Distinguished Co-Facilitators,

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

At the outset the Group wishes to express its appreciation for your work as Co-facilitators to lead the consultation process aimed at enhancing synergies and coherence between the work of the General Assembly and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We restate that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is the most relevant issue for developing countries. It is of the highest importance for the Group that this alignment process leads to a comprehensive coverage of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and targets, recalling the priority of eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

In regard with your letter dated June 2nd, 2017, the Group would like to convey the following remarks on your draft recommendations:

1. The Group restates that further discussion within each Committee is a prerequisite for joint Committee and joint Bureau meetings, recalling that these meetings could be useful to enhance coordination within the United Nations; while not being a substitute of the deliberations held by each Committee and their respective perspectives. Additionally, and while considering that the integrality of the 2030 Agenda requires the involvement and inputs of all Committees, the Group requests the Co-facilitators to avoid any discussion on joint UN reports for Committee resolutions by the Secretary General.

2. The G77 and China looks forward to the discussions at the annual briefing convened by the Presidents of the General Assembly and ECOSOC.

3. The Group requests more information on how the reference to the United Nations Development System reform is relevant, without prejudging the current activities undertaken by the Secretary General, and taking into account the agreement reached regarding QCPR. We restate that this proposal needs further discussion with regard to the reference to the review of resolution 68/1.

4. The Group underscores that while the General Committee can make recommendations to the General Assembly, it is ultimately Member States that have the primary responsibility for deciding on the action to be taken on the agenda. The Group believes that this constructive process should be inclusive, taking into consideration the view of the universal membership of the United Nations, safeguarding the rights of all States. In the same regard, this consultation process should take into account the perspectives of all Committees of the General Assembly.

Any exercise regarding overlapping must prevent the elimination of substantive topics on existing agenda items and safeguard and strengthen the United Nations Development System, while recalling that the revitalization process should address gaps and duplications in a balanced way.

The mapping exercise lead by Colombia in 2016 reflected important advances in identifying gaps of the 2030 Agenda and should be taken into account, as an input. Duplication does not necessarily mean repetition; overlaps should be studied in a case by case basis, taking into consideration specific mandates and perspectives, and should examine new emerging issues related to sustainable development, including the financing for development.

5. Finally, the Group restates that by 2019, at the latest, we should conclude and fully integrate the alignment process, while leaving no one behind and working together to reach consensus, premises that should not be bound by deadlines. The G77 and China restates its support and commitment to engage constructively in this consultation process.

Thank you.