Excellencies, Co-Chairs,

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

The Group wishes to reiterate its appreciation to the Co-Chairs, Ambassador Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica, and Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested, Permanent Representative of Norway, for convening this meeting and for their continued leadership of the UN80 workstream on mandate implementation review.

The Group welcomes the opportunity to consider the Secretary-General's review of mandated reports, prepared pursuant to paragraphs 16 and 33(d)(ii) of General Assembly resolution 80/251. We appreciate the timely submission of the note and the Secretariat's efforts to review a portfolio comprising more than 600 report series published between 2023 and 2025.

The Group views the document as a constructive and useful basis for further consideration by Member States. We welcome its pragmatic focus on identifying concrete opportunities to reduce overlap and repetition, improve periodicity and format, and make reports more timely, focused, accessible and user-oriented, while preserving transparency and comprehensive coverage of important issues.

The Group also notes that the review concluded that the vast majority of existing reports remain appropriate in their current form, while identifying a limited number of areas where adjustments could be considered. The proposed gradual and targeted approach is particularly important, as it avoids a one-size-fits-all methodology and recognizes the diversity of mandates, subject matters, and intergovernmental processes across the United Nations system. The Group encourages future recommendations to continue to be supported by clear analytical evidence, objective criteria and transparent methodology, so that Member States can make informed decisions on any proposed adjustments.

We further acknowledge the emphasis placed on clearer word limits, drafting discipline, structured formats, key information tables, focused summaries, stronger use of data and visuals, and precise cross-references to previous reports and continuously updated sources.

The Group takes positive note of the preliminary identification of opportunities to combine reports in fewer than five per cent of cases and to adjust periodicity or format in approximately ten per cent of cases. We also note the estimated potential reduction of around 700,000 words this year. Such efficiencies could be meaningful, if they are pursued transparently, based on objective evidence, and without weakening mandates or limiting Member States' access to information.

Relatedly, the Group appreciates the document's clear reaffirmation that decisions on mandates remain the exclusive prerogative of Member States. Where an intergovernmental organ has specified the format, periodicity or content of a report, such guidance must continue to be respected. Any proposal requiring a decision by Member States should therefore be presented to the competent intergovernmental body, with a clear rationale and sufficient supporting information.

The Group also encourages the Secretariat to proceed, where appropriate and consistent with existing mandates, with reporting improvements that do not require intergovernmental decisions, including measures to enhance readability, accessibility, usability and timeliness, while keeping Member States informed of progress and without compromising the substantive information required for effective oversight.

In this regard, the Group would welcome updates on the implementation of the proposed measures, further clarity on the next steps, and the basis for distinguishing between reporting improvements that can be implemented within existing mandates and those requiring a decision by Member States, with a view to informing future improvements in reporting practices.

Excellencies, Co-Chairs,

The Group of 77 and China stands ready to engage constructively in the next phase of this work. Our shared objective should be to ensure that reporting mandates remain fit for purpose, avoid unnecessary duplication, enhance support for Member States in the exercise of their oversight responsibilities and sovereign prerogatives, and that the integrity of mandates and the priorities of developing countries are fully preserved.

I thank you.