction and management of national and trans-national health risks. This is coupled to an increase in health financing for the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce.
Mr President, the Kingdom of Swaziland recommits itself to the principles of multilateralism and looks forward to being part of a lasting solution to the numerous problems hindering our individual and collective development goals.
Thank you.