AS DELIVERED

Mr. Chairperson, the United States would like to highlight that we withdrew from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in 1996, after concluding that the organization lacked a clear purpose and was generally ineffective.

As we have noted in our November 8 General Statement, it is our view that the United Nations must respect the independent mandates of other processes and institutions, including trade negotiations, and must not involve itself in decisions and actions in other forums, including at the World Trade Organization. The UN is not the appropriate venue for these discussions, and there should be no expectation or misconception that the United States would heed decisions made by the UN General Assembly on these issues. This includes calls that undermine incentives for innovation, such as technology transfer that is not voluntary and on mutually agreed terms.

Finally, with regard to this resolution’s references to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, New Urban Agenda, the Paris Agreement and climate change, and inclusive economic growth/industrial development, we addressed our concerns in our General Statement delivered on November 8, 2018. Thank you.

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