Statement by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN at the Dialogue with the Deputy Secretary-General on the UNSDG Chair’s[...]

Thank you, Mr. President, and we thank the Deputy Secretary-General for presenting this comprehensive report.

Armenia welcomes the continued efforts to strengthen the Resident Coordinator system and adapt it to evolving development realities. The RC system is an indispensable tool for delivering more integrated and coherent support at the country level, particularly amid growing global uncertainty and increasing pressures on development cooperation.

We note the progress in joint planning, results reporting, common business operations and system wide coordination owing to the leadership and convening role of Resident Coordinators. We also welcome efforts to strengthen capacities in economic analysis, SDG financing, partnerships and strategic planning, which are increasingly important in addressing complex and interconnected development challenges.

For Armenia, as a landlocked and a middle-income country, the value of coordinated and integrated support in addressing increasingly complex development challenges is particularly evident.

At the same time, the report confirms that growing demands are being placed on the RC system. For many countries, including countries in special situations and middle-income countries whose structural constraints are not fully captured by income-based indicators, the need for coordinated policy support, SDG financing expertise, investment mobilization continues to grow. We therefore see value in efforts to make the system more tailored, agile and responsive to nationally defined priorities and country-specific contexts.

We also take note of the proposed recalibration of the RC system in the context of the UN80 Initiative, including efforts to strengthen country-level capacities, improve regional support and better connect countries to system-wide expertise. These discussions should continue to be guided by the objective of strengthening the effectiveness, development impact and country-level relevance of the UN system based on the national priorities.

At the same time, Armenia remains concerned by the persistent challenges facing the RC system. As highlighted in the report, declining voluntary contributions and broader pressures on development financing continue to affect the sustainability of coordination capacities. It is important to ensure that the RC system is provided with adequate, predictable and sustainable resources commensurate with the responsibilities and expectations placed upon it.

Finally, we believe that preserving a strong and impartial coordination function will remain essential for supporting nationally owned development priorities, addressing structural vulnerabilities and advancing implementation of the 2030 Agenda during the remaining years leading up to 2030.

I thank you.