Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

1. I have the distinct honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Since this is the first time my delegation takes the floor in this capacity, we congratulate you and, through you, the other members of the Bureau and we assure you of our support in this endeavor.

We reiterate G77 and China's constructive approach to reach a very successful and fruitful conclusion of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Process for the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, in the run-up to the Istanbul Conference in May 2011.

2. As stated by our group during the first session of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee for the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, we are -as a group of developing countries- the first line of defense in the cause of the LDCs and will make whatever contribution we can towards their economic progress and prosperity. This we undertake, Mr. Chairman, as a matter of duty, solidarity and enlightened self-interest.

3. We thank you for producing the Chair's single document before us today. Mr. Chairman, let us comment on two different aspects: procedure and substance.

4. In terms of procedure let us recall that during the first session of the PrepCom the text presented by LDCs was accepted as the basis to work the draft of the outcome document. In this regard, the Chair was entrusted to produce a single document -on the basis of the LDC document- incorporating also other inputs and contributions made during the PrepCom. Besides, it was also agreed that the political chapeau/declaration of the document would be discussed at a later stage. When the LDCs' document was accepted as the primary document, the issue of the structure of the Outcome Document including the POA in our view has already been resolved.

In addition, LDCs' document is quite comprehensive with the priorities defined by themselves. In the view of our Group, we would make better use of our time if we focus our discussion on the action-oriented part of the document first.

5. Mr. Chairman, the Group has not had the opportunity to reflect on the document in detail. Nevertheless, a preliminary discussion among our G77 and China members gave us the chance to observe that inputs and contributions from developed partners are not close to what is already agreed regarding, for instance, to ODA commitments. By the same token, developed partners have included as priorities for renewed partnership some concepts that are still under discussion in the United Nations. These examples per se will require plenty of time for negotiations that may be better used to advance LDCs efforts toward their economic progress and prosperity. Our time is very scarce and the month of May is around the corner.

6. As our group stated during the first session of the PrepCom, we must bear in mind that the success of the new Programme of Action highly depends on the LDCs themselves taking the ownership and leadership role in making and implementing effectively the relevant policy choices, each according to its own conditions and requirements, with the enhanced, predictable, definite and targeted support of their development partners.

7. Likewise, LDCs must enjoy full flexibility in determining their policy space in the context of their own national developmental governance, policies and strategies. Nevertheless, national efforts of LDCs should be complemented by supportive global programmes, measures and policies aimed at expanding their development opportunities, with no conditionalities. Therefore, scaled-up and predictable financial support to the least developed countries is indispensable for their development in the next decade.

Mr. Chairman

8. We should concentrate in coming up with a concrete and practical programme of action with clear and measurable targets and implementation timeframes, taking due account of the positive elements in the Brussels Programme of Action and redressing the shortcomings that undermined its full implementation.

9. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, the G77 and China will continue to support LDCs in their pursuing to make substantial progress in poverty eradication, economic growth and the promotion of sustainable development.

I thank you.