Let me first express the Group's appreciation to you, co-facilitators, for accepting to co-facilitate the intergovernmental consultations on the alignment of the agendas of the General Assembly and ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies in the light of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. I thank you for convening this informal meeting to hear the views of Member States. The Group of 77 and China commits to engaging fully and constructively in your work.

I would also like to thank you for your letter of 4 February last, in which you proposed specific questions to frame the substantive discussions at today's meeting. The Group takes this opportunity to react to some of those questions.

Distinguished co-facilitators,

The Group wishes to underscore the importance of aligning agendas with a view to enhancing synergies, linkages and coherence between the work of the General Assembly and ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies. In our view, this process presents a critical opportunity to examine the agendas that guide our work, with a view to making our deliberations more relevant and fit for purpose. Our common objective is to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in its entirety, in this Decade of Action and Delivery for Development.

The Group acknowledges that the defining feature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - that is, its universal nature - renders this process inextricably linked to other ongoing processes such as the ECOSOC and HLPF reviews and the revitalization of the work of the Second Committee. To this end, we wish to stress that the alignment process should be characterized by a comprehensive and holistic view of the agendas, across all the main bodies.

For this reason, we are of the view that the alignment process should not exclusively revolve around the Sustainable Development Goals, since due regard and attention should be given to the 2030 Agenda as a whole, of which the SDGs are but a part. This will ensure that relevant issues covered by the Agenda, which are not necessarily reflected in any of the SDGs or targets, would not be left out of the alignment process.

Distinguished co-facilitators,

The Group wishes to stress the importance of building on the work done in the past to advance the mandate and to review our collective efforts aimed at aligning the agendas. Permit me, therefore, to highlight some specific points that should help to frame our discussion going forward.

Firstly, the Group of 77 and China believe that this process should facilitate a detailed, thorough and comprehensive analysis of the SDGs and the agenda items of the relevant General Assembly Committees to take account of the gaps, possible duplications, and overlaps where these are found to exist. We must carefully consider avenues for creating necessary and productive synergies, particularly between the Second and Third Committees and ECOSOC, that would address these gaps and ultimately contribute to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, with greater efficiency.

Secondly, with regard to the possible criteria proposed by the co-facilitators for identifying overlaps and duplication, the Group continues to believe that it is premature to discuss such criteria at this stage. Before doing so, we need to have a detailed, thorough and comprehensive analysis of the SDGs and of the various agenda items. As stated above, the criteria for determining overlap or duplication must be further elaborated with the aim of reaching consensus and taking decisions in this regard. We reiterate that examining possible overlaps and duplication should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, we believe that the process has been developed in an unbalanced manner, with a focus mainly on identifying overlaps. More effort should now be dedicated to determining the criteria for identifying prevailing gaps in the treatment of the SDGs.

Thirdly, the Group of 77 and China take note of the mapping assessment of the SDGs that was done last year. While we see this as a useful reference, we also see it as incomplete and would urge a fuller and more comprehensive mapping and review to guide our discussions. We are ready to work across regional and group lines to determine the remaining elements to be included.

Regarding the process, while we are eager to realize progress, we would like to caution that artificial deadlines may prove to be counterproductive. We believe also that any attempt to cherry-pick issues or aspects in this alignment process will not serve our best interests.

Distinguished co-facilitators,

The Group underscores the ownership and leadership of Member States of this exercise. The process cannot prejudge the sovereign right of countries and groups to present new issues and/or resolutions on the agenda of the General Assembly, its Committees or the various functional commissions and other relevant organs of the United Nations.

We in the Group of 77 and China are cognizant of the relevance of the agenda alignment process and we wish to reaffirm our commitment to engage constructively and to participate effectively in the process with a view to achieving a successful outcome.

I thank you.

At the outset, allow me to express the appreciation of the Group to the Chair of the Second Committee and the Bureau for the convening this informal dialogue to discuss the revitalization of the work of the Second Committee. We see this as critical to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

The Group accords a high level of importance to this undertaking and looks forward to engaging constructively, towards ensuring that the work of the Second Committee is conducted in a manner that gives greater impact and relevance to its intended purpose.

Mr. Chair,

The Group would like to recall that the Second Committee was established with the fundamental purpose to address macro-economic, finance and other sustainable development challenges confronting the global community. These functions validate the views of our Group that the work of the Second Committee has long been enshrined in the development pillar of the United Nations.

The work of the Committee has been evident through the United Nations Decades for the Eradication of Poverty, the Millennium Development Goals, to the present Sustainable Development Goals. In this sense, the work and priorities of the Second Committee predate the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, and will remain relevant long after the expiration of our present universal Agenda.

Mr. Chair,

The Group of 77 and China underscore the importance and universality of the 2030 Agenda, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, to the work of the Committee. We note, in this context, that the issues of development will continue to impact developed and developing countries differently.

To this end, the Group is of the view that the work of this Committee is inherent in ensuring an orderly global macroeconomic framework as a necessary enabling environment for developing countries to realize the overarching objective of the 2030 Agenda; that of leaving no one behind.

For this reason, the Group is also of the view that any attempt exclusively to concentrate the work of the Second Committee around the 2030 Agenda could represent a vaguely narrow perspective and a misconstruction of the intended purposes.

