Mr. President,
Co-Chairs,
Excellencies and colleagues,

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

At the outset, the Group wishes to express its highest appreciation to the President of ECOSOC and the Co-Chairs, Permanent Representatives of Zambia and Austria, for convening this year's Forum under the theme: "Transformative, equitable and coordinated science, technology and innovation for the 2030 Agenda and a sustainable future for all".

The global community is navigating a moment of profound challenges. The dramatic and simultaneous increase in extreme poverty and wealth, climate change, geopolitical tensions, food and energy insecurity, fragile health and education systems, debt distress, inflation, conflicts and systemic inequalities continue to impede the achievement of sustainable development, with a disproportionate impact on developing countries.

In this context, science, technology and innovation, including information and communication technologies, are key tools to address these global challenges and constitute driving mechanisms to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the SDGs. Harnessing ICTs for inclusive development is no longer optional; it is essential for resilience and prosperity.

We recall the leader´s Political Declaration adopted at the G77 and China Summit on "Current development challenges: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation", held in Havana, Cuba, from 15-16 September 2023. We welcome, in this regard, as initiatives arising from this Summit, the proclamation of 16 September as the International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South, as well as the convening of the high level meeting that will take place this 5 May under the theme: "From Digital Inclusion to Innovation: Advancing Science, Technology and Youth Entrepreneurship for Development".

Mr. President,

As developing countries, we recognize the advances and progress achieved. However, it is undeniable that we continue to face deep and multifaceted digital divides, within and among countries, while technologies continue to rapidly evolve.

The Group underscores the urgent need to support developing countries in building their digital capacities. This includes scaled-up investments in infrastructure, education and training systems, and national institutions that can design and implement inclusive digital policies tailored to local development needs.

Technology transfer is fundamental for the progress of developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, we reiterate the need to accelerate the transfer of technology on favorable terms, including concessional and preferential terms.

In this sense, it is key to strengthen strategic partnerships between countries of the North and the South to contribute to the sharing of knowledge, innovation and technology.

Furthermore, the Group urges developed countries to fulfill their unmet Official Development Assistance commitments and emphasizes the need to increase ODA for scientific, technological and innovative capacities.

The Group also reiterates that States are strongly urged to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, which impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries, and hinder progress in science, technology and innovation.

Mr. President,

The Group is encouraged by the forward-looking section on Science, Technology and Innovation in the Sevilla Commitment, as well as by the potential opportunities that the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, especially its Global Dialogue on AI Governance, offers to developing countries. These commitments and opportunities must be used to crowd in investment and financing for new projects with real and concrete impact, so as to strengthen STI capacities and enable developing countries to fully participate in and benefit from digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and the strategic opportunity it represents to accelerate solutions in health, education, and agriculture, specifically aimed at eradicating poverty and reducing inequality.

We must continue to advocate strongly and consistently for the interests of developing countries, so that we can truly deliver on a "transformative, equitable and coordinated" STI, as this year's theme calls for.

Thank you.