Read the full text here as it was delivered at the High-level luncheon:
Opening remarks by H.E.Mr. Sukhbold Sukhee, Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the UN at the High-Level Luncheon on occasion of the entry into force of the Multilateral Agreement for the Establishment of an International Think Tank for LLDCs.
6 October 2017
Madam Utoikamanu, High-Representative and Under-Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Distinguisghed Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to you to witnessing the entry into force of the Multilateral Agreement for the Establishment of an International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries from today, 6th of October 2017.
It is indeed encouraging to note that the efforts, by all stakeholders to make our initiative a success, are being realized today. I express my heartfelt appreciation to the Governments of Afghanistan, Armenia, Burkina Faso, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Lao PDR, Nepal, Paraguay and Tajikistan for their accession and ratification of the Multilateral Agreement.
As you may recall, the idea to have a center of analytical research and policy advice for Landlocked Developing Countries was proposed by the President of Mongolia back in 2006 and the ITT was launched in 2009 by H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The ITT has started its active operation under the interim management scheme since 2012 with the contribution of one million USD provided by the Government of Mongolia.
From today, the International Think Tank, as an international organization, has a significant role to play in enhancing the analytical capabilities of the LLDCs, providing home-grown researches to cater for their specific needs, promote the interest of the LLDCs as well as strengthen our collective voice at global level.
We encourage the LLDCs that have not yet ratified the Multilateral Agreement for the Establishment of an International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries to do so.
Today’s luncheon provides us an opportunity to discuss further activities of the ITT and potential future cooperation for implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Vienna Program of Action. Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate Ambassador-at-large Odbayar, Interim Director of the ITT and his able team for their hard work and wish all the best in the future endeavors.
Thank you again for your attention.