Statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China by MR. Garfield Barnwell,  Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations

5 October

 

Good Afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Madam Deputy Secretary-General and other Representatives at the Head Table. With protocol already established.

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

At the outset, the Group would like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive reports under Agenda Item 25 and the sub-themes.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group would like to set out our key priorities for the next cycle of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review, or QCPR. As we begin this Decade of Action and Delivery towards 2030, the UN Development System must shift its focus to delivery on the ground for developing countries. Not only in our immediate response and sustainable recovery from COVID-19, but in tackling the longer-term sustainable development challenges ahead. We look forward to providing the system with clear mandates and specific guidance to achieve this goal, including through integrated policy advice, programme support and the leveraging of partnerships. In this context, the G77 & China would like to stress the following:

First, we reaffirm the importance of the QCPR through which the General Assembly establishes key system wide policy orientations for development cooperation and country-level modalities of the system.

Second, we believe that development is a goal in itself. It constitutes a key element of the overarching framework of the UN operational activities for development.

Third, we emphasise that the fundamental characteristics of the UNDS operational activities for development must remain, inter alia, universal and voluntary, and of a grant nature, balance and should strengthen multilateralism. Their ability to respond to the development needs of developing countries must be flexible according to national needs and priorities. The UNDS must enhance its capabilities to respond to the diverse and specific national circumstances, capacities, development levels, needs and priorities of developing countries.

Fourth, the UNDS must further strengthen its support to build and develop national and local capacities at the request of national governments, bearing in mind that national ownership and leadership are important to ensure meaningful outcomes.

Fifth, we reiterate that core resources are the bedrock of the UN operational activities for development. We are concerned over the continued imbalance between core and non-core resources. The system must urgently address this imbalance. At the same time, non-core contributions must be more flexible and align with national priorities and plans of developing countries.

Finally, we recommit to the repositioning of the UN Development System, including the changes to the reinvigorated Resident Coordinator System, the establishment of the Development Coordination Office, the introduction of the Funding Compact, the revamping of the regional assets and the review of the Multi-Country Offices, amongst other mandates. It is not our intention to reopen or renegotiate agreed resolutions or mandates. The upcoming QCPR cycle must build on the progress made.

Mr. Chairman,

We reaffirm that South-South cooperation is 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 achievement of the internationally agreed development goals. South-South cooperation is, thus, complementary to, and not a substitute for, traditional North-South cooperation and Official Development Assistance.

Therefore, we reiterate the call to the UN funds, programmes and specialised agencies to continue taking concrete measures to enhance support for South-South and triangular cooperation, to assist developing countries to develop capacities to maximize the benefits and impact of such cooperation in order to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China looks forward to engaging constructively with our Partners during this session to achieve a consensual outcome that will guide the work of the UNDS for the next four years. It is fundamental that we focus our attention on providing policy directives and operational guidance for enhanced support by the UNDS to developing countries. The UNDS must improve and tailor its support to us in our efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

Thank you.