Mr. Chair,

On behalf of the G 77 and China, we congratulate the Chair and the Bureau for their election to the Commission on Sustainable Development at its 14 th Session. We would also like to assure the Chair and the members of the Bureau of our commitment to this process and the importance the Group places on the issue of sustainable development.

These issues are critical to us in the developing world in their potential for eradicating poverty and for the furtherance of sustainable development. Sustainable development is the key element of the overarching framework for the United Nations activities, for which we are committed to achieve the internationally agreed development goals including the Millennium Development Goals.

We would like to thank the Bureau and the Secretariat for their efforts in organizing the work of CSD 14, which the Group has carefully studied, along with the other documents e.g. the Secretary General’s report as well as the Matrix. As the Chair rightly indicated in his Introductory Note, “As a review session, CSD-14 is tasked with identifying barriers and constraints, lessons learnt and best practices in implementation in the thematic cluster of energy for sustainable development, industrial development, air pollution/atmosphere and climate change”. We are of the view that these documents provide a basis from which to begin our deliberations.

As per the General Assembly Resolution, A/Res/60/193 on the Implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development; the General Assembly requested the Secretary General to submit “thematic reports on the thematic cluster”. Given that there has been some departure from previous language the Group therefore requests some clarification regarding the Secretary General’s single report as opposed to separate reports on the four themes. Member States’ decisions should underpin the process and that the balance in terms of the deliberations for each theme should be apparent. The Group is of the view that the title of the Secretary General’s report may suggest an emphasis on the theme of Energy. As recognized in the CSD-11 resolution all the issues identified in Agenda 21 and JPOI are important and the implementation process should cover all those issues equally. It is the expectation of the Group that the equal treatment for the four themes of this cycle should be reflected in the Organization of Work in order to allay any concerns regarding an imbalance in the treatment of the themes.

The Group of 77 is also of the view that the Matrix as explained by the Secretariat is a tool that could be useful provided that it represents the case studies factually and in a balanced way. We are presently looking at it very carefully. One of the concerns raised in the Group was the discomfort around the inclusion of decisions of CSD15 in this document as suggested by the Secretariat. We do understand that the Matrix is still work in progress but still think it is useful to flag this now. However it must be acknowledged that the Matrix could provide the possibility of a useful information tool in tracking implementation.

The Group is also awaiting the final lists of panelists. It is our ardent hope that experts will truly be representative of the global village.

While appreciating the efforts of the Secretariat in organizing the International Fair, Learning Center, and Side Events, the G77 requests the Secretariat and the Bureau to do their best in facilitating the active participation of developing countries in the above mentioned events. We believe participation in an equitable manner from all geographical regions will further enrich the outcomes of the events alongside the 14th Session of the CSD. The same policy should be pursued with regard to the composition and participation of Major Groups in the meetings and discussions.

Finally Mr. Chair, on behalf of the Group, let me assure you of our commitment and faith in your leadership. The issues raised are done so in a constructive manner. It is our hope that towards a successful meeting, these issues will be taken up in order that the process move ahead in a meaningful way.

I thank you.