Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet
U.S. Representative for UN Management and Reform
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York City
August 1, 2019
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Madame President. The United States commends Nauru in its role as facilitator of this resolution. We deeply respect Nauru’s flexibility, transparency, and creativity despite difficult and complex negotiations which led to this final text. We are happy to vote yes on this resolution.
As evidenced by Secretary-General Guterres’ visit this year to the Pacific Island Forum in Fiji, it is vital for the UN to support those countries most in need of assistance as they address specific economic development and security challenges due to their unique geographic location, limited resources, and small populations. We recognize the Secretary-General’s effort to date and urge him to continue to focus on expanding cooperation in the region.
The United States sees the security and prosperity of the Pacific Islands as an essential part of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. We commend the Pacific Islands for their robust sub-regional and regional multilateral processes. We support these efforts and the close coordination of the Pacific Island Forum and the UN, and call on the UN to continue to expand these ties.
The United States stands as a partner with the Pacific Islands to promote regional security and stability, advance sustainable growth and prosperity, and address environmental challenges. We look forward to continuing to work with these vital partners at both the Pacific Island Forum and at the United Nations to accomplish these goals. The international community as a whole must come together to support the Pacific Islands to achieve these goals.
Finally, regarding references to the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement and climate change, we addressed our concerns in our General Statement delivered on November 8, 2018. Thank you.
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