STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY H.E. AMBASSADOR RIYAD MANSOUR (STATE OF PALESTINE), CHAIR OF THE GROUP OF 77, AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATION AIMED AT ENHANCING SYNERGIES AND COHERENCE AND REDUCING OVERLAP IN THE AGENDAS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ECOSOC AND THEIR SUBSIDIARY BODIES, AS WELL AS THE HLPF AND OTHER RELATED FORUMS IN LIGHT OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (New York, 18 March 2019)

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

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

2. At the outset, allow me, on behalf of the Group, to congratulate you for your appointment as Co-Facilitators to lead this intergovernmental consultation process. The Group would like to express its appreciation for the co-facilitators for convening today's informal consultation on 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 HLPF and the related high-level forums aligned with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3. The Group would like to emphasize that the full and effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is of the utmost importance for the Group, with a special focus on the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, which remains the highest priority.

4. In this respect, the Group recognizes and reiterates the need to address the gaps and targets that remain critical in the agendas of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. As a result, this constructive process requires serious discussions and engagements to create new agenda items where deem appropriate and necessary to give those goals and targets a placement to be followed-up and reviewed. The indivisible nature of Agenda 2030 makes it imperative and urgent to ensure equal attention and consideration to all goals and targets of the SDGs aiming at a successful implementation of the Agenda in its entirety, and as we are moving forward in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emerging and relevant issues could give rise to new agenda items for the work of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and other relevant bodies.

5. The Group would like to reiterate that any exercise regarding overlapping must safeguard and strengthen the United Nations Development System. Duplication does not necessarily mean repetition, overlaps should be studied in a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration that specific agenda items provide specific mandates. In this regard, we reaffirm the ownership and leadership of Member States on this exercise at both the GA and the ECOSOC, as well as their role in making good use of existing mandates, safeguarding the rights of all States to decide on the action to be taken on this agenda, and to present and submit proposals for new agenda items.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

6. On the way forward and continuation of this work, the Group believes of the importance of building on, and benefit from the results of the work has been already carried out in the past years under this framework, these efforts cannot be ignored, as we should avoid repeating, or duplicating the same efforts again. We also believe that it is important to be realistic when setting timeframes for the completion of the alignment process, which requires further consultations, and thorough discussions among the membership.

7. Finally, Distinguish Co-facilitators, you can rest assured of the Group's support and constructive engagement in this process.

I thank you.