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Rabab Fatima's remarks at the meeting on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index

H.E. Mr Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly,  

Distinguished Advisory Board Members, 

Good afternoon to you all. 

At the outset, I would like to   thank the PGA for reinstating  the advisory board on the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (LLS). This  demonstrates your steadfast commitment to mobilize further political support  for countries in special situations . 

The 91 most vulnerable countries in the world—the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS  need enhanced support to overcome their structural challenges, build resilience, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The multidimensional vulnerability index, which enjoys broad political support, can be an important step forward to that end. 

 

Excellencies, Colleagues, 

The concept of multidimensional vulnerability is not new in development discourse. In recent years, we have seen a renewed interest among different stakeholders, including the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to utilize this concept for addressing the development challenges of the vulnerable countries.   

I had important discussions with all relevant stakeholders during the World Bank annual meetings in Marrakech earlier this year on  MVI.  This led to further expert level dialogues between the World Bank and the United Nations on its various characteristics, and future contours. 

Earlier, my office, alongside DESA, provided   all necessary support to the High-Level Panel of Experts’, which commenced its work in March 2022.  

The  Panel submitted  its final report to the PGA in September last year.  The MVI proposed by the panel constitutes the following:  

First, a quantitative benchmark that measures structural vulnerability - or lack of structural resilience - across multiple dimensions of sustainable development at the national level.  

Second, national vulnerability resilience profilesto provide greater characterization of their results.  

The quantitative MVI results are presented through a summary index number, which ranks countries. The MVI is intended to complement – not replace – GNI per capita. 

In general, the results show that, relative to other developing countries, on average, SIDS, LDCs, and LLDCs are the most vulnerable groups. 

The high-level panel members conducted extensive research and also  engaged with Member States, including at the group level to fulfill its mandate. 

In general, the views of Member States on the Panel’s report and recommendations have been mixed, including within the Group of 77.  

There  is a sentiment that further consultations are required on the MVI indicators for the MVI to have broad political consensus and universal application.  

The Second Committee deliberations under the agenda item on the implementation of the SAMOA Pathway, where the Panel’s report was considered, addressed these issues. 

Through the SAMOA Pathway resolution, Member States have requested the President of the General Assembly to appoint two co-facilitators  at its seventy-eighth session. Their mandate will be to to launch an intergovernmental process to consider the recommendations presented in the final report of the High - level Panel, its applicability, scope, custodianship and governance and ways to further improve it that would allow for the implementation of the index. 

This process will be critical in building broad political consensus among the Member States.  

It will be very important to ensure an inclusive and balanced approach in carrying forward this agenda.   

The SAMOA Pathway resolution also requested the UN Secretary General to assess how multidimensional vulnerability is currently considered by the United Nations System, explore the potential uses and application of the MVI, and to inform the intergovernmental process.  

My Office will continue to provide all necessary support to carry forward this agenda and to ensure synergy between the inter-agency and inter-governmental processes. 

As High-Representative for the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, I would be pleased to continue using my convening power to facilitate a deeper understanding of the issues within and across these groups,  and ensure a  successful outcome of this process.  

I thank you.