And with that in mind, Djibouti supports the beyond GDP intergovernmental process. This seeks to complement traditional economic indicators with measures that better take into account people's wellbeing, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Djibouti supports efforts to adapt the UN to contemporary challenges and enhance its effectiveness, but we must make it clear that our organisation does not exist merely to balance the books. Rather, it is here to serve our peoples and to give effect to the decisions that we take together. Any reform should continue to be guided by the mandates established by member States, and should preserve the balance between the three pillars peace and security, development and human rights. As the mandate of the outgoing Secretary General, His Excellency António Guterres draws to a close, I should like on behalf of my president, His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, to express our profound gratitude for his years of service to the UN. We wish him every success and we sincerely thank him for his invaluable contribution to global peace and justice. Finally, we are following very closely the process to identify the most qualified person to serve as the next Secretary General of the UN. That selection must be guided by competence, professional integrity and unequivocal commitment to respect for international law and the ability rigorously to implement the reforms on which member states have collectively agreed. Thank you.

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However, a country's progress shouldn't— progress in a country should not mean that a country is penalized. Middle-income countries host 3 in every 4 people on the planet and 2 in every 3 people in extreme poverty, and nevertheless, GDP continues to be used exclusively for concessional financing. So we're calling for a process like the one that was initiated in the Pact for the Future, to achieve a common framework to measure progress beyond GDP, and for international financial institutions to incorporate these criteria in the multidimensional vulnerability index. Because what can't be measured and what isn't measured doesn't influence decisions, and what doesn't influence decisions does not receive attention. For a small island country, climate change is not an abstract matter, ladies and gentlemen.

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A country does not become less vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters, because its per capita income has crossed an arbitrary threshold. We therefore continue to advocate for the use of measures that go beyond GDP, including multidimensional vulnerability indices in determining access to concessional and development finance. Mr. president, Jamaica brings this message to the international community from a position not only of vulnerability but one of responsibility. Over the past decade, we have undertaken difficult reforms and made difficult decisions.

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