Mr. Chair,

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are vital drivers for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. STI must be an integral part of developing countries' national development strategies. Countries that nurture skilled talent and strengthen scientific ecosystems are better positioned to bridge divides, anticipate risks, and respond effectively to emerging challenges.

The Group underscores the importance of international cooperation, including in medical research, to strengthen preparedness for future pandemics. We further call for greater access to innovation, technology transfer, capacity-building support, and sustained financing to enhance institutional STI capacities and close the technological gap within and among countries.

The Group also emphasizes that culture is central to sustainable development, as it embodies identity, belonging, and shared values that underpin the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability.

The Group calls for the mainstreaming of culture in all development plans and policies in line with El Compromiso de Sevilla. The Group commends the work of UNESCO, UNCTAD, and UN-Habitat in integrating culture and the creative economy into development cooperation and finance.

The Group notes with concern that many continue to face structural barriers that limit their progress and keep them trapped in the middle-income bracket. We call for tailored and coordinated international support to ensure inclusive and just transitions. The Group supports the elaboration of a strategic MICs Agenda within the UN system, including a comprehensive interagency response plan that reflects the specific needs and diversity of these countries.

The Group also emphasizes the need for measures of progress beyond GDP, to capture the multidimensional nature of development. Furthermore, the Group reiterates the urgency of reforming the international financial architecture, including multilateral development banks, to improve access to concessional finance, strengthen debt sustainability, and mobilize resources for investment and growth.

In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its commitment to solidarity, multilateralism, and sustainable development.

I thank you.