Governmental Forums, Diplomacy, G7, G20, G77

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. RENé ORELLANA, AMBASSADOR ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) ON "MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" (New York, 9 May 2014)

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. The Group underscores that Focus Area 15 on Means of Implementation is by far the most fundamental section, because a meaningful and adequate set of actions is needed if developing countries are to be able to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. It is not an overstatement to say that the SDGs will stand or fall depending on their Means of Implementation.

3. In order to ensure that the Means of Implementation and Global Partnership are meaningful, both the specific and the systemic dimensions of the various issues addressed in the targets need to be further developed and clarified, so that they are relevant to both the global system as well as the specific requirements of developing countries.

4. As the G77 and China has stated previously, the very notion of 'means of implementation' means that the mix of financial resources, technological development and transfers as well as capacity building must be supported by actions from developed countries at the international level. This refers to time-bound financing targets; associated trade and economic policies; technology transfer and other resources to assist and enable developing countries efforts.

5. Bearing this in mind, we are seriously concerned that Focus Area 15 on Means of Implementation in this third version of the document does not refer specifically to concrete actions that developed countries, and the international financial institutions in which they have a majority voice in, should undertake.

6. Furthermore, we reiterate that the Monterrey and Doha conferences on financing for development are a strong foundation for the SDG financing strategy. This should be reflected in the Means of Implementation.

7. As this Focus Area is currently outlined, the Means of Implementation are defined as operational issues like finance, trade and technology, while the Global Partnership for Development is defined primarily as a process of engaging stakeholders and of reporting progress. There have to be a clear difference between the issues of finance and technology transfer and the Global Partnership for Development. The first two should come mainly from public sources of developed countries.

8. There are the well known goals and targets within MDG Goal 8, which deal with ODA, trade, debt, access to medicines, technology etc. These already established goals and targets and should be reflected within the targets listed in the Focus Areas Document for the SDGs.

9. We call for a strengthened and enhanced Global Partnership for Development according to the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR),, firmly based on international cooperation on a broad range of key development issues, and primarily on a North-South basis. The meaning of Global Partnership for Development should not be overwhelmed by the notion of Partnerships in the plural, which overwhelmingly refers to engaging with the private sector or civil society.

10. The Global Partnership for Development is one that is principally between governments of developed and developing countries, with the developed countries taking the lead in providing resources and the means of implementation.

11. Co-Chairs, we find that the most problematic target is the first one, in target (a). It reads: "promote open, rules-based, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading and financial systems." The clustering of trade and finance in the same target is entirely inappropriate, because while an open and equitable multilateral trade system should be promoted, an open financial system is an entirely different matter and should not be promoted.

12. An open financial system is defined as a liberalized system of financial flows that allow funds, including speculative funds, to move in and out of countries. This has triggered many financial crises over the decades, and has led to significant outflows of illicit financial flows from developing countries, particularly through corporate tax evasion and avoidance, the use of offshore tax havens and transfer mispricing by Transnational Corporations.

13. Furthermore, as previously stated, despite previous debt relief initiatives and recent efforts, many developing countries still have substantial amount of state resources tied up in debt repayments. In this regard, it is imperative that a permanent and effective sovereign debt workout mechanism must be created to resolve the debt problem. With regard to target (m) on debt, which currently states "ensure debt sustainability and debt relief," it should be amended to include: "ensure debt sustainability, debt restructuring and debt relief, and these efforts should take into account the country's need to successfully implement the agreed SDGs."

14. Finally, as previously stressed by the Group of 77 and China, global official development assistance remains an important source of public financing for developing countries, particularly those without sufficient access to other sources. We urge for prompt action to reverse this decline and call for progress towards the 0.7 percent of GNI target, including the 0.15 percent to 0.20 percent target for least developed countries.

I thank you, Co-Chairs!

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. RENé ORELLANA, AMBASSADOR ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) ON "CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE RESOURCES, OCEANS AND SEAS & ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY" (New York, 8 May 2014)

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and
China.

2. The Group of 77 and China believes that issues like conservation and sustainable use of oceans and seas and their resources should be given priority, avoiding categorizing all possible action as "urgent" as we risk missing the focus. Among those we consider to be critical we can mention some, already included in the Rio Plus 20 outcome document, such as ocean acidification and its impact in marine ecosystems, the need to recommit to preventing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing so as to reach sustainable levels, the need to make the negotiations at the WTO to discipline fisheries subsidies more expeditious, the need for capacity building and the transfer of marine technology for science regarding the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources. The sustainable development goals should also refer to the access to and from landlocked developing countries to and from the oceans and seas by all means of transportation.

3. We would like to reiterate the urgency of support and working collectively in order to prevent ocean acidification, strengthen marine ecosystems and the communities who depend on these. We believe that an implementation of paragraph 166 of the Rio+20 outcome document entitled 'The future we want' and relevant paragraphs of the Oceans and Law of the Sea Resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly is necessary. But it is also necessary to draft targets without prejudging the competence and the consideration of the issues in specific processes that are going on, established by the General Assembly, such as the subject matter of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Co-Chairs,

4.The Group would like to recall that the global awareness about the importance of forests must be raised so as to mobilize support for sustainable and integral forest and ecosystem management with an approach of holistic development and poverty eradication, and reinforcing its contribution to socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. We would like to underscore that the outcome of Río+20 also highlights the contribution of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) to sustainable development across all its pillars, which includes the rights of communities who live in the forest such as indigenous peoples, peasants and rural communities. This document also encourages the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and stakeholders to maintain their support and engagement in the work of the Forum.

5.We would also like to emphasize the importance of biodiversity conservation, enhancing habitat connectivity and building ecosystems resilience. We believe this must be a matter of great importance because of the severity of the global loss of biodiversity as well as the degradation of ecosystems, which damage global development. This in turn also affects and will keep affecting food security and nutrition, the health of the rural poor and of people worldwide, as well as the provision of and access to water.

6.We also recall that indigenous peoples and local communities are often the most directly dependent on biodiversity and ecosystems and thus are often the most immediately affected by their loss and degradation. In this regard, we reiterate our commitment to the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and call for urgent actions that halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. Therefore, we reaffirm the importance of the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the active involvement of all stakeholders in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as access to and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

7.The Group recognizes the inter-relationship between climate change, loss of biodiversity and desertification and the need to intensify efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management, and stress the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination among the Secretariats of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity, while respecting their individual mandates. We reiterate our call on all Parties to fully support the implementation of these Conventions in all their aspects, including the promotion of the exchange of knowledge on best practices and lessons learned from global and regional cooperation.

8.We call for holistic and integrated approaches to sustainable development that will guide humanity to live in harmony with nature and lead to efforts to restore the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem.

9.Finally, we recall paragraph four of Rio 20 that reads as follow: 4. We recognize that poverty eradication, changing unsustainable and promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are the overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development. We also reaffirm the need to achieve sustainable development by promoting sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, creating greater opportunities for all, reducing inequalities, raising basic standards of living, fostering equitable social development and inclusion, and promoting integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems that supports, inter alia, economic, social and human development while facilitating ecosystem conservation, regeneration and restoration and resilience in the face of new and emerging challenges.

I thank you, Co-Chairs!

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. SACHA LLORENTI, AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) ON "INDUSTRIALIZATION AND PROMOTING EQUALITY BETWEEN NATIONS, AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS" (New York, 7 May 2014)

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. As the Group has stated before, industry today accounts for over 31 percent of global GDP and is a creator of jobs and an engine for growth and prosperity. As such, industrialization must be decoupled from increased raw material use and negative environmental impact by becoming inclusive and sustainable. Inclusive and sustainable industrialization strategies need to be supported by an enabling environment and adequate policy space, which are also essential to achieving poverty eradication and sustainable development overall.

3. The Group again underscores that technology plays a key role in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization. Developing countries require increased access to technology transfer on favourable terms, including through concessionary and preferential terms, in order to shift to a more sustainable development path. It is imperative that the international community takes urgent actions to bridge the technological divide so as to promote endogenous technology development and domestic innovation for the objectives of industrialization and inclusive growth across the developing world. These actions include reforming the international Intellectual Property regime with a view to facilitating technological catch-up for developing countries, as well as concerted efforts to establishing the technology transfer mechanism, including the creation of a Technology Bank for the LDCs.

4. The Group stresses that it is not only industrial diversity that is fundamental to achieving sustainable development, but rather economic diversification more broadly. The ability of developing countries to move from commodity production to industrial production by raising the share of manufacturing and upgrading industrial technology and capability is paramount. Thus "economic diversification towards industrialization" is a more accurate phrasing, taking into note that few if any countries have reached developed status without a sustained period of economic diversification and industrialization.

5. The Group strongly believes that industrialization should be addressed in a differentiated manner that takes into account the varying industrial capacities and resources between developed and developing countries that imply significantly different degrees of resource use and pollutants. Due to the fact that many developing countries do not currently have a significant industrial base, it is important to emphasize the economic component of industrial development, not only the resource and environmental aspects of industry, which are also important but not sufficient.

6. Regarding the means of implementation, this is a crucial component. To achieve industrial development, developing countries require several types of means of implementation. This includes international financial resources including aid especially for low income countries and concessional loans for developing countries in general; market access for industrial products originating from developing countries; access to various types of technologies at affordable prices; access to environmentally sound technologies also at affordable prices; and trade and IPR rules that are consistent with and not hinder the process of industrial development of developing countries.

7. The Group reiterates from its previous statement in November 2013 that there is a strong case to have a SDG on reducing inequality and adopting social protection policies and measures. Inequality is fundamentally linked to poverty eradication, which is the central and overarching goal for the Group of 77 and China.

8. Studies show that income inequality among countries is higher than within countries. There should be international action to reverse the trend and thus to reduce international inequality. Other aspects of international cooperation, namely means of implementation and global partnership for development, should also be agreed on under the goal of reducing inequality.

9. Reversal of the universal trend of growing income inequality calls for reversing the secular decline in the share of labor income in most countries. For the Group, this goal could be pursued through various means to establish a level playing field between labor and capital, including greater international mobility of labor, regulation of international financial markets and capital movements, more equitable taxation of wage income and incomes from capital and financial assets, prevention of tax competition and a code of conduct for Transnational Corporations.

10. In developing countries, inequality needs be tackled by pursuing policies of inclusive economic growth. This needs to be coupled with enhanced investments in socio-economic infrastructure and human resource development, in particular, education, health, housing and sanitation.

11. The Group of 77 and China would like to express and insist that sustainable cities and human settlement will be a major development challenge over the next several decades. Humanity is now half urban, with projections that some 70 per cent of the world's population will live in cities by 2050, with rural-urban drift occurring largely in developing countries. The grim reality of approximately one billion people living in urban slums highlights the gravity of the challenges. Poor people living in slum houses in unhealthy environments, which co-exist with modern high-rise buildings in many developing countries, is a stark contrast that depicts poverty and inequality - two important issues that should have priority in the post-2015 development agenda.

12. We would like to recall that Sustainable urban development and human settlement require transformative policies at multiple levels of governance. It requires a multi-sectorial, multi-stakeholder approach that engages all relevant stakeholders in a transparent and inclusive manner. In this regard, we call for new modalities of interaction between nations at the international level, as well as between central and local governments at the national level, in order to fulfill their respective roles as governmental stakeholders in global efforts on sustainability. Other non-state actors also play important complementary roles. At the local level, city planners should tackle urban development challenges through inclusive policies that favour people-centred objectives and participatory decision-making that include the disadvantaged and marginalized members of society

I thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 131: FINANCIAL REPORTS AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND REPORTS OF THE BOARD OF AUDITORS, AT THE SECOND RESUMED PART OF SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 7 May 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 131, Financial Reports and Audited Financial Statements, and Reports of the Board of Auditors.

