Madame Chair,

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

At the outset, I would like to recognize the presence of His Excellency Mr. Santiago Cafiero, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Argentine Republic, who has given a detailed presentation on the issue under our consideration in this meeting.

The members of the Group of 77 and China have expressed their position on the question of the Malvinas Islands in several opportunities.

In the most recent Declaration adopted by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Group on 23 September 2022, they reiterated their position on this question in the following terms:

"292. The Ministers reaffirmed the need for the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations in accordance with the principles and the objectives of the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, in order to find, as soon as possible, a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, and appreciated the good predisposition and willingness of Argentina in holding negotiations related to this aim and recalled that 4th November 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 37/9, which entrusted to the Secretary-General a mission of good offices in order to assist the parties to resume the said negotiations.

293. In this regard, the Ministers reaffirmed the principle of territorial integrity as enshrined in General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV), highlighted the right of the Member States of the Group to permanent sovereignty over their natural resources, including the right of the Argentine Republic to take legal action with full respect for international law and relevant resolutions against non-authorized hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in the referred area and recalled the need for both parties to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications in the situation while the islands are going through the process recommended by the Assembly, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 31/49."

Thank you, Madame Chair.