Minister Osman Saleh’s Statement at the 48th Meeting of G77 and China Foreign Ministers

Statement by H.E. Minister Osman Saleh, Foreign Minister of the State of Eritrea
At the Forty-Eighth Annual Meeting of The Ministers
For Foreign Affairs of The Group Of 77 And China
27 SEPTEMBER 2024

H.E. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda and Chair of the Group of 77 and China

Excellencies

Ladies and gentlemen

At the outset, allow me to congratulate and thank Uganda for the able leadership of the Group throughout the year 2024, and to also congratulate the Republic of Iraq, the incoming chair of the group.

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies

Multiple reports indicate clearly that the full implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development appears to be unattainable, mainly due to the critical financing challenges.

We have been witnessing that the whole UN development system has constantly been undermined and underfunded; and the various pledges and commitments related to financing for development have been unmet.

The existing global financial architecture is not only lopsided, but outdated and not fit for purpose.

Mr. Chairman,

Since its inception sixty years ago, the Group of 77 and China has been playing a commendable role in responding to challenges faced by the developing nations and in advancing the aspirations and interests of the global south. Moreover, the role of our Group in shaping outcomes of major processes such as the SDG summit of last September, the 2024 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development and the Summit of the future, was worth noting. In the same spirit, greater coordination and firm commitment is required in the upcoming high-level events in 2025, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, to better address our concerns and priorities.

In this critical period, it is high time our Group adapts with the evolving global landscape and embraces innovative approaches to address inherited and emerging challenges, including financing challenges while remaining true to our core values of solidarity, unity and mutual respect.

To realize a prosperous and viable nation, Eritrea has adopted a clear vision and put in place developmental policies, and started to implement tangible programs, to achieve all rounded growth of the country.

In line with the national development priorities, efforts are being underway to mobilize domestic resources, deepen partnerships and align national efforts with regional and global development agendas.

Against these challenges, and guided by the principles of social justice, equity, and self-reliance, the people and Government of Eritrea have managed to foil the threats and to demonstrate resilience and determination.

Regrettably, we encountered with existential threats, including military aggressions, unjust and unfair UN Security Council sanctions and the illicit unilateral coercive economic measures.

In this regard, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to our group for its firm and strong position that rejects the unilateral economic sanctions, and urge us all, to continue to stand in solidarity with member states seriously affected by these illegal measures.

We strongly believe that our Group needs to recommit to the collective ambitions and act in unity, solidarity, determination and aim big to play a leading role in shaping the global development and financial agenda and governance. The Group further needs to contribute significantly to the acceleration and achievement of the collective interests of developing nations, advocate for a fair and just global order with a greater representation and voice for developing countries in the global economic institutions.

Eritrea remains fully committed to the Group’s mission of articulating our collective positions, priorities and interests as well as promoting the South-South cooperation.

I Thank You!