MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ‫משרד החוץ‬

JERUSALEM
‫ירושלים‬

BAPA + 40

Message by the Head of the delegation of The State of Israel

Ambassador Gil Haskel,

Head of MASHAV,
The Israeli Agency for International Development Cooperation

Mr. President, Excellences, colleagues,

We are marking today 40 years since the Buenos Aires plan of Action on south
south cooperation was adopted here, in this beautiful Capital city of Argentina.
In recent decades we have seen significant shifts in the global development
landscape. One of those changes has been the evolution of some developing
countries into partners well positioned to share their home-grown experience and
practical knowledge. These countries have successfully addressed their own
development challenges and are eager to share their success with the world.

The State of Israel is one such country. Since gaining its independence in 1948,
Israel has transformed from a developing country to a high-tech advanced
economy - From a developing economy to a donor country.
We achieved this through the development of human resources, supporting
scientific research, and making use of new and innovative technologies. We did
this while taking full responsibility for our development challenges, without
expecting others to own or fund our development work and solutions in line with
many of the principles of South-South and triangular cooperation.
Over the past 60 years, the state of Israel, through MASHAV – Israel’s Agency
for International Development Cooperation – has taken these solutions and made
them available to other countries all across the globe. We have worked until
today with more than 140 different countries in sharing experiences and
knowhow, including with our immediate neighbors – the Palestinians, the
Jordanians and the Egyptians and we call upon all our Middle Eastern
neighboring countries to intensify development cooperation in our region.

Mr. President, We are living in an era that will ever be remembered in human
history as the age of "Universal Sustainable development", an age in which all
nations, put aside their differences and came together to adopt a comprehensive
achievable development agenda, based on sustainable pillars. This in itself is a
huge common achievement. But for this achievement to work, and to truly
transform reality on our planet, we have to make sure that the immense efforts
invested in development are fully coordinated in a coherent manner.
The constant spread of food, water and nutrition insecurity are daunting
challenges for the entire international community, especially in the wake of a
fast growing world population. By 2050 the world population is expected to
02-5303111 '‫ טל‬91035 ‫ ירושלים‬,3013 .‫ד‬.‫ ת‬,9 ‫שד' יצחק רבין‬
9 Shderot Yitzhak Rabin, P.O.Box 3013, Jerusalem, 91035 Tel: 972-2-5303111
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ‫משרד החוץ‬
JERUSALEM
‫ירושלים‬

possibly reach 10 billion inhabitants. Almost all growth will take place in the
less developed regions. 5.5 billion people of underdeveloped countries are
expected to increase to 8 billion by 2050. By contrast, the population of the more
developed regions will remain mostly unchanged, at 1.2 billion. It is crystal clear
that the main challenge of mankind in the next 30 years is to find smart solutions
for increasing resilience and feeding and supplying fresh water to all of earth's
inhabitants. In order to address these challenges, there is a need to move towards
the implementation of a fully integrated global approach, based on the widest
possible array of innovative and affordable solutions. This approach has to
combine all components of development assistance – financial and technical
alike. One will not be sufficient without the other. Only efforts that will include
all actors and all tools combined, will bear real fruit, and will make the difference
we all aspire for.

If we fail to do so, our planet will face an immense humanitarian crisis, with
unprecedented magnitude. It is obvious, that only resilient communities will be
able to tackle the immense challenges in front of them - and this will be achieved
only through intensified south south cooperation as well as north south
cooperation and triangular partnerships.
The State of Israel has been committed, since the very early days of its
establishment, 70 years ago, in fulfilling its responsibility to contribute to the
ongoing, uphill global fight against poverty and constant international efforts to
achieve sustainable development. Under this commitment we see ourselves as
natural partners for any international effort such as this one discussed here today
in Buenos Aires.

Israel believes that programs which synthesize innovation, entrepreneurship,

financing and planning from both the public and the private sectors, present an
achievable method of implementing a supportive and sustainable environment
for development. We are strong believers that a successful collaboration of
governments, private sector and civil society will allow an enabling environment
for change.

But for these efforts to succeed, a major paradigm shift is needed – all countries
have to take full responsibility for their challenges, problems and gaps. Only full
ownership of the challenge, will lead to a real and sustainable solution. This is
the model of Israel, which we are willing to share with all countries of the world
– regardless of diplomatic relations.
When it comes to development let's put politics aside and work together for the
benefit of our children and their future planet.

Thank you.

02-5303111 '‫ טל‬91035 ‫ ירושלים‬,3013 .‫ד‬.‫ ת‬,9 ‫שד' יצחק רבין‬

9 Shderot Yitzhak Rabin, P.O.Box 3013, Jerusalem, 91035 Tel: 972-2-5303111