2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Hugh O'Farrell, Director of External Audit of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Chairman of the Audit Operations Committee of the United Nations Board of Auditors, for introducing Volume II of the Board's report. We would also like to thank the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the recommendations of the Board as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairman of the ACABQ, for introducing the Advisory Committee's related report.

Mr. Chairman,

3. Our Group continues to attach great importance to the work carried out by the Board of Auditors as the independent external auditors of the United Nations and its Funds and Programmes. We highly commend the continued high quality of the report under consideration which once again continues to inform Member States on the issues related to external oversight in particular for the peacekeeping operations. The Group has also taken note of the information provided by the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Board's recommendations related to peace-keeping operations.

Mr. Chairman,

4. With regard to the implementation of the previous recommendations of the Board, we have taken note that on the recommendations made for 2011/2012 period about 55 per cent were fully implemented while 40 per cent were partially implemented and 1 per cent was not implemented and 4 per cent were overtaken by events during the period. The Group welcomes improvements in the implementation of the recommendations of the Board compare to the previous reporting period. The Group also encourages additional efforts to ensure all recommendations of the Board are fully implemented and dedicated efforts are put in place to avoid reoccurrence.

5. The Group has also taken note of that the Organisation has continued its positive efforts to address the Board's concerns and to enhance financial control and management including those related to the implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and the progress towards implementation of the new Enterprise resource planning system (Umoja) and the global field support strategy.

6. Like in the previous years, it our expectation that these reforms will present a major opportunity to improve the way in which United Nations peacekeeping operations are managed and backstopped. The Group of 77 and China also concurs with the Board on the need for more clarity and elaboration on new peacekeeping service delivery model supported by the three business transformation and other initiatives to achieve enhanced accountability and delivery.

Mr. Chairman,

7. The Group has taken note that, while there has been some improvement on previously cited issues by the Board, the Organisation continue to face similar problems especially in the areas of procurement and contact management, budget formulation and management, human resources management, asset management and the implementation of the global field support strategy. The Group will be interested to learn in details on the reasons for reoccurrence of similar issues during our informal consultations.

Mr. Chairman,

8. With regard to the IPSAS implementation, the Group has taken note that while the first set of IPSAS-compliant financial statement is due in few weeks from today, there are still a number of challenges the PKOS are facing including those related to agreement on an appropriate inventory accounting policy; validation of the resultant valuations of real estate produced by the standard methodology; and better tailoring IPSAS guidance to each mission's circumstance and requirements. We believe that efforts will be put in place to ensure successful delivery of statement. The Group also careful interested to learn how the technical problem facing ERP as connected to IPSAS operations are being addressed in the Mission and at the Regional Service Center.

9. With regard to the implantation of the GFSS, the Group will be interested to learn the conclusion of the previous recommendation of the Board related to the movement of staff from Missions to Regional Service Center including on its scope, the administrative and financial implication. We will also be interested to learn in details operation of the UN Logistics Base and the telecommunication base in Valencia in this regard as connected to previous findings. The Group will further examining the issues related to standardized funding model and how the organisation is advancing in addressing those issues.

Mr. Chairman,

10. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China would like to assure you of our readiness to engage in constructive deliberations on a number of issues in this agenda items.

I thank you Mr. Chairman,

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. VALERIA VILASECA CHUMACERO, MINISTER COUNSELLOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS), ON THE ISSUES OF GENDER EQUALITY, AND WATER AND SANITATION (New York, 6 May 2014)

Co-Chairs,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the issues of Gender Equality, and Water and Sanitation.

2. We continue to strongly believe that gender equality and women empowerment is one of the most relevant challenges that we must meaningfully address as part of the SDGs, not only as a stand-alone goal but also as cross-cutting issue to ensure an effective success.

3. As we mentioned in our previous statements, we would like to recall that Rio +20 recognized that persistent social, economic and political inequalities prevent the realization of potential of women to benefit from sustainable development as leaders and change agents.

4. In this context, the Group re affirms its position on eliminating all forms of gender based violence, ensuring equitable distribution access and ownership of productive resources and opportunity; promoting equal opportunities in decision making in private, public and commercial life; and equal access to basic services for women and girls.

5. The group of 77 and China believes that education is one of the most relevant issues for the international community, therefore we support the equal access to education at all levels, including a commitment to universal and free education, life-long learning opportunities as well as ensure equal opportunities for participation and leadership of women in decision-making in public and private institutions.

6. Once again the Group would like to recall that improving and promoting easy access to water and sanitation production, irrigation and hydro-energy production will lead to tremendous progress in the eradication of poverty and food insecurity, in the context of formulating the SDGs. The Group of 77 concurs with the view that considerations must be given to equitable and universal access to safe drinking water, while addressing the balance between water supply and demand, including, where appropriate, non-conventional water resources, sanitation and hygiene, while ground and surface water should be developed and managed sustainably in an integrated manner to satisfy human needs while respecting the fragilities of our ecosystem and its limitations, and to implement integrated water resource management on national and basin levels. Also, in order to provide access to water, all states benefiting need to contribute to the costs involved in water infrastructure and maintenance.

7. For Means of implementation the Group believes that is important to support efforts in developing countries related to water and sanitation activities and programmes, through provision of financial resources, capacity-building and technology transfer.

I thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. SACHA LLORENTTY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, ON "POVERTY ERADICATION, BUILDING SHARED PROSPERITY AND PROMOTING EQUALITY" (New York, 5 May 2014)

Co-Chairs,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. We would like to thank you for your work, we acknowledge that the Open Working Group has reached a critical juncture in the process to finalize SDG goals and targets, which is expected to be completed by July.

3. Therefore, the Group would like to strongly emphasize the importance of better reflecting many of the important elements that the G77 and China has frequently reiterated, not only during previous OWG meetings but throughout the stocktaking sessions.

4. We would like to stress that the notion of differentiation is absent from the document. It is necessary to reflect the different capacities, development stages and circumstances of member states. It is also of crucial importance that developed countries take the lead in sustainable development and in particular sustainable consumption and production, while also supporting developing countries in achieving both economic growth and sustainable development.

5. We emphasize that a truly universal agenda requires tangible deliverables and commitments for developed countries as well.

6. In this context, we would like to highlight the fact that the Rio principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) does not appear in the third revision of the text, nor is it referenced in the section on climate change. We remind the Open Working Group and its two Co-Chairs that during the methodology statement of the last session, the G77 and China proposed to the Co-Chairs the inclusion of a chapeau to the SDG document in which all the Rio Principles are reaffirmed, in particular CBDR as a guiding principle of SDGs.

7. The Group is concerned that the focus area of inequality has been merged into the focus area of poverty eradication, through national-level inequality, and into industrialization, through inequality among nations. Again, nobody suggested for this to be done from the floor during the 10th OWG session. We call for a single Focus Area on reducing inequality.

8. We would also like to emphasize that even though the concept of international inequality has been included in the title of Focus Area 9 on industrialization and promoting equality among nations, there is in fact no target on this issue. Due to the strong and repeated call by our Group to focus on inequality among nations, a target on inequality among nations will need to be reinstated.

9. The Group of 77 and China believes that the SDG Open Working Group process has now come to a critical moment. Therefore, we would like to call for a more direct method of deliberation on the elements of the SDGs, in which all Member States, not only those of the OWG, can interact and discuss more thoroughly to improve the content of the draft report for SDGs. This would ensure a Member State driven process. We therefore propose to the Co-Chairs to commence and facilitate informal consultations among all Member States.

10. The Group of 77 and China would like to highlight the importance of Means of Implementation and Global Partnership, since these are crucial for the process.

Focus Area 1. Poverty eradication, building shared prosperity and promoting equality

11. The Group is first and foremost concerned that within the first focus area of poverty eradication, building shared prosperity and promoting equality there is no placeholder for Means of Implementation, as there is in all other focus areas.

12. The Group of 77 is of the view that policies and development efforts targeted at poverty eradication must be responsive to the challenges as well as opportunities of sustainable development at both international and national levels. In this regard, a supportive, fair and enabling economic and financial architecture as well as a genuine global partnership for sustainable development are crucial to complement the efforts of national governments. We call for concrete measures to create an international economic environment that enables and supports the sustainable development efforts of developing countries.

13. The Group also emphasizes that it is necessary to address inequalities, both within and between countries, in order to reduce poverty. Whilst robust and stable economic growth is necessary to reduce poverty, it is not sufficient in and of itself. Economic growth must be sustainable, inclusive, equitable, and create decent work and livelihood opportunities for all, especially the poor and vulnerable members of society. Most importantly, the benefits and opportunities of economic growth must be shared amongst and extended to include marginalized and minority groups in society.

Focus area 2. Sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition

14. As the G77 and China have previously reiterated, agriculture is the most important sector in many developing countries and is central to the survival of millions of people. The Group stresses that agricultural subsidies and other trade distortions by developed countries have severely harmed the agricultural sector in developing countries, limiting the ability of this key sector to contribute meaningfully to poverty eradication, rural development and sustainable, sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth. Elimination of such subsidies is a fundamental part of the global effort to promote agriculture, rural development and eradicate poverty and hunger. Equally important is market access to developing country agricultural products. In this regard, we stress the necessity of a timely conclusion of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, which must fully respect its development mandate and take into account the needs and priorities of developing countries. This should be reflected in the international dimension of the Means of Implementation in this focus area on sustainable agriculture and food security.

Furthermore, Means of Implementation for sustainable agriculture should include public financing and transfer of appropriate technology by developed countries, which is needed not only for the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices but also to put in place the required infrastructure, communications and other enabling condition.

15. The Group recognizes that target c) calls for ensuring sustainable food production systems with high yields, along with reducing the intensity of the use of water, chemicals and energy by specific percentages. However, as the G77 and China group has previously stated during the OWG consultation on sustainable agriculture, as long as current conditions prevail, it is difficult for developing country agricultural producers to implement a paradigm shift towards sustainable agriculture. Many developing countries, particularly the Least Developing Countries that were once self-sufficient in food or were exporters of food, have become dependent on food imports as a result of significant distortions in developed countries' farming sector as well as international trading rules, which are skewed against the developing countries.

16. The challenges facing agriculture in the next few decades are complex. With increased global population growth, there will be increased demand for food, feed, fuel and fibre. While increasing food production is vital to meet these new demands, the Group of 77 and China holds the strong view that the current practice of wasting one-third of food produced -1.3 billion tons per year, is not sustainable and must change. We recognize that target e) calls for the reducing the global rate of loss and waste along the food supply chain by 50 percent by 2030. However, we call for differentiation between developed and developing countries in this responsibility, in order to reflect the varying levels of production and consumption between countries.

17. In Agenda 21, the outcome of the Rio Earth Summit of 1992, nations acknowledged the need for "major adjustments in agricultural, environmental and macroeconomic policy, at both national and international levels, in developed as well as developing countries, to create the conditions for sustainable agriculture and rural development". This statement is still relevant 21 years later and we cannot afford to postpone our collective efforts any further.

18. As stated previously, the G77 and China holds the view that the increasing involvement of non-commercial actors in the market of food and food-related commodities, or the so-called financialization of the sector, has played a role in the emergence of the problem of excessive food price volatility. Vulnerable populations in developing countries have had their economic and social right to food and nutrition threatened, reinforcing inequality and exacerbating poverty. It is imperative therefore, that the root causes of excessive food price volatility, including structural causes, must be addressed seriously. The Group believes that commodity markets should operate in a properly regulated manner that avoid excessive volatility and speculative activities and serve the real needs of both producers and consumers. This should be reflected in the Means of Implementation necessary to achieve sustainable agriculture and food security globally.

