UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY GRADUATES SAMOA FROM LDC

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001189 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR SENV WS SUBJECT: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY GRADUATES SAMOA FROM LDC STATUS, ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON UN FORUM ON FORESTS REF: USUN 1091 ¶1. In its December 17 session, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus draft resolution A/62/L.33 entitled, "Graduation of Samoa," submitted under Agenda item 43. The resolution takes note of a July 2007 decision by the Economic and Social Council that endorsed a recommendation by the Committee for Development Policy that Samoa be graduated from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Samoa is only the third country to begin graduating from the list of LDCs. In a statement before adoption, Samoa said its acceptance of this graduation is a "giant leap of faith," noting with concern its economic vulnerability and worrying whether its development partners will meet assurances of assistance in the future. ¶2. The Assembly also adopted by consensus the Report of the Second Committee, A/62/419 (Part I),which included the draft resolution entitled "Non-legally binding instrument on all types of forests." The Second Committee earlier adopted this draft resolution, also by consensus, on November 28 (reftel). On behalf of the EU, Portugal lauded the adoption as a milestone in international cooperation on forests. The adoption was followed by a commemorative event marking the occasion. Several speakers connected this resolution to the recent climate change ministerial in Bali, noting the role that forests can play as "carbon sinks" to mitigate the effects of climate change. Khalilzad