Excellencies,

I have honour on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, to deliver this explanation of position on the adoption of draft resolution A/80/L.34.

         At the outset, the Group welcomes the convening of the fourth high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being, held on 25 September. The meeting benefited from high-level participation and provided a substantive exchange among stakeholders on avenues to better prevent, control, diagnose and treat NCDs along with the promotion of mental health and well-being.

         The Group commends the Permanent Representatives of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Luxemburg and their staffs for facilitating the process of consultations on NCDs, and for their leadership and tireless work. The Group wishes also to thank Indonesia and Guyana for their remarkable efforts representing the Group position during the past few months.

Throughout the negotiations, the Group engaged constructively and demonstrated great flexibility and a willingness to compromise when possible. However, the Group expresses its profound regret and disappointment that the following crucially important matters failed to be included in this text:

1. First: Unhindered access to health products and services; a challenge laid bare by the Covid-19 pandemic, when many of our countries struggled to secure vaccines, diagnostics, and essential medical supplies under restrictive conditions;

2. Second: Equitable access to health technologies and digital solutions as well as digital divide, could not be retained in the text. These concepts lie at the heart of multilateral cooperation and of the UN's commitment to leaving no one behind. The Group therefore cautions that the principle of equity must remain central to our collective efforts, as its deletion risks undermining the very spirit of inclusiveness and solidarity that defines this organization;

3. Third: Financing section proved particular difficulty. References to global solidarity and collective efforts were challenged to retain. Several of the means of implementation references where heavily caveated.

Finally, we extend our congratulations to all delegations on the formal adoption of the draft political declaration by the General Assembly today. Negotiations were undeniably difficult, yet we were able to firmly fulfil our shared commitment to confronting NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being with the seriousness they demand.

Together, through renewed solidarity and cooperation, we can reduce premature mortality and build resilient, inclusive health systems.

I thank you.