Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

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

At the outset, the Group would like to thank the co-facilitators for their efforts in advancing this important review process.

The Group wishes to underline that this review must remain transparent, inclusive and firmly Member State-driven, conducted through intergovernmental negotiations on a line-by-line basis. The authority of Member States over this process must be fully preserved, and the outcome of this review must reflect genuine consensus among Member States.

In this regard, the Group emphasizes that the Economic and Social Council and the High-Level Political Forum derive from distinct mandates and institutional arrangements, and therefore their respective reviews should be conducted with full respect for these mandates. While coherence between the two bodies is important, attempts to merge or blur their functions would risk undermining the carefully balanced institutional framework established by Member States.

The Group also stresses that this review should strengthen and improve the functioning of ECOSOC and the HLPF, rather than reopen or reinterpret mandates already agreed by Member States. Resolutions 75/290 A and 75/290 B provide the foundation for the current arrangements and reflect delicate compromises reached through intergovernmental negotiations. Any proposals that would fundamentally alter those arrangements or introduce new mandates should therefore be approached with caution.

Co-facilitators,

Coming to the elements paper specifically, on the cross-cutting section the group has the following reflections:

First, we express concern on the first sub-bullet. While the three pillars are indeed equally important, the focus of this review should be on the development pillar. Hence, we believe we should instead begin by explicitly reaffirming the Charter mandate of ECOSOC as well as the separate mandate of HLPF.

Second, on the second bullet, the Group believes it is essential to anchor this discussion firmly in the Charter mandate of the Economic and Social Council. ECOSOC was established by the United Nations Charter as the principal organ responsible for promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. The Council's functions of deliberation, policy dialogue, coordination and oversight of the United Nations development system constitute core elements of the Organization's development architecture. However, the current language in the second bullet seems to conflate the mandates of ECOSOC and HLPF. We suggest that the co-facilitator look to previously agreed language, whether from 75/290 A and B or from other sources, with regards to accurately reflecting the distinctive mandates of ECOSOC and HLPF.

Third, the group appreciates the inclusion of language on connecting countries with partnerships and resources, on improving the ability of ECOSOC to identify and respond to emerging issues and ensuring meaningful participation of stakeholders from developing countries. In this regard, we stress that ECOSOC and HLPF should indeed have more representation and participation of experts from the global south as this is essential to reflect diverse experiences and avoid geographical imbalances in the perspectives that inform their work. At the same time, we reiterate that such participation must be strictly in line with established procedures.

Fourth, on the reference to adopting the ministerial declaration through a streamlined procedure, the group reiterates that the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration during the ECOSOC High-Level Segment must be retained. Instead, we should explore how coherent procedural arrangements should be made to preserve the ministerial consensus reached at the HLPF during the HLS. The group is currently not in a position to agree to abolish the adoption of the MD during the High Level Segment.

Fifth, the Group recognizes the value of perspectives that regional engagment can bring. That said, we would appreciate further clarification on what is meant by strengthening engagement by local and regional governments, including what modalities are envisioned.

Sixth, the Group reiterates its concern regarding the impact of unilateral coercive measures, which continue to hinder the economic and social development of many developing countries and undermine their capacity to mobilize the resources necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Distinguished delegates,

Turning specifically to the ECOSOC section of the elements paper, the Group reiterates that the Council's leadership role in providing policy guidance and coordinating the work of the United Nations development system must be reaffirmed and strengthened. We have the following reflections:

First, efforts to streamline the Council's work may contribute to enhancing its effectiveness and policy guidance, however, such efforts should not diminish the attention devoted to priority development issues, nor should they alter the mandates of existing segments and forums.

Second, we have queries on the sub-bullet on empowering ECOSOC President and Bureau to shape the calendar. The group stresses that ECOSOC functions according to mandated segments and meetings, which must be convened as mandated. As such, we would appreciate clarification on what these additional powers might entail?

Moreover, the group recalls that Economic and Social Council may convene special sessions to address urgent developments in the economic, social, environmental and related fields that may require guidance and coordination by the Council, as stated in OP11 of 75/290 A . The group believes this should be better utilised.

Third, it is unclear what is meant by channelling ECOSOC outcomes into UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. The Group notes that these are nationally driven frameworks negotiated by programme countries with the UN Development System, and they reflect national development priorities. Hence, we would appreciate further clarification on this point, as the Group is unable to subscribe to a top down approach towards these Frameworks.

On improving alignment and coherence, while we support enhanced coordination between ECOSOC and other principal organs of the United Nations, including the General Assembly, as well as with the Peacebuilding commission, we stress that this must be in line with respective mandates. In this regard, we recommend the co-faciltiators look at language from 75/290 A in order to ensure that language on this is carefully framed.

