Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 22 entitled: Globalization and Interdependence, and its sub-item: international migration and development.

2. The Group expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the reports submitted under this important agenda item; i.e. A/67/274 and A/67/254. We hope that these reports will help our deliberations.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The issues covered under this Agenda Item are of particular relevance to the development prospects of developing countries. It was hoped that the era of globalization would bring sustained and equitable growth for all, as a consequence of free movement of persons, capital, goods and services.

4. Today we are concerned, by the multiple interrelated and mutually exacerbating global crises, in particular the world financial and economic crisis, volatile energy prices, the food insecurity and the challenges posed by climate change, which have a negative impact on the development prospects of developing countries. This situation threats to further widen the gap between developed and developing countries.

5. In this context our Group reaffirms the need to continue working towards a new international economic order based on the principles of equity, sovereign equality, interdependence, common interest, cooperation and solidarity among all States.

Mr. Chairman,

6. The Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, adopted in 1974 by the General Assembly, are not only relevant, but more important than ever, in light of the current global situation, and the continued lack of implementation of those and other important documents of the international agenda.

7. Although globalization can be a powerful and dynamic force for strengthening cooperation and accelerating growth and development, it nevertheless presents many risks and challenges especially to developing countries. It is, indeed, a process which can be uneven and unpredictable. Therefore, national efforts need to be complemented by intensified international cooperation in order to reverse the marginalization, manage the risks, overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities created by globalization. Developing countries need to maintain their right to development through policy space and strategies based on their unique social, political, economic and environmental conditions.

8. We call for the enhancement of the voice and participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making and norm-setting.

9.The Group of 77 and China has a firm conviction that the United Nations is the only global body with universal membership, and well positioned to strengthen international cooperation for promoting development in the context of globalization; in particular the integration of developing countries into the globalizing economy to enable them to take full advantage of all their potentials for economic growth; in the implementation of the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs and also to address global economic governance with the objective of reaching sustainable and socially balanced economic development.

10. The Group calls for a much more ambitious reform process on the governance structure of the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs) based on an approach that truly reflects its development mandate and with the involvement of all shareholders in an equitable, transparent, consultative and inclusive process.
11. While confirming the importance of the international trade as an engine for development and sustained economic growth, the Group reaffirms that only a universal; rules based; open; non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system, as well as, meaningful trade liberalization can play a critical role in stimulating economic growth and development that will benefit for all countries at all stages of development.

Mr. Chairman,

12. On the sub item (b) International migration and development, the Group of 77 and China urges the international community to address the challenges caused by the international migration on the basis of common understanding and genuine partnership, in order to assure that international migration can contribute to the development of both origin, transit and destination countries while minimizing the negative impacts. This challenge should be treated in a balanced way with a view to promote respect for and protection of human rights in implementation of policies regarding migration.

13. The G77 and China stresses the importance of Official Development Assistance and other sources of international resource mobilization to support the efforts of developing countries to eradicate poverty and promote the right of people to development, as a key instrument to control migration flows, which are motivated, inter alia, by the search for better welfare and job opportunities.

Mr. Chairman,

14. We look forward to the 2013 High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development as a crucial step for the international community to guide the global migration policy agenda, as well as to renew the political will to act cooperatively and make concrete recommendation on addressing international migration in a constructive manner.

I thank you.