Co-Chairs,

1. The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Co-Facilitators for their efforts in the preparation of the Draft Outcome Document to the High Level Plenary Meeting, 20-22 September 2010. The present draft, however, does not include many of the issues of critical importance to the Group. The text, for example, does not strongly reflect the sense of urgency with which we need to act to ensure that the MDGs are achieved by 2015. We also wish to highlight that the draft does not meet with the Group's expectations as far as emphasis on the scaling up of efforts at the international level, is concerned.

2. The G77 and China believes that this document should reflect the broad-based consultations process and the comments received from Member States including those forwarded by the Group of 77 and China. We further believe that the outcome document should exhibit a high degree of ambition and commitment in the final push towards achieving the MDGs by 2015. The document should more convincingly reflect that the MDGs are in fact achievable within the stipulated period and needs to be more action-oriented in this regard.

3. It is important that the text reflects an adequate balance in this context. The Group has noted that while the draft is inundated with references to measures that should be taken at the national level, it lacks focus on the critical need for international cooperation to spur the development process.

4. While we support the notion of national ownership of development policies and strategies, the document places more emphasis on utilization of domestic resources and fails to mention the role of the international community, particularly development partners. Further, the G77 and China notes that the document places more emphasis on the vulnerable groups with little mention of developing countries with peculiar development challenges.

5. MDG8 should therefore be further developed, in particular, to reflect the commonalities and differences in responsibilities of all partners as well as the establishment of a mechanism to monitor the delivery of commitments with clear targets and deadlines.

6. Global partnership for development should stand central and essential to assist developing countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

7. Other issues which have been excluded or not clearly addressed include, inter alia:

- Scaling up of the ODA and the monitoring mechanism.
- The delivery of ODA was lagging behind before the multiple crises occurred.
- Trade for development.
- Access to markets.
- Access to technology.
- The right of peoples under foreign occupation to equally achieve internationally agreed development goals including the MDGs.
- The fact that The Millennium Development Goals are targeting the developing countries.
- There is no action oriented and time-bound plan towards the attainment of the MDGs by 2015. This issue should be duly addressed.
- The Draft Document does not address the disturbing fact that the number of people facing extreme poverty is on the rise, currently surpassing one billion people.
- Achievement the MDGs with current pace of delivery of commitments, is unlikely.
- The Draft Document includes new concepts, some of which are not accepted by all member states, and which will divert the process of negotiations, possibly even deterring the finalization of the draft outcome document.
- The Draft Document did not underscore the centrality of the UN system in the development process.
- The Draft Document should clearly reaffirm the principle of "no one size fits all".
- The document fails to pronounce demonstrable commitment to mitigate and forestall the impact of climate change in crucial areas such as adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and funding. This message by world leaders is particularly crucial for the COP 16 in Mexico which will take place just two months after the High Level Plenary. There should also be effective global action to address the impact of climate change.
- There is no reference to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the text. NCDs account for over 60% of all deaths worldwide and significantly impact global public health. Due to their social, economic and developmental consequences NCDs pose a serious threat to the achievement of the MDGs. Accordingly, the document should take account of the need to address NCDs. In this regard, appropriate references should be included in the section dealing with Global Public Health and also under MDG 6 which refers to HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
- The continuing impact of the crises on the efforts of developing countries in achievement of the MDGs.
- The need for international cooperation to strengthen national capacities to be able to fulfill national obligations/ carry out any responsibilities undertaken at the national level.

8. Taking into account the time constraints, and the need to prepare a valuable document agreeable to our leaders, the Group 77 and China is ready to consider this draft document as an initial basis for consultations and negotiations, meaning that we reserve the right to make significant amendments not only with respect to content but also with respect to the structure of the document, if necessary.

9. The G77 and China is ready to provide the required language relating to the elements that have been excluded, and to engage constructively with partners in the negotiation process.

I thank you.