2. The Group would like to thank Mr. Pedro Guazo, Director of the Finance Division, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget, for introducing the Secretary-General's report, and Mr. Cihan Terzi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for introducing its related report. We also thank Ms. Eileen Cronin, Inspector for the Joint Inspection Unit for the introduction of the JIU's report on whistle-blower policies and practices, and Ms. Frederica Pietracci, Senior Programme Management Officer, Secretariat of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination for the introduction of their related report on the matter.
Madame Chair,

3. At the outset, the Group would like to stress the importance, now more than ever of this agenda item. As the new management paradigm is being implemented, we would like to recall that last year the General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening accountability in the United Nations Secretariat as well as the Secretary-General's accountability to all Member States for the performance of the Secretariat; and emphasized that accountability is a central pillar of effective and efficient management that requires attention and strong commitment at all levels of the Secretariat, especially at the highest level.

4. The Group of 77 and China will carefully consider all the reports before us today, in particular the Secretary-General's report with the expectation to see responses to the requests of the General Assembly, as reflected in its resolution A/RES/72/303. In this regard, allow me to state the following remarks:

5. The Group is pleased to note that the Secretary-General report offers progress in three priority areas for strengthening the accountability system under the new management paradigm: (a) improving the system of delegation of authority; (b) strengthening the implementation of results-based management; and (c) establishing the Business Transformation and Accountability Division.

6. Nevertheless, the Group concords with the views stated by the ACABQ in each of these three areas and will be seeking further information during the informal consultations.

7. The Group welcomes the establishment of the Business Transformation and Accountability Division and looks forward to learning more about the dedicated support that will be provided to managers and staff to help them understand what is expected with respect to governance, policy, risks and internal controls.

8. In addition, the Group takes note that the report includes a new section with an overview of the status of accountability in the Secretariat against the six components of the accountability system, namely: The Charter of the United Nations, programme planning and budget documents, results and performance, internal control system, ethical standards and integrity, and oversight functions.

9. The Group remains concerned about the lack of information on the status of implementation of General Assembly resolutions on administrative and budgetary matters and emphasizes that such information and implementation is an essential part of the system of accountability.

10. With regard to the performance appraisal system and the implementation of an effective system of incentives for strong performance, remedial action for underperformance and sanctions for unsatisfactory behaviour and misconduct, the Group underscores the necessity for specific measures that would result in more credible ratings and looks forward to receiving an update on the implementation of the principles and guidelines for performance appraisal and management for the recognition of different levels of performance, approved by the General Assembly.

Madame Chair,

11. The Group welcomes the efforts to strengthen the compacts between the Secretary-General and his senior managers as a key element of the accountability system and looks forward to learning more about these efforts during the informal consultations.

12. The Group also acknowledges the deployment of the Umoja management module at the end of 2018 and will seek additional information about its functionality to create standard template agreements as well as anti-corruption and anti-fraud clauses.

13. The Group agrees with the ACABQ in stressing the importance of the risk management function under the new system of delegation of authority and looks forward to receiving in the next progress report comprehensive information on the findings and outcome of the second Secretariat-wide risk assessment which is being prepared.

14. The Group further agrees with the ACABQ in recalling that the General Assembly in its resolution 72/303, requested the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts to ensure implementation of the provisions of the Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Framework. In this regard, we reiterate that the implementation of recommendations of oversight bodies is an essential part of the system of accountability.

Madame Chair,

15. The Group reiterates its support of an effective and efficient accountability system across the Secretariat in order to foster and embed a culture of greater accountability in the working habits of staff at all levels and to move towards an improved management of financial and human resources. Given that the process of implementing an effective accountability system remains to be achieved, the submission of an annual progress report to the General Assembly for its consideration will continue to be necessary.

16. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China would like to assure you Madame Chair of its readiness to engage constructively in the upcoming discussions with the aim of concluding this agenda item in a timely fashion.

I thank you, Madame Chair

2. At the outset, I would like to express our profound thanks and appreciation to the Government and people of Argentina for hosting this important conference, and for warmly welcoming us here in Buenos Aires.

3. Forty years ago, we gathered here in this beautiful city, Buenos Aires, and adopted the Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA), which was the major landmark for the technical cooperation among developing countries. Today, we are gathering here again to review trends, assess progress, review lessons learned and identify challenges with a view to enhance the current institutional arrangements to effectively support South-South cooperation and promote South-South agenda, and aiming at stepping up South-South cooperation contribution to the ambitious goal of eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, taking advantage of the significant achievements by developing countries.

4. For the past few decades, we have witnessed the expansion of South-South cooperation, evolving at different levels and provided innovative approaches for collective actions and strengthened its contribution to sustainable development in its three dimensions. The Group notes with appreciation the expansion of intra and interregional South-South cooperation initiatives and summits that have set strategies and agendas, enhanced policy coordination and launched joint ventures that have strengthened South-South trade, investment, infrastructure development and capacity development.

