Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group 77 and China. At the outset, I would like to thank you for convening this meeting of the integration segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with the theme "Implementing the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development through policy innovation and integration".

The Group of 77 and China is of the view that policy integration is central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, we acknowledge the high importance of the Segment as a platform for dialogue and exchange of views on lessons learnt and recommendation for ways forward in policy innovation and integration.

The adoption of the 2030 Agenda ignites a paradigm shift through its transformative and universal nature that emphasises an integrated and innovative approach in order to achieve meaningful progress in all its dimensions - economic, social and environmental. This course has brought us together to deliberate and extract policy recommendations to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In doing so, we must not overlook the immense advantages to learn from each other's experience and best practices. In this regard, we disrelish to acknowledge that a discussion on national experiences in policy making was not made part of our deliberations in the 2016 Segment and encourage Secretariat to step up the efforts to ensure the participation of those countries made contribution to this Segment.

Mr. President,

The Group of 77 concurs that policy integration should aim at delivery of mutually reinforcing beneficial outcomes in each of the economic, environmental and social spheres and the success of which will go far beyond the measurable economic growth. Such implementation is inherently long-term in nature and geared towards achieving improvements of living conditions for current and future generations. The scope of methodological approaches for such sustainable development policy design must focus not only on monetary cost-benefit analysis. But we should also strive for a more people-centered and balanced policy integration approach which strengthens us from within and being resilient to external shocks. We must also build up a strong sustainability mindset in respect of the environment and give full consideration for future generations.

The Group of 77 and China views that main challenge of policy integration stems from the fact that it must not be perceived as business as usual. We cannot afford normal practice if we are to achieve the 2030 Agenda within an agreed timeframe. Implementation of the Agenda at national level will face serious tests of how to align and strike a balance of interests and actions among public and private actors. Furthermore, there are needs to break down silos in traditional policy-making processes and create supportive institutional frameworks. Taking into account the reality and constraints on both administrative and fiscal sides faced by developing countries, especially Groups of Countries in Special Situations, there is a need for the United Nations system to assist developing countries to overcome the limitations and challenges associated with policy integration. In light of the inherent long-term nature of policy integration approach, institutional and functional capacity building programmes should also follow a sustained, long-term and demand-driven pattern. It needs to be re-emphasised that the roles of the United Nations system should, upon request, include technology transfer and provision of technological guidance, facilitation of the exchange of best practices as well as fostering action-oriented advancement of collaboration for institutional frameworks for cross-sectoral policy undertakings, among others. We also urge our development partners to place more emphasis on these areas for existing and future cooperation.

We would also like to stress that the achievement of the SDGs lies in their successful transformative process for implementation at national level which should take into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibility. We reiterate the importance of favourable international economic environment for the implementation of national development policies and programmes. Efforts should also be made to improve global economic governance, support equal participation of developing countries and increase their representation and voices. Macroeconomic policies, including those related to international trade and finance, are also critical to support an enabling environment for sustainable development. To enhance implementation of innovation policies, there is a requirement for improvement of enabling environment for ICT and expansion of related capacity-building and technology transfer in developing countries.

Furthermore, we attach great value in innovative policy solutions based on culture and other forms of knowledge by incorporating traditional practices into integrated policies. With 134 member countries, the Group of 77 and China has a great deal of home-grown best practices and traditional knowledge based on our centuries-old traditions and customs which can be offered as alternative development models and strategies for policy integration for sustainable development. We are in further support of the increasing trend of South-South and Triangular Cooperation to foster and share of best practices among countries of the South, bearing in mind that these endeavours are complementary to and cannot substitute the main channel of cooperation between the developed North and the South in order to achieve internationally agreed development goals.

Last but not least, policy innovation and integration also mean better coordination and avoidance of duplication at the global level. Therefore, the Group would like to underline that the ECOSOC and the General Assembly should work in a more coordinated and coherent manner to avoid the overlapping and duplication of efforts in the ongoing processes. In closing, we call upon all participants and stakeholders attending this Segment to step up efforts towards a common goal in a collective and synergetic manner in order to create a more prosperous, socially-just and environmentally-friendly global community without leaving no one behind.

I thank you.