2. Allow me at the outset to express the Group's appreciation to you, Madame President, for organizing and convening this session under the very important theme, "Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality", which sends a strong message to all States and relevant stakeholders that empowering people and inequality are placed at the center of our collective efforts towards the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3. Five years ago, we stated that we were the first generation that can end poverty and the last that can save the planet. We translated this vision into an Agenda for people, planet and prosperity. It is our shared responsibility to ensure our collective commitments are implemented. The fate of humanity and of all life, the earth is home to, lies in our hands.

4. 2019 is a very important year, as we are rounding up the first four-year cycle of the HLPF after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda. This is an important opportunity to set the stage for a decade for implementation of the Agenda, especially that despite significant effort, the current pace of progress toward achieving the SDGs is clearly insufficient. There is a need to accelerate efforts and to mobilize the necessary resources to ensure implementation of the Agenda 2030, including of Goals 4, 8, 10, 13, 16, and 17 that are under review for this year.

5. The Group reaffirms that poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. The Group is deeply concerned that extreme poverty rate is expected to be 6 percent in 2030, and that hunger continues to be on the rise for the third consecutive year. Eradicating poverty, ending hunger and achieving food security are fundamental for sustainable development.

6. The Group calls for an urgent global action to address the adverse impacts of climate change by taking ambitious actions in line with the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, and shifting financial flows towards pathways consistent with limiting warming to below 1.5 degrees.

7. The Group is deeply concerned that up to 1 million species currently face the threat of extinction, more than any other time in human history, as revealed in the 2019 IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; In this regard, we are looking forward to the convening of the summit on biodiversity at the level of Heads of State and Government before the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, in 2020, in order to highlight the urgency of action at the highest levels in support of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework that contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and places the global community on a path towards realizing the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.

8. Inequalities remain prevalent and are at risk of growing further due to climate change, climate and environmental disasters, the digital divide, technological disruption, obstacles to access to quality education and health.

9. The Group strongly believes that the call contained in the 2030 Agenda to reduce inequality within and among countries, as well as promoting inclusive, just and equitable societies is critical to empower people, in particular the most vulnerable. It is consistent with the objective of leaving no country and no one behind.

10. The Group reaffirms the need to address the diverse needs and the challenges faced by developing countries, especially countries in special situations, in particular, African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as specific challenges faced by many middle-income countries, and conflict and post-conflict countries and countries and peoples living under foreign occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic and social development and their ability to achieve and implement the 2030 Agenda.

11. These inequalities continue to risk the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable, especially the LDCs. The Group looks forward to greater attention to the poorest and most vulnerable in the HLPF, in fulfilment of our commitment to reach the furthest behind first.

12. The Group also acknowledges that full and productive employment and decent work for all are important elements of sustainable development for all countries and it is therefore an important objective of international cooperation.

13. The Group welcomes efforts at the regional level on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including by the UN Regional Economic Commissions, and Regional Fora on Sustainable Development, other regional and sub-regional organizations, as well as contributions of major groups and other relevant stakeholders.

14. The Group recognizes the critical role of local communities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including through leveraging their local wisdom, knowledge and expertise to address challenges of local contexts. In this regard, we emphasize the need to further empower and support local communities in pursuing the SDGs.

Madame President,

15. The Group stresses that the scale and level of ambition of the 2030 Agenda requires strengthening the means of implementation, particularly for the developing countries, as well as creating the enabling global environment for development. Sustainable financing options, global partnerships, and long-term investments are needed for achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

16. Full respect for the principles and purposes enshrined in the Charter and international law inspires a full commitment to multilateralism, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. We stress, in accordance with the Agenda 2030, international law and the Charter of the United Nations, the need to uphold the right to self-determination of peoples, including those living under colonial and foreign occupation, and to respect the territorial integrity and political independence of States.

17. The Group affirms that States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to ecosystems of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. We reaffirm the importance of the protection of planet Earth and its ecosystems as our common home and that "Mother Earth" is a common expression in a number of countries and regions.

18. The Group reaffirms that the right of peoples and nations to permanent sovereignty over natural wealth and resources must be exercised in the interest of their national development and of the well-being of the people of the State concerned.

19. The Group also reaffirms the firm rejection of the imposition of laws and regulations with extraterritorial impact and all other forms of coercive economic measures including unilateral sanctions, against developing countries and reiterates the urgent need to eliminate them immediately. Such actions not only undermine the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international law but also severely threaten the freedom of trade and investment. The Group calls upon the international community to adopt urgent and effective measures to eliminate the use of unilateral coercive economic measures against developing countries.

20. To conclude, the Group stresses the primary responsibility of the high level political forum for follow-up and review of the implementation of the Agenda. We reiterate that this review should be through an inter-governmentally agreed outcome. We regret this will not be possible for the SDGs under review this year and highlight the need to address this problem in the upcoming cycle to ensure that all SDGs are subject to a review reflected in an outcome adopted at the Ministerial level.

21. The Group looks forward to the upcoming SDG summit to oversee the follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

I thank you.

