Madame President,
Madame Administrator,
Members of the Executive Board,
Distinguished colleagues,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. First, Madame President, let me extend, on behalf of my delegation and the Members of the Group of 77 and China, our congratulations on your election to the Presidency of the Board and to the four Vice-Presidents. We look forward to working with you, and we are confident that you will successfully lead the Board throughout 2011. In this context, we also express our deep appreciation for the leadership of the 2010 President H.E John Ashe and the outgoing bureau.

2. The Group of 77 and China thanks the UNDP Administrator for her comprehensive, exhaustive and analytical statement. We greatly value the work of UNDP and the leadership provided to the organization with a view to improving development effectiveness.

3. The G-77 and China hopes to continue the spirit of constructive engagement with the organization, the Board and with all our development partners as a means of improving coordination, cooperation and for greater development effectiveness in the fight against poverty and hunger in order to achieve sustainable development.

4. Madam President, the Group takes this opportunity to reiterate the importance of the work of UNDP within the UN development system and at the country level to bring about real progress in human development. The work of the organization is vital to achieve sustainable human development and the internationally-agreed development goals, including the MDGs.

5. The Group wishes to underline the need to find a comprehensive solution to the legitimate concerns raised by several developing countries with regard to the Human Development Report 2010, and calls for an open and friendly dialogue among Member States of the Board on this matter.

6. The organization continues to face increasing demands for development assistance and effectiveness in carrying out its mandate. We are, however, concerned by the criticism around the alleged tendency to politicize the work of the UNDP. The Group of 77 and China has consistently stated that development assistance should not be used as a tool for political means.

7. The Group of 77 and China emphasizes its commitment to strengthening the independence of oversight bodies, funds and programmes of the UN development system, as well as the oversight role and function of the Executive Boards.

8. Madam President, the Group of 77 and China reiterates that overarching principle of UN operational activities is national ownership and leadership of the process, and results by the programme countries. We would like to appreciate the efforts of UNDP for its increased attention to this issue, and look forward to further improvements.

9. In conclusion Madam President, I wish you a successful presidency, and you can count on the Group for support throughout the rest of your presidency.

Thank you.