Mr. President,

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

At the outset, let me extend our warm congratulations to you on your election to the Presidency of the Executive Board, as well as to the other members of the Bureau on their election. We look forward to working with you, and we are confident in your able stewardship. We continue counting on your support in ensuring that the views of the developing countries are taken on board during this session of the Board.

The Group of 77 and China thanks the UNDP Administrator for his statement delivered in this session. We greatly value the wide-ranging and important work of UNDP within the United Nations development system and at the country level and its engagement in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Group of 77 and China emphasizes that the mandate of the UNDP is, and remains development, and it should carry out this mandate through its programmatic focus on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and in line with the mandate of the QCPR resolution 71/243, and as reaffirmed in the GA resolution 72/279 on the repositioning of the UNDS in the context of the QCPR.

The Group of 77 and China underscores the importance of the work of the United Nations Development Program in supporting national efforts and capacity-building geared towards development and the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, in line with countries' national needs and proprieties. In this regard, the UNDP's contribution to the implementation of the 2030 agenda, through country, regional and global programs, as well as the ongoing implementation of its current Strategic Plan, will continue to be highly expected. At the same time, the implementation of the agenda and the QCPR resolution provides to UNDP a long-term strategic guidance to harmonize its work towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which clearly identifies poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions and sustainable development as key issues.

The Group reiterates that poverty eradication in all its forms and dimensions is a central imperative of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and emphasizes the need to address poverty in all its forms and dimensions in order to truly leave no one behind, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. In this connection, the group emphasizes the important role the UNDP has been playing in this regards, and looks forward to UNDP's continued commitment in addressing the challenges and needs faced by developing countries, especially countries in special situations, to achieve the full implementation of this agenda by 2030 in a balanced and integrated manner to achieve sustainable development in its three dimensions.

Mr. President,

As we are in the last stages of the funding dialogue of the United Nations Development System, the Group of 77 and China remains of the view that securing core funding for development activities is critical to achieve the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda and to sustain UNDP's central role in the reinvigorated development system. In this regard, the Group reiterates the importance of fulfilling ODA commitments, which will remain crucial for the SDGs.

Moreover, the Group of 77 and China remains highly concerned on the imbalance between core and non-core resources of the Organization at a time when the challenges for development are increasing. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of the predictability and availability of regular resources to allow UNDP to fulfill its mandate in an efficient and independent manner in responding to developing country's needs. We look forward for an agreeable funding compact that takes into consideration all the concerns of the developing countries, in particular the abovementioned concerns.

The Group of 77 and China reiterates its support to the important role of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, and its mandate in accordance with the General Assembly resolutions in advancing, coordinating and mainstreaming South-South cooperation activities globally and across the UN system. We value the role of UNDP as an important element in the development pillar of the United Nations, and we look forward for a more expanded and deepened role of UNDP, particularly in South-South cooperation.

In this connection, the Group of 77 and China emphasizes that South-South cooperation is innovative and a growing means to strengthen cooperation among developing countries and offers opportunities to strengthen international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. However, it must be clear that that South-South Cooperation is not a substitute for, but rather a complement to, North-South Cooperation, which remains the main channel for international development cooperation. Furthermore, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its long-standing position that South-South Cooperation is a demonstration of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. South-South Cooperation and its agenda have to be set by countries of the South and should continue to be guided by the principles of respect for national sovereignty, national ownership, and independence, equality, non-conditionality, non-interference in domestic affairs and mutual benefit.

The Group of 77 and China looks forward to constructive discussions during this session of the Executive Board. We reiterate the importance of continuing to working together in an open, transparent and inclusive manner in order to bring about progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development.

In closing, Mr. President, I wish you a successful presidency, and you can continue counting on the Group's support and cooperation throughout the rest of your presidency.

I thank you.