2. Twenty-five years ago, representatives from 179 countries gathered in Cairo, Egypt for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and adopted a visionary Programme of Action that aimed to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls and to promote their empowerment. It was and remains a milestone document that addressed the linkages between population, social progress and economic growth in the context of sustainable development. Instead of focusing on reaching population targets, the Programme of Action affirmed that investment in the individual rights of peoples, choices and well-being should come first. It recognized that reproductive health, as well as women's empowerment and gender equality, are the pathways to sustainable development and improved well-being for all.

3. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the holding of this high-level commemorative event. It provides a vital opportunity for the international community 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.

4. Furthermore, the ICPD's Programme of Action for achieving the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development cannot be overly emphasized. Together with the Beijing Declaration and the Addis Ababa Action agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, they comprise the instruments for the eradication of poverty and for the protection, respect and fulfillment of human rights.

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

5. The Group is encouraged that progress has been made in attaining many of the goals and objectives of the ICPD Program of Action. At the same time, however, the Group recognizes that progress is uneven and slow, both within and among countries, with the benefits of social and economic progress shared unequally.

6. Thus, the Group calls for increased efforts to be exerted for a more inclusive process in order to accomplish the bold vision articulated in the ICPD Program of Action and the 2030 Agenda. Some of those shared objectives and responsibilities include efforts to promote the dignity and human rights of all persons; reduce poverty; assure stronger health systems; ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services; promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; promote sustainable cities and balanced rural and urban development; promote the rights and opportunities of young people and older persons in education and decent work; redress inequality and discrimination; protect the human rights of migrants, refugees and displaced persons; promote sustainable development and address the risks of climate change, among other domains.

7. Our Group continues to note with concern that the resources directed towards the implementation of the Programme of Action of the ICPD have been consistently below target. In order to address this concern, we call on donors, UN organizations and other international organizations to 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.

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

8. We believe that the ICPD is more relevant now than ever. Together, we have the potential to unleash promising opportunities for those left behind and help pave the way for sustainable, equitable and inclusive development for all.

9. In conclusion, I would like to thank you Madame President for organizing this important meeting and I would like to take this opportunity to express our group's appreciation to Dr. Natalia Kanem the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for her informative statement and her outstanding contribution.

I thank you, Madame President.

2. At the outset, the Group wishes to express its appreciation for all your tireless efforts 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, including through convening several informal-informal consultations at the expert level in an open and transparent manner. In this connection, the Group would like to stress on the importance of maintaining and ensuring the transparency, openness and intergovernmental character throughout the whole process and in the future work.

3. The Group reiterates that the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is of utmost importance for developing countries. It is, therefore, crucial that this alignment process leads to the comprehensive implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and targets, with the developing countries at its center, in particular, by ensuring that its results strengthen the capacity, interests and presence of those countries on the agenda of the General Assembly, its Committees and other relevant United Nations bodies.

4. The Group acknowledges the draft note of the co-facilitators, which contains annexes I and II on the updated mapping assessment developed during this session, and the possible criteria for overlaps and/or duplication respectively. While the Group takes note of the updated mapping assessment as an evolving reference for the discussions at the 74th session of the GA, we emphasize the need for further elaboration and in depth analysis of the SDGs in relation to the agenda items and its sub items.

5. Moreover, we would like to re-stress that the alignment process cannot be understood only in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals but first and foremost to the 2030 Agenda as a whole, of which the SDGs are a part. Otherwise, relevant issues covered by the Agenda, which are not necessarily reflected in any of the SDGs or targets, would be left out of this process.

6. Additionally, we reiterate that there should be a more substantive and content-based analysis of whether the agenda items of the General Assembly, its Committees and resolutions are aligned or not with the Agenda 2030. The analysis cannot have as a main premise how the title of items and/or resolutions corresponds or does not correspond with certain SDG(s).

7. As for Annex II on the criteria for possible overlaps and/or duplication, the Group restates that it is still premature to discuss the criteria at this stage. As we reiterated several times, we strongly believe that before we consider the criteria for possible overlaps and/or duplication, we need to have a detailed, thorough and comprehensive analysis of the SDGs and the agenda items.

8. At the appropriate time, the set of criteria must be further elaborated until consensus is reached among member states on a basis on which to take any decision in this regard. Moreover, we consider that the process has been developed in an unbalanced manner, since so far all efforts have been made to identify criteria for identifying possible duplication and/or overlaps, but no criteria have been pursued to identify possible gaps in relation to the Agenda 2030.

9. The Group stresses that the process cannot prejudge the sovereign right of countries and groups to present issues and/or resolutions on the agenda of the General Assembly, its Commissions and other relevant organs of the United Nations, especially if it is in line with the purposes and principles set out in the UN Charter and in connection with the implementation of Agenda 2030.

10. In closing, the Group is not in favor of setting artificial deadlines for the conclusion of the process, which prejudge the real responsibility of effectively carrying out that mandate. Artificial limits can yield unbalanced and negative results for developing countries. While we recognize, and support the need to advance the mandate regarding alignment with Agenda 2030, we understand that this process must advance on solid foundations, based on evidence, after a broad and in-depth analysis.

11. The Group would also like to stress that it is important that this process always respects the mandates and competences of each of the bodies and committees involved.

12. Finally, the Group restates its support and commitment to engage constructively in this consultation process during the coming session with a view of building on the discussions that took place during this session and to continue working together in order to reach consensus among all States.

I thank you.