AS DELIVERED

The United States is pleased to join consensus on the resolution on the Follow-up to the Second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

We wish to make several clarifying points on the final text. Regarding the reference to “enabling policies,” because of the openness of our services market, we do not believe this provision pertains to the United States. However, we can support others’ efforts at further market-liberalization. Concerning the reference to the International Think Tank for LLDCs, we do not believe it is appropriate to mention a private organization in this context.

The United States also disassociates from references to the Technology Bank that encourage financial assistance to the bank and characterize technology-transfer that is not clearly indicated to be both voluntary and on mutually agreed terms. For the United States, any such language will have no standing in future negotiations.

Finally, we refer you to our national statement delivered on November 8, which addresses our concerns regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and characterizations of inclusive economic growth, trade, and technology-transfer.

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