Madam President,
Mr. Secretary-General,
Distinguished Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

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

2. The Group thanks the President of the General Assembly for convening this meeting to commemorate United Nations Charter Day under the theme "Better Together: One Charter, One Future."

3. Eighty-one years after the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to its purposes and principles, which remain the foundation of international relations and the cornerstone of multilateral cooperation. The enduring partnership between the United Nations and the Group of 77 is founded on a shared commitment to multilateralism, sovereign equality, and international cooperation.

Madam President,

4. The Charter continues to guide our collective efforts maintain international peace and security, promote sustainable development, uphold human rights, based on the inherent dignity of every person, and strengthen cooperation among nations. For the Group of 77 and China, its principles -including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and the peaceful settlement of disputes - remain as relevant today as ever.

5. At a time of multiple and interconnected global challenges, including poverty, inequality, debt vulnerabilities, food insecurity, climate change, biodiversity loss, and widening development gaps, the Group underscores that effective multilateralism and strengthened international cooperation are indispensable.

6. Development remains a central pillar of the United Nations. The eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, continues to be the greatest global challenge and an essential requirement for sustainable development. Achieving the 2030 Agenda and supporting developing countries through adequate means of implementation, including finance, technology transfer and capacity-building, are critical to fulfilling the promise of the Charter. The United Nations has provided the indispensable framework and space through which those aspirations can be pursued.

Madam President,

7. The Group reaffirms its commitment to a strengthened and revitalized multilateral system, with the United Nations at its centre, that is more democratic, representative, effective and responsive to the needs and priorities of developing countries and realities on the ground. We stress the importance of ensuring that their voices are fully reflected in global decision-making processes.

8. We welcome the initiative to mark this Charter Day through the signing of the UN80 Charter as a symbolic reaffirmation of our shared commitment to the ideals of multilateralism, solidarity, cooperation and mutual respect.

9. As we commemorate this important occasion, let us renew our collective determination to uphold the Charter and work together towards a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable world for present and future generations.

10. The Group of 77 and China remains steadfast in advancing a stronger multilateral system anchored in the Charter of the United Nations and responsive to the development aspirations of all peoples and leaving no one behind. As we look to the future, the Charter remains our common foundation and the United Nations our essential instrument for translating shared principles into shared progress.

I thank you.