19. While target d) calls for achieving access by 2030 to adequate inputs, knowledge, productive resources, financial services and markets for small farmers and fishers, with a particular focus on women and indigenous peoples, the concrete Means of Implementation by which smallholders will be supported are still absent. To support the economic viability of smallholder agriculture and to reduce their vulnerability, the policy actions already stated require both dedicated financial resources and technological capacity and development.

20. Target b) calls for ending malnutrition in all its forms, with an emphasis on children under five years of age. However, eliminating hunger and food security is not mentioned in the focus area, which the Group feels is fundamental to the very title of this Focus Area which includes both sustainable agriculture and food security. Food security and elimination of hunger requires investment in agriculture, rural development, decent work, social protection and equality of opportunity. Other enablers include, among others, sustainable agriculture, infrastructure, education, water, health, the empowerment of women and gender equality.

I thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON THE ORGANIZATION OF WORK OF THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 5 May 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the organization of work of the second part of the resumed sixty-eighth session of the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly.

2. Last month, the family of the Fifth Committee lost a truly salient member and dearest friend, Mr. Alan Shaw. The Group of 77 and China would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Alan and express once again its deepest condolences to the UK Mission and the EU Delegation for his untimely death. Our thoughts go to his wife, family and colleagues.

3. The Group of 77 and China would like to commend you, Mr. Chairman, for your outstanding leadership at the first part of the resumed sixty-eighth session and for bringing it to a successful conclusion within the established time framework. As we begin this second resumed session, I would like to wish you all the best in guiding our discussions and to assure you of our full cooperation.

4. The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Hervé Ladsous, the Under Secretary-General of Department of Field Support Ms. Ameerah Haq, and the Assistant Secretary-General/Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar, for joining us today.

5. The Group of 77 and China also takes this opportunity to thank you and the Bureau of the Committee for preparing the draft programme of work, and the Secretariat for issuing the document A/C.5/68/L.36 reflecting the status of preparedness of documentation for the second part of the resumed sixty-eighth session. We hope that the draft programme of work will consequently be adjusted according to the availability of the relevant documents, as well as the progress and evolution of negotiations during the session. The Group of 77 and China continues to be concerned that important reports have been issued late and some have yet to be issued.

6. The G-77 and China considers that the Committee ought to take measures to ensure, in the long term, timely submission of reports to the ACABQ and to Member States. There are voluminous resources entitled to ensure this, thus efficiency is to be sought and guaranteed. Within this context, the G77 would like to refer to the letter sent by the Chairman of the ACABQ on the issue and as a result of the questions included in this letter, the Group would like to request a formal meeting of the Committee with the Chairman of the ACABQ and the Secretariat during the current second resume session.
Mr. Chairman,

7. The report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 67/261 provides to the General Assembly all the necessary elements for a historic decision on the issue of troop cost, necessary to ensure the sustainability of the UN peacekeeping partnership. The results of the survey conducted pursuant to GA resolution 67/261 clearly demonstrate the deficit between the current reimbursement rate and the financial costs of TCCs. It is high time the General Assembly adopts a decision on this matter, increasing the standard rate of reimbursement for troop contributing countries in line with the results of the survey.

8. The workload ahead of us in this session is considerable and demanding. Undoubtedly, all the administrative and budgetary aspects of financing peacekeeping operations, including the cross-cutting issues, the support account for PKOs, and the closed peacekeeping missions will have to be addressed carefully, while keeping in mind the importance of concluding our work in a timely manner. Within the debate regarding cross-cutting issues, the question of inter-mission cooperation and its impact on peacekeeping budgets and administration will be followed up on keenly by the Group.

9. The Group of 77 and China is of the view that during the session, the following key areas will have to be tackled and looks forward to engaging on these issues during the informals:

i. An increase in the standard rate of reimbursement for troop contributing countries;

ii. to address comprehensively the systemic and unresolved issues and difficulties faced by the Troop-Contributing Countries including their under-representation in the relevant Departments of the Secretariat dealing with Peacekeeping;

iii. to explore options to achieve a fair solution for the unpaid assessments, accounts payable and other liabilities of closed peacekeeping missions, so as to settle claims outstanding in the missions with cash deficit;

iv. to ensure that the formulation, presentation, and approval of the peacekeeping budgets is done on the basis of their mandates and the real situation on ground, and not as arbitrary, across-the-board cost-cutting exercise; and

v. to assess the progress and challenges being faced in the implementation of the Global Field Support Strategy.

Mr. Chairman,

10. The Group of 77 and China would like to state clearly that adequate time should be allocated for the consideration of all items on our agenda. The Group will, therefore, support conclusion of the session within the allocated programme of work.

11. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, the Group of 77 and China would like to assure you of its readiness to engage constructively during the Committee's deliberations on all issues under its consideration during the session.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA DELIVERED BY MR. RAYMOND LANDVELD, COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE SECOND INFORMAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATIONS ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL MODALITIES OF THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT (New York, 28 April 2014)

Mr. Co-Facilitators,

We thank you for organizing this meeting. We appreciate the non-paper you provided in advance of this meeting to facilitate discussion among member states on the questions of scope and timing of the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development. Here is our initial response.

We should recall that paragraph 43 of resolution 68/204 indicates that consultations should be on dates, format, organization and scope. We would prefer to keep the GA wording.

Mr. Co-Facilitators,

The International Conference on Financing for Development should be a priority for the United Nations, as it embodies a holistic approach to the interconnected national, international and systemic challenges of financing for development.

The financing for development process should be coordinated with the definition of the post-2015 development agenda, as both processes are mutually influenced and complement each other.

We would like to stress once again that achieving both the internationally agreed development goals and a holistic approach to support their achievements, demands a close dialogue and common understanding between developed and developing countries and, in this regard, the International Conference on Financing for Development should be a priority as we note with concern a visible deterioration of an enabling environment to support the sustainable development efforts made by developing countries, which calls for the urgent need to address the systemic issues of international development that would allow developing countries to catalyze their sustainable development efforts.

In the context of today's discussion, the Group would like to make the following five key points:

First, the Group of 77 & China reiterates its strong call that the 3rd FfD Conference must be held in the first half of 2015 in order to fully coordinate both intergovernmental processes of negotiations, the post-2015 development agenda and the financing for development, as they are both part of a single undertaking in favor of a new paradigm for international economic relations and development cooperation. We do not see any added value of the Conference if it is to be held in 2016 after the adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Second, the Group sees the 3rd FfD Conference as a fundamental framework for the Post-2015 development agenda. This Conference should lay a firm foundation for an ambitious post-2015 development agenda promoting and supporting the national and international economic conditions needed not only for identifying the financial resources available for development cooperation and financing the sustainable development goals, attracting international flows, promoting fair international trade relations, debt sustainability, increasing international development assistance and technical cooperation for development and meaningfully addressing international systemic issues of the world economy. The Monterrey Consensus provides a holistic agenda and space for a discussion, with all relevant institutional actors, the way forward for a more fair and pro-development global economic system, needed for a transformative post 2015 development agenda.

Mr. Co-Facilitators,

The Group does not want to see a situation where a delay in discussing and agreeing on the organizational modalities makes the holding of the 3rd International FfD Conference in 2015 impossible due to logistical reasons. We would therefore strongly urge you to organize further informal consultations with a sense of urgency to expedite an early decision on this issue.

Third, while we appreciate your effort to advance discussions on the scope and timing of the Conference, we would like to recall the mandate emanating out of paragraph 44 of the UNGA resolution 68/204 which requires this process of informal consultations to deliberate upon the date, format, organization and scope of the 3rd FfD Conference. We would therefore like the informal consultations to concentrate on all of those issues together and not single out 'scope' upfront, which tends to make other issues secondary to this consideration.

Fourth, the Group of 77 & China believes that we already have a clear mandate on the scope of the Conference based on resolution 68/204. We are not convinced that further elaboration of the scope of the Conference is necessary or even practical at this stage. We do not support a re-negotiation of the resolution 68/204.

We further believe that 100% ex-ante clarity on the exact scope of the work of the Conference and its precise relationship with other ongoing processes may not be possible, given in particular that several important ongoing processes have not concluded their work.

Fifth, the Group believes that in its scope, the 3rd International FfD Conference must prioritize a concrete follow-up to the implementation of the commitments made by parties under the FfD process, including through the creation of an intergovernmental institutional mechanism to do so.

Mr. Co-Facilitators,

The Group is prepared to listen attentively to the views of other member states and engage constructively in this discussion. However, we would like to once again request you to conduct these discussions in a way to facilitate an early decision to hold the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development in the first half of 2015.

On a procedural note, Mr. Co-Facilitators, we believe that from the next meeting of informal consultation, the established practice of the General Assembly on participation will be upheld.

I thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY AMBASSADOR SACHA LLORENTTY, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE SPECIAL HIGH LEVEL MEETING OF ECOSOC WITH THE BRETTON WOODS INSTITUTIONS, THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, AND THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (New York, 14 April 2014)

Mr. President,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

At the outset, the Group would like to express the importance for this annual Special High Level meeting of ECOSOC with the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), to be addressing the overall theme "Coherence, coordination and cooperation in the context of financing for sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda".

This meeting is especially important because is being held in the context of the follow-up process to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and the discussions on the post-2015 Development Agenda, as well as the preparations for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development.

Regarding the mentioned theme to be discussed in this Special Meeting, the Group of 77 and China recalls that the world financial and economic crisis and its consequences in development have underscored the gaps and failures in global economic governance within the international financial and economic system, and in that sense there is a high need of strengthening the UN role in international economic and financial affairs, including its coordinating role in global economic governance. In this regard, ECOSOC, as the mandated United Nations body tasked with ensuring coordination, coherence and cooperation among the relevant economic and social bodies should be strengthened to play a role in global economic governance.

The current institutional arrangements have proved to be inadequate in addressing a range of pressing development issues, including reducing inequalities and high levels of unemployment at the global level. It's clear that the international financial and monetary systems need urgent systemic reforms to make them more effective, transparent and legitimate. We need an international financial architecture that reflects the current realities and increase the voice and participation of developing countries in global economic governance. We also stress the need for a properly regulated financial sector that reduces and discourage speculative investment, and facilitate the mobilization of financial flows for the achievement of sustainable development.

Mr. President,

The Group would like to stress the need for ambitious and expeditious reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions, particularly their governance structures, based on full and fair representation of developing countries, in order to address the lack of democracy in these institutions otherwise their legitimacy will remain questionable.

The G-77 and China believes that there is a need for fundamental reforms in the IMF governance structures to be implemented, in order to reflect the current realities of the developing countries and to achieve parity of voting power for developing countries as a group in the decision making process within the BWIs and in all discussions on international monetary reform and in the operation of the new arrangements for Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF must provide more comprehensive and flexible financial responses to the needs of developing countries, without imposing procyclical conditionalities and respecting their need for adequate policy space.

Due to the continuation of the global economic crisis, the economies of increasing numbers of developing countries are being affected, and some countries are becoming more vulnerable to new external debt problems or even crises. Additionally, the slow growth of the world economy has resulted in a much slower pace of poverty reduction in many developing countries and a drop in investments in critical areas for achieving the MDGs. Addressing external debt problems of developing countries is thus an important part of international cooperation and the enhanced global partnership for development.

In order to improve their effective participation in the multilateral trade system, the Group of 77 and China stresses the importance of facilitating the accession of all developing countries and least developing countries that apply for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), without political impediments, in an expeditious and transparent manner. In order to fully harness the potential of trade, it's vital to uphold a universal, rule-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system.
Mr. President,

The Group of 77 and China believes that ensuring adequate and stable development resources are not only crucial to the progress of international development cooperation, but also the core components of the post-2015 development agenda. Ensuring financial support for the socio-economic development of developing countries will help with their development, which in turn will advance the development and prosperity of the whole world. The framework of Monterrey Consensus should be kept. Public international finance remains the core of international cooperation for development and a main concern of all developing countries. The principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" is the guiding principle of the global partnership for development.

