Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,

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

2. At these times when the world is still suffering from the repercussions of the global food crisis and the global economic and financial crisis it is clear that there is a persistent implementation gap in sustainable development and that there is a need of an integrated and more systemic approach towards this issue. The concrete results achieved since 1972, the Earth Summit in 1992 and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, are a clear picture of this implementation gap, and of the many commitments by the international community that have not been fully met. Also, on account of lack of implementation, achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the MDG's, remains compromised.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The momentum towards an unsustainable future could be reversed if actions to address the multi-dimensional challenges of sustainable development are taken simultaneously in relation to the three pillars of sustainable development - economic development, social development and environmental protection. We cannot overemphasize the need for a coordinated, integrated, balanced and urgent approach to sustainable development.

4. The Group believes that there is a need for more holistic approach towards sustainable development. Consequently, a refinement of strategies and sharper policy perspectives aimed at effective implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, especially at the regional and national level complemented by stronger and effective international mechanisms in terms of global and regional support as well as significantly greater financial commitments, is essential.

Mr. Chairman,

5. The Group of 77 and China stresses that the participation of developing countries is key for this process and must be ensured. We reiterate our deep concern that the resources available in the Commission on Sustainable Development voluntary trust fund are insufficient to support the participation of representatives from developing countries in the meetings of the preparatory process of the Conference and in the Conference itself.

6. It is upon the international community to address this important issue as soon as possible in order to avoid repeating what we are suffering at this Second Intersessional Meeting, where the vast majority of representatives from governments and major groups from developing countries had no funding.

7. A multilateral negotiation requires a multilateral framework of international cooperation in place. We have to address the roots of this immediate dilemma in a sound and consistent way. Actions must be taken at different levels reallocating funds to this priority.

Mr. Chairman,

8. On the structure of the zero draft, the Group of 77 and China has submitted in October 2011 a document named "Preliminary Elements for the Outline of the Draft Outcome", which consisted of:

- An introductory section;
- The assessment of the progress today and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the commitments of the outcome of the major UN Conferences related to sustainable development;
- Addressing new and emerging issues;
- Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication;
- Institutional Framework for sustainable development;
- Framework for Action;
- Means of implementation;
- Follow-up

9. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms that this structure, based on the Resolution 64/236, should serve as a guide to negotiations of the outcome document.

10. The Group of 77 and China would like to stress that it is of utmost importance to concentrate our discussions on substance. Although procedural issues are relevant, they should only be one of the means that helps us reach our objectives.

11. Although the G77 and China is still considering the format of the outcome document, we believe that we need to have an action oriented and focused political document, as indicated in resolution 64/263, which addresses all relevant issues. The G77 and China is favorable to having one outcome document, which would allow delegations to concentrate on negotiations, and avoid having parallel and overlapping negotiating sessions.

Mr. Chairman,

12. The G77 and China has submitted its contribution to the Compilation document. This submission has been articulated in a similar manner, albeit more refined after our discussions, so as to guide the Bureau in their work towards the first draft of the Outcome document. This document reflects the richness of inputs from the Group and should be considered as a whole. For the sake of brevity, let me highlight some elements:

13. The Group of 77 and China is convinced that the Conference needs to produce an assessment and stocktaking as to why many of commitments of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio 1992 as well as the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002, were not realized to their full potential; what has prevented the international community from moving forward on agreements; and how we can re-energize the political will to avoid the perception that multilateral approaches are increasingly associated with indecision, unfulfillment of commitments and stalemate.

14. The Conference should identify a framework of action focused on implementation and full integration of the three pillars of sustainable development and in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, in order to achieve tangible outcomes. This includes:

a. Provision of new, additional, stable, predictable financial resources to support implementation activities in developing countries;
b. The increase of resources for development, including commitments by developed countries to increase ODA, and the fulfillment of ODA assistance;
c. Effective access to and transfer of technologies for developing countries;
d. Effective institutional frameworks at all levels strengthen the role of governments, at all levels, with the fundamental lead of States, and encourage the participation of major groups and other stakeholders for the implementation of the sustainable development agenda;

15. The UNCSD will not renegotiate nor retract agreed principles and outcomes of the major summits on Sustainable Development, including the commitments made in the three conventions, UNFCCC, CBD and UNCCD.

