At the outset, the Group wishes to convey its appreciation to the Co-Chairs, Ambassador Brian Wallace, Permanent Representative of Jamaica, and Ambassador Carolyn Schwalger, Permanent Representative of New Zealand, for their work on the zero draft resolution of the Mandate Implementation Review process under the UN80 Initiative. The Group also notes the proposed roadmap, and appreciates the informative briefing held on 8 January, and the opportunity to present general comments today.

We would like to highlight, on a preliminary basis, the following general comments:

First, in our view this process must remain fully Member-State-led. From mandate creation to delivery and review, the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations must be preserved. Mandate texts are political instruments agreed upon by Member States, and this process should not result in the erosion of the substantive content or negotiated language that embody the collective will of Member States. Secretariat support should remain neutral and procedural, ensuring that negotiated language and the original intent of mandates are upheld.

Second, measures aimed at addressing growing administrative burden, including by consolidating meetings and reports, should be considered on a case-by-case basis, and should be undertaken only with the direction and consent of all Member States.

Third, the Group reiterates that the development pillar should maintain its priority under the UN80 Initiative with a focus on how to further enhance support to developing countries.
In addition, we would appreciate the Co-Chairs guidance on the following preliminary thoughts and questions:

1- We take note of the proposal to continue the work of the "Informal Ad Hoc Working Group on the Mandate Implementation Review" as the "Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review", "to monitor implementation of the principles and actions contained in this resolution from 1 April 2026 onwards". In this regard, we would appreciate further clarity on the proposed WG mandate, terms of reference, co-chairs, timeline and how it will reconcile with and avoid overlap with existing oversight bodies and processes.

2- Given the current roadmap, further information would be welcomed on how sufficient space will be ensured for genuine and transparent intergovernmental negotiations to build consensus. Any details regarding the format of the negotiations, including whether there will be an opportunity to engage in line-by-line negotiations, would be especially welcomed, as this would ensure transparency and inclusivity.

We acknowledge the additional information on the proposed "hybrid workshops with permanent representatives" provided in your Note dated 14 January, and we would appreciate further clarity on how it will be ensured that all Member States have the right to speak across the four workshop areas, and that developing countries are adequately represented. We also seek clarification on the expected outcomes of the workshops and on how consensus on the text will be achieved in the absence of direct negotiations among all Member States.

3- Considering that the United Nations mandate landscape is broad and diverse, spanning across the different areas of its three pillars, we would appreciate receiving detailed information on how the WG plans to move forward.

4.-Considering that the requests to the Secretary-General included in this resolution are significant, we would appreciate further clarity on their financial implications, as well as on the proposed timelines. We would also welcome additional information on how the creation of new duplications and PBIs will be avoided, while noting the need to prevent any additional burden on small delegations.

We also wish to underscore that all provisions pertaining to budgetary matters must be fully aligned with the authority, procedures, and established practice of the Fifth Committee, in accordance with its mandate.

5- Without prejudging the position of our group and its Member States, we also take this opportunity to note that further clarification is needed on several terms used in the resolution, including but not limited to: "standardized approach" in OP1E; "intergovernmental coordination and oversight mechanisms" in OP3; "absolutely necessary" on OP8; "greater flexibility" for the SG in OP11; "implementation assessments" in OP12; and "every available opportunity" in OP17 and OP18.

In conclusion, we reaffirm that the review must avoid the path of the 2006 exercise, nor should duplicate ongoing revitalization discussions in the General Assembly and the main committees. Instead, our efforts should be forward looking, objective, and balanced across all three pillars of the United Nations in line with the purposes of the UN Charter, ensuring that decisions remain firmly with Member States and that ongoing priorities, especially those of developing countries, are safeguarded, recalling that there is no "one size fits all" approach. We must uphold the general rule that UNGA resolutions remain valid until they are fully implemented.

Excellencies, dear Co-Chairs,

The Group of 77 and China acknowledges your hard work and stands ready to engage constructively in all negotiations related to the development pillar, with a view to ensuring that mandates remain fit for purpose, that resources are used effectively, and that the priorities of developing countries are fully reflected and advanced.

I thank you.

