REMARKS ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. LUIS OñA GARCéS, THIRD SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF ECUADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE FIRST ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS OF THE "CALL FOR ACTION" OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 14: CONSERVE AND SUSTAINABLY USE THE OCEANS, SEAS AND MARINE RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (New York, 22 March 2017)

Co facilitators,

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

First of all, I would like to commend you for the efforts you have made during this first round of consultations. We believe we had a satisfactory and productive discussion and we look forward that our proposals would be taken into consideration in the next revised draft of the Call for Action.

Co facilitators,

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the progress made in by Member States in their national implementation, but stresses that implementing the Agenda 2030 at all level requires a revitalized global partnership and the full implementation of SDG 17 which are part of the agreed framework for the fulfillment of all sustainable development goals, including SDG 14. In this regard, the Group would like to see a stronger language showing commitment and ambition regarding means of implementation.

The role of international cooperation is crucial in providing additional, adequate, sustainable and predictable means of implementation, including finance, technology transfer or capacity building as a means of supporting national to implement SDG 14. Its implementation requires partnerships for development, international cooperation and solidarity at the national, regional, sub-regional and international levels.

The Group welcomes and appreciates the current national, regional and global initiatives and efforts to implement SDG 14, and encourages the stakeholders to redouble their efforts in this regard.

Co facilitators,

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms all the principles of the United Nations Conference on Environmental and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, and restated by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. We underscore the importance that this principle should be acknowledged in the text.

We further reaffirm that the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development should be guided by the principles in accordance with paragraph 74 of the 2030 Agenda.

The Group of 77 and China reiterates that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is, and should remain, the primary international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change.

The implementation of SDG 14 takes into account the different national realities, capacities and levels of development, respect national policies and priorities. As agreed in 2030 Agenda paragraph 55, Sustainable Development Goals are integrated and indivisible, and are defined as aspirational and global, with each government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances. Each government will also decide how these aspirational and global targets should be incorporated in national planning processes, policies and strategies.

We also recognize the importance of reducing marine disaster risk through monitoring, forecasting and response.

Last but not least, the Group would like to highlight that "developing countries" term is an agreed upon mention we would like to see appropriately in the text, besides the references to small island developing States and the least developed countries.

Excellencies,

The Group of 77 and China conveys its appreciation to you for your leadership and assures you that it will continue to support and engage constructively in the upcoming round of consultations to achieve the aspired and ambitious outcome of the Conference.

I thank you.