Mr. President,

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

The G77 would like to thank the President of ECOSOC for convening this Forum, which provides a valuable space to delve into about what it will take to move the needle between now and 2030, in the pursuit of Financing for Development.

The Group believes that the 2026 FfD Forum is critical for assessing if and how the Sevilla commitments are crystallizing into early, visible yields. This requires a partnership approach, having in mind the interrelation between the three pillars of the UN Charter.

In Sevilla, the G77 and China joined consensus in reaffirming the Financing for Development (FfD) process as the integrative framework for financing sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda. Translating the Sevilla Commitment into a lived reality requires the sustained political will of all actors, at all levels, across all institutions. Sevilla will only live up to its potential if those who hold the levers of the international financial architecture -the developed partners, the Bretton Woods institutions, the major creditor countries and the multilateral development banks (MDBs)- treat the Commitment as a mandate to better frame their work with sustainable development.

The momentum from Sevilla must be captured and implemented urgently. While there has been early yield in implementation following the 4th FfD Conference, Member States, the UN system, and other actors must continue to join together to advance voluntary commitments alongside the negotiated outcome. Initiatives, inter alia, on debt transparency, concessional finance for developing countries, including for climate action, and local currency financing are welcome.

The G77 and China is ready to be a constructive partner in shaping the post-Sevilla landscape. We bring to this Forum not a list of complaints, but a determination to work across the lines that too often divide the FfD conversation.

Mr. President,

The global economic landscape remains fragile and uncertain. The Group remains deeply concerned that prolonged geopolitical tensions and conflicts are delivering new shocks to our economies, disrupting global supply chains, undermining national efforts to achieve sustainable development.

For the G77 and China, the timely and effective implementation of the Sevilla Commitment is not just an aspiration but a necessity to close the estimated $4 trillion annual financing gap for developing countries. The Group notes with alarm the widening disparities in financing capacity.

In 2025, Official Development Assistance (ODA) fell by 23.1% in real terms-the largest annual contraction on record. This trend is unacceptable, as it risks reversing hard-won development gains. We urge developed countries to scale up and fulfill their ODA commitments, reaching the target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income for developing countries and 0.15 to 0.2 per cent for the least developed countries.

IFI's and multilateral development banks should play a greater role by providing more long-term, affordable, and concessional financing. It is imperative that more support be directed toward developing countries to assist in building sound financial systems, upgrading financial infrastructure, and bolstering crisis resilience, strengthening our collective capacity to finance our sustainable development agendas.

Furthermore, the international financial architecture must be reformed to reflect today's realities. We call for more inclusive, representative, and effective global economic governance that broadens the voice and representation of developing countries in decision-making, including quota and governance reforms within the IMF and the World Bank Group.

On debt, developing countries continue to face high borrowing costs and debt servicing burdens that absorb a significant share of public revenues, leaving limited fiscal space to advance sustainable development.

Hence, we recall the Sevilla commitment to promote an intergovernmental process at the United Nations, with a view to making recommendations for closing gaps in the debt architecture and exploring options to address debt sustainability, including through holding a dialogue with all relevant stakeholders.

Mr. President,

International trade remains a critical engine for development, yet it is currently under strain from rising fragmentation, uncertainties and an increase in trade-restrictive measures. We stress the importance of preserving the multilateral trading system as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development. We reiterate that Member States must refrain from applying unilateral economic, financial, or trade measures not in accordance with international law that impede or distort the full achievement of economic and social development.

Additionally, the Group highlights the potential of science, technology, and innovation, including Artificial Intelligence, to drive progress. However, we must bridge the persistent digital divides and capacity gaps that prevent developing countries from fully leveraging these advances.

Lastly, the Group regrets that the Outcome Document does not live up to the ambition of the Sevilla Document and that attempts were made to backtrack from its commitments. At the same time, the Group encourages holding a more transparent and inclusive process next year, allowing for a better in-depth review of the Action Areas and issues of relevance to developing countries.

In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China stands ready to engage constructively to ensure that no country is left behind in our collective pursuit of sustainable development.

I thank you.