The Group of 77 and China recognizes that our world continues to face complex and interlinked challenges that demand immediate, coordinated action, including the escalating impacts of climate change, poverty, hunger, widening debt levels, limited Sustainable Development Goals' financing, biodiversity loss, widening digital divide and unilateral coercive measures, as well as persistent wars and conflicts that exacerbate humanitarian needs at a time of declining resources to respond to those needs.

The Group reaffirms its support to the Secretary-General's repeated call to rebuild trust and restore hope through inclusive multilateralism, an effective UN system and enhanced international cooperation, in accordance with the UN Charter and International Law.

We emphasize the urgent need to address the root causes of conflicts, focusing on lasting peace and resilience-building measures, particularly in developing countries disproportionately affected by instability.

On climate change, 2025 continued to witness unprecedented challenges, including escalating extreme weather events and increasing vulnerabilities in developing nations. The Group calls for the full and timely implementation of all decisions adopted at the sessions of the Conferences of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including those at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) held in Belém, Brazil in November 2025, in accordance with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

We reaffirm that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the multilateral framework to address climate change. We strongly call for enhanced funding for the Loss and Damage Fund to help the most vulnerable developing countries which are at the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Mr. President,

The Group underscores the need for a global financial system that addresses the needs of all nations equitably, particularly developing countries. We call for urgent comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture to address structural inequalities, ensure fair access to long term finance, and promote sustainable development as well as ensure the participation of developing countries in global economic decision making. This includes debt restructuring and the adoption of concessional financing frameworks that go beyond GDP-centric metrics to reflect multidimensional vulnerabilities.

In this regard, the Group also calls for the full and timely implementation of the commitments agreed in the "Compromiso de Sevilla", adopted during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Seville, Spain in June 2025.

Eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions remains critical in our efforts to achieve sustainable development. We reiterate our call for the international community to provide the required support to all developing countries to eradicate poverty. We therefore support all the proposals by the Secretary General to address the eradication of poverty, which remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.

Hunger and food insecurity remain critical issues for many developing countries. We stress the importance of concrete actions, including robust investments in agricultural resilience and food systems, to eradicate poverty, eliminate hunger and meet the 2030 Agenda targets.

The rapid evolution of technology, including Artificial Intelligence, presents opportunities for transformation but also risks deepening existing divides. We see digital transformation as a vital enabler for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing challenges such as quality education, healthcare, and climate action. The Group reiterates that developing countries must be part of this transformation and reaffirms its call to ensuring no one is left behind.

Mr. President,

The Group is concerned about the financial situation facing the United Nations, which is due to the failure by some member states to pay their contributions on time. We urge Member States to honor their financial commitments to the United Nations in full and on time, to avoid undermining critical processes and mandates. At the same time, we empathize with those unable to fulfill their obligations due to circumstances beyond their control.

The year 2026 offers significant opportunities to accelerate progress, like the Forum on Financing for Development Follow Up, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the Special Meeting on Financial Integrity and the implementation of the Independent Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, among others.

At the same time, the Group of 77 and China stands ready to engage constructively in the UN80 process in 2026, with a view to ensuring that mandates remain fit for purpose, that resources are used effectively, and that the priorities of developing countries are fully reflected and advanced, through forward looking, objective, and balanced efforts across all three pillars of the United Nations.

In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its unwavering support for the Secretary-General's efforts to strengthen multilateralism and uphold the Charter of the United Nations during the remainder of his term, and to ensure that the UN remains at the forefront of ensuring the achievement of sustainable development by 2030 and beyond.

I thank you, Mr. President.

Señora Presidenta,

Es un honor pronunciar esta declaración en nombre del Grupo de los 77 y China. En primer lugar, expresamos nuestro agradecimiento al Secretario General por la presentación de su Informe sobre la labor de la Organización en 2025 y por exponer sus prioridades para 2026.

El Grupo de los 77 y China reconoce que nuestro mundo continúa enfrentando desafíos complejos e interrelacionados que requieren una acción inmediata y coordinada, entre ellos los impactos cada vez mayores del cambio climático, la pobreza, el hambre, el aumento de los niveles de endeudamiento, la limitada financiación de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, la pérdida de biodiversidad, la creciente brecha digital y las medidas coercitivas unilaterales, así como las guerras y conflictos persistentes que agravan las necesidades humanitarias en un contexto de disminución de los recursos disponibles para atenderlas.

