Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
We thank the Secretary General for his reports A/67/228 and A/67/180 on Agenda item: Eradication of Poverty and other Development Issues

2. The Group expresses its deep concern for the constraints on the fight against poverty arising from the current global crises, in particular the world financial and economic crisis, the world food crisis and continuing food insecurity, and the challenges posed by climate change to developing countries. Poverty manifests itself in different forms and involves issues of economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions.

3. Eradicating poverty is the global challenge facing the world today and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development in developing countries. We recognize the importance of sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth in poverty eradication and the attainment of the MDGs. While we acknowledge the minimal progress made during the First United Nations Decade for Eradication of Poverty, the Group is deeply concerned that, midway into the Second United Nations Decade for Eradication of Poverty, the number of people still living in poverty in some countries continues to increase, with women and children constituting the majority of the most affected groups, especially in the least developed countries and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

4. Further, significant pockets of poverty exist in middle-income countries and the global economic situation poses severe risks of reversals of economic growth and increase in the levels of poverty in these countries. Thus, the prospect to achieve the agreed poverty reduction targets and other development goals, by 2015, appears extremely bleak.

5. In this context, much needs to be done to reverse the declining international resource flows, particularly inadequate financial assistance for development and the worsening terms of international trade. It is also very important to scale up efforts to address unemployment and job crisis while promoting productive capacities and strengthening agricultural development.

6. Debt relief is also one of the various financial assistance instruments which could increase the ability of developing countries to eradicate poverty. The Group is therefore of the opinion that the global financial system should as a matter of priority enthrone debt sustainability policies including outright debt cancellation to Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), particularly those from the Least Developed Countries and Africa.

7. International trade expansion can also contribute to the promotion of economic growth and the eradication of poverty. We urge our developed partners to remove trade barriers and agricultural subsidies which constitute serious impediments to market accessibility by developing countries. It is a fact that market access in developed countries for agricultural products, manufactured goods and services of developing countries would help in creating productive jobs and thus support the concerned countries in their national policies and endeavors towards economic growth and poverty eradication.

8. Also, the transfer of technology by developed countries to the developing world plays a critical role in facilitating their developmental efforts and accelerates economic growth.

9. Furthermore, the Group reiterates the need for all stakeholders to maximize their microfinance instruments, including microcredit for poverty eradication and especially for the empowerment of women and rural population particularly in agricultural sector and for the development of small-and-medium enterprises, and to ensure that best practices in the microfinance sector are widely disseminated.

10. We also reaffirm our support for the Global Jobs Pact which provides a useful framework for countries to formulate appropriate policy packages specific to their national situation and priority. We call for continued coordination and coherence in its implementation to avert job crisis.

Mr. Chairman,

11. An increasing proportion of the poor, and in particular the working poor, is women. The Group recognizes the importance of addressing the issue of women in development within the framework of the General Assembly's work on economic and financial matters. The advancement of women worldwide, particularly in developing countries, has been impeded by widening economic inequalities, unemployment, and high levels of poverty among women, intensified by globalization and other transformations in the world economy.

12. Enhancing human resources capacity for higher, more creative and productive employment and decent work for all is vital for poverty reduction. In this regard, we would like to emphasize the role of the public sector in the promotion of Human Resources Development and the role of the United Nations system and contribution from private sector and civil society in supporting the actions and priorities of the national governments.

Mr. Chairman,

13. The G77 and China continues to believe that poverty is the most pervasive violation of human and development rights. An effective and meaningful global campaign against the scourge of poverty which requires poverty eradication should be placed at the center of national strategies and international cooperation. National governments have critical, pivotal role to play in this regard and do indeed have the ultimate responsibility to ensure the success of the campaign against poverty.

14. We have a firm believe that a successful pursuit of national policies needs to be supported by a conducive, enabling external environment and continued support from the international community. In fact, the whole international community needs to engage in genuine international cooperation and implement concerted policies, in a mutually supportive manner in order to ensure making concrete progress toward the realization of the established international goals and targets. In this regard, we believe that the World Solidarity Fund is one of the tools that could contribute to the achievement of the objective of poverty eradication. Therefore, the need to ensure adequate resources to its effective operationalization are crucial and a matter of urgency.

I thank you.