Date/Time: Thursday, 10 October 2013, 15:30-17:45 Location: Conference Room 2, Conference Building Speakers: Chairman Mr. Abdou Salam Diallo, Delegates of Republic of Korea, Egypt, Syrian Arab Republic, Russian Federation, Japan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Haiti, South Africa, Kazakhstan, United States, Argentina, Israel, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Thailand, Qatar, Maldives, United Republic of Tanzania, Norway, Bolivia, Senegal, Pakistan, Jordan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Morocco, Viet Nam, Algeria, Sri Lanka Samoa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Switzerland, Singapore, China, Chile, Venezuela, Turkey, El Salvador, Lebanon, Iraq, Lesotho, Ireland, Malawi, Uganda, Botswana, Colombia, Ecuador, Georgia, Cameroon, Costa Rica and Tonga. Attended by: Lynn Lee, Shan Cheema, Diego Atehortua Summary by: Diego Atehortua

In addition to demonstrating support for the election of Chairman Diallo, delegates discussed the economic, environmental and social progress made thus far, as they approach the 2015 MDG deadline.

Delegates of Ireland and Kazakhstan addressed that in order to maintain momentum towards accomplishing the 2015 deadline, focus should be directed on the regions that still lag behind in achieving MDG’s. Representative of Micronesia commanded the Barbados Plan of Action which has aided in sustainability to vulnerable and developing small islands and states.

The Delegation of Morocco spoke about the plentiful health issues faced in Africa and the need for infrastructure improvement. The Delegation of Malaysia reported that for the first time, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has passed 400 parts per million. The Delegation of India commended the progress made by the Second Committee in reducing poverty, however proposed to eradicate extreme poverty by the year 2030.

A representative of Switzerland reminded the committee that the new 2015 Development Agenda should be creative and ambitious, however assuring it is realistic. The Delegation of China spoke about their country’s steady and growing economy. They believe that a country’s GDP is no longer a factor in a countries economic progress and emphasized the concept of quality over quantity. The delegation of Sri Lanka though reprimanded for exceeding their time limit, was pleased to inform the Second committee of their achievements in increase of employment, reduction of poverty (to 52%), their first elected Prime Minister and being ranked high in the HDI of 2012.

The nations of Chile and Switzerland discussed about the new 2015 Development Agenda and how it should be both holistic, universal and an intergovernmental process. The representative of Venezuela assured that the eradication of poverty and hunger is the most important aspect of sustainable development.

Edited By: Wayne Dean Doyle