UN passes Israeli resolution on development

"This resolution is further proof of the important contributions that Israel makes to the world as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship," Israel’s Ambassador to UN Danny Danon.

By DANIELLE ZIRI
Updated: NOVEMBER 19, 2016 23:22
Danny Danon (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Danny Danon
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
NEW YORK – The United Nations General Assembly approved an Israeli-sponsored resolution on Friday, focusing on international innovation and development and ways to help some of remove the obstacles entrepreneurs face internationally.
The resolution, titled, “Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development,” states that promoting entrepreneurship education through capacity-building, training programs, and business incubators can increase access and opportunities for women, youth and individuals with disabilities.
In addition, it stresses the need to measure the impact of entrepreneurship policies through data collection and other indicators.
The Israeli text passed by a vote of 123 countries to 30, with eight abstaining. Most of the countries who voted against it were Arab states, including Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
“This resolution is further proof of the important contributions that Israel makes to the world as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.
“The hypocritical opposition by the Arab bloc did not succeed,” he added. “Every day, more and more countries are showing interest in Israel’s success.”
Danon added that the Israeli Mission to the UN is “proud to cooperate with countries around the world and to share knowledge and know-how as we work together to build a better world.”
The Israeli Mission considers the passing of the resolution as a diplomatic victory for Israel.
Several such “victories” have been achieved in the past year at the UN, including the appointment of Danon as chairman of the international body’s Sixth Committee and the recognition of Yom Kippur as an official UN holiday.