A renewed and strengthened global partnership is imperative if we are to achieve a transformative, people centered and sustainable development agenda. In this regard, it's important to build on the strengths of the current global partnership, in particular the strong foundations and holistic approach of Monterrey and Doha conferences on financing for development.

The Group of 77 and China strongly believes that effective means of implementation, including adequate, predictable and stable financing for development; as well as technology transfer with concessionary and preferential terms, and capacity building tailored to the specific needs of developing countries would be central to this renewed and strengthened global partnership.

The Group of 77 and China wishes to express its deep concern for the erosion of development cooperation in terms of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and reiterates the need for developed countries to urgently fulfill all their ODA commitments in particular the commitment to reach the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product for official development assistance to developing countries by 2015, as well as a target of 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of gross national product to least developed countries.

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms the central role played by the United Nations as a focal point for the financing for development follow-up process and the need to maintain that role to ensure the continuity and dynamism of the process, while reaffirming the need to further intensify the engagement of all stakeholders, including the United Nations system, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization, in the follow-up and implementation of the commitments made at Monterrey and Doha.

Systemic shortcomings of international monetary, financial and economic institutions cannot be overemphasized and must be addressed through the serious reforms mentioned before. In order to complement national development efforts, we also recognize the urgent need to enhance coherence and consistency of the international monetary, financial and trading systems.

A more inclusive framework of global economic governance is mandatory to improve the functioning, stability and resilience of these institutions. Developing countries should be supported by an enabling international environment in support of development. This calls for a new set of open macroeconomic policies that avoid the contractionary and unequal impact of the liberal approach in order to keep a stable macroeconomic environment, pursuing long term-growth and lowering income inequality.

With that being said, the Group of 77 and China looks forward to a fruitful outcome from today's discussion.

Thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. CLAUDIA PEñA, MINISTER OF AUTONOMIES OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA, AT THE FORTY-SEVENTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (New York, 7 April 2014)

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,

At the outset, the Group of 77 and China takes this opportunity to record its emphatic support to the principles, goals and objectives set out in the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, as well as in other outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits. The Group again highlights that the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action beyond 2014 is crucial for the eradication of poverty as well as the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; in this regard, the Group urges that population issues must continue to be addressed in a comprehensive manner, as an integral part of the economic, social and cultural development, as outlined in the ICPD Programme of Action and placed more securely into the discussion of the post-2015 development agenda. The Group also underlines that sustainable development requires that the interrelationships between population, resources, the environment and development be fully recognized and properly managed and brought into harmonious, dynamic balance.

Mr. President,

Twenty years ago, the world came together at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo and agreed by consensus on a 20-year Programme of Action that integrated a comprehensive range of population, social, development and human rights issues, necessary for ensuring that each person lives a healthy and dignified life. On the occasion, 179 states agreed to make a collective effort to achieve, among others, universal access to education, to reduce infant child and maternal mortality. Notwithstanding that the conference had a positive impact on poverty eradication and economic development, considerable challenges and gaps still remain, including those that are a result of the systemic, economic and financial crisis, that have to be addressed in order to attain the internationally agreed development goals including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) along with the path to attaining the own Conference's goals. This is why today's meeting is an important and timely event in order to recommit ourselves to the attainments of the objectives embodied in ICPD.

While some regions in the developing countries witnessed a substantial decline in maternal death, others made little improvement, and women in these regions face the greatest lifetime risk of dying as a result of pregnancy and childbirth. The number of people newly infected with HIV peaked in some regions in 1996 and has declined worldwide. Unfortunately, in some areas in the least developed countries, the number of HIV prevalence has almost doubled since 2001 and two-thirds of those living with HIV in certain other areas are women.

A fully functional, efficient and quality health system with universal coverage is essential for the realization of the ICPD Programme of Action beyond 2014 and the MDG health-related goals. Many countries have health care systems, which are deficient in infrastructure and human resources. We believe that the achievement of the MDG 8 regarding a global partnership for development is crucial for those countries to improve and strengthen the capacity of their health systems to ensure the availability, accessibility and quality of services, with the support of the international community. What we need is a real and strong will to enhance adequate financing and effective delivery to the agreed principles, as well as streamlining and harmonizing aid operations.

Greater access to education for young girls in developing countries has a strong correlation with a reduction of the number of teenage and unwanted pregnancies. Priority attention must be given to the problems faced by the young people, such as unemployment, their access to affordable quality education and a quality health system. Increasing literacy and computing skills among women has shown to be effective in improving individual household finances, creating innovative and creative entrepreneurial activities. In the same light, attention needs to be paid to the elderly, ethnic minorities, migrants and people with disabilities. Their inclusion in society needs to be assured through the provision of social protection instruments.

The Group of 77 and China calls upon the international community to give priority attention to the plight of people living under foreign occupation, forced displacement and armed conflict and put an end to their suffering, including by removing obstacles facing the development of their health system, by ensuring protection of their human rights, access to health care and services, education and development and by enhancing technical and financial assistance; in particular for the people of the occupied State of Palestine, who continue to be victims of forced displacement, home demolitions and land confiscations for the construction of illegal settlements and the annexation Wall.

The Group further reaffirms the call for the elimination of laws with political objectives that discriminate against migrants due to their nationality and stimulate the trafficking of persons.

Therefore, at the twentieth anniversary of the ICPD, it is vital for the United Nations Member and Observer States to recognize gaps and challenges, to consolidate lessons learned, and to reaffirm their commitments, along with redoubling their efforts, while sustaining the achievements and increasing resources to accelerate progress towards the fulfillment of the Programme of Action and the MDGs. The Group emphasizes the importance that donors, United Nations organizations, and other international organizations must work together to enhance financial and technical support to developing countries, including in the field of capacity building towards achievement of ICPD principles and goals.

Finally, Mr. President, the Group of 77 and China wants to express its concern on the fact that the two facilitators appointed by you for the consultations on the drafts, belong to the north, which challenges the long established practice of having balance in this appointments. Even though we fully acknowledge the explanation given by you, the group's concern remains on the fact that the decision could be considered by some member states as a precedent for the future. Therefore, the Group would like clearly to stress that this arrangement constitutes a unique situation and therefore is not a precedent. Such understanding must be clearly reflected in the report of this session.

I thank you, Mr. President.


DECLARACIÓN EN NOMBRE DEL GRUPO DE LOS 77 Y CHINA PRONUNCIADA POR S. E. CLAUDIA PEÑA, MINISTRA DE AUTONOMÍAS DEL ESTADO PLURINACIONAL DE BOLIVIA EN LA 47ma SESIÓN DE LA COMISIÓN DE POBLACIÓN DE DESARROLLO

(Nueva York, 7 de abril de 2014)

Tengo el honor de formular esta declaración en nombre del Grupo de los 77 y China.

Sr. Presidente,
Sr. Secretario General,
Excelencias,
Distinguidos Delegados y delegadas,

En primer lugar, el Grupo de los 77 y China aprovecha esta oportunidad para manifestar su apoyo rotundo a los principios, metas y objetivos establecidos en el Programa de Acción de la Conferencia Internacional sobre el de Población y Desarrollo (CIPD), así como en otros resultados de la grandes conferencias y cumbres de las Naciones Unidas. El Grupo pone de relieve una vez más que la aplicación del Programa de Acción de la CIPD y su seguimiento después de 2014 es crucial para la erradicación de la pobreza, así como para el logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio; en este sentido, el Grupo insta a que las cuestiones de población sean abordadas de manera abarcadora, como parte integral de los derechos económicos, sociales y al desarrollo, según se indica en el Programa de Acción de la CIPD y su tratamiento sea asegurado en la discusión de la agenda de desarrollo post-2015. Asimismo, el Grupo subraya que el desarrollo sostenible requiere que las relaciones entre población, recursos, medio ambiente y desarrollo sean cabalmente reconocidas, debidamente gestionados y sean puestas en equilibrio armonioso dinámico.

Sr. Presidente,

Hace veinte años, el mundo se reunió en la Conferencia Internacional sobre Población y Desarrollo (CIPD) en El Cairo y estuvo de acuerdo por consenso sobre un programa de acción para 20 años, que integra una amplia gama de temas de población, sociales, de desarrollo y derechos humanos, necesarios para garantizar que cada persona viva una vida sana y digna. En la ocasión, 179 estados acordaron realizar un esfuerzo colectivo para lograr, entre otros, el acceso universal a la educación, la reducción de la mortalidad infantil y materna. A pesar de que la Conferencia tuvo un impacto positivo en la erradicación de la pobreza y el desarrollo económico, todavía persisten considerables desafíos y sigue habiendo desigualdades, incluidas aquellas que son consecuencia de las crisis sistémica, económica y financiera, que tienen que ser abordadas con el fin de alcanzar los objetivos de desarrollo convenidos internacionalmente, incluidos los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio (ODM), además del camino para la consecución de los objetivos de la propia Conferencia. Esta es la razón por la que reunión de hoy es un evento tan importante como oportuno para volver a comprometernos con los logros de los objetivos consagrados en la CIPD.

Mientras que algunas regiones de los países en desarrollo fueron testigos de una disminución sustancial de la mortalidad materna, otras hicieron pocas mejoras, y las mujeres en estas regiones afrontan mayor riesgo de morir como consecuencia del embarazo y el parto. El número de nuevas infecciones por el VIH alcanzó su punto máximo en algunas regiones en 1996 y ha disminuido en todo el mundo. Por desgracia, en algunas zonas de los países menos desarrollados, el número de la prevalencia del VIH casi se ha duplicado desde 2001, y dos tercios de las personas que viven con el VIH en algunas áreas son mujeres.

Un sistema de salud totalmente funcional, eficiente, de calidad y con cobertura universal es esencial para la realización del Programa de Acción de la CIPD y su seguimiento después de 2014 así las ODM relacionados con la salud. Muchos países cuentan con sistemas de atención de la salud, que son deficientes en infraestructura y recursos humanos. Creemos que el logro del ODM 8 en relación con una alianza mundial para el desarrollo es crucial para que esos países mejoren y fortalezcan la capacidad de sus sistemas de salud para garantizar la disponibilidad, accesibilidad y calidad de los servicios, con el apoyo de la comunidad internacional. Lo que necesitamos es una voluntad real y fuerte para mejorar el financiamiento adecuado y la entrega efectiva de los principios acordados, así como la simplificación y la armonización de las operaciones de ayuda.

Un mayor acceso a la educación de las niñas en los países en desarrollo tiene una fuerte correlación con la reducción del número de embarazos de adolescentes y no deseados. Debe darse atención prioritaria a los problemas que afrontan los jóvenes, como el desempleo, el acceso a una educación accesible y de calidad, y un sistema de salud de calidad. La alfabetización y el fomento de las habilidades informáticas entre las mujeres ha demostrado ser eficaz en la mejora de las finanzas de los hogares y en la creación de actividades empresariales innovadoras y creativas. En el mismo sentido, es necesario prestar atención a las personas adultas mayores, minorías étnicas, migrantes y personas con discapacidad. Es necesario garantizar su inclusión en la sociedad a través de la provisión de los instrumentos de protección social.

El Grupo de los 77 y China insta a la comunidad internacional a que preste atención prioritaria a la situación de las personas que viven bajo ocupación extranjera, desplazamiento forzado y conflicto armado, y a que ponga fin a su sufrimiento, en particular eliminando los obstáculos que afronta el desarrollo de su sistema de salud, velando por la protección de sus derechos humanos, acceso a la atención sanitaria y servicios, educación y desarrollo, y mediante la mejora de la asistencia técnica y financiera; en particular para el pueblo del Estado ocupado de Palestina, que sigue siendo víctima de desplazamientos forzados, demoliciones de casas y la confiscación de tierras para la construcción de asentamientos ilegales y el muro de anexión.

