Madam Chair,
Madam Deputy Secretary-General,
Distinguished Delegates

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and thank you Madam Chair for treating in your opening remarks with the subject of the precautionary measures to be taken in the face of the Novel Coronavirus emergency.

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank you Madam Deputy Secretary-General for convening this briefing. Your presence and engagement today reaffirm your personal commitment and that of the Secretary General to the overall repositioning process. We are grateful for this opportunity to voice our views, comments and questions and look forward to engaging actively in the consultations today and beyond.

Deputy Secretary-General,

3. The G77 and China has reviewed and discussed the updates circulated on 27 January 2020, regarding the repositioning of the regional assets and the Multi-Country Office (MCO) review and we have the following comments and queries.

4. With respect to the Regional Collaborative Platforms (RCPs), we would like to know how the proposed RCPs would collaborate with, and further enhance the role of the United Nations regional economic commissions. Specifically, we would like to hear more details on what functions if any, the RCP will replace in each region? We would also like to know what is the difference between the RCP and the existing coordination mechanisms in each region? The G77 and China is of the view that it would be crucial for the RCPs to help ensure that the regional economic commissions can have the resources necessary to support programme countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Group would also like to enquire about the current or proposed role of the Development Coordination Office at the regional level, and the link and coordination with its functions here in New York.

Deputy Secretary-General,

5. The G77 and China comprise a highly diversified group of countries with different developmental needs. We remain concerned about some aspects of the repositioning of the regional assets. We look forward to receiving the mandated options, for the reorganization of the United Nations presence at the regional level, for our consideration and approval. We therefore reiterate our urgent call for these options to be available on a region-by-region basis, as this is crucially important for the full and effective functioning of the UN System as a whole.

6. On the MCO review, the G77 and China wishes to reiterate the call to the Secretary-General to continue consultations with the concerned countries at all levels. Subsequently, further monitoring and reporting will be required on the new arrangements and any agreed recommendations must better meet the needs of the countries under MCO arrangements, in a sustainable and effective manner. Such arrangements must be accompanied by clear, predictable and adequate financing to bolster their effectiveness and stability.

Deputy Secretary-General,
7. Moving forward, our Group would appreciate a clearer and more detailed roadmap on the overall repositioning process, including how the various processes and recommendations would relate to each other, and feed into the Secretary-General's report and the ECOSOC Operational Activities Segment. In this regard, the G77 and China would like to enquire when the draft System Wide Strategic Document, released in 2019 will be reviewed in order to fulfill the mandates in A/RES/71/243 and A/RES/72/279, and to include important updates on the repositioning . We remain available for a dedicated briefing by the Secretariat, for our Group in addition to the ongoing consultations with regional groups. This will facilitate stronger and more detailed engagement between programme countries and the UN Development System.

8. Finally, the G77 and China believe that any agreement or endorsement by Member States on the recommendations for the repositioning of the regional assets and the MCO review must conclude in the General Assembly, after full discussion at the ECOSOC Operational Activities Segment. Notwithstanding ECOSOC's role in providing technical guidance, support and accountability, we reiterate the central role of the General Assembly in discussing and deciding on matters pertaining to the QCPR and Operational Activities for Development. We view the General Assembly as important for developing key system-wide strategic policy orientations and operational modalities for the UN Development System, as well as for the formulation and approval of policy matters.

Deputy Secretary-General,

9. The G77 and China reiterates its commitment to work closely and constructively with you and the Secretary-General to deliver all the outstanding mandates in the repositioning process. As we start the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, an effective and demand driven UN Development System will be crucial to support programme countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Thank you.