AS DELIVERED

The United States acknowledges and appreciates the significant effort that went into this resolution, as well as the importance of the Program of Action. We do, however, want to emphasize the importance of ensuring that scarce resources are invested in addressing the structural and other challenges that least developed countries face, instead of the conference services and other support that meetings require.

Therefore, the United States wishes to highlight the elements in operational paragraphs 43 through 47 that call for the necessary preparatory meetings to be conducted in the most efficient and effective manner possible, including by conducting the meetings in conjunction with already scheduled meetings, such as the regular meetings of the relevant regional economic commissions.

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.

Thank you.

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