Chairman, Distinguished delegates,

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

At the outset, allow me to extend to you, Mr. Chair, and the Bureau of the Second Committee, our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for your leadership and stewardship of the work of the Committee during the 78th session of the General Assembly.

The Group thanks the Bureau for preparing and sharing in advance the informal paper, which contains an overview of the Committee's work during this session, its existing methods of work, reflects recent practices and a list of proposals that were made in previous informal dialogues but did not enjoy consensus.

In this regard, the Group of 77 and China appreciates this initiative to try to advance the revitalization process, and we acknowledge the efforts extended by the Second Committee Bureau, as well as the progress made in advancing this agenda item.

Mr. Chair,

During the 75th and 76th sessions the group worked under exceptional circumstances in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those very difficult and unprecedented two years, were followed by the the 77th session during which the Committee returned to normality and the membership had negotiations on draft resolutions in its entirety.

The current practices and methods of work have contributed to the timely conclusion of the Committee's work. Importantly, the Group would like also to highlight that more resolutions were adopted by consensus during the previous session than in the two preceding sessions, which undoubtedly confirms that the Committee is improving its work and preserving the solidarity and multilateralism that should guide our discussions.

Mr. Chair,

This year is particularly challenging, considering all of the high-level meetings, events and intergovernmental processes that are currently consuming the attention of the Membership, which will have an impact in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and in the well-being of our populations.

Summit of the Future alone entails the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration of Future Generations. This is in addition to the UNCCD COP16, UNFCCC COP29, the 2024 High Level Political Forum, 3rd United Nations Conference on Land Locked Developing Countries, and the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States.

In this regard, the Group is of the view that there is no need to take a decision on revitalization this session, as it is important to consider the pressing ongoing processes, which demands our immediate attention within the very limited time remaining in the 78th Session.

Without a clear understanding of the full impact of previous decisions on the work of the Second Committee, the Group considers that this year's decision should be postponed to a future session so that said decisions can be assessed fully, and further improved upon, if deemed necessary.

The group would also recall the statements in connection to today's meeting delivered at the 74th, 75th and 77th sessions in which the group stressed its position as well stressing the importance of not going beyond the committees' decisions adopted at the 74th and 75th sessions. While highlighting that many proposals presented at the aforementioned sessions did not enjoy consensus.

In concluding, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its commitment to engaging constructively on this agenda item in future sessions, with a view to ensuring that the work of the Second Committee is conducted in a manner that gives greater impact and relevance to its intended purpose.

Thank you!