Mr. President,

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment as an essential platform for discussing how Member States, the UN System and other stakeholders can continue to enhance the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance in order to effectively address the needs of the increasing number of people affected by humanitarian emergencies.

We also receive with appreciation the organization of the interactive panel that addressed the transition from relief to development, a matter of outermost importance for the Group.

Furthermore, we also welcome the draft resolution on "Strengthening of the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations", and we thank the Secretary General for the report on this issue. During the presentation of this report on 3 May 2017, the Group made several observations that are important to emphasize at this time:

- The Group of 77 and China strongly believes that the ECOSOC and the General Assembly have different mandates and functions, and should avoid duplications in their respective work. Given that ECOSOC is a technical body of the GA, its Humanitarian Affairs Segment should focus on the operational aspects of humanitarian assistance and humanitarian emergencies.

- The Member States of the Group request to be constantly informed on the operationalization of the coordination of humanitarian assistance in emergency situations and the implementation of normative aspects, and how recommendations bring operational ideas to enhance coordination in the field.

- The Group stresses the need to pay equivalent attention to, on the one hand, conflict and security, and, on the other, emergencies and natural disasters. Relevant information and recommendations are necessary on these equally important issues in order to address the need to strengthen capacity building and resilience.

- For example, the issue of famine is becoming very serious in several countries, for which substantive, concrete and operational recommendations are required to support efforts made to address the challenges linked to this phenomenon.

- The same observation can be applied to the important issue of responding to humanitarian emergencies in urban settings. The Group expects further substance on the operationalization of the New Urban Agenda in the context of humanitarian assistance, along with concrete prospective recommendations in this regard.

- The Group of 77 and China also underlines the need to enhance national leadership. While it is important to build local partnerships, we believe that capacity building is different from enhancing leadership. The latter is a confirmation of the primary role of affected States in humanitarian assistance.

- The Group also welcomes the coordination of humanitarian assistance among the different humanitarian actors and relevant development agencies. However, we would like to be effectively and regularly informed on how this coordination is implemented and what the identified gaps are.

- We underline the need to address the insufficient diversity in geographical representation and gender balance in the composition of humanitarian staff of the United Nations, in particular regarding professional and high-level staff. Sufficient data status of humanitarian staff should be readily available, as well as more information on what is being done to address this gap.

- We also request quality data and statistics, with identifiable sources and clear sampling methods, including those related to the situation in specific countries.

We appreciate the attention given to our observations on the Secretary General's report. The Secretariat has already made some revisions to the current text, and has assured us that our recommendations will be taken into consideration in the future.

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence for the provision of humanitarian assistance, as well as the promotion and respect for international humanitarian law. We express concern at the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures; we condemn the threats to and deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel, including through acts of terrorism; and we call upon all States and parties to comply with the provisions of international humanitarian law in order to protect and assists civilians, including in occupied territories.

The Group notes with deep concern the growing funding gap which still exists in addressing the humanitarian needs on the ground, and wishes to appeal to donor countries to increase assistance.

Mr. President,

The Group of 77 and China addressed these and many more important related matters during the complex but successful negotiations on the draft resolution on "Strengthening of the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance of the United Nations" to be adopted during this Humanitarian Affairs Segment. The agreements reached by the Group and our partners demonstrate the importance Member States give to the issues associated with humanitarian emergencies, and our commitment for further collaboration within the international community for the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Let us use the opportunity in front of us to continue working together towards a productive and rewarding segment.

Thank you.

At the outset, the Group wishes to thank you for convening this consultation meeting. We recognize the importance of your commitment to produce an independent report, based on your shared knowledge.

With the adoption of the New Urban Agenda in Quito, the Member States renewed our commitment and the support of the world to sustainable housing and urban development, and we proposed policies and the means of implementation of a participatory and inclusive urban development, capable of integrating all the aspects of sustainable development to promote equality, wellbeing and shared prosperity. We consider that the implementation of the New Urban Agenda must be coherent and consistent with our ambitions and the efforts of the Member States and stakeholders in the New Urban Agenda preparatory process.

Given that each Member State will share their perspectives through the questionnaire and that our substantive perspectives, related with the enhanced effectiveness of UN-Habitat, were expressed in the process towards Habitat III, we would like to discuss and to be informed about the on-going process of the Panel's Assessment. In this regard, we would like to deliver some questions:

1. What will be the weight that you provide to the responses from the Member States versus stakeholders and anonymous sources? What is the purpose of having anonymous sources?
2. We would like to have a confirmation whether the two-day High Level PGA Event will be held within the current session of the General Assembly, as mandated by the New Urban Agenda.
3. What is the ambition and the outlook of the report?
4. How does this report assessment relate with other outcomes of UN Agencies on the organization?
5. We would like to know whether you will share with the member states the initial findings before issuing the final Report
6. What do you expect in the Upcoming Nairobi Travel in July?

I thank you.

At the outset the Group wishes to express its appreciation for your work as Co-facilitators to lead the consultation process aimed at enhancing synergies and coherence between the work of the General Assembly and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We restate that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the most relevant issue for developing countries. It is of the highest importance for the Group that this alignment process leads to a comprehensive coverage of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and targets, recalling the priority of eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

In regard with your letter dated June 2nd, 2017, the Group would like to convey the following remarks on your draft recommendations:

1. The Group restates that further discussion within each Committee is a prerequisite for joint Committee and joint Bureau meetings, recalling that these meetings could be useful to enhance coordination within the United Nations; while not being a substitute of the deliberations held by each Committee and their respective perspectives. Additionally, and while considering that the integrality of the 2030 Agenda requires the involvement and inputs of all Committees, the Group requests the Co-facilitators to avoid any discussion on joint UN reports for Committee resolutions by the Secretary General.

2. The G77 and China looks forward to the discussions at the annual briefing convened by the Presidents of the General Assembly and ECOSOC.

3. The Group requests more information on how the reference to the United Nations Development System reform is relevant, without prejudging the current activities undertaken by the Secretary General, and taking into account the agreement reached regarding QCPR. We restate that this proposal needs further discussion with regard to the reference to the review of resolution 68/1.

4. The Group underscores that while the General Committee can make recommendations to the General Assembly, it is ultimately Member States that have the primary responsibility for deciding on the action to be taken on the agenda. The Group believes that this constructive process should be inclusive, taking into consideration the view of the universal membership of the United Nations, safeguarding the rights of all States. In the same regard, this consultation process should take into account the perspectives of all Committees of the General Assembly.

Any exercise regarding overlapping must prevent the elimination of substantive topics on existing agenda items and safeguard and strengthen the United Nations Development System, while recalling that the revitalization process should address gaps and duplications in a balanced way.

The mapping exercise lead by Colombia in 2016 reflected important advances in identifying gaps of the 2030 Agenda and should be taken into account, as an input. Duplication does not necessarily mean repetition; overlaps should be studied in a case by case basis, taking into consideration specific mandates and perspectives, and should examine new emerging issues related to sustainable development, including the financing for development.

5. Finally, the Group restates that by 2019, at the latest, we should conclude and fully integrate the alignment process, while leaving no one behind and working together to reach consensus, premises that should not be bound by deadlines. The G77 and China restates its support and commitment to engage constructively in this consultation process.

Thank you.