2. At the outset, allow me to thank the Presidency and Secretariat of ECOSOC for the preparation of this year's Forum on Financing for Development. Also, the Group would like to express its deep and sincere appreciation to the Permanent Representatives of Italy and Zambia, for their recognizable and tireless efforts in the preparing the text of the outcome document as well as facilitating the consultation process. Their experience and leadership contributed to reaching the intergovernmental agreement on the draft.

3. In the last month, the Group has engaged constructively throughout the negotiations over the draft text of agreed conclusions and recommendations with a view to reaching a consensus-based outcome document encompassing all action areas of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

Madam President,

4. Despite the progress made, many challenges continue to resurface, hindering global efforts in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Group attaches great importance on correlating Financing for Development with eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, which is the overarching goal of the 2030 Agenda and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.

5. In this context, we reiterate that Financing for Development should focus on resource mobilization by channeling resources to poverty eradication in order to tackle one of the world's greatest challenges. Any resources to finance development must be aligned with national priorities and development strategies of the countries taking into consideration different realities and contexts, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. In addition, every country has, and shall freely exercise, full permanent sovereignty over all its wealth, natural resources and economic activity.

6. We would like to stress our commitment to addressing developmental challenges faced by countries in special situations, in particular African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small-island developing States, as well as the specific challenges faced by middle-income countries, countries in transition to development that have recently exceeded the median income upper threshold, but still have structural gaps and vulnerabilities, countries in conflict and post-conflict situations and countries and peoples under foreign occupation, while respecting the permanent sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.

7. While we seek to achieve 2030 agenda, we should pay attention to any measures that could hinder accomplishment of the agreed goals and their means of implementation. In this regard, we reaffirm that the imposition of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions, against developing countries, does not contribute to economic and social development.

Madam President,

8. Official Development Assistance (ODA) is not only the main channel for international cooperation, it is also key and indispensable for achieving the SDGs and should be aligned with national priorities and development strategies of the recipient countries. In this regard, we reiterate our call that developed countries to fulfill their commitments they have made as to ODA by achieving UN target of 0.7 per cent of their gross national income.

9. The Group is concerned that the decrease of net Official Development Assistance of 0.1 per cent in real terms in 2017 from 2016, and notes that donor countries have shifted more ODA resources to funds for hosting and processing refugees within donor countries themselves in recent years. This shift in ODA resources towards humanitarian and crisis situations is not consistent with long-term and sustainable approach to financing development needed to achieve 2030 Agenda targets.

10. The Group recognizes that international trade, at all levels, plays a vital and dynamic role in enhancing cooperation and is an important source to finance development as it enables the fuller utilization of necessary resources through promoting mutual cooperation among different countries and regions, resulting in the stimulation of national, regional, and global economic growth. In this connection, the Group reaffirms the significance of the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries in harnessing the developmental benefit of international trade.

11. The Group also recognizes that international trade strengthens the multilateral trading system, which relies on a universal, rule-based, open, transparent, inclusive, non-discriminatory multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO, that can stimulate development worldwide. In this connection, the Group remains alerted by the increase in the unilateral and protectionist measures that will not only undermine the multilateral trading system, but also will lead to negative impact on access of the developing countries' exports to the global markets.

12. The Group reiterates that international development cooperation, especially North-South cooperation, remains a fundamental catalyst to sustainable economic growth. The core of South-South cooperation is the technical cooperation and shared experience and knowledge among countries of the global South. The Group reiterates that South-South cooperation is a complement rather than a substitute for North-South cooperation.

Madam President,

13. Another important and relevant challenge that needs to be collectively addressed is the intensification of debt vulnerabilities across developing countries since 2017, risking a renewed cycle of debt crises and economic disruption, which pose severe challenges to the achievement of the SDGs.

14. Debt-related challenges and vulnerabilities have restricted many developing countries in generating and initiating the necessary resources needed for implementation of 2030 Agenda due to heavy debt burdens. As a result, the Group of 77 and China stress the need to explore the means and instruments required to achieve debt sustainability as well as the necessary measures to reduce the indebtedness of the developing countries.

