Statement by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN at the High-level Dialogue with the Secretary-General on his report on the[...]

Excellences,

Distinguished colleagues,

I thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and for the continued efforts to advance a more coherent, effective and responsive United Nations Development system.

The reports presented to this segment demonstrate important progress since the launch of the UN Development system reform. We stress the key role of Resident Coordinators in enhancing coordination, coherence and efficiency of UN Country Teams to ensure the nexus between peace, humanitarian and development efforts and more integrated support at the country level. We also note progress in joint planning, operational efficiencies and system-wide accountability.

For countries in special situations facing structural vulnerabilities, UN system-wide action remains particularly important in addressing interconnected development challenges.

At the same time, the reports make clear that the UN Development system is operating in an increasingly challenging global environment. Declining development financing, the debt burden, impact of climate change and extreme weather events, widening inequalities continue to constrain progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context, Armenia believes that adequate, predictable and flexible financing for the UN Development system remains essential. The continued predominance of tightly earmarked funding and high administrative costs limit flexibility and the ability to provide targeted support. We are also concerned by the financial pressures affecting the Resident Coordinator system, which remains central to ensuring coherence across the UN Development system.

We take note of the ongoing discussions under the UN80 Initiative and the proposed recalibration of the development system architecture. These discussions should remain focused on strengthening the system's ability to respond to national priorities and country-specific needs, particularly those of countries in special situations and middle-income countries facing special development challenges.

We also welcome the growing emphasis on tailored support, financing expertise, data, innovation and investment mobilization to help countries accelerate SDG implementation. In this regard the UN Development System should focus on building the national capacities to address the development gaps.

Finally, we reiterate the importance of ECOSOC's Operational Activities Segment as a platform for dialogue, oversight and guidance on the functioning of the UN Development system.

I thank you.