Statement of the Right Honourable

Sir Anerood Jugnauth,Prime Minister of

the Republic of Mauritius
At the High Level Meeting of the UNGA to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the
Declaration of the Right to Development
Thursday 22 September 2016

Mr. President,
Respected Secretary General,
Distinguished Heads of State and Heads of Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to join you today at this high level meeting of the General
Assembly,to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of the Right to
Development.
This Declaration is a significant milestone which has paved the way to many initiatives
seeking to improve economic growth of member States and enhance the standard of
living of populations.
Last year's historic decisions to adopt the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, based
on the premise of Leaving No One Behind, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Paris
Agreement, all reflect the spirit of the Declaration of the Right to Development.
Indeed, it was the first to recognize that for development to be inclusive and sustainable
and to truly not leave anyone behind, it would be necessary to understand the
inter-linkages and to address the economic, social and humanitarian requirements of
people in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
Excellencies, much has been achieved in tackling poverty but much more needsto be
done. While there have been indications that the percentage of people living in extreme
poverty has fallen under 10% last year, we have also seen setbacks due to conflicts,
financial crises, and economic crises brought by disease and natural disasters, including
those caused by climate change.
As you know fully well, sometimes it only takes a Tropical Cyclone, or a pandemic like
Ebola or HlV/AIDS, to halt economic progress and reduce years of work to nothing. It is
important that the international community recognises the intrinsic vulnerabilities and
other obstacles faced by countries, such as the LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS when it comes to
generating economic growth.

If we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, we have to
ensure that there is an enabling environment, as well as adequate means of
implementation.
Excellencies, despite its limitations as an island developing state, Mauritius has spared no
effort in putting people at the heart of development. The philosophy of my Government is
to put the economy at the service of the People.
As a Welfare State, Mauritius has been providing free education and health care to all its
population. About 50% of the national budget is allocated to socialservices.
In its bid to eradicate extreme poverty and ensure sustainable development, my
Government has instituted a Marshall Planwhich caters to the needs of the most
vulnerable and the disadvantaged.
Amongst other things, it provides for a subsistence allowance to the extreme poor based
on a threshold of 2,720 Mauritian rupees per adult.
This threshold is 40% higher than the World Banks absolute poverty threshold of USD
3.10 per day per individual, calculated on the basis of purchasing power parity.
It means that henceforth we shall be wiping out absolute poverty in Mauritius as per
World Banks criteria.
By so doing, we shall be progressing steadily on our agenda to meet the objectives of the
SDGs as regards poverty alleviation and inclusive development.
Furthermore, Mauritius has developed a national policy on ageing. We are already
working on strategiesto address and manage the concerns of an ageing population.
My Government has also outlined its plan for the future in its Vision 2030, which aims at
revitalizing the economy and placing Mauritius amongst the high income economies.
However, in order to achieve the goals set, Mauritius will need the assistance of
itsdevelopment partners. As an upper middle income country, Mauritius cannot accede to
financial help and funding given the current criteria in place.
This situation will continue to negatively impact our capacity to address our
developmental needs.
It is important thatsuch impediments to development be addressed so as to assist SIDSand
Medium Income countries to consolidate their economic base and ensure that they do
notslide back to where they will no longer be able to provide for the welfare of their
people.
Finally, Excellencies, I will take this opportunity to highlight paragraph 9 of the
Declaration on the Right to Development, which if unfulfilled,will remain like a wound

for Mauritius and a stain to the international community and this institution.
I am referring to the right of peoples to exercise full and complete sovereignty over all
their natural wealth and resources.
To this day, part of Mauritius remains colonised, despite the various resolutions of the
General Assembly recognising the independence and territorial integrity of Mauritius and
calling for the return of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.
The dismemberment of the Chagos Archipelagofrom the Mauritian territory resulted in
sections of our
population being displaced from their homes and relocated on the mainland of Mauritius
by the colonial powers, in violation of UN resolutions 1514 and 2066. This not only is a
violation of the human rights of our people but it also floutsinternational law and the
provisions of the UN Charter.
Excellencies, the time has come for justice to prevail. We can make things happen now if
we truly believe in the ideals of the United Nations.
Let us not fail our people and the principles that guide us, which is respect for human
rights and the rule of law.

Thank you, Mr. President