Madam Chair,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of G77 and China.

We welcome the convening of the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development under the priority theme "Advancing Social Development and Social Justice through Coordinated, Equitable, and Inclusive Policies".

The Group of 77 and China thanks the Secretary-General for his reports and takes note of the recommendations contained therein.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires inclusive policies and a renewed commitment towards solidarity and trust, to manage global challenges and advance social justice.

Challenges such as poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme and multidimensional poverty, hunger and malnutrition, coupled with persistent socio-economic consequences, as well as financial crises, armed conflicts and wars, growing global food insecurity, climate change and environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and other challenges affect the economic and social development of developing countries and undermines its progress toward social justice and social inclusion.

Madam Chair,

At the World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen in 1995, an international consensus to put people at the center of development was established.

Thirty years later, this common vision was at the core of the second World Summit on Social Development, held in Doha in 2025. The G77 participated in the Summit and in the negotiation of its Political Declaration with hope that this historic milestone helps advance concrete commitments to achieve inclusive, just and socially cohesive societies based on equity, equality, solidarity and trust.

The international community stands at a pivotal moment, one that calls for a resolve to translate our commitments into tangible outcomes for accelerating social progress to achieve the objectives of the Copenhagen Declaration, the Doha Political Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our shared aspiration for a more inclusive, just and equitable world and our call to reduce inequalities within and between countries, as contained in the 2030 Agenda, demands a strengthened multilateralism and deeper cooperation and solidarity among nations.

The Group emphasizes the importance of taking significant action to eradicate poverty and hunger, to reduce the growing digital divide, to ensure social protection and access to decent work opportunities for all, to fight against all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and to reduce uncertainty, inequality and insecurity, respecting human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

We recognize the positive contributions of migrants to inclusive growth and sustainable development and we acknowledged the important contribution of women and girls to sustainable development. Women's economic empowerment not only helps to fulfill women's rights, fosters gender equality and improves the lives and wellbeing of women and girls, but it also accelerates achievement across other development outcomes.

Madam Chair,

We must redouble our collective efforts if we really want to fulfill our pledge to "leave no one behind". These unprecedented times call for an unprecedented response from the international community.

There is an imperative need for North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation, to support national efforts to realize the commitments made in the Copenhagen Declaration, the Doha Political Declaration as well as those contained in the 2030 Agenda.

The Group reaffirms its determination to place people at the center of development and reiterates that only by acting with unity, compassion and determination, our promises of today will become the reality of tomorrow.

I thank you.