REMARKS ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. SHEYAM ELGARF, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF EGYPT TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE INFORMAL MEETING ON THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATION AIMED AT ENHANCING SYNERGIES AND COHERENCE AND REDUCING OVERLAP IN THE AGENDAS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL AND THEIR SUBSIDIARY BODIES, AS WELL AS THE HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM AND OTHER RELATED FORUMS IN LIGHT OF ADOPTION OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (New York, 3 May 2018)

Distinguished Co-Facilitators,

1- I have the honor to deliver the following remarks on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2- The Group of 77, at the outset would like to express its appreciation for the co-facilitators' for conveying today's informal meeting on enhancing the synergies, and coherence and reducing overlap where it is found to exist in the agenda of the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, and their subsidiary bodies, as well as the high -level political forum, and other related forums in light of the adoption of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

3- We would like to start by acknowledging the efforts done by previous distinguished Co-facilitators in the process.

4- The Group of 77 and China underscore that the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda is of the highest importance for the Group. With this in mind, any alignment process should lead to a comprehensive coverage of the 2030 Agenda, and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and targets, with the understanding that eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimension is the overarching priority.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

5- The Group of 77 and China would like to reiterate that any exercise regarding overlapping must prevent the elimination of substantive topics on existing agenda items, safeguard and strengthen the United Nations Development System. In our views, duplication does not necessarily mean repetition; overlaps should be studied in a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration specific mandates and perspectives of UN organs. Building on the 2030 Agenda, emerging and relevant issues could give rise to new agenda items for the work of the General Assembly if not ECOSOC and other relevant bodies. In fact this exercise should similarly consider discussion to create new agenda items where deem appropriate and necessary to give those goals and targets a placement to be followed-up and reviewed

6- The Group also believes that this exercise should be carried out to consider where synergies could be made, and enhanced to ensure coherence, in a substantive and result-oriented manner, in the United Nations system, while preserving and strengthening the specific mandate of relevant UN organs. We should not overlook that although the 2030 Agenda put forward an impressive programme of work, the activities of UN Charter Bodies encompass programmes that will go further than 2030.

7- The Group would like to underscore that it is ultimately Member States that have the primary responsibility to decide on the action to be taken on this agenda, ownership should remain in the hands of the States, and safeguarding their rights.

8- The Group of 77 and China being mindful of the ongoing reform and review processes namely, the United Nation Development System (UNDS) reform, and the General Assembly resolution 68/1 on strengthening of the ECOSOC. Therefore, the Group requests that the work of this process should avoid any clashes, overlaps or prejudge the outcome of the above-mentioned processes.

9- In concluding, the Group would highly appreciate if you could shed some light on the next steps, proposed meetings, and the way forward of the process. Finally, I would like to express the Group's support and commitment to engage constructively in this consultation of this process.

Thank you.