Madame President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

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

2. Twenty-five years ago, representatives from 179 countries gathered in Cairo, Egypt for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and adopted a visionary Programme of Action that aimed to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls and to promote their empowerment. It was and remains a milestone document that addressed the linkages between population, social progress and economic growth in the context of sustainable development. Instead of focusing on reaching population targets, the Programme of Action affirmed that investment in the individual rights of peoples, choices and well-being should come first. It recognized that reproductive health, as well as women's empowerment and gender equality, are the pathways to sustainable development and improved well-being for all.

3. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the holding of this high-level commemorative event. It provides a vital opportunity for the international community to recognize gaps and challenges, to consolidate lessons learned, and to reaffirm their commitments, along with redoubling their efforts, while sustaining the achievements and increasing resources to accelerate progress towards the fulfillment of the Programme of Action.

4. Furthermore, the ICPD's Programme of Action for achieving the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development cannot be overly emphasized. Together with the Beijing Declaration and the Addis Ababa Action agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, they comprise the instruments for the eradication of poverty and for the protection, respect and fulfillment of human rights.

Madame President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

5. The Group is encouraged that progress has been made in attaining many of the goals and objectives of the ICPD Program of Action. At the same time, however, the Group recognizes that progress is uneven and slow, both within and among countries, with the benefits of social and economic progress shared unequally.

6. Thus, the Group calls for increased efforts to be exerted for a more inclusive process in order to accomplish the bold vision articulated in the ICPD Program of Action and the 2030 Agenda. Some of those shared objectives and responsibilities include efforts to promote the dignity and human rights of all persons; reduce poverty; assure stronger health systems; ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services; promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; promote sustainable cities and balanced rural and urban development; promote the rights and opportunities of young people and older persons in education and decent work; redress inequality and discrimination; protect the human rights of migrants, refugees and displaced persons; promote sustainable development and address the risks of climate change, among other domains.

7. Our Group continues to note with concern that the resources directed towards the implementation of the Programme of Action of the ICPD have been consistently below target. In order to address this concern, we call on donors, UN organizations and other international organizations to work together to enhance financial and technical support to developing countries, including in the field of capacity building towards achievement of ICPD principles and goals.

Madame President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

8. We believe that the ICPD is more relevant now than ever. Together, we have the potential to unleash promising opportunities for those left behind and help pave the way for sustainable, equitable and inclusive development for all.

9. In conclusion, I would like to thank you Madame President for organizing this important meeting and I would like to take this opportunity to express our group's appreciation to Dr. Natalia Kanem the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for her informative statement and her outstanding contribution.

I thank you, Madame President.