At the outset, let me extend our warm congratulations to you on your election to the Presidency of the Executive Board, as well as to the other members of the Bureau on their election. We look forward to working with you, and we are confident in your able stewardship. We continue counting on your support in ensuring that the views of the developing countries are taken on board during this session of the Board.

The Group of 77 and China thanks the UNDP Administrator for his statement delivered in this session. We greatly value the wide-ranging and important work of UNDP within the United Nations development system and at the country level and its engagement in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Group of 77 and China emphasizes that the mandate of the UNDP is, and remains development, and it should carry out this mandate through its programmatic focus on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and in line with the mandate of the QCPR resolution 71/243, and as reaffirmed in the GA resolution 72/279 on the repositioning of the UNDS in the context of the QCPR.

The Group of 77 and China underscores the importance of the work of the United Nations Development Program in supporting national efforts and capacity-building geared towards development and the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, in line with countries' national needs and proprieties. In this regard, the UNDP's contribution to the implementation of the 2030 agenda, through country, regional and global programs, as well as the ongoing implementation of its current Strategic Plan, will continue to be highly expected. At the same time, the implementation of the agenda and the QCPR resolution provides to UNDP a long-term strategic guidance to harmonize its work towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which clearly identifies poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions and sustainable development as key issues.

The Group reiterates that poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions is a central imperative of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and emphasizes the need to address poverty in all its forms and dimensions in order to truly leave no one behind, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. In this connection, the group emphasizes the important role the UNDP has been playing in this regards, and looks forward to UNDP's continued commitment in addressing the challenges and needs faced by developing countries, especially countries in special situations, to achieve the full implementation of this agenda by 2030 in a balanced and integrated manner to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions.

Mr. President,

As we are in the last stages of the funding dialogue of the United Nations Development System, the Group of 77 and China remains of the view that securing core funding for development activities is critical to achieve the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda and to sustain UNDP's central role in the reinvigorated development system. In this regard, the Group reiterates the importance of fulfilling ODA commitments, which will remain crucial for the SDGs.

Moreover, the Group of 77 and China remains highly concerned on the imbalance between core and non-core resources of the Organization at a time when the challenges for development are increasing. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of the predictability and availability of regular resources to allow UNDP to fulfill its mandate in an efficient and independent manner in responding to developing country's needs. We look forward for an agreeable funding compact that takes into consideration all the concerns of the developing countries, in particular the abovementioned concerns.

The Group of 77 and China reiterates its support to the important role of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, and its mandate in accordance with the General Assembly resolutions in advancing, coordinating and mainstreaming South-South cooperation activities globally and across the UN system. We value the role of UNDP as an important element in the development pillar of the United Nations, and we look forward for a more expanded and deepened role of UNDP, particularly in South-South cooperation.

In this connection, the Group of 77 and China emphasizes that South-South cooperation is innovative and a growing means to strengthen cooperation among developing countries and offers opportunities to strengthen international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. However, it must be clear that that South-South Cooperation is not a substitute for, but rather a complement to, North-South Cooperation, which remains the main channel for international development cooperation. Furthermore, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its long-standing position that South-South Cooperation is a demonstration 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 for Sustainable Development. South-South Cooperation and its agenda have to be set by countries of the South and should 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.

The Group of 77 and China looks forward to constructive discussions during this session of the Executive Board. We reiterate the importance of continuing to working together in an open, transparent and inclusive manner in order to bring about progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development.

In closing, Mr. President, I wish you a successful presidency, and you can continue counting on the Group's support and cooperation throughout the rest of your presidency.

I thank you.

At the outset, the Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to the co-facilitators for their efforts in producing the zero-draft outcome document of the Second-High Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation, and for convening today's informal meeting. We would like to assure you that the Group will engage constructively in this important process on the basis of the well-established principles of South-South Cooperation.

In this connection, the Group would like to emphasize that the principles that have guided South-South Cooperation remain valid. South-South cooperation is the manifestation of solidarity among people and countries of the South, building on their needs, experience, capabilities, best practices, diversified culture and many other circumstances.

The Group would also like to underline the voluntary nature of South-South Cooperation, and stress that South-South Cooperation and its agenda have to be set by countries of the South. It should 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. The Group reiterates that South-South cooperation is a compliment to and not a substitute for North-South cooperation, which remains the main channel for international development cooperation.

Moreover, the Group would like to reiterate that triangular cooperation should be guided by the principles of South-South Cooperation. Thus, we stress the need to further elaborate on what triangular cooperation represents in relation to South-South Cooperation.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

On the procedure, the Group would like to seek some clarifications on the process of negotiations ahead; and in this regard, we wish to ask the following questions:

- What is the foreseen timetable for the informal consultations?
- What is the Co-facilitators' vision for the process?
- How do you plan to proceed in the informal meetings? what approach you would be taking, in particular do you plan to have the first reading on the basis of para by para or section by section?
- Following the completion of the first reading of the text, how do you plan to proceed? Will you have a compilation text or a new revised one?
- As for the titles of the sections, the Group would like to inquire whether those titles were included in the zero draft for the sake of facilitating the negotiations or they will be kept in the final document. Here, it must be noted that the Group is not in favor of having any titles in the final outcome document.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

South-South Cooperation is a collective effort of the developing countries, and seeks to enable them to play a more active role in international policy and decision-making processes, in support of their efforts to achieve sustainable development and eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions; and must be pursued as an expression of South-South solidarity and as a mean to foster the economic autonomy and self-reliance of the South based on their common objectives.