Mr. Chair,

With reference to the efficiency and effectiveness of the work of the Second Committee, we are pleased to inform that the Group of 77 and China is keen to embrace these ideals provided they are sufficiently well grounded in the mandates and objectives of the Second Committee. The Committee would need to strike a careful balance in the fulfilment of a universal Agenda, while prioritizing the needs of the developing countries that make up the vast majority of United Nations Members. We are keen, therefore, to examine effectiveness and efficiency of our work, with a view to ensuring strong, targeted and action-oriented outcomes.

In accordance with the foregoing, the Group stresses the importance of building on the results of previous efforts at revitalizing the work of the Committee, including in reviewing the periodicity or relevance of resolutions, to be considered on a case by case basis, with clear reasoning and sound arguments. In the same vein, the Group reiterates the right of all delegations to present proposals for additional agenda items, or new draft resolutions, as a prerogative of each Member State.

Mr. Chair,

Allow me to highlight some specific points to guide our work going forward and to examine our collective efforts for better aligning our work with the demands of the 2030 Agenda.

Firstly, the Group of 77 and China acknowledge the interconnectedness of this process with other ongoing processes other ongoing processes, such as the review of ECOSOC and HLPF, and the alignment of the agendas of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies. We reaffirm that while these processes are similar, they are not the same; they complement each other while responding to different mandates with different objectives.

Secondly, for its part the Group is of the view that the process of revitalizing the work of the Second Committee should take into account the gaps in the current treatment of the scope and content of the 2030 Agenda and, therefore, how to structure the work of the Second Committee for greater impact in addressing any existing gaps. Additionally, consideration should be given to addressing any overlaps that exist in the work of the Committee with a view to remedying these, bearing in mind the different mandates and focus of other intergovernmental bodies.

Thirdly, on the issue of accountability we recall that the members of the Bureau are elected on a regional basis and that each member has an obligation to represent their regional group and to report to their group on issues that require attention. This will allow Members States to prioritize issues that will invariably contribute to improving the alignment of the Committee's work with the 2030 Agenda and by extension, its streamlining.

On this note we call for a structured and formalized schedule for informal consultations, and for adequate time between these informal consultations to enable Groups and delegations to consult and assimilate the new language proposals, as quality consultations will help achieve quality and consensual outcomes.

Mr. Chair,

Our top priority is development through international cooperation; but it is clear that with current resources it will difficult to achieve the Agenda; in this stead, the Group reaffirm that there is great value in the exchange of views which are frank and constructive in terms of enhancing the work of the Second Committee. We look forward to collaborating with you and with our partners to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

I thank you.

- Our current agricultural and food systems are failing us. Business as usual is not a solution; such systems need to work differently and better. Transforming food and agricultural systems is critical to win the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition. We must address the impacts of climate change and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.

- In fact, the Global Sustainable Development Report recognized food systems and nutrition as critical entry points in order to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

- We note also that the "zero hunger" vision of SDG Target 2.3 focuses on small-scale food producers, particularly women, indigenous peoples and family farmers. The world's 475 million small family farms account for up to 80 percent of the global food supply in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

- The Group calls for the full implementation of the Global Action Plan of the United Nations Decade on Family Farming 2019-2028, particularly its first pillar on an enabling policy environment to strengthen family farming.

- We know that agriculture is an important source of much needed jobs for the youth. In Africa alone, about 10 million youths enter the job market each year. This both a challenge and an opportunity to explore the demographic dividend.

- The youth can greatly contribute to leveraging digitalization to support our development efforts. We must harness their knowledge in new technologies and engage them in agribusiness, as well as in agricultural information gathering and dissemination.

Thank you

Panel 2: The role of South-South and Triangular Cooperation in facilitating knowledge-sharing and knowledge-building and leveraging investments in agriculture and food systems to combat hunger

- Hunger has been on the rise over the past three years, returning to levels from a decade ago. This is a clear warning that more must be done urgently if the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger is to be achieved by 2030. We need a more sustainable food security solution.

- Toward this end, new farming techniques, especially to take account of the impacts of climate change on food production, are already being pioneered in many parts of the global South, including new crop varieties.

- The Group of 77 and China believe that sustained and inclusive economic growth is essential for eradicating poverty and hunger. National efforts in this regard should be complemented by an enabling international environment, aimed at expanding the development opportunities for developing countries.

- In a 2014 policy paper, FAO has emphasized that given the limitations of alternative financing sources, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can play a major role in bridging the agriculture sector investment gap in developing countries. FDI can generate employment, technology transfer and easier access to capital markets to benefit the agriculture sector of the host country.

- Agricultural investment projects are more likely to benefit local economic and social development when local farmers and landholders play an active role at the design and planning phase. More effective partnerships should be pursued between local farmers' organizations, the private sector and civil society, to assist developing countries.

- The challenge of hunger is driven by interconnected and systemic issues; nothing short of collective action and commitment will enable us to be equal to this challenge. South-South and Triangular Cooperation, as well as the targeted use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are even more crucial as developing countries have valuable experiences to share and can help scale up their reach.

- It is evident therefore that zero hunger can only be achieved when we begin to leverage the benefits of partnerships and Information and Communication Technologies.

Thank You.