15. The Group note in particular that tax-related offences continue to remain a significant barrier to domestic resource mobilization efforts in all parts of the world. We recognize with concern that there is still no single globally inclusive intergovernmental forum for international tax cooperation. In that regard, we reiterate the need to fully upgrade the Committee of Experts in Tax Matters to an intergovernmental body with experts representing their respective governments.

16. With the increasing emphasize on domestic resource mobilization, we are certain that effective taxation of large businesses, including multinational enterprises, can boost revenue, while contributing to perceptions of fairness in the tax systems, as well as reducing inequalities within and between States. In this regard, we encourage international initiatives that aim to ensure that multinational enterprises pay taxes where economic activity occurs and where value is created, in accordance with national and international laws and policies. To this end, we call for greater public availability of aggregate data on offshore financial assets and the taxation of Multinational enterprises to strengthen tax transparency.

Madam President,

17. It is counterproductive to highlight the importance of domestic resource mobilization in developing countries without addressing the international loopholes that impedes on their ability to retain a large chunk of their resources. The Group seizes this opportunity to reiterate that illicit financial flows reduce the availability of resources for financing sustainable development and negatively impact the economic, social and political stability and development of societies, especially in developing countries. We stress that more and better data is needed for countries to assess the real impact of illicit financial flows and how to tackle it. We, therefore, call on all member states and corporate entities participating in this Forum to recommit to combatting illicit financial flows and to strengthen good practices on asset recovery and return to foster sustainable development in the affected countries.

Madam President,

18. The direct involvement of the private sector, which was given a significant role in the 2030 Agenda, must be highlighted and included in ongoing and future discussions, in order to focus on challenges and opportunities for business in playing its role as a key developmental actor in all areas and dimensions of sustainable development. The participation of the private sector is critical to strengthening the economies in developing countries, therefore it must continue to contribute in mobilizing resources needed to finance sustainable development.

19. In respect to domestic and international private business and finance, aligning financial markets with sustainable development creates the appropriate environment and conditions for private resources to be adequately channeled towards long-term SDGs.

20. Last but not least, the Group stresses that technology transfer is one of the core priorities of the developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda, and reiterates the need to accelerate the transfer of technology on favorable terms including on concessional and preferential terms. The Group also reaffirms that addressing the constraints on technology transfer along with enhancing capacity building in science, technology and innovation is essential for the progress of the developing countries in implementing a wide range of SDGs.

21. The Group takes note with appreciation the IATF report on Financing for Development, which broadly covers the follow-up of all action areas which are reflected also in the agreed conclusions and recommendations. In order to facilitate the timely preparation of the draft conclusions and recommendations of the next year Forum, we emphasize the importance for the IATF Report to be issued as early as possible in February 2020.

22. The Group of 77 and China looks forward to a fruitful, constructive and open engagement with our partners throughout this forum with a view to reaching solutions to address the challenges we face.

I thank you.

2. At the outset, the Group would like to express to you our appreciation for your continued support and commitment to the development agenda, particularly South-South Cooperation. The Group would like also to commend the continued commitment of the United Nations in strengthening South-South Cooperation. 40 years ago, the United Nations convened the first Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries which led to the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. In 2009, it was followed by the first High-level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation convened in Nairobi, Kenya from 1 to 3 December 2009. Last month, the second High-level Conference was convened in Buenos Aires to mark the fortieth anniversary of the adoption of BAPA which adopted the Buenos Aires outcome document of the second High-level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation. Our thanks also go to the two co-facilitators who coordinated this important undertaking on your behalf.

3. We are very grateful to the Government and people of Argentina for hosting this importance conference. We also acknowledge the important role of the United Nations development system led by the UN Secretary-General in further supporting and promoting South-South Cooperation, in line with the principles of South-South Cooperation.