El Grupo reafirma además el llamamiento a la eliminación de las leyes con objetivos políticos que discriminan a los migrantes por su nacionalidad y estimulan el tráfico de personas.

Por lo tanto, en el vigésimo aniversario de la CIPD, es vital que los Estados Miembros y Observadores de las Naciones Unidas reconozcan las brechas y desafíos, para consolidar las lecciones aprendidas y para reafirmar sus compromisos, así como redoblar sus esfuerzos, manteniendo al mismo tiempo los logros y el aumento de recursos para acelerar el progreso hacia el cumplimiento del Programa de Acción y los ODM. El Grupo hace hincapié en la importancia de que los donantes, las organizaciones de las Naciones Unidas y otras organizaciones internacionales trabajen juntos para mejorar el apoyo financiero y técnico a los países en desarrollo, en particular en el ámbito de la creación de capacidades para la consecución de los principios y objetivos de la CIPD.

Por último, Señor Presidente, el Grupo de los 77 y China quiere expresar su preocupación por el hecho de que los dos facilitadores designados por usted para las consultas sobre los proyectos, pertenecen al norte, lo cual se opone a la práctica de larga data de tener equilibrio en estas citas. A pesar de que reconocemos plenamente la explicación dada por usted, la preocupación del Grupo permanece en el hecho de que esta decisión podría ser considerada por algunos estados miembros un precedente para el futuro. Por lo tanto, el Grupo desea señalar claramente que este arreglo constituye una situación única y por lo tanto no es un precedente. Tal comprensión debe reflejarse claramente en el informe de esta sesión.

Gracias, Señor Presidente.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MARCELO ZAMBRANA TORRELIO, MINISTER COUNSELLOR OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE MEETING OF THE AD HOC OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ISSUES RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY BEYOND AREAS OF NATIONAL JURISDICTION (New York, 3 April 2014)

FEASIBILITY

Madame Co-Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of G77 and China.

Madame Co-Chair,

The G77 and China understand that the status quo is not adequate and is committed to address the issue of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction including by taking a decision on the development of an international instrument under UNCLOS, as agreed in the Rio+20 final document.

It is a fact that UNCLOS provides the legal principles, although it does not provide a specific legal regime for conservation and sustainable use the marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Currently, there is no specific regulation for access, exploitation and sustainable use of the biological resources of the Area. At the same time, in the absence of a multilaterally agreed regime for the establishment of area-based conservation measures, a myriad of regional organizations and groups of countries are adopting such measures on a merely unilateral basis, lacking coordination and overall legitimacy. This reality is not acceptable, and for that reason the G77 and China have repeatedly stated that a continuation of the status quo is not an option.

The G77 and China considerate that a specific legal regime needs to be drafted taking the relevant principles of UNCLOS and of General Assembly Resolution 2749 (XXV) in particular the principle of Common Heritage of Mankind. The G77 and China also believes that a negotiation of all the issues as a package or single undertaking, and aiming at the implementation of the relevant principles of UNCLOS is a feasible enterprise.

There is a need for a specific legal framework to deal with these issues in a forward-looking manner and in coordination with structures and legal regimes established by the Convention and the implementation agreements adopted under it.

Co-Chair,

Therefore, the feasibility of the instrument largely depends on the political will of the Member States; the legal foundations and technical know-how already exist. We must work at a reasonable pace to make these elements coherent and harmoniously coordinated, so as to produce a specific and binding treaty regulating issues concerning the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond the national jurisdictions of States and thus implementing the provisions of the Convention on these subjects.

To summarize, Co-Chair, the G77 and China believes that an implementing agreement is essential to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction through a coordinated, integrated and collaborative approach. It would assist in addressing shortcomings in implementation and existing gaps by establishing an overarching legal and institutional framework, so the States should engage to compromises to move forward on the discussion in a consensual manner so that the decision on the development of the international instrument could be taken before the 69th session of the General Assembly.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MARCELO ZAMBRANA TORRELIO, MINISTER COUNSELLOR OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP OF THE WHOLE OF THE REGULAR PROCESS FOR GLOBAL REPORTING AND ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS (New York, 31 March 2014)

Item 6. Production of the First Global Integrated Assessment in "batches" or "installments"

The G77 and China believes that meeting the deadlines we ourselves established through the General Assembly is important for the credibility of the process. We are very close to our final product, the First Global Integrated Assessment, after years of work. But we are also sensible to the fact that without budgetary resources, the realization of this major undertaking relies on the voluntary work of many. The Members of the Group of Experts are making many efforts even when they have their own jobs and responsibilities at home. Also, the members of the pool of experts are taking time from their jobs. And in very few cases, it has been difficult to put together the writing teams due to lack of a particular expertise in the pool.

Having heard the coordinators of the Group of Experts and the Co-Chairs, we can support the approach presented to us by the Bureau of the Regular Process. We believe it is a sensible solution in this situation.

Also, taking into account the fact that the Working Group will not meet until next year, we also believe it is necessary to give the Bureau a specific mandate to monitor the evolution of the work and introduce adjustments in the timeline if needed. If that were the case, it would be beneficial for Member States to be briefed by the Co-Chairs.

Thank you

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. SACHA LLORENTI, AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE 10TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) (New York, 31 March 2014)

Cluster 1. Poverty Eradication and Equality

Co-Chairs,

The Group of 77 and China underscores the importance of addressing the multiple dimensions of poverty. To ensure effective poverty eradication, the inter-linkages between the multi-dimensional aspects of poverty must take into account different national circumstances of countries.

In order to properly address and effectively eradicate poverty, both international and national efforts, as well as partnerships are necessary. Genuine and supportive international cooperation is critical to the success of national governments strategies. A renewed and strengthened global partnership for development in the context of sustainable development, which builds on the strengths of the current global partnership for development, while going beyond and addressing the weakness of its present framework, would be a positive step in the right direction.

As part of our efforts to eradicate poverty, we must fully address internatinal issues. We must undertake an ambitious and expeditious reform of the International Financial Institutions, particularly in their governance structures, based on full and fair representation of developing countries. The reforms must ensure full voice, representation and participation of developing countries in the decision making and norm-setting process of the BWIs.

Debt relief, including debt cancellation and debt structuring must be included. The inability of States with heavy debt burdens to access affordable credit during the current crisis has revealed problems with the existing debt framework. This universal problem of unsustainable debt should be addressed by establishing an independent and fair public debt workout mechanism, with ex-ante rules for fair burden-sharing in order to promote responsible lending and prevent build up of unsustainable debt. We further hold the view that the United Nations is well-placed to coordinate such a mechanism.

G77 and China would like to stress that the multilateral, regional and sub-regional development banks and development funds should continue to play a vital role in serving the development needs of developing, including through coordinated action. Strengthened regional development banks and sub-regional financial institutions can add flexible financial support to national and regional development efforts, thus enhancing their ownership and overall efficiency.

The Group is concern and reiterates the necessity for developed countries to honour their Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) goals and targets of disbursing the equivalent of 0.7 per cent of their Gross National Income (GNI), help developing countries with the access of related technology and capacity building, so as to ensure the adequate means of implementation for the developing countries to implement poverty eradication policies and programs with a clear timetable

The Group underscores the necessity of timely conclusion for the Doha Round of multilateral trade negations, which must fully respect its development mandate and take into account the needs and priorities of developing countries. We call for a balanced and pro-development outcome.

Additional mechanisms are needed to allow for the assessment of, and the response to systemic risk posed by unregulated, or less regulated financial sector segments, centres, instruments, and actors. There is a need for Effective regulation and supervision of financial markets and capital flows.

Co-Chairs,

In addressing the question of equality, the OWG must place priority on the issue of international inequality between countries and not just within countries.

The Group of G77 and China would like to take this opportunity to recall that the International cooperation and sufficient policy space to developing countries is critical, while taking into account their different national circumstances, priorities and capabilities.

In developing countries, inequality needs be tackled by pursuing policies of inclusive economic growth. This needs to be coupled with enhanced investments in socio-economic infrastructure and human resource development, in particular, education, health, housing and sanitation. Generating full and productive employment and providing access to all sections of the society to economic opportunities also needs to be prioritized. The SDG framework should encourage and support such objectives and policies. Also, this is clearly liked to poverty eradication, which is the central and overarching goal for the Group of 77 and China.

I thank you Co-chairs.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELLOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 147, ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF THE FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS - IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 67/261: RATES OF REIMBURSEMENT TO TROOP-CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES, AT THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 9 May 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 147 "Administrative & budgetary aspects of financing UN Peacekeeping Operations: - Implementation of General Assembly resolution 67/261: Rates of reimbursement to troop-contributing countries.

2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Herve Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and Ms. Ameerah Haq, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General under this item (A/68/813). We would also like to thank the Chair of the ACABQ, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for introducing the Advisory Committee's report (A/68/859).

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China has long expressed its serious concern over the length of time elapsed since the last review of troop costs in 1992, and the subsequent ad hoc increase in 2002. In different occasions, the Group has emphasized that this situation has placed a difficult financial burden on troop-contributing countries and on their participation in peacekeeping operations and should be adequately addressed.

4. The discussions on this issue have been long and difficult. During last year negotiations, the implementation of SAG recommendations was referred by many delegations as our best way of avoiding the return of difficult debates in the past.

5. In a moment of significant growth of the demand for UN peacekeeping, our decision in this session is fundamental for establishing a solid foundation for peacekeeping missions. With ever more complex mandates and demanding operational scenarios in peacekeeping operations, a decision of the General Assembly to review the rate of reimbursement and provide fair and equitable compensation to troop and police contributors has become not only vital to TCCs, but also to the sustainability of the peacekeeping partnership.

Mr Chairman,

6. The negotiations on this agenda item constitute a historic opportunity of revitalizing and strengthening the partnership among Member States and the Secretariat, which underpins the evolving role of United Nations peacekeeping.

Mr. Chairman,

7. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to all troop and police contributing countries that participated in the survey process, facilitating General Assembly consideration of such an important matter. Furthermore, the Group would like to thank the Secretary-General for its efforts in preserving the principles that guided the survey process, in particular with respect to ensuring the confidentiality of the data collected. The G-77 and China will not accept that negotiations be conducted in a way that undermines those principles.

Mr. Chairman,

8. Resolution 67/261 established a new framework for troop reimbursement. Its approval process was long and very difficult and reflects a delicate balance of interests of all parties. For troop and police contributing countries, many commitments were made in anticipation of a long overdue review of the troop reimbursement rate, to be made on the basis of data collected by the Secretariat, in accordance with the parameters decided by the General Assembly. This was a leap of faith, a vote of confidence in the new system, and in the renewed peacekeeping partnership. It was a decision made in full confidence that all parties would be here today, one year later, to honour their side of the agreement.

9. The Group of 77 and China underlines the importance of preserving the integrity of the new methodology and framework established by resolution 67/261.The agreements achieved were underpinned by the decision that a predictable system for the review of reimbursement be established; by the recognition that new elements ought to be integrated in the reimbursement system, such as pre-deployment training; by the recognition that modern peacekeeping should award those who operate with exceptional levels of risk and those who provide key enabling capabilities to peacekeeping missions. All these elements are key, integral components of the new framework.

Mr. Chairman,

10. While the expectations with regards to the role of peacekeeping operations continue to increase, it is only fair that the commitment of the countries which, through the hardship and sacrifices endured by their military and police, contribute for the advancement of the Charter goal of maintaining international peace and security be recognized and supported, both financially and politically.

11. The implementation of resolution 67/261 and the report presented to us today provide all the necessary elements for a decision on the issue of troop cost to be made.

