|Statement by Ambassador Wang Min on the Annual Report of the Executive Director of UNICEF|
The Chinese delegation wishes to thank Executive Director Mr. Lake for his comprehensive introduction to the annual report of UNICEF and the draft 2014-2017 strategic plan. I’d like to make the following observations:
On the report on UNICEF’s work in 2012. The Chinese delegation commends the efforts made by UNICEF in responding to the ever changing international development challenges and carrying out its work in core areas of children’s survival and development, policy advocacy for the rights of the child and humanitarian relief. We particularly appreciate the progress made in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of program implementation, expediting humanitarian response, strengthening management transparency and accountability, and enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation and partnership building. We have taken note of the assessment and recommendations contained in the report on the implementation of the medium-term strategic plan (2006-2013), and appreciate the lessons learned in 2012 and recommendations submitted in accordance with the Board decision 2011/12. At this crucial stage of the international community’s final dash towards the attainment of the MDGs, we hope that UNICEF would incorporate the lessons learned in 2012 as well as its recommendations in the 2014-2017 strategic plan currently being developed so as to steadily increase the effect of its operational and management activities with a view to making more substantial contribution to the rights and development of the children of member states.
On the 2014-2017 strategic plan. My delegation appreciates the open, transparent and inclusive approach taken by UNICEF in formulating the draft strategic plan. We support the Fund in continuing to uphold the principle of equity and strive towards “advancing the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged”. In the view of my delegation, the structure of the current draft strategic plan is conducive to the implementation of UNICEF’s general mandate of advancing the rights and development of children around the globe; it will also help UNICEF to further focus its resources to help the children and countries most in need by clarifying priority areas and measurable indicators of achievement.
The 2014-2017 strategic plan is an important instrument in guiding the efforts of UNICEF and its regional and country teams to realize the MDGs on time and implement post-2015 development goals successfully. As such, its overall goals and content should have both short term specificity and long term flexibility. Now that the 67th GA has adopted Res. 67/226 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review on the UN’s operational activities for development (QCPR), we hope that UNICEF would effectively implement the requirements of that resolution in its new strategic plan, and maintain as its focus the promotion of the realization of relevant MDGs and other international development goals. While increasing support for the LDCs and the African countries, UNICEF should also concern itself with the needs of the most vulnerable children in the developing countries. Attention is also needed to the capacity building of the program countries so that they can achieve and maintain self-development. In addition, inter-agency coordination needs to be strengthened and support for South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation increased. We hope that UNICEF, on the basis of widely hearing the views of member states and other partners, will continue to refine its 2014-2017 strategic plan, improve relevant indicators and priority areas, reinforce the connection between results and output indicators, and further clarify the relevance and measurability of goals, results and programs. At the same time, we hope that UNICEF would pay particular attention to transforming the strategic plan into national cooperation programs, respect the principle of national ownership and leadership by program countries and ensure the relevance and effectiveness of country programs as well as the sustainability of results.
On financial situation. In 2012, against the backdrop of anemic global economic growth, UNICEF displayed a strong financing ability and obtained a total income of $3.958 billion. This is a commendable achievement. My delegation believes that resource stability and growth, those of core resources in particular, represent a powerful guarantee for the agility of UNICEF in fulfilling its mandates and its timely and effective response to the needs of program countries. The Chinese delegation calls on member states to maintain or increase donations to UNICEF, especially to its core resources, and whenever possibly, pay up pledges at an early date and make multi-year commitments. The Chinese government attaches great importance to its cooperation with UNICEF and will gradually increase contribution to UNICEF’s core resources to the best of its ability in order to support the work of the Fund.
Please allow me to take this opportunity to briefly present the work carried out by my government to attain the MDGs, Goals 4 and 5 in particular. In 2011, the Chinese government enacted the Outline for the Development of Chinese Children and the Outline for the Development of Chinese Women, which set down the main goals and policy measures for the healthy development of Chinese women and children in the next decade. The two outlines continue to set as priorities the lowering of infant mortality and the mortality of children under 5, lowering of maternal mortality and improvement of children’s nutrition. My government is intensifying efforts to safeguard the rights and interests of women and children and mobilizing all social forces to improve the environment for the development of women and children. We are working to improve the system of agencies and indicators for monitoring and assessment and making greater efforts to bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas and between different regions. We are also working to increase the accessibility and equity of public services, improve social security system and reinforce our legal system. The Chinese government will take more forceful measures to tackle new challenges, keep improving the situation of Chinese women and children, and contribute to the development of women and children throughout the world.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.