AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Chair.

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 a General Statement delivered on November 17.

Regarding the reference to boosting national economic performance in OP14, the United States recognizes that every government has an interest in boosting its economic performance. This is best done by working to improve the environment for competition, investment, and free, fair, and reciprocal trade, and should always be done in a manner consistent with relevant international rules and obligations.

The United States disassociates from paragraphs OP20, OP21 and OP24 to the extent that they 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.”

Additionally, we concur with the EU’s statement on this resolution.

Thank you.