Mr. President,

1- I have the honour to deliver this intervention on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, let me thank the organizers for convening today's Side Event, which provides an opportunity to better understand the new concept of "Circular Economy" as one of the possible tools available to each country, aiming at presenting solutions to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs.

2- At the outset, we draw your attention to the fact that the concept of "Circular Economy" is not part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a comprehensive framework for achieving sustainable development for all, with poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions as the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. It is regrettable to note that after three years from its adoption we are not yet fully on track to implement it. Therefore, we shall do every effort and, explore all avenues to address challenges and tackle impediments to deliver on our commitments to achieve sustainable development for all.

4- The 2018 High-level Political Forum has shown us that the current pace of progress toward achieving the SDGs clearly indicates that we are still not on a path to its full implementation, including Goals 6, 7, 11, 12, 15 and 17 that were under review for this year. The scale and level of ambition of the 2030 Agenda requires strengthening the means of implementation, particularly for the developing countries, as well as creating the enabling global environment for development. Sustainable financing options, global partnerships, and long-term investments are needed for achievement of the 2030 Agenda

5- As the Group stresses the need to accelerate implementation of all goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda and underlines its invisible nature. We underlines the need to set up efforts to the full implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Patterns with developed countries taking the lead.

6- Decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10 Year of Framework of Programmes a continuing challenge facing our sustainable development path. Addressing this will require profound transformation of business practices along global value chains especially by transnational and large companies. It is becoming increasingly important that transnational and large companies adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.

7- The Group emphasizes the need for more enhanced contribution to improve progressively global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, with developed countries taking the lead, while creating decent job and economic opportunities and contributing to poverty eradication. It is also imperative to ensure that initiatives to promote sustainable consumption and production are not applied in a manner that would constitute a disguised restriction on international trade. In addition, it is important not to allow distortions and alternating global trade patterns to disproportionately affect developing countries that are heavily reliant on the export of a limited number of products or natural resources.

8- The Group recalls our common determination to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, ensuring that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

9- The Group is concerned that Domestic Material Consumption (DMC), which gives an indication of materials used in production processes within an economy, are growing globally both in unit of GDP and in absolute terms, with consequences in terms of both resource pressures and associated environmental impacts.

10- Developing countries need financial and technical assistance to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

11- The Group reaffirms its constructive engagement with our partners to ensure that we pursue our common aim of achieving sustainable development for all.

Thank you.