Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Secretariat for the preparation and presentation of the documents for our consideration under the Agenda Item 23 (a) and (b).

1. First Agenda item 23 a: Follow-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

2. The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) continue to confront structural handicaps and constraints in their development efforts and remain highly vulnerable to external shocks. It`s, therefore, obvious that the LDCs continue to suffer from the negative consequences of the ongoing world financial and economic crisis. This situation undermines, clearly, the development efforts of the Least Developed Countries.

3.The G77 and China expresses its grave concern that, with just few years to go before 2015, the least developed countries are lagging behind in meeting many of the MDG targets.

4. The Group of 77 and China calls for full, timely and effective implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 with the aim of enabling at least half of the least developed countries to meet graduation criteria by 2020 through a renewed and strengthened partnership for development.

Mr. Chairman,

5. The success of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the next decade depends on the LDCs taking the ownership and leadership role in making and implementing effectively the relevant policy choices, according to their own conditions, priorities, with the strong, enhanced, predictable, definite and targeted support of the development partners. the developed countries as "development partners" have a crucial role in implementing the Istanbul Programme of Action,

6.The United Nations system, including the Bretton Woods institutions, other multilateral institutions, regional development banks and other stakeholders should, also, enhance their support to the LDCs efforts and the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action.

Mr. Chairman,

7. With regard to the debt problem of the LDC's, we encourage all the efforts made to address this critical issue and stress, the need to relieve the weight of the debt by taking more enhanced and effective measures, particularly, through cancellation of multilateral and bilateral debts owed by LDCs to creditors.

8. The G77 and China emphasizes the need for the timely implementation of the duty-free and quota free market access, on lasting basis for all LDCs as expressed in the Istanbul Programme of Action. We stress the importance of facilitating the accession of all developing countries, in particular the LDCs that apply for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), without political impediments, in an expeditious and transparent manner and with full observance of the principles of special and differential treatment for developing countries.

9. The Group reiterates its strong support to LDCs and hopes that the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action will give place to a strengthened partnership aimed at overcoming multiple development challenges being faced by LDCs, to support them in eradicating poverty and integrating beneficially into the global economy.

Mr. Chairman,

10. Let me now turn to Agenda item 23(b), Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation.

11. The Group of 77 and China emphasizes the special needs of and problems faced by the landlocked developing countries caused by their lack of territorial access to the sea, aggravated by the remoteness from world markets, and also expresses the concern that their economic growth and social well-being remain very vulnerable to external shocks as well as the multiple challenges the international community faces including the financial and economic crisis and climate changes. Thus the progress achieved by these countries in the years previous to the crisis is at risk

12. The Group reiterates the urgent need to address the special development challenges and needs faced by the landlocked and transit developing countries through the full, timely and effective implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action,

13. The Group is also concerned that LLDCs continue to be at a competitive disadvantage in attracting private investments despite creating more attractive investment climate through reforms and policy improvements to reduce bureaucracy, lower costs, and improve business procedures and public services. The Group stresses the need for the international community to enhance the flow of investments, both public and private, as well as development assistance to LLDCs to help them overcome their vulnerabilities, build resilience and set themselves on a path of sustainable social and economic development.

Mr. Chairman,

14. We invite Member States, including development partners, organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant international, regional and sub-regional organizations, to speed up further the implementation of the specific actions in the five priorities agreed upon in the Almaty Programme of Action and those contained in the declaration on the midterm review of the Almaty Programme of Action, in a better coordinated manner, in particular for the construction, maintenance and improvement of their transport, storage and other transit-related facilities, including alternative routes, completion of missing links and improved communications and energy infrastructure, so as to support the sustainable development of landlocked developing countries.

15. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the decision of the General Assembly in its resolution 66/214 of December 2011, to hold a comprehensive ten-year review conference of the Almaty Programme of Action in 2014. This review should be preceded by regional and global as well as thematic preparations in a most effective, well-structured and broad participatory manner.

16. The Group takes note of the outcome of the Fourth Meeting of Trade Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries and the High Level Global Thematic Meeting on International Trade, Trade Facilitation and Aid for Trade held in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 12-14 September 2012.

I thank you.