Based on this, the Group strongly believes that this important process must be member states-driven, in fact a G-77 driven process, and should abide by the principle of openness and transparency through an intergovernmental negotiation process. We wish to stress on the importance of taking the para by para approach, and we would like to request the issuance of a compilation text for this important process.
These are the Group's initial general remarks, and we will provide more substantive views and concrete proposals upon starting the first para by para reading of the text.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

We look forward to a successful and meaningful process, and once again, the Group reiterates its commitment to engage constructively in this process, with the goal of reaching a short, concise and action oriented negotiated outcome document that is guided by the Nairobi outcome document, major documents on South-South Cooperation and the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions.

I thank you.

I assure you that the State of Palestine will spare no effort to ensure that we are collectively able to build upon the achievements of the Group across the span of the past 55 years.

From the outset, I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to all the members of our esteemed Group, in particular the Asia-Pacific Group for supporting our candidacy, for entrusting us to bear this important responsibility and to pursue this great legacy. We also extend our appreciation to the Group and to the Member States of the United Nations that have supported the adoption of the General Assembly resolution enabling the State of Palestine to effectively exercise all of its duties as the Chair of G77.

Allow me to also seize this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation for the exceptional role that has been played by the Arab Republic of Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi and the able efforts of Minister Sameh Shukri and of the Egyptian team headed by Ambassador Mohammed Edrees, in leading the Group of 77 over the course of 2018. We would also like to thank Mr. Mourad Ahmia, Executive Secretary of the Group of 77, and his team for their efforts.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The founding principles of the G77 are interconnected with the principles that form the international consensus and with the purposes, principles and goals of the United Nations. These principles constitute the strongest pillar for upholding the multilateral system and its institutions, as well as the rule of international law, and mutual cooperation, especially in the context of the assaults underway against this system.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We will work together during our chairmanship to reinforce South-South cooperation and to continue pursuit of the initiatives undertaken to implement the 2030 Agenda for development, including as they pertain to financing for development and solidarity through development, as complementary to, and not as an alternative to North-South cooperation and to triangular cooperation, given the key role of the international community and partners in the field of development in advancing the implementation of the development goals.

Solidarity and cooperation between the countries of the South has gained more prominence in helping to promote the realization of the internationally-agreed development goals and this is, in large part, a result of achievements advanced by many of the developing countries in line with their commitment to ensure that "no one is left behind". We thus recognize the importance of the upcoming second United Nations High-Level Conference on South-South Cooperation, which will be held in Buenos Aires in March, forty years after the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, and we will strive our utmost to ensure its success.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

People are the real treasure for nations, and real and sustainable development can only be achieved when opportunities are enhanced to ensure for all people full and free participation in all relevant matters in life. Sustainable human development is development by the people and for the people and with their participation, and the right to development is a right we shall strive to strengthen and realize, together with all other human rights enshrined in international law and in the G77's founding and central documents.

In this regard, we must ensure and preserve this right also for peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, in line with the decisions of the Group, including the Johannesburg Plan of Action, and in accordance with the relevant provisions of international law, including international humanitarian law, and the relevant United Nations resolutions. Palestine cannot be an exception.

With the adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the international community as a whole has endorsed an action plan to achieve prosperity for all peoples of the world and considers the elimination of poverty in all its forms and dimensions as an indispensable requirement for achieving sustainable development in line with the principles adopted at Rio+20, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This issue will be at the top of our priorities throughout this year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Climate change has negative and destructive implications and dangerous ramifications for our peoples more than any others, despite the fact that we are far less responsible for emissions and pollution than others. Addressing this situation requires bold decisions, without delay, to preserve the future of our peoples and our planet. This urgent matter, and the concerns and interests of the Group in this regard, will be at the top of the priorities of the Palestinian chairmanship of the Group.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Sustainable development and community building is a long-term investment in peacebuilding, and in strengthening our world's immunity to crises, disasters, conflicts and wars, on the path to a world that upholds human rights, advances solidarity through development, as well as knowledge sharing, capacity building and technical assistance. This must include enhanced developmental assistance and economic resources towards eliminating poverty and hunger, addressing the digital gap, providing decent work, advancing sustainable development, ensuring justice, eliminating child labor, slavery and human trafficking, and ensuring benefit sharing and a just distribution of economic prosperity and growth, including for women and youth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Members of our Group has also played a pivotal and principled role in defending the inalienable rights of peoples, including their right to self-determination and national independence, and many countries in the South continue to suffer from conflicts, wars, violence and terrorism, aggression and occupation. The State of Palestine will continue to work together with the Members of the Group to confront these challenges.

In this regard, the establishment of peace and security in the Middle East will significantly enhance the opportunities for realization of sustainable and stable development for all countries of the region. Regrettably, however, Israel's continued colonization and occupation of the State of Palestine undermines our development and capacity for cooperation and coordination and obstructs cohesive future development for all peoples of the region. Here, I reaffirm the State of Palestine's commitment to international law and legitimacy and to a peaceful solution that brings an end to the occupation and the realization of the independence of the State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel on the basis of the 1967 borders, and the just resolution of all final status issues, including for the plights of our refugees and prisoners in accordance with the relevant international resolutions.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In conclusion, we assure you that the State of Palestine, in representing the Group of 77 and China on all matters relevant to the Group's agenda, will pursue the path paved by previous Chairs, and will strive to carry forth the legacy and traditions of our Group in addressing the challenges before us for achieving progress and prosperity for our peoples and States. We will dedicate our efforts to protecting the interests of the Group in all its geographical components, guided by the principle of unity in diversity, including Africa, and with the needed attention for the Least Developed Countries, Small Developing Island States, Middle Income Countries, and peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, so as to ensure no one is left behind.

I thank you.