I also welcome the designation of the United Nations Environment Programme as the principal United Nations body in the field of the environment and commend the recent efforts at reforming its governance to enable it to become the leading authority in that field. I urge all member States to commit the necessary resources to UNEP to enable it to carry out its mandated activities. Finally, Mr. President, I again reiterate that we need to do more here that just reaffirm the commitments of Rio and the provisions of Agenda 21. If we are to pay more than mere lip service, we must act now to address the means of implementation, the transfer to developing countries of substantially new and additional financial resources and environmentally sound technology on concessional and grant terms. In this regard, we commend the efforts now underway to ensure that the GEF is adequately replenished for the next three years.
Time is of the essence.
If we are to achieve the sustainable development goals of Rio at all levels, we must collectively pledge to act right this minute, Not in 2002. Not next week. Thank you, Mr. President.