Mr. Chairman,

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

2. We thank the Secretary-General for the very comprehensive reports which form the basis for the preparatory process for the upcoming High-level review of the Mauritius Strategy.

3. The G77 attaches great importance to the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) as the primary intergovernmental body responsible for the implementation of and follow-up to the commitments related to SIDS, including those contained in the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) and the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation (MSI).

Mr. Chairman,

4. Although the special and unique challenges and vulnerabilities of Small island developing states (SIDS) have been widely acknowledged, the actions taken to address them have not been commensurate. The international community has long established that SIDS remain a special case for sustainable development. This has never been more glaring given the confluence of multidimensional challenges which originate outside of their borders and which have gravely depleted their limited capacities.

5. Notwithstanding their own efforts undertaken at the national and regional levels, SIDS' vulnerabilities, on the basis of their small size, remoteness, exposure to external shocks and global environmental challenges and narrow resource base, have significantly increased since the International meeting in Mauritius only five years ago.

6. It is this scenario that forms the troubling backdrop for the High-level Review which we consider to be quite timely. The G77 maintains the view that the Review should therefore not be exclusively focused on the negotiation of an agreed outcome. The Review should produce tangible results and action-oriented outcomes. In accordance with Resolution 64/199, having reviewed progress achieved, challenges encountered, lessons learned, we will need to agree on what needs to be done in moving forward.

7. It is also our hope and expectation that the Review will strengthen our collective resolve and inspire a renewed commitment to fully address the needs and concerns of the most vulnerable members of the international community.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.