5. The Group strongly believes that South-South cooperation offers opportunities, and supports our efforts to strengthen international cooperation to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; the main multilateral consensus which reaffirms the global development commitment and calls for complementing national efforts to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

6. In this regard, 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.

7. We highlight that the principles that have guided South-South Cooperation remain valid, and as reiterated by our ministers, the Group stresses that South-South Cooperation should continue to be guided by the following well-established principles, references and goals:

a. South-South cooperation is a common endeavor of peoples and countries of the South and must be pursued as an expression of South-South solidarity and a strategy for economic independence and self-reliance of the South based on their common objectives and solidarity.

b. South-South cooperation and its agenda must be driven by the countries of the South.

c. South-South cooperation must not be seen as a replacement for North-South cooperation. Strengthening South-South cooperation must not be a measure of coping with the receding interest of the developed world in assisting developing countries.

d. Cooperation between countries of the South must not be analyzed and evaluated using the same standards as those used for North-South relations.

e. Financial contributions from other developing countries should not be seen as Official Development Assistance from these countries to other countries of the South. These are merely expressions of solidarity, borne out of shared experiences and sympathies.

f. South-South cooperation is a development agenda based on premises, conditions and objectives that are specific to the historic and political context of developing countries and to their needs and expectations. South-South cooperation deserves its own separate and independent promotion.

g. South-South cooperation is based on a strong, genuine, broad-based partnership and solidarity.

h. South-South cooperation is based on complete equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

i. South-South cooperation respects national sovereignty in the context of shared responsibility.

j. South-South cooperation strives for strengthened multilateralism in the promotion of an action-oriented approach to development challenges.

k. South-South cooperation promotes the exchange of best practices and support among developing countries in the common pursuit of their broad development objectives encompassing all development-related aspects of international relations and not just in the traditional economic and technical areas.

l. South-South cooperation is based on the collective self-reliance of developing countries.

m. South-South cooperation seeks to enable developing countries to play a more active role in international policy and decision-making processes, in support of their efforts to achieve sustainable development.

n. The modalities and mechanisms for promoting South-South cooperation are based on bilateral, sub-regional, regional and interregional cooperation and integration as well as multilateral cooperation.

8. The Group recognizes that BAPA+40 offers the opportunity to have an honest discussion on the importance of advancing the sharing of knowledge and experiences with a view to showcase its contribution to sustainable development. However, this work must be carried out taking into account the particularities of the South-South Cooperation and in accordance with national capabilities.

9. The Group reiterates that South-South cooperation is built on voluntary and demand-driven nature, lower transaction cost with no conditionality, taking advantage of the similarities and relevant know-how among developing countries, real and proven development expertise valued by the southern countries. Furthermore, South-South Cooperation cannot be measured or assessed in the same way as ODA, as its value goes beyond direct and indirect costs.

10. 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.

11. Furthermore, the Group would like to recall the importance of triangular cooperation, and acknowledges that triangular cooperation is aimed at facilitating, supporting and enhancing South-South initiatives, through the provision of, inter-alia, funding, capacity-building, technology transfer as well as other forms of support, 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.

12. The Group emphasizes the pursuit of "win-win" cooperation for global development on the basis of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, which can bring huge gains to all countries and all parts of the world in building a community of shared future for humankind.

13. The Group reaffirms the commitment to promote a universal, transparent, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory, inclusive and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, and are determined to work together to further strengthen the WTO and fight all forms of protectionism. Also, 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 and in this regard, we reaffirm the importance of strengthening South-South trade cooperation arrangements, including preferential trade and investment arrangement and the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries. In this connection, 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.

14. We encourage the developed countries members that have not yet done so and developing countries members declaring themselves in a position to do so to provide duty-free and quota-free market access for all products from all LDCs, in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) decisions and the Ministerial Decision on Preferential Rules of Origin for Least Developed Countries agreed at the Ninth and Tenth WTO Ministerial Conferences.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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 United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). We stress that the Office is the articulator of South-South cooperation in the United Nations 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.

18. In closing, the Group hopes that BAPA+40 will constitute itself in a multilateral consensus that will allow to boost our South-South cooperation initiatives.

I thank you, Mr. President.

2. At the outset, allow me, on behalf of the Group, to congratulate you for your appointment as Co-Facilitators to lead this intergovernmental consultation process. The Group would like to express its appreciation for the co-facilitators for convening today's informal consultation on enhancing synergies and coherence and reducing overlap in the agendas of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and their subsidiary bodies, as well as the HLPF and the related high-level forums aligned with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3. The Group would like to emphasize that the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is of the utmost importance for the Group, with a special focus on the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, which remains the highest priority.

4. In this respect, the Group recognizes and reiterates the need to address the gaps and targets that remain critical in the agendas of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. As a result, this constructive process requires serious discussions and engagements to create new agenda items where deem appropriate and necessary to give those goals and targets a placement to be followed-up and reviewed. The indivisible nature of Agenda 2030 makes it imperative and urgent to ensure equal attention and consideration to all goals and targets of the SDGs aiming at a successful implementation of the Agenda in its entirety, and as we are moving forward in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emerging and relevant issues could give rise to new agenda items for the work of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and other relevant bodies.

5. The Group would like to reiterate that any exercise regarding overlapping must safeguard and strengthen the United Nations Development System. Duplication does not necessarily mean repetition, overlaps should be studied in a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration that specific agenda items provide specific mandates. In this regard, we reaffirm the ownership and leadership of Member States on this exercise at both the GA and the ECOSOC, as well as their role in making good use of existing mandates, safeguarding the rights of all States to decide on the action to be taken on this agenda, and to present and submit proposals for new agenda items.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

6. On the way forward and continuation of this work, the Group believes of the importance of building on, and benefit from the results of the work has been already carried out in the past years under this framework, these efforts cannot be ignored, as we should avoid repeating, or duplicating the same efforts again. We also believe that it is important to be realistic when setting timeframes for the completion of the alignment process, which requires further consultations, and thorough discussions among the membership.

7. Finally, Distinguish Co-facilitators, you can rest assured of the Group's support and constructive engagement in this process.

I thank you.