The Group regrets that the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba for more than six decades remains in full application and continues to be enforced. We regret the measures undertaken recently and during the current year aimed at reinforcing the embargo on Cuba, which represents the main obstacle to the process of achieving normalized relations between the two countries. The direct and indirect damage is enormous. It affects all the critical sectors of the Cuban economy, including public health, nutrition and agriculture, as well as trade, investment, tourism and banking.

We are deeply concerned about the widening of the extraterritorial nature of the embargo on Cuba, notably through the full implementation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. The application of this law is a clear transgression to the freedom of commerce among nations because of its intimidating purpose by punishing any trade or investment transactions between any given country and Cuba.

Regarding the announcement by the Government of the United States of new measures further tightening the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed against the Republic of Cuba, including actions aimed at obstructing the supply of oil to the country and the imposition of sanctions on third States that engage in legitimate commercial relations with Cuba, which have clear extraterritorial effects, the Group stresses that these measures are contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and undermine multilateralism, international economic cooperation and the rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, fair and equitable multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core. At the same time, they aggravate Cuba's difficulties to carry out financial and commercial operations, threatening the livelihood and integrity of the Cuban population.

The Group of 77 and China is deeply concerned about the severe humanitarian and development consequences that restrictions affecting access to energy supplies have on Cuba currently. Energy shortages and disruptions in fuel supplies are undermining electricity generation and the provision of essential public services, affecting hospitals, schools, water and sanitation systems, public transportation, food production and distribution networks, and other critical infrastructure. The Group is also concerned that financial restrictions and obstacles to international banking transactions have hindered the acquisition of renewable energy technologies, humanitarian supplies and other goods essential for the people of Cuba at this difficult juncture.

In the same vein, we urge the immediate removal of Cuba from the US Department of State´s list of countries that are allegedly sponsors of terrorism. Cuba is a long-standing active partner of Members of the Group in promoting South-South cooperation. Thanks to the efforts made by Cuba, many countries within the Group have developed their scientific and technical potential. All we know about Cuba is friendship and solidarity, we know nothing about terrorism.

The Group recognizes the long-standing and positive contribution of the Cuban international medical cooperation and solidarity in saving the lives of millions of people around the world, particularly but not exclusively in developing countries. Cuba has extensively and consistently contributed to the international community for many decades. Its assistance to other countries has been a great example of South-South cooperation. The Group, therefore, rejects any unilateral coercive measures that are not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations or attempts to hinder this international medical cooperation and solidarity for political or any other reasons.

Mr. President,

In this context, the Group reiterates that there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. We continue to guided by all the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and by full respect for the principles of international law, particularly regarding the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in States' internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation. We recall the States shall refrain in international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. The Group emphasizes that these principles must be fully respected and stresses the need to refrain from any action inconsistent with the Charter that could aggravate tensions or jeopardize the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Cuba. In this regard, the Group calls for all differences to be addressed through peaceful means and dialogue, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. We believe that it is the duty and responsibility of every Member State to strictly comply with those principles and that any policy or action that disregards them should be immediately repealed.

The Group therefore calls for the immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the embargo, including all measures with extraterritorial effects. Ending these restrictions is essential not only for Cuba's development and the well-being of its people, but also for upholding the Charter, international law and the credibility of multilateralism.

I thank you.

2. At the outset, the Group wishes to express its sincere appreciation to you, Madam Chair, for your steadfast leadership, patience and tireless efforts in guiding the work of the Committee throughout this session.

3. The Group also extends its appreciation to the members of the Bureau, the Secretariat of the Fifth Committee, the conference services staff, the interpreters, as well as to all facilitators, for their continued engagement with Member States. We also wish to recognize the support of the Controller, the Secretariat and the representatives of all advisory bodies for their valuable contributions to the work of the Committee.

Madam Chair,

4. The Group is pleased that, despite the complexity of the negotiations, the Committee was able to conclude a number of important agenda items by consensus. In particular, we welcome the adoption of the landmark decision establishing a revised mechanism for the return of credits, alongside the approval of the peacekeeping budgets, the review of reimbursement rates for troop- and police-contributing countries, the recommendations of the 2026 Working Group on Contingent-Owned Equipment and the Support Account. Together, these outcomes strengthen the financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of the Organization and reflect the Committee's ability to deliver meaningful results through dialogue, flexibility and constructive engagement.

