STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ TO THE UN, ON THE REVITALIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 12 November 2025)
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STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ TO THE UN, ON THE REVITALIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 12 November 2025) |
Mr. Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
At the outset, allow me to extend to you, Mr. Chair, and to the Bureau of the Second Committee, our sincere appreciation and gratitude for your leadership and stewardship of the Committee's work during the 80th session of the General Assembly.
As developing countries, the members of the Group of 77 and China attach great importance to the work of the Second Committee. It is therefore essential that any discussions related to its revitalization be conducted in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner, providing adequate space for text-based line by line negotiations and building upon the last finalized text on the revitalization process as the basis of discussions. Furthermore, the Group emphasizes that such discussions should not overlap or run parallel with other Second Committee-related meetings and events. We should also strive to avoid duplicating discussions or debates already underway in other processes, such as those related to UN80.
The Group reaffirms that any process of revitalization must be Member State-driven and guided by intergovernmental consensus, ensuring that all voices -particularly those of developing countries- are fully heard and reflected.
The Group continues to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the work and effectiveness of the Committee, but we stress that this must never come at the expense of diminishing or diluting the Committee's core focus on development.
Mr. Chair,
The Group reiterates that the revitalization of the Second Committee must serve to effectively address and advance solutions to global development challenges, many of which have seen limited progress, or, in some areas, significant regression, since the Rio process.
We are particularly mindful of the current global dynamics, which increasingly reflect an anti-development landscape. In this context, the Group of 77 and China will continue to engage constructively, as we have done in past dialogues under this agenda item, with the firm commitment to ensuring that the Committee's work remains impactful, relevant, and true to its development mandate.
The Group firmly believes that revitalization should strengthen the Committee's role in advancing international development and in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Development must remain at the core of the Second Committee's work, with the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions as the overarching objective of the global development agenda.
Moreover, the Group underscores that solidarity, and a multilateral approach centered on the United Nations remain critical to our collective efforts. We express deep concern over the prevailing global trends that run counter to the momentum and action urgently required by developing countries striving to improve the lives and livelihoods of their peoples.
Mr. Chair,
Permit me to reiterate some key positions of the Group on the revitalization of the work of the Second Committee, noting that many proposals raised revisit ideas that have been previously discussed and rejected.
For the Group, the following points are of particular importance:
On the consultation process:
The Group considers that the Committee's review of working methods, as mandated by GA resolution 79/327, in particular its OP25, should be approached in a step-by-step and inclusive manner, focusing first on identifying areas where consensus may already exist and where procedural adjustments could lead to improved efficiency without affecting the substantive scope of the Committee's work.
The Group reaffirms the importance of delegations being able to deliver statements both in the general debate and under the general discussions of individual agenda items. These interventions, while distinct, are complementary and of great value, particularly for developing countries.
On Informal Consultations:
Reports should be disseminated in a timely manner to enable delegations to appropriately consider and utilize their contents when updating draft resolutions under discussion.
On Draft Resolutions:
1. The Group reaffirms the inalienable right of all delegations to introduce new proposals or draft resolutions under existing or additional agenda items. This is a fundamental and indispensable aspect of the Committee's work.
2. The Group expresses deep concern over proposals requiring that "draft resolutions reflect the link with the 2030 Agenda in their titles." The Group stresses that the Second Committee's work extends beyond the 2030 Agenda and encompasses vital issues not fully covered by it. Restricting the Committee's scope in this way would represent a narrow and inaccurate interpretation of its mandate.
3. The relevance and periodicity of agenda items and resolutions must be determined on a case-by-case basis, grounded in sound reasoning and with the consent of the proponents of the draft resolutions.
4. The Group opposes any proposal to make the tabling of draft resolutions biennial as a general rule. Additionally, regarding resolutions of a regional nature, the Group recognizes that, where appropriate and agreed by the proponents, the consolidation of such texts within broader G77 thematic resolutions could contribute to greater coherence, efficiency and a more effective use of the Committee's limited time and resources. However, any such Consolidation must be undertaken strictly through consultation and with the consent of the proponents.
5. With respect to co-drafting of resolutions, while the Group supports the spirit of inclusivity, we underscore that any such practice must take into account the technical, coordination and representational complexities inherent to a large and diverse coalition such as the Group of 77 and China.
On Reporting:
The Group remains concerned about proposals for joint reporting, merging, or elimination of reports. These reports are vital to ensuring the continuity and institutional memory of the Committee's work and serve as essential tools for monitoring progress and identifying gaps. Given the existing word limits imposed on reports, merging them would significantly reduce their effectiveness and clarity, particularly across subitems within the same cluster.
Mr. Chair,
In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its unwavering commitment to engaging constructively and in good faith with all partners to strengthen and enhance the work of the Second Committee. We believe that any discussion on revitalization should aim to make the Committee's work more effective and responsive to the needs of developing countries, while safeguarding its intergovernmental and developmental character. Our shared goal remains to ensure that the Committee contributes effectively and efficiently to the full and timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as an integral part of the work of the General Assembly.
I thank you.