I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Your Excellency, María Emma Mejía Vélez, Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council and Permanent Representative of Colombia, the Group of 77 and China thank you kindly for your introductory notes on this important topic. The Group of 77 and China further wishes to thank you for your efforts in convening the follow-up session of the ECOSOC Dialogue following the one held on 15 December 2014.

Madam Vice-President,

The longer-term positioning of the United Nations development system is of utmost importance to the Group of 77 and China. In this latter context, the sessions of the ECOSOC Dialogue become even more important and necessary in many respects as it provides another opportunity for Member States to continue exchanging ideas on this important topic:

Firstly, the longer term positioning of the UN development system is being discussed at the time when equally important discussions are going on, that is the FfD process and the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The Group firmly reiterates its position that DESA should provide papers and quality analysis on the longer-term positioning of the United Nations development system, drawing from its institutional position, mandate and knowledgeable perspectives of the UN Development System. Equally important, background papers should be prepared for each one of the six components of the Dialogue as well as on their respective inter-linkages. This further means that one document for each component of the Dialogue.

Secondly, the format of the ECOSOC Dialogue should be a full day to allow for in-depth discussions on the longer term positioning of the UN development system, particularly on the funds and programmes. The objective is to allow the UN development system to effectively contribute to the realization of the post-2015 development agenda. We should aim at achieving a greater understanding among Member States on the modernization required in the principles underpinning the governance system as well as representation and working methods of governing bodies.

Thirdly, it is crucial to allow Member States - first and foremost - to take part and express their views during the ECOSOC Dialogue with the staff of UN entities participating primarily as a complementary resource and upon request. The Dialogue format should also provide for sufficient opportunities for informal exchange among Member States and independent experts through workshops, seminars and retreats on as many of the issues referred to in ECOSOC resolution 2014/14 and GA resolution 69/238 as possible.

Fourthly, the aforementioned ECOSOC Dialogues which started in December 2014 have provided a unique opportunity to exchange views among Member States on the role of the UN development system within the context of the post-2015 era. However, for these Dialogues to have the desired impact, they have to be guided by an effective strategy and work plan. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China proposes that a clear Roadmap for the follow-up on Dialogues be provided. In that vein, the Group is of the view that one session should be dedicated to each component of the Dialogue.

Lastly, it is now widely recognized that a post-2015 development agenda, with the primary focus on poverty eradication and the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development, will place new demands on the capacity of the Council to further promote policy cooperation among Member States, as well as coordination of the work of the UN development system. We need to discuss the multi-dimensional aspects of the eradication of poverty. The UN Development System has been explicitly called upon in the QCPR, to give eradication of poverty, the "highest priority" and that it should continue to be a core focus area for the United Nations development system including that, all its development programmes and projects should attempt to address this greatest global challenge as their overarching objective. Member States do not have a common view on these aspects. We should make sure that in 2016 when we discuss the next QCPR, we have a common understanding of all dimensions of poverty that would be applied across the UN Development System.

Madam Vice-President,

The Group of 77 and China would like to see a strengthened role of the UN operational activities for development and its capacity to assist developing countries in achieving their development goals. This will require continued improvement in effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and impact, along with a significant increase in resources.

Our concern though, is that the process has been a one way discourse and not a two-way dialogue. It is important that the Dialogues take into account our needs and concerns.

Strengthening the Office of South-South Co-operation across the system is also a particular priority for the Group.

In Conclusion Madam Vice-President, we note with thanks your summary of the first Dialogue session you had provided. The following are just a few observations from the Group:

- Are we going to have a consolidated summary of all sessions at the end?
- Could you kindly clarify the concept of norm-setting as reflected in the summary? The Group's understanding is that the UN system can provide inputs but they cannot set norms as this should be left to Member States?
- The proposed meeting of 12 February 2015, are we going to be provided with a concept paper on the "longer-term positioning of the UN Development System?

I Thank You.