Madam Chairperson,

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

The adoption of this resolution sets the path forward for two processes central for the implementation of Agenda 21 and associated documents. One is the 19th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, to be held in 2011. The other is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), to be held in Brazil in 2012, and its preparatory process.

In particular in what relates to the UNCSD-2012, this resolution calls on donors to provide contributions to the CSD Trust Fund in order to provide adequate funding for the preparatory process of the Conference. We have also agreed to prioritize the coverage of expenses related to the travel of participants of developing countries.

The G77 and China, in introducing this issue, aimed at raising awareness of the requirements for the participation of developing countries in the preparatory process leading up to UNCSD-2012.

The Group remains deeply concerned with the lack of funds to finance the participation of at least one representative from each developing country in all the meetings of the preparatory process for UNCSD. This problem is particularly acute now, when on the eve of the first interssesional meeting there are no resources whatsoever to fund the participation of our delegates. We expect that this call by the General Assembly for funding will lead to contributions to the Trust Fund, so as to overcome this obstacle to the full and effective participation of all developing countries in this important process for the United Nations.

I thank you.