5. The Group also notes that several agenda items were concluded through skeletal resolutions. While these outcomes allowed the Committee to preserve continuity in essential areas, they should not become the preferred method of addressing substantive policy questions that require meaningful intergovernmental guidance.

6. At the same time, while the Committee was unable to conclude substantive outcomes on several other important issues, the successful conclusion of negotiations under the agenda item concerning the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations stands as a defining achievement of this session.

Madam Chair,

7. The adoption of a revised mechanism for the return of credits represents a landmark decision for this Organization. It demonstrates that, in the face of unprecedented financial challenges, Member States can come together to develop pragmatic, balanced and innovative solutions to respond to the Organization's pressing operational needs while preserving the integrity of the Financial Regulations and Rules.

8. This agreement establishes a new methodology for the categorization and return of budgetary credits, introducing a coherent framework applicable across the regular budget, peacekeeping budgets and the international tribunals. By distinguishing between different categories of credits and ensuring the automatic return only of credits supported by available liquidity, the methodology strikes a careful balance between the rights of Member States and the financial needs of the Organization. In doing so, it reinforces sound financial management and reflects our shared determination to safeguard the effective implementation of the mandates entrusted to the United Nations.

9. As a matter of fact, transparency and consistency in the recording of arrears, by fiscal year, remains a cornerstone of this new methodology. The application of this mechanism shall in no way diminish the responsibility of Member States associated with outstanding assessed contributions. On the contrary, it reinforces the fundamental principle that all Member States must fulfill their financial obligations under the Charter of the United Nations by paying their assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions, thereby safeguarding the Organization's financial integrity and long-term sustainability.

10. Throughout these negotiations, the Group engaged constructively with all partners, demonstrating a genuine willingness to bridge differences. Guided by clear principles and a spirit of compromise, Member States were ultimately able to converge on a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of all parties while responding to the urgency of the current liquidity situation.

11. More broadly, today's agreement sends a powerful message that multilateralism continues to deliver meaningful results when Member States demonstrate political will, good faith and a shared commitment to strengthening this Organization. At a time when confidence in the international system is increasingly being tested, this Committee has shown that consensus remains possible, even on the most complex and politically sensitive issues.

Madam Chair,

12. Throughout this session, the Group has conducted itself in a spirit of openness, flexibility and responsibility. As long as Uruguay serves as Chair of the Group, it will continue to uphold this approach, honoring the Group's unwavering commitment to multilateralism and to this Organization, which stands at the heart of the multilateral system and remains indispensable to addressing the complex global challenges of our time, including those faced by developing countries.

I thank you.

The Group wishes to reiterate its appreciation to the co-facilitators for the opportunity to engage with the members of the High-level Expert Group last week, and looks forward to receiving further information on the modalities and timeline for the written responses to the questions raised during that meeting.

The Group of 77 and China acknowledges the importance of the intergovernmental process mandated by resolution 79/1, entitled 'The Pact for the Future'. In this regard, the Group wishes to underscore the relevance of advancing the establishment of a set of measures of progress on sustainable development that complement or go beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in order to inform access to concessional finance and technical cooperation for developing countries.

For the Group, it is imperative to ensure that development remains a central pillar of any framework aimed at measuring progress that go beyond GDP. Therefore, the process should be guided by the objective of advancing sustainable development in its three dimensions in a balanced and integrated manner, while fully recognizing that poverty eradication remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. Therefore, the framework should contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the development challenges faced by developing countries and support ways to address them.

Furthermore, the Group takes note of the withdrawal of one of the co-facilitators and encourages the immediate appointment of a successor, in line with the established practice of the General Assembly, to ensure an inclusive and balanced intergovernmental process.

Finally, the Group reiterates its commitment to exploring measures of progress in sustainable development that complement or go beyond GDP to help us all advance the three dimensions of sustainable development.

I thank you.