Co-Chairs,
Distinguished delegates and representatives,

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

2. The Group believes that an effective institutional framework for sustainable development at all levels is key to the full implementation of Agenda 21, the follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and meeting emerging sustainable development challenges.

3. In that context, we understand that there is an international consensus on the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation among international organizations and environmental agreements. However, diverging views remain on how to enhance the efficiency of the current United Nations system in the area of sustainable development

4. In this regard, the 2012 Conference should be aimed at renewing and enhancing political commitment and increasing efforts to ensure that the current institutions involved in implementing the sustainable development agenda in the UN system become more effective, including through, among others, the promotion of synergies among them and the provision of an adequate level of financial resources. At the same time, we would need to address how the institutional framework for sustainable development at all levels can be strengthened to accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development agenda in all three of its dimensions.

Co-Chairs,

5. The G77 and China strongly believes that the three pillars of sustainable development should be addressed in a coordinated, integrated and comprehensive manner and that the UN economic, social and environmental activities should not be dealt with in isolation, and that the integrity of the three pillars of sustainable development should be preserved.

6. The Group believes that our future discussions on the institutional framework for sustainable development should be guided by chapter 11 of the Johannesburg Plan of implementation, in particular the realization and implementation of this chapter is essential.

7. We reiterate our strong commitment to further enhance coordination and cooperation among all the relevant United Nations organizations in the promotion of sustainable development to ensure the fulfillment of the international commitments and the achievement of sustainable development. In this regard, it is also important that we strengthen cooperation between the United Nations Environment Programme, UNDP and other United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization, within their mandates.

8. Furthermore, the measures aimed at strengthening such a framework should build on the provisions of Agenda 21, as well as the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the principles of the Rio Declaration. Those measures should also promote the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, taking into account the relevant outcomes of other major United Nations conferences and international agreements since 1992. Moreover, the institutional framework for sustainable development should also be responsive to the specific needs of developing countries including the means of implementation.

Co-Chairs,

9. The Group also believes that the UN should play a central role in the international economic, social and environmental governance.

10. In approaching the economic, social and environmental pillars, the Group believes that the ECOSOC should promote greater coordination, complementarity, effectiveness and efficiency of activities of its functional commissions, programmes and other subsidiary bodies that are relevant to the implementation of Agenda 21 and JPOI.

11. We recognize that the CSD is the high-level intergovernmental body responsible for sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as a forum for the consideration of issues related to the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development. In this context, we believe that the enhancement of the CSD will be a central feature to better fulfill its fundamental roles and effectively confer political orientation and promote dialogue. An enhanced role of the Commission should include reviewing and monitoring progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 and ensuring coherence of implementation, initiatives and partnerships.

12. The provision of new and additional resources is crucial to enhance the United Nations capabilities in the area of implementation. In this regard, to ensure predictability and adequate funding for the effective implementation of all mandated development activities, including those related with sustainable development, resources for development from the regular budget of the United Nations should be increased.

13. We also believe that the institutional framework should support scientific capacity in the areas of sustainable development in developing countries. In that context, the Group strongly believes that the fulfillment of ODA commitments is key to enhancing capacity building, including scientific, technical and technological capacity, and development for developing countries. It is also important to assure the participation of developing countries scientific communities in the assessment of the sustainable development. To that end, clear terms of reference for the selection of scientific and technical personnel representing developing countries views should be established so as to avoid biased assessments. A more result oriented and project focused approach should be designed to allow effectiveness at all levels avoiding unnecessary bureaucracies. We believe that enhanced synergies in regional and global evaluation processes and between these processes and the efforts undertaken for the implementation of MEAs are needed.

14. The Preparatory Committee Meetings as well as the inter-sessional period following the Prep Com 1, offer the necessary space for evaluating the proposals on the institutional framework for enhanced international governance for sustainable development.

I thank you.