Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Executive Board,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

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

At the outset, the Group commends the Administrator and the entire UNDP team for their comprehensive presentation of the reports under this session, and for the continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and strategic foresight in steering the organization through an increasingly complex global development landscape.

The Group welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the UNDP Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, and strongly endorses the vision and direction outlined for the new Strategic Plan cycle. We appreciate that the new Plan is the result of broad-based consultations, reflecting the voices and priorities of programme countries. In this regard, we particularly welcome its grounding in national development plans, as well as its built-in flexibility to respond to evolving contexts and the specific needs of countries at different stages of development.

We value the Strategic Plan's focus on integrated solutions, systems transformation, and inclusive prosperity, guided by the overarching principle of leaving no country or person behind. The Group acknowledges the emphasis on scaling up sustainable finance, addressing structural vulnerabilities, and leveraging innovation, foresight, and digital transformation to drive more impactful development results.

Mr. President,

The Group of 77 and China is concerned, however, about the continuing decline in core resources and the widening gap between core and non-core funding. These trends risk undermining the ability of UNDP to effectively deliver on its mandate, particularly in the poorest and most vulnerable countries. We reiterate our longstanding call for a significant increase in core contributions, and urge all development partners to reverse the current trajectory by providing adequate, predictable, and flexible funding, which is indispensable to achieving the Strategic Plan's objectives.

In this context, we commend UNDP's efficiency measures and continued commitment to financial prudence and operational agility, including the implementation of a $100 million savings target under the 2026 institutional and programme budgets. The Group also acknowledges the organization's performance in optimizing its delivery footprint while preserving its universal presence and commitments at country level.

We welcome the realism and flexibility embedded in the Integrated Resources Plan and Integrated Budget (2026-2029), and appreciate the built-in mechanisms, such as the midterm review and annual Executive Board reporting, that allow the organization to adjust the Integrated Results and Resources Framework (IRRF) targets in line with evolving resource realities and country priorities.

Mr. President,

The Group acknowledges the progress made in the implementation of the Funding Compact and appreciates that UNDP is on track with 91 percent of its entity-specific commitments for 2024. However, we remain concerned that several Member State commitments, particularly regarding the imbalance between core and non-core funding, remain unmet. We call for greater accountability on the part of development partners and reaffirm the importance of mutual trust and shared responsibility in operationalizing the Compact.

The Group further recognizes the comparative advantages of UNDP within the UN development system, especially in its ability to deliver integrated policy and programme solutions, and to work across sectors and stakeholders at the country level. We reaffirm our support for UNDP's work as a key partner to Member States in implementing the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), and in supporting the wider UN development system in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and responding to new and emerging mandates.

In conclusion, Mr. President,

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its strong support to UNDP and encourages continued engagement with programme countries in shaping solutions that reflect their realities, capacities, and aspirations. We look forward to working closely with the Administrator and all partners to ensure that UNDP remains well-positioned to support countries in overcoming today's crises and in advancing towards a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.

I thank you.