Madame President, distinguished co-Chairs,

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

2. The Group wishes to express its highest appreciation to the President of ECOSOC, and the two co-Chairs for convening this very important Forum, which provides an open platform to explore ways to harness science, technology and innovation for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

3. The Group reaffirms that building and enhancing capacity in science, technology and innovation is fundamental for the progress of the developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda, and we stress on the urgent need for allocation of financing for the fulfillment of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism's (TFM) mandate, including for the operationalization of the online platform as a gateway for information on existing STI initiatives, mechanisms and programs.

4. The Group restates the need for closing the technology gaps, addressing digital divides, and keeping up with rapid technology change within and between countries in order to make progress towards the SDGs. In this context, and while we believe that rapid changes in new and emerging technologies have great potential to support achievement of the SDGs and financial innovations have fostered financial inclusion, we note that automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies may have a transformative, and in some cases, disruptive, effect on labour markets in both developed and developing countries.

5. The Group encourages innovation that uses technologies to create new products, services, and jobs, promotes social protection and adapt social security mechanisms to compensate for possible loss of jobs, and further encourages investing in peoples capabilities to enable them to benefit from new technologies.

6. The Group also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to optimize the benefits and minimize the risks related to FinTech extension, including by broadening access to financial services, by adjusting legal and regulatory mechanisms, enhancing responsible access to financial services, and improve cross-border payments and remittance transfer systems.

7. Furthermore, the Group express concern that ODA for scientific, technological and innovative capacities directed to countries in special situations has remained at the about same levels for the past decade, and emphasizes the need to increase ODA for scientific, technological and innovative capacities.

8. The Group stresses the importance of mobilizing domestic resources to support science, technology and innovation, which needs to be reinforced by an enabling global environment. We further stress that technology transfer is one of the core priorities of the developing countries in implementing 2030 Agenda. We reiterate the need to accelerate the transfer of technology on favorable terms including on concessional and preferential terms.

Madame President, Distinguished co-Chairs,

9. Lastly, we will endeavour to step up international cooperation and collaboration in science, research, technology and innovation, including through public-private and multi-stakeholder partnerships, and on the basis of common interest and mutual benefit, focusing on the needs of developing countries and the achievement of the SDGs.

10. Allow me to conclude by wishing this Forum all success and expressing the Group's commitment to engage constructively in areas related to science, technology, and innovation.

I thank you.