Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,

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

At the outset, we wish to thank the Permanent Representatives of Brunei Darussalam and Zimbabwe for their guidance and hard work throughout the negotiations of the Political Declaration under consideration today.

The Group of 77 and China remains firmly committed to the elimination of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The Political Declaration before us does not merely reaffirm this commitment; it also places particular emphasis on addressing inequalities and historical injustices stemming from slavery, the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and apartheid, it underscores the links between these challenges and poverty eradication, education and socioeconomic development and international cooperation. Furthermore, it recognizes the impact of new technologies and artificial intelligence on human rights when their development and use are not in line with international law and, highlights the importance of strengthening legislative frameworks and access to justice, as well as promoting education and raising public awareness to ensure the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

Given the cross-cutting nature of this issue, its profound impact on our societies and its implications for sustainable development, as well as the fact that no country is immune to these challenges, the Group emphasizes the importance of approaching this Declaration in a comprehensive and cross-cutting manner, through a human rights and development lens, beyond differences in political views and ideologies.

The Group of 77 and China will remain steadfast in its commitment to promoting and advancing efforts to combat and eliminate all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

I thank you.