4. Moreover, the Group believes that BAPA+40 gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our strong support to the High-Level Committee on South-South Cooperation and to the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). We stress that the Office is the articulator of South-South cooperation in the UN system. The Group appreciates the countries of the South who have stepped up their cooperation with UNOSSC which has also enhanced its role and impact by up-scaling it in terms of financial, human and budgetary resources for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Madame President,

5. The Group engaged constructively, in good faith, throughout the negotiation process on this outcome document, with a view of reaching a balanced substantive outcome document encompassing all the relevant issues to South-South Cooperation.

6. In this connection, the Group reaffirms that South-South cooperation is a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda.
7. As laid out in the Nairobi Outcome document, and reaffirmed in this outcome document, South-South Cooperation and its agenda have to be set by the countries of the South, and must continue to be guided by the principles of respect for national sovereignty, national ownership and independence, equality, non-conditionality, non-interference in domestic affairs and mutual benefit.

8. The Group emphasizes that South-South cooperation is a complement to and not a substitute for North-South cooperation, which remains the main channel for international development cooperation.

9. South-South cooperation has evolved significantly over the decades, and the South-South roadmap has never been as important as it is today. The international community is also well aware of the scale and impact of South-South cooperation as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda both welcome the increased contribution of South-South cooperation to sustainable development and the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

10. Furthermore, the Group would like to recall the importance of Triangular Cooperation. In recent years, this component of cooperation has become more relevant in the current architecture of international cooperation and requires to play an important role in the 2030 Agenda. However, we wish to emphasize that triangular cooperation must be undertaken at the request of developing countries, in line with the principles of South-South cooperation, and must be led by the countries of the South.

11. We acknowledge the voluntary, participative, and demand driven nature of South-South Cooperation, born out of shared experiences and sympathies, based on their common objectives and solidarity. We further recognize that South- South Cooperation leads to more diverse opportunities for development and, should not to be equated to, nor measured or assessed as Official Development Assistance. We also emphasize that the spread of South-South Cooperation shall not reduce the commitment of developed countries to reach 0.7% of their GNIs, as their official developing assistance to developing countries.

12. The Group understands that the 2030 Agenda represents a change of the development paradigm that prevailed in the last decades since it recognizes that development is much more than economic growth. In that sense, the Group recognizes the multidimensional nature of poverty and the social, economic and environmental dimensions of domestic output and structural gaps at all levels, and further recognizes the need for international development cooperation to include a multidimensional perspective that transcends the use of per capita income as the sole indicator to measure development, in order to support all developing countries to achieve sustainable development, while acknowledging the serious and continuous, as well as the new and emerging challenges, that developing countries face.

Madame President,

13. The Group welcomes the Buenos Aires Outcome Document of the Second High-level Conference on South-South Cooperation as contained in document A/73/L.80, and looks forward to its effective implementation.

14. However, the Group regrets that the text to some extent fell below our expectations. Unfortunately, the text singled out one SDG over the other 16 SDGs that are of equal importance. In this connection, we restate the importance of the full and comprehensive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this regard, we stress that this should not create a precedent for future intergovernmental negotiation processes.

15. We also stress our regret regarding the inclusion of certain references such as development effectiveness as it remains inapplicable to South-South cooperation, and more related to international development cooperation.

16. Although we agree that the knowledge, experience and success stories should be shared among developing countries, we are concerned and strongly oppose attempts to measure, monitor or harmonize with the ODA frameworks, which will not bring more resources for development; but, on the contrary, it will jeopardize the existing diversity of flows. We stress that the South needs the international community to continue and increase its contributions with a focus on the achievement of the 17 SDGs, rather than the demands of measurement, monitoring and reporting.

17. On trade, the Group has presented comprehensive and concrete proposals during the informal consultations to strengthen the language, but regrettably they were not taken on board in the final version of the outcome document. In this connection, the Group recognizes the significant contribution of South-South cooperation in the area of trade and its ability to promote sustainable development among developing countries. In that sense, the relevant United Nations organizations, including UNCTAD, must continue to support developing countries in deepening and enlarging South-South trade integration, regional, sub-regional and interregional economic integration and cooperation arrangements.