El Grupo reafirma su apoyo al reiterado llamado del Secretario General a reconstruir la confianza y restaurar la esperanza mediante un multilateralismo inclusivo, un sistema de las Naciones Unidas eficaz y una cooperación internacional reforzada, de conformidad con la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y el Derecho Internacional.

Subrayamos la necesidad urgente de abordar las causas raíz de los conflictos, poniendo énfasis en la paz duradera y en medidas que fortalezcan la resiliencia, en particular en los países en desarrollo desproporcionadamente afectados por la inestabilidad.

En materia de cambio climático, 2025 siguió siendo testigo de desafíos sin precedentes, incluida la escalada de fenómenos meteorológicos extremos y el aumento de las vulnerabilidades en los países en desarrollo. El Grupo exhorta a la plena y oportuna implementación de todas las decisiones adoptadas en los períodos de sesiones de las Conferencias de las Partes de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático, incluidas aquellas aprobadas en la 30ª Conferencia de las Partes (COP30), celebrada en Belém, Brasil, en noviembre de 2025, de conformidad con los principios de equidad y de responsabilidades comunes pero diferenciadas y capacidades respectivas.

Reafirmamos que la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático constituye el marco multilateral para abordar el cambio climático. Exhortamos enérgicamente a que se refuerce la financiación del Fondo para Pérdidas y Daños a fin de apoyar a los países en desarrollo más vulnerables, que se encuentran en la primera línea de la crisis climática.

Señora Presidenta,

El Grupo subraya la necesidad de un sistema financiero mundial que atienda de manera equitativa las necesidades de todas las naciones, en particular de los países en desarrollo. Exhortamos a una reforma integral y urgente de la arquitectura financiera internacional para abordar las desigualdades estructurales, garantizar un acceso justo a la financiación a largo plazo y promover el desarrollo sostenible, así como asegurar la participación de los países en desarrollo en la toma de decisiones económicas mundiales. Ello incluye la reestructuración de la deuda y la adopción de marcos de financiación en condiciones favorables que vayan más allá de métricas centradas en el PIB, a fin de reflejar las vulnerabilidades multidimensionales.

En este sentido, el Grupo también hace un llamado a la plena y oportuna implementación de los compromisos acordados en el "Compromiso de Sevilla", adoptado durante la Cuarta Conferencia Internacional sobre la Financiación para el Desarrollo, celebrada en Sevilla, España, en junio de 2025.

La erradicación de la pobreza en todas sus formas y dimensiones sigue siendo un elemento fundamental en nuestros esfuerzos por lograr el desarrollo sostenible. Reiteramos nuestro llamado a la comunidad internacional para que proporcione el apoyo necesario a todos los países en desarrollo para erradicar la pobreza. Por lo tanto, respaldamos todas las propuestas del Secretario General dirigidas a abordar la erradicación de la pobreza, que sigue siendo el mayor desafío global y un requisito indispensable para el desarrollo sostenible.

El hambre y la inseguridad alimentaria continúan siendo cuestiones críticas para muchos países en desarrollo. Destacamos la importancia de acciones concretas, que incluyan inversiones sólidas en la resiliencia agrícola y los sistemas alimentarios, para erradicar la pobreza, eliminar el hambre y alcanzar los objetivos de la Agenda 2030.

La rápida evolución de la tecnología, incluida la Inteligencia Artificial, presenta oportunidades de transformación, pero también riesgos de profundizar las brechas existentes. Consideramos la transformación digital como un medio fundamental para lograr los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible y abordar desafíos como la educación de calidad, la atención sanitaria y la acción climática. El Grupo reitera que los países en desarrollo deben formar parte de esta transformación y reafirma su llamado a garantizar que nadie se quede atrás.

Señora Presidenta,

El Grupo expresa su preocupación por la situación financiera que enfrenta las Naciones Unidas, la cual se debe al incumplimiento de algunos Estados Miembros en el pago oportuno de sus contribuciones. Instamos a los Estados Miembros a cumplir sus compromisos financieros con las Naciones Unidas en su totalidad y de manera puntual, a fin de evitar socavar procesos y mandatos críticos. Al mismo tiempo, expresamos nuestra empatía con aquellos que no pueden cumplir con sus obligaciones debido a circunstancias fuera de su control.

