Item 21 (a): Follow-up to the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remain central to achieving the 2030 Agenda. LDCs face deep structural constraints, fragile productive capacities, weak infrastructure, and severe vulnerability to external shocks, climate change, pandemics, and volatile global conditions. Their sustainable development depends on a predictable and supportive international environment with adequate resources.

The Group reiterates its full support for the Doha Programme of Action (2022-2031) as a blueprint for structural transformation, productive capacity-building, equitable trade, resilience, and social inclusion. National leadership must be complemented by scaled-up and sustained international cooperation.

We urge partners to fulfill ODA commitments, allocating 0.15-0.20% of GNI to LDCs, and to expand concessional finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building. The Group also stresses the need for urgent reforms of the global financial architecture to enhance fairness, representation, and access for developing countries.

The Group supports the 2027 Midterm Review of the DPoA, which should renew political commitment, address gaps, and operationalize innovative tools, such as the Sustainable Graduation Support Facility, and strengthen OHRLLS to better serve LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.

Item 21 (b): Follow-up to the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries

The Group welcomes the Programme of Action for the Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2024-2034, adopted by the General Assembly. LLDCs continue to face unique structural challenges stemming from their lack of direct access to the sea, high transport and transit costs, and limited connectivity to global markets. These factors severely constrain trade, economic diversification, and industrialization.

The Group emphasizes the urgent need for strengthened international and regional partnerships to address these persistent obstacles. Priorities must include developing efficient transit corridors, expanding physical and digital infrastructure, promoting value addition and export diversification, and harnessing science, technology, and innovation as drivers of transformation.

We urge development partners to ensure the full implementation of all previous and new commitments to LLDCs through predictable financing, debt relief, technology transfer, and capacity-building support. The Group reaffirms that South-South cooperation remains an indispensable complement to North-South cooperation and expresses its solidarity with LLDCs in implementing the new Programme of Action.

Item 23 (a): Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System

The Group of 77 and China stresses that operational activities for development constitute the core development function of the United Nations system. These activities must remain country-driven, grant-based, universal, and voluntary, and must fully respect the national ownership, leadership, and policy space of programme countries.

We are deeply concerned by the declining share of core resources and the growing dependence on earmarked funding, which undermines the coherence, neutrality, and effectiveness of the UN development system. The Group therefore calls for adequate, predictable, and flexible funding.

The Group urges that the Resident Coordinator system and country teams be equipped with the necessary skills and resources to deliver coherent, demand-driven support aligned with national priorities. We underline that efficiency gains achieved through system-wide coherence must be redirected to strengthen operational capacities for development on the ground.

Item 23 (b): South-South Cooperation for Development

The Group reiterates that South-South cooperation is a vital and growing pillar of international development cooperation. Rooted in solidarity and mutual benefit, it promotes the exchange of experiences, technologies, and resources among developing countries.

While recognizing its increasing impact, the Group stresses that South-South cooperation is not a substitute for North-South cooperation, but a complement that must be supported by strengthened means of implementation, particularly in financing, capacity-building, and technology transfer.

The Group calls for enhanced institutional support from the United Nations system to maximize the contribution of South-South and triangular cooperation toward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

Mr. Chair,

In closing, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with countries in special situations and its firm commitment to a reinvigorated, equitable, and development-oriented United Nations system that leaves no country and no one behind.

2. The Group expresses its appreciation to the Governments of Ethiopia and Chile, as host countries, for their continued cooperation and facilitation of these important construction projects. The Group reiterates the importance of close engagement between the Secretariat and host Governments to ensure the successful and timely implementation of the projects.

On the Renovation of Africa Hall (ECA)

3. The Group notes with appreciation the substantial completion of the main renovation works in December 2024 and the completion of the remaining conference and information technology systems in February 2025. The Group takes note that the project is currently in its 12-month defect liability period until February 2026 and emphasizes the need to closely monitor and mitigate all identified issues, to ensure that the project is delivered within the scope and cost parameters approved by the General Assembly.

4. The Group acknowledges the voluntary contributions made by several Member States, both financial and kind, and encourages further contributions in support of the permanent exhibition and the Visitors' Centre. The Group further recognizes the significance of Africa Hall as a historical and cultural symbol of Africa's heritage and underlines the importance of ensuring the sustainability of its operations.

5. The Group also takes note of the lessons learned in governance, procurement, risk management and the use of local expertise. We stress the importance of integrating such best practices into the updated guidelines for the management of construction projects across the United Nations system.

On the Renovation of the North Building (ECLAC)

6. The Group welcomes the completion of the construction works of the North Building in May 2025 and the successful relocation of staff, noting that the project is now under a defect liability period until May 2026. The Group highlights the additional safeguards through extended liability clauses of up to 10 years for structural works, ensuring accountability and quality.

