Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

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

2. Allow me at the outset to express my deep appreciation for the invitation to attend this meeting, and reiterate our determination to strengthen long-standing and close coordination with G24 to ensure that all the activities within the United Nations system, help us in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions as its overarching objective.

3. The Group takes note with appreciation of the focus of today's meeting, namely "Toward a New Multilateralism". The Group reaffirms that multilateralism has been proved to be the most appropriate formula to address challenges facing humanity. In this regard, we express concern about the variety of challenges to multilateralism reflected in many processes and fora, and stimulating global uncertainties.

4. The Group stresses the importance of national policies and development strategies, while respecting each country's policy space, priorities and leadership to implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development; and the need for an enabling international economic environment, including coherent and mutually supporting world trade, monetary and financial systems, and strengthened and enhanced global economic governance.

5. The Group emphasizes that international trade is an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty eradication as well as an important source to finance development and achieving sustainable development. In this context, the Group stresses the significance of the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries in harnessing the developmental benefit of international trade, to facilitate the integration of their economies to the multilateral trading system and the fulfillment of the obligations and commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO). The issues of particular concern to developing countries should be addressed, especially as related to sectors of special interest to them with a view to enhance their capacities to finance development and to diversify their economies.

6. The Group reaffirms that International Development Cooperation, especially North-South Cooperation, remains the main channel of financing for development and important catalyst to economic growth. In this regard, we urge developed countries to fulfill their Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments. We also urge International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (WBG), and other relevant organizations to increase their support to countries' policies and projects to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, and to realize the SDGs.

7. To conclude, the Group cannot emphasize enough that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is our collective priority, requires the international community to address, without delay, the global uncertainties. We reiterate that this can only be done through the strengthening of multilateral institutions and international development cooperation.

Mr. Chair,

8. The Group wishes to reassure you of our continued support in fulfilling your crucial tasks to protect the interests of developing countries.

I thank you.