1. Madam Chair, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I extend to you our heartiest congratulations on your assumption of the Chair of the Second Committee, and our congratulations extend also to the entire bureau. We look forward to working with you and the Vice-Chairs during the coming months, and you can be assured of our full support and cooperation.

2. Madam Chair, I take this opportunity also to thank the Secretariat for the preparations for the meetings of the Committee, and for the Organization of Work and the relevant documentation - A/C.2/63/1; A/C.2/63/L.1 and A/C.2/63/L.1/Add.1.

3. The G77 and China is deeply conscious that we enter this session to the resounding words of leaders in the General Assembly last week on global challenges in need of substantive international collaboration, and to the urgent calls from the High Level Sessions on Africa and the MDGs for the implementation of commitments already made to address some of the worst conditions afflicting a large portion of the world's population.

4. In this regard, the Group looks forward to a real change in our mindset in the coming debates in the Committee on the several agenda items which are critical to development and of vital interest to developing countries in particular those in Africa, the least developed countries, the small island developing states, the landlocked developing states and countries emerging from conflict. In general we welcome the organization of work as proposed, and look forward to spirited but substantive discussions on the items with a view to ensuring meaningful outcomes and positive impacts.

5. Madam Chair, the Group will be presenting draft resolutions on several agenda items, as we have done in the past, and in each case we intend to be focused and substantive as the issues demand, bearing in mind the importance that each resolution holds for economic growth and development, macro-economic and financial policy making, the situation of countries with special needs, and sustainable development.

6. During this session of the Committee the Group of 77 and China will also, in accordance with the ongoing processes of the revitalization of the General Assembly, focus on improving the quality of our discussions and enhancing greatly the impact and outcome of the work of the Committee, both in our debates as well as in negotiations on resolutions. We look forward to the support of our negotiating partners in this regard. We intend to be expedient and practical in our work, but in a manner that will not compromise the vitally important substance of our debates and resolutions.

7. Madam Chair, if we are to successfully complete our work by 26th November - and our Group intends for this to be the case - it will require a tremendous amount of cooperation on the part of all of us. The Group of 77 and China intends to do its utmost to allow the Committee to complete its work on time; we will be as practical and pragmatic as possible.

8. The current global economic and financial situation necessitates thorough analysis and substantive policy direction from the General Assembly. The stakes are high both for developing countries and for the credibility of international cooperation and our Organisation.  In this regard we hope we will have the full support of the bureau and our negotiating partners.

9. In conclusion Madam Chair, we stand ready to work with you, your bureau and the secretariat, and look forward to the flexibility and support of our partners, and to a successful execution of the programme of work that is before us.

Thank you.