AS DELIVERED

Thank you.

While we are joining consensus on this resolution, we take this opportunity to clarify important points.

With regard to this resolution’s references to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, we addressed our concerns in the General Statement delivered on November 17.

The United States disassociates from operative paragraph 9 to the extent that such language could promote technology transfer that is not voluntary and on mutually agreed terms. For the United States, any such language will have no standing in future negotiations. The United States continues to oppose language that we believe undermines intellectual property rights.

Regarding the Interagency Task Force, the United States wishes to reiterate its strong disagreement with the trade-related elements of the IATF’s first substantive report. To address these concerns, we urge the IATF to consult early and often with Member States as it prepares the 2018 report.

Finally, we express our deep disappointment that this resolution calls for a report. In its opening statement, the United States identified the need for serious reform in this Committee, and called on delegations to limit overlap, have fewer reports, and have more effective outcomes. Given that the Interagency Task Force on Financing for Development generates an annual report on these issues, we see absolutely no value added by this report. We urge delegations to consider how we can better use the limited resources of this Committee to make a meaningful impact.

Thank you.