Co-Facilitators,

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

2. At the outset, we would like to commend the focus of today's informal consultation on the topic of 'coordination and coherence' through ECOSOC. We take note of the paper produced by the Co-Facilitators entitled 'Possible Timeline'. The Group suggests renaming the paper to "Proposed Timeline" since we consider this Timeline as an initial proposal that would be subject to thorough examination and discussion before we set the program of work for ECOSOC in the year to come.

Co-Facilitators,

3. In reaction to the useful 'Food for Thought' paper you have provided relating to the strengthening of coordination and coherence through ECOSOC, the Group wishes to stress that the aim of the review of the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 61/16 is to strengthen ECOSOC within its mandate under the Charter.

4. As we review the implementation of Resolution 61/16, it is crucial to place the ECOSOC's 'coordination and coherence' mandate in the context of the Rio+20 Outcome Document. ECOSOC is a principal platform for the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development. It has a mandated mechanism for the coordination of the United Nations system and supervision of its subsidiary bodies by strengthening system-wide coherence and coordination, including the overall coordination of funds, programmes and specialised agencies. Coordination and coherence therefore go together in avoiding duplication of mandates and activities.

5. The question of how to bring coherence into a complex mix of different institutions, subsidiary bodies, Funds and Programs, the BWIs and other relevant stakeholders, is intimately linked to the issue of ECOSOC's relevance as well as the future functions of the High Level Political Forum (HLPF). While ECOSOC is a principal body for policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on issues of sustainable development, the HLPF is a high-level intergovernmental political forum tasked to enhance integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development in a holistic and cross-sectoral manner at all levels. Given the complementarity between ECOSOC and the HLPF, the Group encourages the co-facilitators to consult with the co facilitators of the HLPF and interact closely with that process.

Co-Facilitators,

6. The Group concurs with your view that there is need for a more integrated approach to the United Nations agenda, particularly in the field of development. For ECOSOC to be a central mechanism for the coordination of the UN system and for it to play a key role in achieving a balanced integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development, the development agendas across the UN system must be streamlined to avoid duplication. The substance and agenda must be outcome-oriented and relevant to the current trends and global challenges that are of interest across the UN system.

7. The Group calls for greater transparency and accountability in the UN system, including the coordination process between ECOSOC and other stakeholders. For instance, we need to have a better flow of information on the interactions between ECOSOC and the BWIs. The Group proposes that the Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) provides written reports on what they have discussed prior to the briefings to member states to encourage meaningful exchange of views.

Co-Facilitators,

8. We note the 'Food for Thought' paper contains a number of suggestions on how the ECOSOC Bureau could play an active role to improve complementarity between the ECOSOC and the GA, the UN subsidiary bodies, Funds and Programmes, the BWIs, other specialised agencies and relevant stakeholders. While we agree that better coordination is required, the Group cautions against the suggestion to empower the Bureau to make proposals with regard to the clustering of subsidiary bodies.

Co-Facilitators,

9. The Group is in principle ready to examine the idea of holding a high-level 'Development Week' bringing together a diverse base of participants to discuss new development trends and emerging global development issues. Such dialogue should enrich the discussions on all the three dimensions of sustainable development. In this regard, the Group believes that the establishment of a Commission on Finance for Development will give the appropriate exposure and necessary political weight to align the objectives of Development Cooperation Forum and the Annual Ministerial Review under ECOSOC.

10. Finally, on the relationship between the review of the implementation of Resolution 61/16 on ECOSOC and other processes, it is important to the Group of 77 and China that we avoid creating an institutional mechanism which allows certain groupings to have preferential treatment over others.

Thank you.