Mr. Chairman,
Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,

Please allow me, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, to extend to you and other members of the Bureau our warmest congratulations on your election as a chairman of the Third Committee. We are confident in your stewardship of our deliberation which will guarantee the success of our work of the Third Committee during this 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.  

Let me assure you of our commitment to work cooperatively towards a successful conclusion of the committee's proceedings.  I take this opportunity to thank the Secretariat for their comprehensive valuable assistance and excellent work.

We would like to thank the Secretary-General for the reports submitted under agenda item 63: Social Development and the conclusions and recommendations contained therein.

Mr. Chairman,

The G 77 and China would like to reaffirm the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the World Summit for Social Development of 1995, although we are deeply concerned that the promises made at that historic meeting could not been achieved.
        
        The G77 and China is deeply concerned over the multiple inter-related and mutually exacerbating current global crises, in particular the world financial and economic crisis, the volatile energy prices, the food crisis and the negative impacts of the climate change, all of which could further undermine the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.
        
        The current financial and economic crisis - which the countries from the South did not cause - as well as the failures and gaps in the international financial governance have served to underscore the urgent need for the UN to assume a central and proactive role in international economic issues in particular the reform of the economic and financial system.

The G77and China,  reiterates a call for a universal, ruled based, open, non discriminatory and equitable multilateral system and to avoid protectionist measures, which impede the economic growth in the developing countries, and to stresses the urgent need for the international community, particularly, the developed countries, to take effective measures to allocate new and additional resources to assist developing countries to respond efficiently to both the imminent and long term challenges of food security.

To this end, the Group of 77 and China takes note with appreciation of the Secretary-General's Report, in particular, the report on the subject of social integration and the impact of the global crisis.  

The Group of 77 and China is of the view that it is essential to support an integrated approach on the analysis of this urgent matter, including the promotion of  full employment and decent work characterized by condition of equity, equality, security and dignity.  

In addition, we support a continued focus on women, youth, older persons and persons with disabilities as well as migrants and indigenous peoples given their valuable contributions to efforts at achieving poverty eradication and sustainable development. In this regard the Group of 77 and China will once again present this year resolutions on important social development issues such as on the World Summit on Social Development, as well as the Madrid Plan of Action. On the final issue in particular, we are aware that, despite the efforts of all Member States to strengthen the protection of the rights of older persons and, in particular, ensure their right to development, the level of implementation of the Madrid Plan of Action is still disappointing. Further efforts are necessary to ensure that the older members of our society continue to live full and productive lives, and receive the protection and respect they have earned.

The International Community has, since 1994, undertaken a range of activities and commitments in support of the objectives of the International Year of the Family.  The 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2014 is on the horizon, necessitating the efforts and initiatives of Governments, the United Nations system and Civil Society to ensure the further promotion, actual realization and continuous implementation of the mandated objectives of the International Year of the Family.   

The group of 77 and China, also urges the international community to take further effective measures to remove the obstacles to the realization of the right of peoples to self-determination, in particular peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation, which continue to adversely affect their economic and social development and are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person and must be combated and eliminated.

To this end, the group urges the international community and donor Governments to pay particular attention to the needs of developing societies, including those emerging from conflict, and to sub-regions at risk, in order to promote peace building, social cohesion and constructive community relationships agreed towards mitigating violent conflict. In addition, donor governments should strive to maintain their commitments to meeting demands for social services and assistance, including health services and income security that have arisen from the global economic and financial crises.
Mr. Chairman,

Economic and social development is the centerpiece of the objectives and operational activities of the United Nations. Moreover, achievement of social development becomes a matter of will and resources.  Here the group notes with deep concern, that there the negative impact of the global economic and financial crisis is undermining the efforts of developing countries to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.  

 In this regard, we welcome the recommendations in the Secretary General's report, to enhance international cooperation, including fulfillment of all commitments for internationally agreed official development assistance, debt relief and technical support, including technology transfer.

        These are critical to the international community's efforts to translate the numerous political promises of the last twenty years into concrete action.  There can be no doubt that the pursuit of the MDGs is an opportunity for the kind of global partnership, and to deliver on the specific targets to eradicate poverty and hunger and develop a global partnership for development is critical to achieving all other goals.
        
        The Group of 77 and China stresses the need for deeper concern and awareness of the global crises that is threatening social development in developing countries. The achievement of the MDGs including the social development should continue to be one of the overarching cornerstones of the United Nations system.

 We renew our readiness to work constructive with all colleagues and reaffirm commitments to the full implementation of the Program of Action of the Summit for Social Development.

        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.