Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. I would like to thank you and the other members of the bureau for the coordination of the past informal consultation process, and assure you our continued support in this endeavor.

2. We wish to underline our 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 (LDC-IV), in the run-up to the Istanbul Conference in May 2011.

3. As our Group has already stated in previous presentations, there is deep concern that the situation in the LDCs is still deteriorating in the wake of the multiple and mutually exacerbating global crises. As a consequence, the modest development gains that the LDCs made over the years have now been reversed, pushing a larger number of their people to extreme poverty. Moreover, the LDCs are lagging behind in meeting most of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Development Goals.

4. In that regard, the nature of the difficulties faced by LDCs does not differ greatly from those of many other developing countries. The over-riding difference lies mostly in the magnitude of the development challenge, particularly in relation to the inadequacy of the resources the LDCs themselves have available. Therefore, ensuring that the LDCs break out of the "poverty trap" will depend very heavily on the effective implementation of commitments of development partners, most especially regarding ODA.

Mr. Chairman,

5. In accordance with the mandate established in the General Assembly resolution 63/227, the LDC-IV will assess the implementation of the Brussels program of Action (BPoA), reaffirm the global commitment for LDCs and consequently adopt the next development action for the LDCs.

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 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 the development partners.

7. The G77 and China believes that the LDCs should exercise autonomy in formulating and executing economic and development policies and in identifying their own national priorities, and in that regard the development partners should align their support measures, by ensuring greater policy space and flexibility to LDCs.

8. Guided by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities of developing and developed countries, the Group of G77 and China would like to reiterate that 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 had undermined its full implementation.

9. In that regard, it had to be stressed that the review of the Brussels Program of Action shows that the international support measures are not fully effective and adequate, in specificity, scale, scope and quality. The G77 and China also emphasizes the importance of the fulfillment of the international commitments related to financial resources, especially ODA, including development financing and technological cooperation.

10. Besides, we recognize the importance of South-South Cooperation as a complement, not a substitute, of North-South Cooperation, and we would like to highlight the united efforts of developing countries in supporting each other, despite their own social and economic domestic difficulties.

11. In that sense, we are still deeply concerned about the intention of broader the meaning of the concept of "development partners", diluting the historic differentiated responsibilities regarding development cooperation.

Mr. Chairman,

12. The G77 and China would like to stress that it would be beneficial for all to come to the closest agreement possible here in New York. We must head to Istanbul with an agreed Program of Action at the experts level. We acknowledge the efforts of the host country and the Turkish people to make the LDC IV Conference a success. The G77 and China will not let them down. We are running out of time. In our Group´s view, the lack of progress so far is the consequence of negotiations being stuck as the result of inflexible positions on the donor side. Flexibility is what we need in order to commit collectively to advance LDCs efforts toward their economic progress and prosperity. Our time is very scarce and May 9th 2011 is around the corner.

13. The Group reiterates, once more, its strong support to LDCs and hopes that the Istanbul Programme of Action represents a strengthened global partnership aimed at overcoming multiple development challenges being faced by LDCs, to support them in eradicating poverty and integrating beneficially into the global economy.

14. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, as stated by our Group during the first session of the PrepCom, 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.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.