12. The results of the survey conducted pursuant to GA resolution 67/261 clearly demonstrate the deficit between the current reimbursement rate and the financial costs of TCCs. It is high time the General Assembly adopts a decision on this matter, increasing the standard rate of reimbursement for troop and police contributing countries in line with the results of the survey.

13. We gather here today to take a decision on a revised rate of reimbursement. The Group of 77 and China will not accept interim or ad hoc solution to this issue. As requested by GA resolution 67/261, all information necessary for an informed decision has been collected. After such a strenuous process, Member States cannot shy away from their responsibility of increasing the rate of reimbursement in light of the results of the survey. The complete implementation of the decisions adopted by GA 67/261 will only be guaranteed when we agree on the new rate.

Mr Chairman,

14. The work of the session will not be completed until the General Assembly establishes a new reimbursement rate. The Group of 77 and China would like to assure you of its constructive participation in the discussions with a view to having an agreeable solution under this very important agenda item.

Thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. RENé ORELLANA, AMBASSADOR ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) ON "SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE" (New York, 8 May 2014)

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. The Group underscores that achieving sustainable patterns of consumption and production is fundamental to the sustainable development agenda. This view is consistent with the call made by our political leaders more than twenty years ago at the 1992 Earth Summit.

Chapter 4 of Agenda 21 recognized that "the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, particularly in industrialized countries" and Principle 8 of the Rio Declaration urges states to reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of consumption and production.

This call was subsequently reaffirmed in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, and the Rio+20 Summit, which led to the adoption of the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (the "10 YFP") in 2012 at Rio.

3. As previously stated by the Group in early January of this year, there is an urgent need to change current consumption and production patterns, including the prevention of high rates of food loss and waste.

We express deep concern on the serious imbalanced and inequitable nature of global consumption and call for time-bound effective implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, which is a concrete and operational outcome of the Rio+20 Conference.

Furthermore, based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, developed countries need to take the lead.

4. As previously stated, the Group reiterates that enabling conditions must be created for new and innovative solutions by using a mix of regulatory and economic instruments, existing and new technologies, empowerment of stakeholders and a governance structure that entails decision-making founded upon inclusive and participatory approaches.

International cooperation on financing, innovation and technology transfer is essential to assist developing countries to progress towards sustainable development goals. Furthermore, the means of implementation should ensure that impediments to achieving sustainable consumption and production are reduced or even removed, particularly in international agreements and trade rules.

5. In the context of the SDGs, the Group holds the view that the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns should serve as a global cooperative framework to help accelerate the shift towards sustainable patterns of consumption and production, including sound chemical and waste management.

Making this global shift requires strong leadership from developed countries, as recognised in a number of international declarations. With developed countries taking the lead and developing countries following a similar pattern, we are convinced that our collective efforts could mitigate or even reverse the damage to the global environment, thereby preserving a sustainable future for our children.

On Climate Change

6. As the Group of 77 and China highlighted in the last session on the OWG we call once again for your attention since the alarming average of 226 million people in the world who are affected by disaster or natural hazards; and it has been shown that this is linked to poor policies and practices in land-use planning, governance, urbanization, natural resource management, ecosystem management and poverty levels. With this in mind, we would like to underscore the importance of modifying our current model of development to one that is inclusive, equitable, risk sensitive, adaptive and disaster risk reducing, in harmony with nature, so as to successfully address the impacts of climate change we are facing. Disasters are preventable, therefore it is crucial that we act while we can.

7. We understand and recall that the international community, in particular the developed countries, need to take the lead in addressing the climate change challenge within the UNFCCC and its principles and provisions, particularly, the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and provide financial and technology support to developing countries.

8. Furthermore, we urgently call for the fulfilment of the commitments made by developed countries in the context of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and urge the developed countries that are not part the second commitment period to make comparable quantified commitments of mitigation. Developed countries have to take the lead in the solution of the climate change crisis. Developing countries should enhance mitigation actions in the context of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities with the respective support of means of implementation as it is stated in the Climate Change Framework Convention.

9. There is an urgent need also to advance supporting adaptation plans and actions and a Loss and Damage programme, a Technology Mechanism, and the establishment of the Green Climate Fund in which developed countries have expressed their commitment to reinforce and the International Mechanism on Loss and damage recently created in the Warsaw Decision at COP 19. There is also a need to have a clear commitment about the commitment of development countries to mobilize 100 billion US dollars per year both for adaptation and mitigation by 2020. We also urge developed countries to transfer technologies to developing countries, so that developing countries will have affordable and appropriate technologies to combat climate change.

10. These elements have to be part of our approach to the issue of climate change. And it has to be clear that it is in the context of the UNFCCC that the decisions are going to be taken.

11. To address climate change and build resilience to disaster and climate impacts, the international community should embrace a multi-stakeholder, multi-sector approach within the global development agenda. This requires coordinated policies and actions across all sectors and at all levels of decision-making with all aspects of sustainable development.

12. We would like to highlight that in order to address further discussions on this issue, the Group recognizes the inter-relationship between climate change, loss of biodiversity and desertification and the need to intensify efforts to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management, and stress the need for enhanced cooperation and coordination among the Secretariats of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity, while respecting their individual mandates.

I thank you, Co-Chairs!

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. SACHA LLORENTI, AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) ON "ENERGY, ECONOMIC GROWTH, EMPLOYMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE" (New York, 7 May 2014)

1.I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Distinguished Co-Chairs.

2. Before getting into the focus areas, the group would like to call for your attention since today is Wednesday, which means that almost half of the current session of the 11th Open Working Group has already passed, in this regard we would like to reiterate that the Group of 77 called for clarification regarding not only the present procedure of work but how the Co-Chairs project the following sessions. We remind you of our call for a more direct engagement among member states as a way forward on this Working Group. We would appreciate if you could kindly explain how you intend to proceed in response to the call made by the Group of 77 and China.

3. With regard to economic growth in Focus Area 8, the Group is concerned that three important themes of economic growth, employment and infrastructure have been merged into one goal. With specific regard to economic growth, the Group reiterates its position from OWG consultations in 2013 that despite its crucial role in providing sustainable domestic resources to enable economic, social and environmental goals to be met, the economic pillar has been neglected. Therefore, the Group believes that the economic dimension must be reinforced.

4. The Group underscores that a sustainable development goal of economic growth will require adequate Means of Implementation, including a supportive, fair and enabling global partnership for development and the consideration of national policy space. International cooperation in many forms is required if developing countries are to make progress on economic growth and full employment objectives.

The Means of Implementation must include international financing, Official Development Assistance, debt relief, trade preferences, technology transfer, and adequate policy space for development policies. We intend to provide proposals for concrete means of implementation for the goals in this cluster at a later date.

5. The Group also wishes to highlight that although sustained economic growth is a goal, there is no mention of sustained economic growth in the targets. Developing countries in particular must be able to climb up the economic ladder within a target period of time in order to realistically achieve sustainable development. We would also like to stress that in order to achieve inclusive growth, the income of the bottom 40% of society must increase more than the average income growth of the country.

Employment

6. The Group stresses that the title of the employment goal include "achieve full employment" and not only decent jobs. The rationale being that the goal of full employment is a very important one in economic policy, and this full employment goal must be stressed in the goal itself and not just in the targets.

7. The Group believes that developing countries must have the Means of Implementation and global international cooperation to complement domestic efforts to enable them to implement the goal of full employment.

In order for employment objectives to become central to global actions and mechanisms, the Means of Implementation must support developing countries through: (1) actions at the level of international economic, financial, trade, technology and social systems, to support and enable developing countries' efforts; and (2) refrain from actions by developed countries that create barriers to developing countries' efforts and progress.

8. The Means of Implementation for full employment must also require developed countries to fully take into account the impacts on employment in developing countries when formulating their national policies. Similarly, international institutions and aid agencies should also consider the impact on employment in their policies and policy advice to developing countries.

9. As the G77 and China has previously stated in 2013, the principles underpinning the SDG agenda should reflect the urgency of addressing youth employment, and more broadly, the right to employment as a key social and economic right.

10. As previously stated, the Group also calls for the prioritisation of the development of small and medium enterprises and small farmers as key providers of employment in the developing world.

Energy

11. With regard to energy, the Group would like to emphasize the importance of achieving universal access to modern energy services. The aim of providing universal access should be to create improved conditions for economic take-off, and to contribute to enable the poorest segments of society to exit poverty.

12. We underscore that all countries have a role to play: developed countries need to contribute by making this goal a development assistance priority and by catalysing financing; middle-income developing countries can contribute by sharing relevant expertise, experience and replicable good practices; and low-income countries can promote the right local policy environment for investments to be made respecting national interests and sovereignty over national resources.

13. The Group reiterates its position on the importance of reducing energy waste and emissions per unit of output, and urges developed countries to take the lead role in ensuring a sustainable and fair consumption of limited energy resources.

14. We also urge effective measures to be included in the Means of Implementation for energy in order to improve the energy efficiency, both at the national and international levels, to address national energy deficits through the development of new energy sources, especially renewable energies; and through the development of appropriate technologies relating to energy. Increased institutional and system capacities of developing countries, particularly LDCs and energy-poor countries, are crucial to enable their access to and benefits from financing, technology, knowledge and partnerships in the field of energy.

15. Furthermore, we stress our previously stated position that investing in renewable sources of energy creates employment, fosters economic growth, and improves energy accessibility for countries that lack domestic fossil fuel resources. Increasing the share of energy from renewable sources can increase access to modern energy services.

Infrastructure

16. The Group affirms the necessity of placing a high emphasis on developing sustainable infrastructure, which highlights the needs of countries in special situations, and the provision of access for 100% of rural populations to basic infrastructure and services. The manner in which the SDGs address the multi-dimensional challenges of infrastructure development in order to improve the lives of both the urban and rural poor, provide access to basic services, protect local and regional ecosystems, and strengthen urban resilience and adaptation is of paramount importance to sustainable development.

17. To this end, the Group stresses that infrastructure development must be promoted through relevant national and international policy instruments. Infrastructure investments across various areas, including energy, hydro, transportation and communications, among others, require a long time horizon. International efforts must support developing countries to achieve this objective.

I thank you

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 147: ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF THE FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS: UNITED NATIONS LOGISTICS BASE AT BRINDISI, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED 68TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 7 May 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the agenda item 147: administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of UN peacekeeping operations: United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi.

2. The Group would like to thank the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar, and the Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for introducing the respective reports of the Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee in this regard.

3. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its commitment to work together with all stakeholders to help the Secretariat in fulfilling the mandate assigned to the United Nations Global Service Centre of Brindisi.

4. However, the Group of 77 and China notes with regret, that despite the General Assembly decision, the Secretary-General continues to refer to Valencia as part of the Global Service Center. The Group would like to reiterate the prerogatives of the General Assembly on the management of the Center, and to support all the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions in this regard. Any proposal to change the functions currently assigned to Valencia need to be submitted and approved by the General Assembly

5. The G77 and China is concerned with the lack of transparency in allocation of resources to the UNLB and the facility in Valencia for hosting and providing Umoja support services. The Group of 77 and China will seek further clarification on this matter during the informal consultations.

6. The Group of 77 and China will engage constructively in order to a successful conclusion of negotiations under this agenda item.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. SACHA LLORENTTY, AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE 11TH SESSION OF OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS), ON "HEALTH AND POPULATION DYNAMICS AS WELL AS EDUCATION AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING" (New York, 5 May 2014)

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. Once again we would like to thank you for your work on providing the revised Focus Areas Document, which serve as an important input toward a successful outcome for the SDGs.