The group has significant concerns about the framing of the sub-bullet on development actors harnessing synergies with actors in humanitarian action, human rights, and peace and security. While we acknowledge ECOSOC's role in engaging with humanitarian issues and are comfortable with the reference to sequencing of meetings, we are not clear what the opening language is intended to achieve. Discussions that seek to frame the work of ECOSOC through broader conceptual approaches that extend beyond its established mandate risk diverting attention from the Council's primary role in advancing development and should be avoided.

On issues missing from the elements paper, the group highlights the following:

ECOSOC's segments should promote more interactive and substantive engagement among Member States, including through more focused and smaller panels and alternative formats that facilitate meaningful dialogue, while fully preserving their existing mandates.

Financing for development must remain central. In this regard, the group believes that the language on increasing ECOSOC engagement with IFIs and MDBs should be strengthened, including through concrete proposals and a clear recognition of ECOSOCs duty to consult with and make recommendations to the IMF and the World Bank

Furthermore, the Group emphasizes that the outcomes of ECOSOC's work must adequately reflect the diverse needs and priorities of developing countries, including the particular challenges faced by countries in special situations and by middle-income countries

Excellencies,

Coming to the HLPF section, the Group also wishes to underscore that this review takes place at a time when the international community faces significant setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Nearly a decade after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, progress remains uneven and, in many areas, insufficient.

With regard to the High-Level Political Forum, the Group reaffirms that the HLPF must remain the central global platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, consistent with its universal and intergovernmental nature.

The Group also reiterates that the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions remains the overarching objective of the 2030 Agenda, and must therefore continue to guide the work of the HLPF.

In this context, the Group underscores the importance of preserving the voluntary and country-led nature of the Voluntary National Reviews. Any attempts to introduce elements of standardization, benchmarking or conditionality would run counter to the spirit of the 2030 Agenda and undermine national ownership of the review process.

On the elements paper specifically, the group has the following reflections:

First, we should reaffirm that the principles guiding follow-up and review processes, including those set out in paragraph 74 of the 2030 agenda, should continue to be implemented and not reopened.

Second, we should aim to strengthen the HLPF programme focusing on translating commitments into implementation.

Third, we would request clarification from the co-facilitators on why the theme and SDGs for review for 2030 are not included in the elements paper.

Fourth, with regards to themes and SDGs for review in 2028 and 2029, the group wishes to highlight that many developing countries continue to face persistent structural challenges that hinder their ability to advance sustainable development. These challenges include limited fiscal space, unsustainable debt burdens, persistent poverty and hunger, food insecurity, gaps in digital infrastructure and limited access to technology and financing. We must also keep in mind that the eradication of poverty is the overarching goal. Hence, the selection of themes and goals to review should look at these aspects as well as look at which goals have not been recently reviewed.

Fifth, The group appreciates the clarification that dedicated sessions would be maintained for countries in special situations, including the dedicated SIDS session.

We would like further clarification on new terminology or nomenclature, which is inconsistent with agreed language, reminding the need to reflect the broader category of developing countries.

Moreover, we reiterate our proposal that the HLPF programme should ensure adequate and focused space for the discussion of the specific and diverse challenges faced by middle-income countries, which is not properly reflected currently.

Sixth, could the co-facilitators elaborate on the proposal to have the HLPF as a partnership platform, taking into account its mandate?

Seventh, on multistakeholder engagement at the HLPF, the group again reiterates the need to have more expert panellists from the global south. Moreover, we stress that multi-stakeholder engagement must be in line with established procedures, particularly the provisions contained in the 2030 Agenda and in 75/290 A and B.

Eight, on VNRs we appreciate the reference to keeping them voluntary and country led. However, the group reiterates our consistent calls for having more time for VNR presentations has not been reflected. We request the co-chairs to work with the Secretariat to identify how additional time could be provided for VNR presentations.

Moreover, the Group reiterates the importance of strengthening support for developing countries in the preparation of their Voluntary National Reviews, including through enhanced capacity-building and technical assistance from the United Nations system.

Nine, Regional forums on sustainable development also play an important role in linking national experiences with global discussions. These forums can facilitate the sharing of region-specific solutions and strengthen regional cooperation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

However, on creating structured spaces for local and regional governments, the group requests clarity on what such spaces would look like considering that the HLPF programme is so full already.

Distinguished delegates,
Excellencies,

As we approach the final years leading to 2030, the urgency of accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be overstated. Strengthening ECOSOC and the High-Level Political Forum as effective, inclusive and action-oriented platforms will therefore be essential.
The Group of 77 and China remains committed to engaging constructively in this process in order to ensure that its outcomes reinforce multilateral cooperation, preserve the integrity of the United Nations development architecture, and strengthen collective efforts to achieve sustainable development for all.

I thank you.