Participation in the 52nd session of the UNIDO Industrial Development Board

On November 26, during the 52nd session of the Industrial Development Board of the UNIDO the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the International Organisations in Vienna Andrei Dapkiunas delivered a joint statement on behalf of like-minded states condemning the practice of using unilateral coercive measures (UCMs).

Along with Belarus, the statement was co-sponsored by Venezuela, Iran, China, the DPRK, Cuba, Nicaragua, Palestine, Russia, Sudan and Syria.

The authors of the statement expressed serious concern and categorical rejection of UCMs, describing them as illegitimate and illegal. The statement notes that UCMs with extraterritorial application have become unprecedented and constitute a significant violation of international law, including the UN Charter. Such measures as the bans on agricultural cargo handling in the ports of some states, the ban on the imports and transit of fertilizers create obstacles to the socio-economic development of countries and undermine global food security.

Like-minded states called on UNIDO Member States to strongly condemn UCMs, not to recognize these measures and not to apply them, and to take effective measures to counter the extraterritorial application or impact of UCMs.

Joint Statement at the 52nd session of the Industrial Development Board

(Vienna, 25-27 November 2024)

On behalf of the following Member States:

Republic of Belarus, People's Republic of China, Republic of Cuba, Islamic Republic of Iran, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Nicaragua, State of Palestine, Russian Federation, Republic of the Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

         Mr. President,

1. I have the honour to address the Industrial Development Board on behalf of the Republic of Belarus, People's Republic of China, Republic of Cuba, Islamic Republic of Iran, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Nicaragua, State of Palestine, Russian Federation, Republic of the Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

2. We welcome the invaluable contribution of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while delivering on its mandate to support Member States in achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development as reflected in Goal 9, but also in particular with regard to the Goal 2: to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. We express our continued support to all Member States taking necessary steps to eradicate hunger and all forms of malnutrition in order to promote further progress in the implementation of the SDGs. For this purpose, it is essential to ensure access to food for the population, including inter alia by securing an uninterrupted supply of agricultural equipment, fertilizers as well as components for its production.

4. Regretfully, as reflected in the UN General Assembly resolution 78/168 of 19 December 2023, the world is still far from achieving SDG 2 and responding to the multiple and complex causes of the food crises. These crises occur in different regions of the world, affect developing countries, especially net food importers, food security and nutrition and require a comprehensive and coordinated response.

5. The increasing gap between developed and developing countries in agro-economy and food security requires unhindered international cooperation. In this regard, transfer of technology, capacity building, material support, and technical assistance play an essential role in securing sustainable development.

6. The situation is aggravated by the impact of unilateral coercive measures applied by certain states and regional organizations without or beyond authorization of the relevant UN organ as well as because of over-compliance of businesses and other stakeholders with such measures. In particular, we express serious concern that these illegitimate and unlawful unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) and trade restrictions inconsistent with relevant WTO and other multilateral trade rules, have direct impact on trade flows and create additional difficulties to the countries in their efforts to eradicate hunger and all forms of malnutrition and ensure food security.

7. UCMs hinder the financing of transactions of major agricultural countries and the implementation of joint projects under the auspices of relevant international organizations as well as bilateral projects related to food security and aimed at providing support for those in need. This includes bans on agricultural cargo handling in the ports of some countries, as well as on transportation insurance, purchase and warranty maintenance of agricultural machineries and their spare parts. It involves also the ban on imports of certain sorts of fertilizers by some states as well as bans on the provision of transit services for delivery to other countries, equipment and components for their production.

8. We express our serious concern and categorical rejection of UCMs as they are illegitimate, unlawful and in contravention of the UN Charter and international law principles. UCMs are flagrant interference in the sovereign affairs of other states. Such actions repress multilateralism and the principle of cooperation that underlies the UN activities.

9. We request States to refrain from drawing up illegal and unilateral lists, which constitutes an additional unilateral coercive measure and violates fundamental principles of international law.

10. We recall the unanimous support for the UNIDO General Conference resolution 18/Res.1 and UN General Assembly resolution 78/329 of 6 September 2024, that in line with reaffirmed commitments to the UN General Assembly resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, strongly urge all Member States to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures. UCMs have become an unprecedented and significant violation of international law, international human rights law and the UN Charter. UCMs impede full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries and including the achievement of food security.

11. We call upon UNIDO Member States to strongly condemn these destructive UCMs and the lack of accountability from those who apply them.  We call upon all States, as a step towards eradication of hunger, achievement of food security and improved nutrition, and promotion of sustainable agriculture, neither to recognize these measures nor to apply them, and to take effective administrative or legislative measures, as appropriate, to counteract the extraterritorial application or effects of UCMs.

12. We commit to facilitate open, fair, non-discriminatory, predictable, and rules-based agriculture, food and fertilizer trade, refrain from imposing export prohibitions or restrictions, in accordance with respective commitments under relevant international trade laws.

13. We further call upon the Director General of UNIDO to take every possible measure to preserve the integrity of the Organization and its constituencies and to mitigate the adverse impacts of UCMs on the ability of countries to achieve the relevant Sustainable Development Goals for ensuring food security worldwide.

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