7. The Group commends ECLAC for adopting a holistic sustainable approach, with achievements representing important milestones in aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

8. The Group notes the confirmed savings of $241,900 in 2025, which are to be credited back to Member States, and emphasizes that any significant changes in project costs must be brought to the attention of the General Assembly at the earliest stage, in line with the Committee's recommendations.

Thank you.

2. The Group expresses its deepest gratitude to the Governments of Thailand and Kenya as host countries of ESCAP and UNON, respectively, for continuing support and cooperation for the implementation of the projects.

Regarding UNON-AJ

3. The Group welcomes the steady progress achieved in the UNON new office facilities project, which is now advancing towards conclusion. We note positively that the project has been managed within the appropriate resources.

4. We welcome that no further appropriations are foreseen for 2026 beyond the limited requirements for project management and the warranty period and emphasize the importance of rigorous oversight during the close-out phase to preserve the benefits achieved within the resources already approved.

5. The Group welcomes the reported efficiency gains of 25 per cent in workplace utilization through the adoption of flexible workplace strategies, which allowed additional UN entities.

6. The Group further commends the efforts to strengthen project governance and oversight, including the application of lessons learned from other capital projects, which contribute to improving efficiency and accountability.

Turning to ESCAP

7. The Group welcomes the substantial completion of construction activities related to the Seismic mitigation retrofit and life cycle replacement project at the ESCAP premises in Bangkok in June 2025. This achievement represents a major milestone in ensuring safe and modern facilities for the Commission.

8. The project not focuses on ensuring life safety and seismic risk mitigation, but also incorporates innovative features that emphasize accessibility, environmental sustainability, energy and space efficiencies-as well as- the use of local knowledge and materials.We believe that this project contains examples of best practices that can serve as a valuable reference for the planning and management of construction projects across the Organization.

9. The Group also welcomes the achievement of a 20 per cent gain in space efficiency, including newly rentable areas, and emphasizes that any gains or savings should be directed towards enhancing the sustainability of ESCAP's work in serving Member States.

10. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China recognizes the significant progress made in both projects and the tangible benefits they bring to the Organization. We reaffirm our support to the Secretary-General and the Secretariat in continuing to apply lessons learned and best practices, ensuring that future capital projects of the United Nations build upon these positive experiences.

I thank you.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA
BY PERMANENT MISSION OF IRAQ TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - UNON BLOCKS A-J AND THE SEISMIC MITIGATION RETROFIT AND LIFE-CYCLE REPLACEMENTS PROJECT AT THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC PREMISES IN BANGKOK, DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE EIGHTIETH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(New York, 8 October 2025)
Madam Chair,
1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the Construction Management: at the United Nations Office at Nairobi UNON- AJ and the Seismic mitigation retrofit and life-cycle replacements project at the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific premises in Bangkok at the main part of the 80th Session of the General Assembly.

2. The Group expresses its deepest gratitude to the Governments of Thailand and Kenya as host countries of ESCAP and UNON, respectively, for continuing support and cooperation for the implementation of the projects.

Regarding UNON-AJ

3. The Group welcomes the steady progress achieved in the UNON new office facilities project, which is now advancing towards conclusion. We note positively that the project has been managed within the appropriate resources.

4. We welcome that no further appropriations are foreseen for 2026 beyond the limited requirements for project management and the warranty period and emphasize the importance of rigorous oversight during the close-out phase to preserve the benefits achieved within the resources already approved.

5. The Group welcomes the reported efficiency gains of 25 per cent in workplace utilization through the adoption of flexible workplace strategies, which allowed additional UN entities.

6. The Group further commends the efforts to strengthen project governance and oversight, including the application of lessons learned from other capital projects, which contribute to improving efficiency and accountability.

Turning to ESCAP

7. The Group welcomes the substantial completion of construction activities related to the Seismic mitigation retrofit and life cycle replacement project at the ESCAP premises in Bangkok in June 2025. This achievement represents a major milestone in ensuring safe and modern facilities for the Commission.

8. The project not focuses on ensuring life safety and seismic risk mitigation, but also incorporates innovative features that emphasize accessibility, environmental sustainability, energy and space efficiencies-as well as- the use of local knowledge and materials.We believe that this project contains examples of best practices that can serve as a valuable reference for the planning and management of construction projects across the Organization.

9. The Group also welcomes the achievement of a 20 per cent gain in space efficiency, including newly rentable areas, and emphasizes that any gains or savings should be directed towards enhancing the sustainability of ESCAP's work in serving Member States.

10. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China recognizes the significant progress made in both projects and the tangible benefits they bring to the Organization. We reaffirm our support to the Secretary-General and the Secretariat in continuing to apply lessons learned and best practices, ensuring that future capital projects of the United Nations build upon these positive experiences.

I thank you.