Distinguished Co-Chairs,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of G77 and China. The Group wishes to thank you for your leadership and guidance during this week.

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

As we have reiterated throughout the whole process and for the last year and a half, the Group of 77 and China holds the view that each SDG should be linked to an effective means of implementation and include a standalone goal on the strengthened global partnership for development.

In this regard, we reiterate our views expressed in April and May of this year: The G77 and China underscores the importance of linking international factors to an enhanced and expanded global partnership for development, the critical role of effective means of implementation, together with national actions and efforts to be taken by countries at the national level. The three-component approach is essential because the formulation of meaningful goals at the national level will not be attainable unless structural factors, including international factors, are addressed. Similarly, developing countries require continued and strengthened international cooperation in finance including the fulfillment of the commitments related to ODA, debt relief, technology transfer and capacity-building if they are expected to achieve the SDGs.

The Group has presented, on May 23, a very comprehensive proposal on means of implementation for each goal, as well as for a strengthened global partnership for development. We request that the proposal by G77 and China be included in the document and discussed, including both the means of implementation that should be included under each goal as well as the strengthened global partnership that has to be included as a standalone goal.

Thank you.