3. The Group recognizes the specific target a) on reducing the maternal mortality ratio to less than 40 per 100,000 live births, end preventable new-born and child deaths and reduce by x% child and maternal morbidity, and target b) to end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030. These targets will require, as stated in the outcome document of Rio+20, further articulation on collaboration and cooperation at the national and international levels to strengthen health systems through increased health financing, recruitment, development and training and retention of the health workforce, through improved distribution and access to safe, affordable, effective and quality medicines, vaccines and medical technologies, and by improving health infrastructure.

4. The Group recognizes the fundamental importance of target c) on reducing by x% the risk of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injuries and promoting mental health with strong focus on prevention. The G77 and China reiterates its previous statement on NCDs, highlighting that diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases accounted for 34.5 million deaths in 2010 of which 80% were in low and middle-income countries. This figure is expected to double within the next 20 years. This development trend is unacceptable and policies must be proactive and include access to health information and services, information on consumption and lifestyle and how to prevent health risks. Not only will this reduce health provision costs, but also contribute to economic benefits through a growing capable workforce.

5. We reaffirm the crucial importance of both targets d) and f) that address achieving universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, with particular attention to the most marginalized, and ensuring universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health for all, including modern methods of family planning. The Group firmly believes that achieving universal health coverage as well as universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health will require both national policy space for developing countries to be able to prioritize public expenditure and national policies for sustained investment in national health budgets, as well as international means of implementation, particularly with regard to new and additional financial resources and technological development to strengthen national healthcare services and healthcare technologies. In this regard, the Group is of the view that the critical caveat "according to national priorities" should be inserted into the proposed targets d) and f).

6. In previous OWG discussions on social protection, the G77 and China has emphasized how austerity measures, as well as macroeconomic conditions attached to development finance loans from the international financial institutions, have serious implications for the ability of governments to prioritize financial resources for social sector budgets, particularly the health and education budgets. Fiscal adjustment through public budget cuts and rationalization of social expenditures run the high risk of deteriorating and shrinking national public health sectors rather than strengthening and expanding them.

7. We would like to reiterate that despite the progress in discussion and dialogue and cooperation at the international level, migration remains inadequately reflected in development frameworks, development agendas and sectoral policies at both national and global levels. The slow pace taken to address migration policies with the reality of human mobility at these levels will continue to expose migrants to negative public perceptions and inadequate protection of their rights.

8. The Group of 77 and China holds the view that addressing global migration as a global phenomenon is supportive to the achievement of the international agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. International migration and development mutually influence one another. We would like to recall that migration if properly managed can serve as a powerful catalyst for development, thereby benefiting communities of origin and destination.

9. Finally, The Group would like to remind the International Community one more time that when developing education-related Sustainable Development Goals, more attention needs to be placed on relevant and measurable learning outcomes. For example, we must ensure that not only a greater amount of children are educated, but also that the education these children receive is of high quality delivered by adequately qualified teachers - in the most rural areas as well as areas affected by conflict and disasters. Special attention must be given to traditionally vulnerable groups, who are girls, working children, rural and indigenous children, those with disabilities, children living with HIV/Aids, children in conflict, migrants, orphans and linguistic and cultural minorities. Inequalities need to be addressed through a case by case approach, rather than a one-size-fits-all target for countries. The need for Means of Implementation in this area should be focalized on: the commitments by developed countries to support efforts in developing countries on education activities and programmes, through provision of financial resources, capacity-building and technology transfer.

I thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 147, ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF FINANCING UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS - CLOSED PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS, AT THE SECOND RESUMED PART OF THE SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 5 May 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China during this general debate on the important issue of closed peacekeeping missions. We express our appreciation to the ASG-Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar and the Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu for introducing the relevant reports of the Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee in this regard.

2. The Group remains concerned by the cash deficit situation in several closed peacekeeping missions owing to the non-payment of arrears by some Member States, which has resulted in turn in substantial long outstanding dues owed by the United Nations to troop contributing countries that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the organisation.

3. While the Group recalls in this regard the legal obligation under the Charter of the United Nations of all Member States to pay in full, without conditions and in a timely manner the full amount of their assessed contributions, however, it asserts the importance of finding a viable solution to the issue of outstanding payments to troop contributing countries in closed peacekeeping missions, regardless of the problem of cash deficits in these missions.

4. The General Assembly in its resolution 65/293 requested the Secretary-General to submit for its consideration and approval concrete proposals and alternatives to address the issue of outstanding dues to Member States from closed peacekeeping missions that are in cash deficit. We are grateful for the Secretary General for his recent proposal contained in document A/68/666, yet we perceive any proposal other than the full payment of these outstanding payments to troop contributing countries as unfeasible, given the fact that they are long overdue.

5. On the other hand, we do concur with the Secretary General on the importance of addressing the cash requirements of peacekeeping operations. This has to be taken into account, while considering finding a lasting solution to these longstanding outstanding payments.

65. Finally, the Group would like to assure you, Mr. Chairman, that it will engage actively and constructively in the coming deliberations on this important issue.

Thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MARCELO ZAMBRANA TORRELIO OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE EIGHTEENTH SESSION OF THE HIGH-LEVEL COMMITTEE ON SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION (New York, 1 May 2014)

Mr. President,

The Plurinational State of Bolivia has the honor to intervene on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

At the outset, I would like to thank you for convening this organizational meeting for the Eighteenth Session of the High Level Committee on South-South Cooperation.

The Group would like to reaffirm its view of South-South cooperation as a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

And in this regard, as mentioned in the Nairobi Outcome document, South-South cooperation and its agenda have to be set by countries of the South and should continue to be guided by the principles of respect for national sovereignty, national ownership and independence, equality, non-conditionality, non-interference in domestic affairs and mutual benefit. At the same time, we reiterate that South-South cooperation is not a substitute for, but rather a complement to, North-South cooperation.

On the matter of the discussion theme for the High Level Committee, presently set as "The contribution of the South-South Cooperation and the triangular cooperation to the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda", the G77 and China, would like to propose that instead of focusing on what the South is expected to do, for implementing the post 2015 development agenda, which is yet to be decided, it is time that given that the Committee is meeting in the context of the UN, we focus on how to further strengthen the UN System to promote South-South cooperation in concrete terms.

In that sense, the G77 would like to propose a more appropriate and relevant theme for our discussions at the 18th Session of the HLC, which is as follows: "Contributions and strategy of the UN development system to promote and strengthen the South-South Cooperation".

Given that this call is coming from the entire South, we hope that this would merit consideration by the President and Bureau of the HLC.

In addition, the Group would like to highlight the issue of present clashing set of dates for the eighteenth session of the HLC with dates of the High level General Assembly Event of PGA on "Contributions of North-South, South-South Triangular Cooperation and ICT for Development to the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda". Which is coincidently the same theme as the 18th Session. It is therefore better that the HLC meeting dates either precede or follow the PGA's thematic debate.

Also since today's discussion is in the context of organizational matters, the Group would like to request the inclusion of the following agenda items for discussion at the HLC: a) updated information on the steps taken on the implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit Report; b) steps taken on implementing the call for the strengthening of the UN Office of South-South Cooperation with adequate human and financial resources.

The Group would also like to recall that in the last meeting convened by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation to seek member states views for UN Secretary General´s Report, which figures as an agenda item for the 18th HLC, we were given to understand that a session would precede the HLC to brief member states on the updated status of the draft report and its broad contours. We are still awaiting any information on that proposed briefing.

Thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. VALERIA VILASECA CHUMACERO, MINISTER COUNSELLOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL MODALITIES FOR THE SUMMIT AT THE LEVEL OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN SEPTEMBER 2015 FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA (New York, 14 April 2014)

Co-Chairs,

Thank you for giving me the floor. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 & China.

Let me start by congratulating you on your appointment by the President of the General Assembly for conducting informal intergovernmental consultations to achieve agreement on the organizational modalities for the Summit that will take place in September 2015 at the level of Heads of State and Government for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda.

The Group of 77 & China looks forward to engaging constructively in this process under your leadership for agreeing on the modalities for the Summit.

Co-Chairs,

The Group of 77 & China attaches great importance to the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda. The member states of the Group have a direct stake in a development-focused agenda respecting the Rio principles including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

The Group will engage proactively and constructively as the collective voice of all developing countries in discussions on both the process as well as substance of the post-2015 development agenda.

Co-Chairs,

We are happy to engage in today's first informal consultations. We will present our preliminary views on some of the aspects relating to organizational modalities for the 2015 Summit. At the same time, we will also be listening to the views of others on this process.

For the purpose of today's consultations, the Group of 77 & China would like to make the following five points:

First, the Group will benefit from some further guidance and clarity from you on this process. Clarity on issues like how you foresee this informal consultation process to proceed, the issues to focus on, a tentative timetable for discussions and the overall objective of consultations will help member states in engaging constructively with this process. We would request that these meetings do not overlap with other second committee related meetings.

Second, the mandate of our leaders as articulated in the outcome document of the MDG Special Event of September 2013 is for intergovernmental negotiations for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, it is important the engagement from our capitals in the negotiation process, developing countries would need the necessary support to get the financing for this engagement. It is therefore of primary and fundamental importance for the Group that the intergovernmental nature of the negotiation process is fully maintained. We value of course the inputs from other stakeholders which can be incorporated by way of separate and inclusive informal interactive hearings with them with provision of reporting back to the formal negotiation track.

Third, in deciding the format, duration and structure of the Summit itself, we can usefully follow past precedents in crafting an approach to the 2015 Summit, including the organizational modalities for the 2005 Summit, the 2010 Summit and more recently the Rio+20 Conference, open to all States.

Fourth, it is of utmost importance that the ongoing processes relevant to the 2015 Summit complete their work in a timely manner in order to feed into the negotiation process for the 2015 Summit. These include the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, the Intergovernmental Committee on Sustainable Development Financing and the results of the Structured Dialogues on a Technology Facilitation Mechanism. In addition, it is critical that agreement is reached as early as possible on holding the FfD Review Conference in 2015 in order for its results to also feed into the post-2015 development agenda.

Fifth, it is extremely important to ensure a transparent, inclusive and member-driven process for intergovernmental negotiations for leading up to the 2015 Summit and arriving at the outcome document. This process of intergovernmental negotiations must start early in the 69th session of the General Assembly in order to give adequate time for constructive discussions among member states.

I thank you Co-Chairs.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MINISTER LUIS ALBERTO ARCE CATACORA, MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND PUBLIC FINANCE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA, AT THE NINETY-FIRST MEETING OF MINISTERS AND GOVERNORS OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUP OF TWENTY-FOUR ON INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT (Washington, DC, 10 April 2014)

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like to thank you, for inviting me to address this important gathering of the G-24. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the important role of the G-24 under your able leadership in dealing with monetary and financial issues.

The G77 and China stresses the vital need for ambitious and expeditious reform of the Bretton Woods Institutions, particularly their governance structures, based on full and fair representation of developing countries, in order to address the democratic deficit in these institutions and improve their legitimacy. These reforms must reflect current realities and ensure full voice and participation of developing countries. As a first step, the reforms should achieve, at least parity of voting power for developing countries as a group in the decision making process within the BWIs.

The G-77 and China believes that two critical actions must be pursued. First, as we said, there is a need for fundamental reforms in the IMF governance structure to be implemented. Second, the IMF must provide more comprehensive, evenhanded and flexible financial responses to the needs of member countries, without imposing procyclical conditionalities, respecting their need for policy space.

The G77 and China stresses the importance of the participation of Developing countries from the outset in all discussions on international monetary reform and in the operation of the new arrangements for Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund.

The Group calls for strengthening of the UN role in international economic and financial affairs, including its coordinating role in global economic governance. Likewise it's important to promote greater cooperation between the UN and the international financial institutions, including the early review of the implementation of the cooperation agreement between the UN and BWIs.