16. The lack of integration of the three pillars of sustainable development and the lack of implementation of commitments of sustainable development have led to the scale and gravity of global challenges, especially climate change, threatening the ability of developing countries to achieve the MDGs and for some threatening the territorial integrity and the existence and viability as countries.

Mr. Chairman,

17. Guided by the Rio Principles and Agenda 21, UNCSD RIO+20 2012 outcomes should provide the necessary political impetus for the range and level of action required to bridge the implementation gap.

18. Any outcome should lead to continued priority being given to the eradication of the root causes of poverty, and to support the effective national efforts of developing countries in promoting empowerment of the poor, including enhancing the productive capacity, full and productive employment and decent work for all as well as the creation of income opportunities that must be complemented by effective social policies with a view to achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs.

19. The G77 and China understands that the renewed political commitment in Rio should lead to the full implementation of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development ("Johannesburg Plan of Implementation") and should fully support national efforts to achieve sustainable development in particular eradication of poverty and food security.

20. There is an urgent need to increase efforts at the national, regional and international levels to address food security and agriculture development as an integral part of the international development agenda. We underline the need for sustained funding and increased targeted investment to enhance world food production and called for new and additional financial resources from all sources to achieve sustainable agriculture development and food security.

Mr. Chairman,

21. Regarding the Way Forward, the G77 and China has identified Persistent and New and Emerging Issues and a Framework of Action for Implementation of Commitments:

22. On Persistent and New and Emerging Issues, we reiterate the call for simultaneous action to address the challenges related to all three pillars of sustainable development in a coordinated, integrated and balanced manner, recognizing that human activities alter nature and exhaust natural resources, that life depends on the uninterrupted functioning of natural systems, while human beings are at the centre of concerns of sustainable development and they are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature in order to restore the health and integrity of the Earth's ecosystem.

23. We reaffirm that the current major challenge for developing countries is the impacts from the multiple crises, particularly the ongoing economic and financial crisis which is a result of the international financial system. In this context, we reaffirm the urgent need to address the lack of proper regulation and monitoring of the financial sector, the overall lack of transparency and financial integrity, excessive risk taking, overleveraging and unsustainable patterns of consumption and production in developed countries. These economic repercussions have also aggravated poverty, social exclusion, increased unequal distribution of income and wealth, and undermined efforts to implement sustainable development. In this regard we call for the reform of the global financial system and architecture. We also reaffirm the need to continue working towards a new international economic order based on the principles of equity, sovereign equality, interdependence, common interest, cooperation and solidarity among all States.

24. On a Framework of Action for Implementation of Commitments, we stress that the UNCSD should identify a framework of action of implementation of commitments and should move the sustainable development agenda forward. We strongly believe that increased political commitment of developed countries is essential to fill the gaps in the means of implementation. Provision of a clear registry on financial resources and technology transfer from developed countries available for the implementation of sustainable development commitments, as well as its timelines, functions, recipients, management, and objectives. This registry of commitments would strengthen transparency and a culture of accountability.

25. Financing for sustainable development has been highly insufficient despite consistent calls from developing countries for this issue to be address. Without the necessary financing, developing countries have faced and will continue to face major challenges in implementing sustainable development, eradicating poverty and achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

26. It is therefore clear that there is an urgent need for substantial increases in the provision of financing to developing countries for sustainable development. It is also essential that financing for the UN system be significantly enhanced for it to operate effectively and fulfill its sustainable development mandate.

27. In this regard, greater coherence and coordination among the various funding mechanisms and initiatives related to sustainable development is crucial. We call for the prioritization of sustainable development in the allocation of resources, where needed and in line with the priorities and needs of developing countries, and reiterate that strong oversight of these resources is important to ensure that developing countries have steady and predictable access to the resources they require to implement sustainable development. Such oversight should also have inclusive, participatory and adequate representation from developing countries.
 