El año 2026 ofrece oportunidades significativas para acelerar el progreso, como el Foro de Seguimiento sobre la Financiación para el Desarrollo, el Foro Político de Alto Nivel sobre Desarrollo Sostenible, la Reunión Especial sobre Integridad Financiera, la implementación del Panel Científico Independiente sobre Inteligencia Artificial (IA) y el primer Diálogo Global sobre Gobernanza de la IA, entre otros.

Al mismo tiempo, el Grupo de los 77 y China está dispuesto a participar de manera constructiva en el proceso UN80 en 2026, con el objetivo de garantizar que los mandatos se adecúen a sus propósitos, que los recursos se utilicen de manera eficaz y que las prioridades de los países en desarrollo sean plenamente consideradas, mediante esfuerzos prospectivos, objetivos y equilibrados en los tres pilares de las Naciones Unidas.

En conclusión, el Grupo de los 77 y China reafirma su apoyo inquebrantable a los esfuerzos del Secretario General para fortalecer el multilateralismo y defender la Carta de las Naciones Unidas durante el resto de su mandato y para garantizar que la ONU continúe a la vanguardia en lo que refiere al logro del desarrollo sostenible en el 2030 y más allá.

Muchas gracias, Señora Presidenta.

For Iraq, it has been both a privilege and a historic responsibility to chair the Group of 77 and China for the first time since the establishment of our Group sixty years ago. On this occasion, I wish to express my deep appreciation to all members of the Group for the trust placed in Iraq, and for the spirit of unity, cooperation and solidarity that has characterized our collective work throughout this last year.

I also wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Deputy Secretary-General, the various entities of the UN development system and departments, and the G77 Secretariat, for their continued support and constructive engagement with the Group during Iraq's tenure. We particularly appreciate the efforts of the Secretary-General over the past year to advance proposals aimed at strengthening multilateralism and responding more effectively to the development priorities and needs of developing countries.

Excellencies,

Throughout 2025, under Iraq's Chairmanship, the Group of 77 and China played an active and coordinated critical role in shaping intergovernmental processes and outcomes across the United Nations system. Our collective efforts were guided by a shared determination to advance a more just, inclusive and equitable international economic order-one that enables sustainable growth, poverty eradication and improved standards of living for all our peoples.

The Group engaged substantively in key global processes, including preparations for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the World Summit for Social Development, the reform of the international financial architecture, and discussions on digital cooperation and artificial intelligence, to name a few. Across these processes, the Group consistently emphasized the centrality of development, the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, and the need for predictable and adequate means of implementation for developing countries.

At the outset onset of Iraq's Chairmanship, we committed to prioritizing, inter alia, the acceleration of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; enhanced action on climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation in accordance with multilateral agreements; the mobilization of financing for development; the fight against illicit financial flows; and the promotion of inclusive digital transformation. Over the course of the year, the Group worked collectively to translate these priorities into concrete negotiating positions and outcomes, while safeguarding national circumstances and development pathways.

Excellencies,

The year 2025 has also underscored the importance of a United Nations development system that is responsive, coherent and adequately resourced. While we recognize and value the important work carried out by the United Nations and its entities, the evolving global landscape calls for continued reform to ensure that the system is better equipped to address intersecting crises, including debt vulnerabilities, climate impacts, widening inequalities and technological disruptions. In this context, the Group of 77 and China has consistently advocated for reforms that strengthen development effectiveness, enhance country ownership, and ensure that no country is left behind.

I am pleased to note that, throughout these demanding processes and a very intense geopolitical landscape, the Group of 77 and China has remained united, principled and forward-looking. This unity remains our greatest strength, and it will be essential as we continue to defend and advance the collective interests of developing countries within the United Nations.

Excellencies,

As Iraq hands over the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, we do so with full confidence in Uruguay's leadership and commitment to multilateralism. We are confident that you and your distinguished delegation will guide the Group with wisdom, inclusiveness and a strong spirit of consensus-building, in pursuit of our shared goals and objectives.

Iraq stands ready to extend its full cooperation and support to the incoming Chair and will continue to play an active and constructive role as a committed member of the Group of 77 and China.

I wish Uruguay every success in leading our Group toward the realization of our common aspiration for a fair, balanced and equitable international economic, social and environmental order.

I thank you.