We affirm the need for reform of the international financial architecture, so that we have a financial and monetary system that reflects the realities of the 21st century, including a properly regulated international financial sector that reduces and discourages speculative investment, so that capital markets can be mobilized to achieve sustainable development and play a constructive role in the global development agenda. We note with concern that financial deregulation and financial liberalization have given rise to massive expansion of speculative financial flows and derivatives trading. The 2008 financial and economic crisis has illustrated that international finance has created an economy of its own, which has become increasingly disconnected from the real economy of production, direct investment, job creation, poverty eradication, inequality reduction and wage growth.

The democratization of international economic decision-making must also allow for special and differential treatment for developing countries and the transfer of technology on concessional and preferential terms. This is crucial if developing countries are to succeed in eradicating poverty and accelerating economic growth in a sustainable manner.

If we are to succeed in fully implementing the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, by 2015, then full implementation of all commitments made at all the United Nations Summits and Conferences must be realized.

One of our main tasks is to overcome inequality, since the concentration of wealth co-existing with poverty and hunger emphasizes and exposes the unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, and in a period when the world is threatened by climate change and loss of biodiversity. We therefore have to call for global initiatives to address the problem of global inequality.

We believe that development should be aimed at eliminating material wealth gaps; the various economies should promote the common good and satisfy the material, cultural and spiritual needs of societies in a context of harmony with nature. In some countries, this worldview is known as the "Living Well".

The Group of 77 and China wishes to express our deep concern for the erosion of development cooperation in terms of ODA and reiterates the need for developed countries to urgently fulfill all their Official Development Assistance commitments in particular the commitment to reach the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product for official development assistance to developing countries by 2015, as well as a target of 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of gross national product for Official Development Assistance to least developed countries.

The Group of 77 and China has a long held position that debt sustainability should be linked to a country's capacity to achieve its national development goals including the Millennium Development Goals. We also emphasize that creditors and debtors should share the responsibility to prevent and resolve unsustainable debt burdens.

Due to the continuation of the global economic crisis, the economies of increasing numbers of developing countries are being affected, and some countries are becoming more vulnerable to new external debt problems or even crises. Addressing external debt problems of developing countries is thus an important part of international cooperation and the enhanced global partnership for development.

The importance of additional resources and the need for full implementation of aid commitments is not only linked to the comprehensive treatment of the debt problems of developing countries but also to the overall Official Development Assistance resources.

In order to improve their effective participation in the multilateral trade system, the Group of 77 and China stresses the importance of facilitating the accession of all developing countries and least developing countries that apply for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), without political impediments, in an expeditious and transparent manner.

In order to fully harness the potential of trade, it is important to uphold a universal, rule-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system that promotes recovery, growth, sustainable development and employment, taking into account the needs and interests of developing countries.

Our common demand is for a more equitable world order and for a more enabling international environment for development. We are confident that with the support of the G24 we will make concrete recommendations to redress the structural failures of the international financial system.

I thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. MR. SACHA LLORENTI, AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE 10TH SESSION OF THE OPEN WORKING GROUP ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) (New York, 4 April 2014)

Cluster 7 Means of Implementation/Global partnership for sustainable development

-The G77 and China underscores the importance of linking international factors to an enhanced and expanded global partnership for development, the critical role of effective means of implementation, together with national actions and efforts to be taken by countries at the national level. The three-component approach is essential because the formulation of meaningful goals at the national level will not be attainable unless structural factors, including international factors, are addressed. Similarly, developing countries require continued and strengthened international cooperation in finance including the fulfillment of the commitments related to ODA, debt relief, technology transfer and capacity-building if they are expected to achieve the SDGs. The G77 and China is of the view that this OWG session should discuss concrete means of implementation for each of the topics that we discuss as well as more concrete elements that could be part of a specific goal.

-The Group of 77 and China reiterates the importance for the SDGs to reflect the different national realities, capacities and development priorities of all members of the United Nations, and avoid placing additional restrictions or burdens on the national priorities and development plans of developing countries. In this regard, in fulfilling their SDGs, developing countries should be supported by an enabling international environment, which includes a supportive and just economic and financial international system where the rules are fair and pro-development, as well as a genuine global partnership to enable developing countries to achieve the SDGs. In order to complement national development efforts, we also recognize the urgent need to enhance coherence and consistency of the international monetary, financial and trading systems. To contribute to that end, we underline the importance of improving global economic governance and strengthen the United Nations leadership role in promoting development.

Co-Chairs,

-On financial resources, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its position that the Monterrey and Doha conferences on financing for development are a strong foundation for a post-2015 development agenda financing strategy. To mobilize development financing calls for extensive pooling of political will at global, regional and national levels. North-South cooperation remains as the core of the much needed strengthened Global partnership. South-South cooperation is not a substitute to North-South cooperation. Development financing should be enhanced with North-South cooperation serving as the main channel. Developed countries should honor their Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments, provide development assistance, and scale up their support for developing countries. Meanwhile, mechanisms for technology transfer need to be established and improved. It is imperative to promote and support the R&D, dissemination and transfer of technologies that meet the actual needs of developing countries. Human resources development and institutional capacity building need to be enhanced through training, experience sharing, knowledge transfer and technical assistance. These means of implementation must be supported by actions from developed countries at the international level, such as time-bound financing targets; associated trade and economic policies; technology transfer and other resources to assist and enable developing countries efforts.

-The Group of 77 and China reiterates that it is important the SDGs reflect the different national realities, capacities and development priorities of all members of the United Nations, that they are additional resources that do not subtract from existing development financing flows, and that they do not place additional restrictions or burdens on the national priorities and development plans of developing countries, in this regard once again we recall the developed countries to honor their international commitment on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.


-The Group of 77 and China believes a transformative global development agenda must fulfill five key policy objectives: (1) rapid, sustained and inclusive economic growth; (2) industrialization; (3) full employment; (4) greater distributional equity; and (5) environmental sustainability in harmony with nature.

-At the national level, development success depends on effective design and implementation of industrial, macroeconomic and social policies. At the international level, success depends on the support of the international community and the need to have adequate policy space and an enabling global environment that ensure an appropriate pace and pattern of integration into the global economy. The international context therefore must take into account the different development status, priorities and circumstances of developing countries. This calls for a genuine departure from the market-based policies of development fashioned on the so-called 'Washington Consensus' to a new set of open macroeconomic policies that avoid the contractionary and unequal impact of the liberal approach is needed, in order to maintaining reasonably stable macroeconomic environment, pursuing explicitly long-term growth and employment and lowering income inequality.

I thank you Co-Chairs.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MARCELO ZAMBRANA TORRELIO, MINISTER COUNSELLOR OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE MEETING OF THE AD HOC OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ISSUES RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY BEYOND AREAS OF NATIONAL JURISDICTION (New York, 1 April 2014)

Mr. Co-Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China at the ad hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study the issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. At the outset let me congratulate you on your reappointment as Co-Chair of the meeting. We would like to assure you of our assistance in your skillful steering of this working group.

We thank DOALOS for putting together and circulating the compilation of comments made by States on the feasibility, parameters and scope of a multilateral instrument under UNCLOS.

Mr. Co-Chair in the course of the week we shall have opportunity as individual delegates and as the Group of 77 and China to share our views on the specific and fundamental issues which constitute our agenda. For the purpose of this general exchange of views we wish to share with the other States the general principles guiding the Group of 77 and China in this Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group.

As delegations are aware, the G77 and China made a submission on the scope, parameters and feasibility of an international instrument under UNCLOS. For brevity, I will not repeat what is contained in our submission, but allow me to highlight, once again, some basic aspects of the position of the G77 and China:

First of all I would like emphasize that the Group of 77 and China upholds the importance of the task entrusted to this Working Group when the General Assembly decided to initiate a process and when Rio plus 20 included a commitment on developing a specific legal regime for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Mr. Co-Chair,

The exploitation of and benefit from resources of a maritime area that is common heritage of mankind by a few is inconsistent with general principles of international law, including those on equity, as the Area and its resources are to benefit mankind as a whole.

More importantly, Mr. Chair, the States Parties and non States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) need to work together in ensuring not only on the conservation and management of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction but also on the effects of the exploration and use of genetic resources, there is enough knowledge evidencing commercial exploitation of this genetic resources.

Mr. Chair,

The basic principle enshrined in UNCLOS and in General Assembly Resolution 2749 (XXV) applicable to these resources is that of the common heritage of mankind, and that a specific legal regime for the biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction needs to be developed in the form of an implementing agreement to UNCLOS based on that principle. According with this we all know that the Articles 143 and 145 of UNCLOS refer to the protection of marine scientific research and protection of the marine environment.

Mr. Chair,

In this regard, the Group of G-77 and China is totally sure that a new international instrument under UNCLOS should be address the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, including marine genetic resources, access -including marine scientific research- and benefit-sharing -with necessary consideration of the issue of intellectual property rights-, capacity building and the transfer of marine technology. There is an array of existing agreements and conventions dealing with different species of marine resources, so a review of existing treaties and agreements will have to be undertaken.

It is a fact that UNCLOS provides the legal principles, although it does not provide a specific legal regime for conservation and sustainable use the marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Currently, there is no specific regulation for access, exploitation and sustainable use of the biological resources of the Area.

At the same time, in the absence of a multilaterally agreed regime for the establishment of area-based conservation measures, a myriad of regional organizations and groups of countries are adopting such measures on a merely unilateral basis, lacking coordination and overall legitimacy.

Therefore, a multilateral instrument should aim at implementing the relevant principles of UNCLOS in particular the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind.

Finally Mr. Chair,

The Group also believes that a negotiation of all the issues as a package or single undertaking and aiming at the implementation of the relevant principles of UNCLOS is a feasible enterprise.

The G77 and China considers there is the need to pave the way for such decision through meaningful discussions oriented at such decision and beyond. The work of this Working Group at this meeting is therefore of the utmost relevance.

Co-chairs, we trust all delegations are willing to maintain meaningful discussions. The G77 and China is already to engage actively and constructively in this process.

Thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MARCELO ZAMBRANA TORRELIO, MINISTER COUNSELLOR OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP OF THE WHOLE OF THE REGULAR PROCESS FOR GLOBAL REPORTING AND ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING SOCIOECONOMIC ASPECTS (New York, 31 March 2014)

On Item 5. Publication of the Summary for Decision Makers in the 6 official languages

Co-Chairs,

At its fourth meeting, the Working Group recommended to the General Assembly a "pragmatic approach" consisting in not translating into the 6 official languages the First Global Integrated Assessment, but to issue the Summary for Decision Makers as a UN official document, to ensure that being translated into the UN official languages, it would be accessible to decision makers.

This was the product of an understanding among delegations. Many understood that due to scarcity of resources a 600 page document would be very expensive, and all understood that as many decision-makers do not speak English, in order to be relevant in policy-making, the Summary had to be translated.

At the 68th session of the GA, we were surprised to see that the GA requested the Working Group to consider the source of funding for issuance of the summary of the first global integrated marine assessment as an official document of the General Assembly.

The G77 and China had originally proposed to translate all outcome documents, that is to say the First Global Assessment as such and the Summary, but we accepted to have only the Summary, as that is the document that is relevant for policy makers. We still maintain the need to have it in the 6 official languages.

The Regular Process is a undertaking aiming at a scientific product to contribute to decision-making. Despite its importance and the magnitude of the undertaking, the Regular Process is being financed by voluntary contributions and is being undertaken based on the voluntary work of many people, in particular scientists.

We cannot afford to have a product that is not read by decision makers.

The Summary is going to be a UN document. Therefore, it has to be translated into the 6 official languages. Voluntary contributions are not only not enough in the case of the Regular Process, they are also not a valid means for a task that is in the core of the UN: translation.

To summarize, the G77 and China believes this WG has to make a clear recommendation to the GA that the Summary is issued as an official document of the UN and consequently translated into the 6 official languages.

Thank you.