Mr. Chairman,

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

2. The 71st session of the General Assembly marks a critical milestone as it will pave the way towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the Sustainable Development Goals. In the coming weeks, our leaders will gather in Quito, Ecuador, for Habitat III Conference to adopt the New Urban Agenda -- adding to our common goals and a common path towards sustainable development.

3. The Group is of a firm belief that the work of this Committee for this session is crucial in laying down a robust framework and building effective tools through its norm-setting function for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We must remind ourselves that we only have 14 years left in order to translate our common visions into real actions, as highlighted in this year's theme of the G77 and China, namely "From Vision to Action: Inclusive Partnership for Sustainable Development", which is complementary to the theme of this year's General Debate: "Sustainable Development Goals: A Universal Push to Transform our World". We reiterate the importance of the work during this main session to target the overarching objective of eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions and pursue sustainable development in all its three dimensions in a balanced, coordinated and integrated manner. It is also important to build upon the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While working for the full implementation of this Agenda by 2030, we reiterate that all the principles laid out therein, including the principles of "leaving no one behind" and "common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)" must always be maintained.

4. The successful Implementation of the 2030 Agenda lies in national implementation. While a good number of Member States have already mainstreamed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their national development plans and strategies, as well as established relevant mechanism for such implementation, application of homegrown approaches, taking into account national circumstances and priorities, could also contribute to the implementation of this ambitious, universal and transformative development agenda.

5. Furthermore, it is important to address the diverse needs and challenges faced by countries in special situations, particularly African countries, LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, the specific challenges faced by Middle-Income Countries (MICs) and countries in conflict and post-conflict situations and countries and peoples under foreign occupation, in order to leave no one behind.

Mr. Chairman,

6. The 2030 Agenda could not be achieved without effective means of implementation. The Group stresses that official development assistance (ODA) will continue to be an important input in the delivery of the 2030 Agenda. It is also essential to assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability and financial inclusion. For economic growth to positively contribute to poverty reduction, it is important that macroeconomic and social policies focus on job creation and social inclusion. We stress the need to invest more, as a catalyst to economic growth, in infrastructure, interconnectivity, agricultural development and productivity and basic services such as quality health-care services and education while also ensuring that all people, including women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, migrants, indigenous peoples and people in vulnerable situations, have access to resources and opportunities.

7. International trade is an engine for inclusive economic growth, poverty eradication and promotion of sustainable development. We, therefore, believe that fair and balanced, open, inclusive, non-discriminatory, transparent, equitable, rule-based and predictable multilateral trading system must be promoted and strengthened, allowing developing countries to effectively engage in global trade and improve their financing capacity to enhance development. Pursuant to the above, the Group reaffirms the rejection of the imposition of laws and regulations with extraterritorial impact and all other forms of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions, against developing countries and reiterates the urgent need to eliminate them immediately. While urging for the facilitation of accession to WTO, especially for developing countries, and the meaningful progress in the Doha Round negotiations, we also recognize the significant potential and commit to strengthening regional economic integration, interconnectivity and trade agreements which serve as catalysts to the successful multilateral trading agreements. We also stress the need to improve global economic governance, support equal participation of developing countries and increase their representation and voice, as well as their full participation in the global supply chain, industry chain and value chain.

8. Earlier this year, the inaugural ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development Follow-up (FfD Forum) stressed the need for constructive engagement by developed and developing countries to fulfill the mandates of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, which provides a global framework for financing sustainable development, and is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, supports and complements it and helps to contextualize its means of implementation targets with concrete policies and actions. However, the inter-governmentally agreed conclusions and recommendations failed to address obstacles and challenges to the implementation of the financing for development outcomes, as well as to provide policy recommendations for action, by the international community, in particular, with regard to the support from developed countries to developing countries. Therefore, the Group calls for further strengthening of the FfD Forum as it is the main mechanism to follow-up on the financing for development outcomes in order to provide substantive deliberation of the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

9. The Group further stresses that implementing the 2030 Agenda at all levels requires a revitalized global partnership and is ready to work with development partners under such inclusive partnership to advance development cooperation. We would thus like to reiterate that North-South Cooperation still lies at the core of the global partnership for sustainable development. South-South and Triangular Cooperation are complements, rather than substitutes, thereof.

10. The Group takes note with appreciation of the G20 Summit that took place in Hangzhou, China, during 4-5 September 2016, being the first G20 Summit taking place in a developing country after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, has adopted the G20 Action Plan on the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development as important contribution to the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Hangzhou Summit has the broad participation of developing countries including the Prime Minister of Thailand as Chair of the Group of 77 and we hope for the continuation of this engagement in future G20 framework.

Mr. Chairman,

11. The Group believes that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It undermines and impedes our ability to achieve sustainable development, in particular disaster prone developing countries and all others that have lower level of resilience and preparedness. Given the devastating scale and severity of its impacts, it is our hope that the Paris Agreement will enter into force by the end of this year where we recommit ourselves to take joint climate action. It is also our hope that the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance is strengthened, while maintaining full respect for the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Priority should be given to the people most affected by humanitarian emergencies first as well as to the effort to ensure a smooth transition from relief to development and its adequate funding. In addition to climate change, there remain various new challenges to the sustainable development which have diverse effects on different countries and regions, including but not limited to the serious challenges from sand and dust storms, and the unsustainably use of oceans, seas and marine resources.

12. The world is also suffering from global health crises which may reverse years of our hard-earned gains overnight. In this connection, we strongly believe that we must work together to raise awareness, promote early action and preventive measures, and invest in and strengthen health systems. After all, healthy lives are key to the success of all our endeavours to achieve sustainable development.

13. Migrants can contribute immensely to vibrant economic growth and sustainable development in countries of origin, transit and destination, but their true potential is often undermined. We must address the challenges presented by forced displacement and irregular migration in large movements in a holistic and comprehensive manner to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration, while ensuring full respect for human rights, regardless of their status.

Mr. Chairman,

14. The Group would like to emphasize the importance of the deliberation and negotiation of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) resolution during this session, which will establish long-term strategic guidance vis-à-vis the 2030 Agenda for the United Nations development system for the years ahead. The effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and impact of the UN operational activities for development must be enhanced and strengthened to support Member States in their efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda through new approaches; and we must ensure that the UN system-wide policy orientation for development cooperation and country-level modalities allow it to respond to the diverse needs and constraints of developing countries in particular.

15. In conclusion, the Second Committee will deal with a diverse range of agenda items. The Group of 77 and China trust that we are all up to the task to engage on these issues as they are crucial to the attainment of our development objectives. It is imperative that we make our pledge to leave no one behind a reality and strive to push the agendas forward and to truly transform our world. We stand ready to constructively engage in the substantive deliberation and negotiation work ahead.