18. The Group remains deeply concerned with the increase in the unilateral and protectionist measures that will not only undermine the multilateral trading system, but also will lead to negative impact on access of the developing countries' exports to the global markets.

19. In closing, Madame President, the Group agreed to accept the last version of the outcome document in line with our constructive approach and the need to ensure consensus in support of this important conference. We look forward to working with all partners in mutual trust and in good faith to implement the key deliverables of this outcome document to bolster support for national and regional efforts of developing countries in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to achieve the overarching goal of the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

I thank you.

2. The G77 and China welcomes the holding of the tenth meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing. We extend congratulations and best wishes to the Chair and express our thanks to him and the other Bureau members for all the work they have done to prepare for this session.

3. The Group of 77 and China would also like to thank the UN DESA and OHCHR for their analytical papers and compilations which will surely add value to our deliberations and discussions.

4. The Group would also like to reiterate its appreciation for the work of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. We stress the importance of close coordination between the work of the Independent Expert and the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing.

Mr. Chair,

5. The Group reiterates its support for the Madrid Plan of Action and the Political Declaration adopted at the Second World Assembly. At the time of adoption, the international community committed to respond and tackle population and ageing in the twenty-first century and to create a "society for all ages." Our Group recommits to doing this and to pursuing policies that would enable people everywhere to age with security and dignity.

6. The Group of 77 and China recognizes the essential contributions that older persons make to the development of our societies. However, despite significant progress in the development and implementation of policies and programs focusing on older persons in many countries of the world, there is still much work to be done in mainstreaming ageing into relevant policy domains as well as in promoting and protecting their human rights.
 
7. In this regard, the Group of 77 expresses its concern that many challenges facing older persons still persist. Some of these challenges include access to health services and other health issues, including the right to previous and informed consent and access to palliative care. High rates of abuse, violence, neglect and abandonment are also among the most frequent scourges faced by older persons.

8. Therefore, the Group of 77 and China acknowledges the importance of exploring ways to increase the visibility of and attention to the specific challenges faced by older persons in the global development policy framework, including identifying possible gaps and how best to address them.

Mr. Chair,

9. The Group stresses that population ageing can no longer be ignored. Globally, the proportion of older persons is growing at a faster rate than the general population. Today, persons 60 years or older number 962 million, which is more than twice as large as in 1980. This fact makes it even more clear that increased commitment and efforts are needed and required from governments, civil society and other key players to fully implement the goals and objectives adopted in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

10. In this regard, the Group believes that as populations grow older, in addition to pursuing policies to mainstream older persons in development, advancing health and well-being into old age, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments, there must also be concrete measures taken to shift changes in attitudes, policies and practices. Such measures will help to ensure that older persons are not viewed simply as welfare beneficiaries, but as active participants in the development programs and projects, including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

11. In this regard, the Group calls for increased efforts to eliminate structural and institutional discrimination, including prejudices, ageism and the stereotypical image of old age associated with disability and unproductivity, which are some of the main causes for exclusion of older persons and denial of their human rights.

12. Furthermore, the Group believes that in order to enhance their role and empower older persons, it is essential that Governments design innovative policies and public services that are especially targeted to older persons, including policies addressing education, housing, employment, health care, infrastructure and social protection among other aspects related to the fulfillment of their basic human rights.

Mr. Chair,

13. The international community must work together to ensure the well-being of older persons, while addressing issues related to their social integration and the enjoyment of their human rights, and fostering intergenerational partnerships and solidarity.

14. The Group calls upon the Secretary-General to continue supporting the open-ended group, including by providing all necessary measures to ensure substantive and fruitful sessions.

15. Lastly, the G77 and China reiterates its firm support to the open-ended working group and emphasizes the need to contribute to its work to enable it to fulfill its existing mandate to strengthen the protection of the human rights of older persons. I thank you for your attention.