Concluding its work for the main part of the General Assembly’s seventieth session on 14 December 2015, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) unanimously approved 18 draft resolutions on topics ranging from international financial systems to women in development and beyond.

Keeping in theme with the newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, many of the texts underscored the importance of eradicating poverty and taking into account economic, social and environmental considerations in their implementation.

Along those lines, the Committee approved a draft resolution titled, “International financial system and development”, by which it would have the Assembly emphasize that that system should bolster sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, sustainable development and job creation. Also by its terms, the Assembly would reiterate the need to act decisively to tackle the challenges confronting the global economy in order to ensure balanced, sustained, inclusive and equitable global growth.

A draft resolution, titled, “International trade and development”, was among those approved texts that referenced the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development. By its terms, the Assembly would reaffirm the commitments made through the adoption of the Addis Ababa outcome in international trade as an important action area for sustainable development.

Delivering a statement that would be repeated several times throughout the morning session, the representative of Canada, also speaking on behalf of Australia and the United States, expressed concern that that resolution had been submitted past the Committee’s deadline. The delays had resulted in a shorter schedule with insufficient time to consult with capitals. Therefore, the three countries had decided not to engage in negotiations on the text.

By the terms of a draft resolution titled, “Financial inclusion for sustainable development”, the Assembly would decide to give consideration to financial inclusion in the follow-up and review framework of the 2030 Agenda and in the follow-up process of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

Also approved was a draft resolution titled, “Women in development”, by which the Assembly would recognize the mutually reinforcing links between gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and poverty eradication. It would further emphasize the need to connect policies on economic, social and environmental development to ensure that all people – in particular women and children living in poverty and in vulnerable situations – benefitted from inclusive economic growth and development.

The representative of Rwanda expressed support for the text, saying it was the only resolution before the Committee which made the link between women and development.

Other texts approved on Monday touched on issues such as external debt, science and technology, disaster risk reduction and harmony with nature, among others.

In concluding remarks, several delegates underscored the Committee’s vital role in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which would make a “huge impact” in bridging global economic disparities and inequalities. In that vein, the representative of Maldives, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States, said that, following a “triumphant year for multilateralism”, the next step – implementation – would be the hardest.

A discussion also emerged about the Committee’s agenda and working methods, which would be reviewed in 2016. In that connection, Liechtenstein’s representative, who also spoke on behalf of New Zealand, said the Committee’s work this session had been “highly problematic” due to a lack of respect for deadlines and a lack of transparency in proceedings. She hoped the Committee would continue to reflect the universal nature of the General Assembly and not turn into a “platform for exchange among major groups only”.

Committee Chair Angrej Logar (Slovenia) said that, in the years to come, the body should continue to contribute to the implementation of the newly adopted development agenda. The Committee must continue to review its working methods, he said, announcing that it would commence informal consultations on those and other matters in January 2016.

Also speaking as action was taken on the draft texts were the representatives of the United States, Bolivia, Australia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Colombia and the European Union.

Also delivering closing statements were the delegates of South Africa (on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China), Japan (also speaking on behalf of Australia, United States, Canada and Mexico), Venezuela, Russian Federation and Bangladesh (on behalf of the Group of Least Developed Countries).

Thomas Gaas, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, also made a statement.