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

2. At the outset, please allow me to warmly congratulate you on your recent election as President of this Executive Board, and likewise to congratulate the other members of the Bureau on their elections. We count on your able leadership and support in ensuring that the views of developing countries are taken on board in the deliberations during this session of the Board.

3. I also wish to thank the UNDP Administrator, Mr. Achim Steiner, for his statement and the wide ranging and important work of the UNDP and its engagement in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr. President,

4. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the work of the United Nations Development Program in support of national efforts and capacity building geared towards development and the achievement of the SDGs. In this regard, UNDP's contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, through country, regional and global programs, and the eventual implementation of its Strategic Plan for the years 2018 to 2021 will continue to be highly valued. At the same time, the new Agenda and the QCPR resolution provide UNDP with guidance on development priorities which clearly identify poverty eradication" and sustainable development as foremost priorities.

5. The Group emphasizes that the mandate of the UNDP is, and remains development activities. In conducting its work, the UNDP should coordinate its development work with the work of other actors involved in humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding activities, in a context -specific way and in line with the mandate of paragraph 24 of the QCPR resolution 71/243.

6. The Group would like to emphasize that "strong national ownership" remains the key driver for the Strategic Plan. Successful implementation of the Strategic Plan would require strong engagement by member states at the country level. In addition, we call for continued constructive and active engagement on the ground by UNDP with relevant agencies at the national level in order to align its projects and programs with national policies and plans.

7. On funding, the Group reiterates the importance of meeting ODA commitments, which will remain crucial for the achievement of the SDGs. Support to domestic resource mobilization, when requested by program countries, must be seen as additional to, and not a replacement of, the adequate quantity and quality of funding for UNDP activities itself.

8. The imbalance between core and non-core resources of the Organization continues to be a matter of concern at a time when the challenges of development are increasing. The Group emphasizes the importance of the predictability and availability of regular resources to allow UNDP to fulfill its mandate in an efficient and independent manner.

Mr. President,

9. The Group of 77 and China looks forward to constructive discussions during this session of the Executive Board, and hopes that the Board will play a significant role to assist in strengthening the overall work of the UN development system this year. It is of critical importance that we work together in an open, transparent and inclusive manner in order to bring about progress towards the achievement of sustainable development.

10. Indeed, as we consider the ongoing discussions on the UN development system reform, the Group maintains the view that the QCPR mandate should remain the guiding source for our deliberations and actions in alignment of the UN development entities, including the UNDP. Likewise, we value the role of the UNDP as an important element in the development pillar of the United Nations.

Ladies and gentlemen,

11. Before concluding, I would like to underline once again the fact that economies of the South, and South-South cooperation are nowadays major actors and drivers of global economic growth and international cooperation for sustainable development and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Given the important role of South-South Cooperation, as a complement to North-South Cooperation, and of Triangular Cooperation, the Group is of the view that the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, as the global and the UN system-wide coordinator for South-south Cooperation, should be endowed with the necessary confidence and enhanced capacities in order to allow it to perform effectively its normative and coordination functions, and to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Mr. President,

12. Finally, allow me to wish you all success in your endeavors throughout this year, and reiterate our support to your efforts therein.

Thank you.