Mr. Chairman,

28. The Group of G77 and China calls for decisions on transfer of technology and capacity building to:

i. Establish an International Mechanism to implement concrete actions focused on bridging the technological gap between developed and developing countries and facilitating transfer of technology in sustainable development.

ii. Create an enabling environment that aims at removing all barriers to technology transfer and technology adaptation, consistent and in harmony with the relevant international obligations.

iii. Ensure immediate implementation of the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity Building.

iv. We stress the need for effective mechanisms, enhanced means, appropriate enabling environments and the removal of obstacles to the scaling up of the development and transfer of technology to developing countries.

v. There is a need for access of developing countries to technologies. Developing countries would also need to have access to the know-how and expertise required for the effective utilization of these technologies to achieve sustainable development.

vi. Consideration must also be given to the role of patent protection and intellectual property rights along with an examination of their impact on the access to and transfer of environmentally sound technology, in particular to developing countries, as well as to further exploring efficiently the concept of assured access for developing countries to environmentally sound technology in its relation to proprietary rights with a view to developing effective responses to the needs of developing countries in this area.

vii. Concepts and modalities for assured access to environmentally sound technologies, including state-of-the-art technologies, in particular by developing countries, should continue to be explored, enhanced access to environmentally sound technologies should be promoted, facilitated and financed as appropriate, while providing fair incentives to innovators that promote research and development of new environmentally sound technologies

viii. Bearing in mind that recipient countries require technology and strengthened support to help further develop their scientific, technological, professional and related capacities, taking into account existing technologies and capacities.

Mr. Chairman,

29. The Group of 77 and China has addressed key issues related to a Common understanding and to the Way forward on Green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

30. In this regard, the G77 and China believes that the elements of what should be discussed should be developed in accordance with the principles contained in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities as well as respective capabilities and national priorities, with Agenda 21, and the instruments further adopted for the implementation of Agenda 21, in particular the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.

31. The G77 and China believes that the main challenge remains the lack of political will to fulfill the obligations agreed mostly in the past 20 years. Therefore, the implementation of a relevant outcome of the Conference in Rio as well as the fulfillment of the commitments on sustainable development, in particular made by developed countries, remain the cornerstone for the achievement of sustainable development.

32. At this point in time, the Group recognizes that there is no consensual agreement on the definition of a Green Economy in the context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication. The Group is discussing and considering further this theme based on, among others, these following tenets:

- Undertaking economic and social activities in an environmentally sound manner;
- Ensuring social inclusion and equity;
- Including tools to catalyze international cooperation in the multilateral framework for achieving sustainable development and poverty eradication through technology transfer/access and sustainable consumption and production patterns;
- Applying a multidimensional and multisectoral approach covering all aspects and stages of development;
- Analyzing the effects of practices conducive to the quantification and evaluation of ecosystem services oriented to establishing market mechanisms

33. Despite some progress made in the past decades, poverty eradication remains the most pressing issue in the area of sustainable development. Our common goal to eradicate the root causes of poverty should guide our efforts towards sustainability, while considering the needs of both present and future generations. Sustainable, sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth in developing countries will remain the main priority, in order to achieve their ultimate goals of eradicating poverty, hunger, achieving the MDGs and restoring harmony with nature. These are essential conditions to prepare action plans for technical and financial assistance to developing countries and to solve the current global imbalances and inequalities. In doing so, a harmonized balance among the three pillars of sustainable development must also be maintained.

Mr. Chairman,

34. The Group of 77 and China stresses that, the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development, as a whole, should focus on the due integration of the three pillars of sustainable development, the implementation of Agenda 21 and the JPOI and shall be based on an action- and result-oriented approach and be consistent with the principles of universality, democracy, transparency, cost-effectiveness and accountability, keeping in mind the principles of Rio, in particular the common but differentiated responsibilities.

35. In our submission, the G77 and China has also stated the General Principles and Goals that should be the basis of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development and should guide our efforts towards it, as well as underlined two main Functions: Implementation of sustainable development, and Integration of the three pillars of sustainable development.

36. The Group would like to reiterate that an effective IFSD should strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to foster international cooperation in order to address fully the wide range of issues pertaining to development, particularly of developing countries and reduce overlapping and duplication of responsibilities among the existing structures, while promoting effective coordination.

Mr. Chairman,

37. The G77 and China is looking forward to the convening of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
(UNCSD), Rio+20, in Brazil in 2012 and hopes that we can have useful and constructive discussions in this Second Intersessional Meeting. The Group of 77 and China has presented to the Bureau a proposal to change the schedule of meetings of the preparatory process of the UNCSD, and hopes that this proposal is considered favorably.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.