![]() Madam Chair, 1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China at the closing of the first part of the resumed seventy-ninth session of the Fifth Committee. 2. The Group would like to thank you, Madam Chair, and your bureau members, for your strong leadership throughout this session, which allowed for the successful conclusion of the work of the Fifth Committee. We are grateful to all facilitators for your tireless efforts in guiding the work of the Committee. 3. We also wish to recognize the hard work and efforts of representatives of the Secretariat for the Fifth Committee in support of our work and proceedings this session. Madam Chair, 4. We are pleased to have reached consensus on some of the agenda items this session. Our Group appreciates the efforts made by all negotiators towards finalizing agreements on agenda items relating to the Organisation's ICT Strategy, the Joint Inspection Unit, and the revised estimates on measures to combat Islamophobia. However, our inability to conclude some of the other agenda items is a matter of concern for our Group. 5. In particular, the Group regrets the absence of comprehensive agreements under agenda items such as Human Resources Management and Accountability. We made every attempt to achieve consensus by moving significantly from our long-standing positions in the true spirit of compromise. It is concerning that we were not able to adopt substantive resolutions on these important matters and we look forward to renewed and more meaningful efforts in the next sessions to successfully producing consensus on these very important matters. 6. Despite our divergences on these agenda items, there were a few areas of convergence that we hope will form the basis of our discussions in future sessions, we especially look forward to continue building consensus on the thorough review of the Organization's internship programme, to develop a centralised system that promotes more opportunities for interns from developing countries in the Organization. We also hope to achieve meaningful results on air travel during the next first resumed session. 7.We also look forward to the coming sessions to continue working in an inclusive manner, especially in identifying steps to address the Organization's recurrent liquidity problems, which can only be sustainably resolved if Member States fulfil their obligations to pay their assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions. Madam Chair, 8. The Group of 77 and China remains committed to the work of this Committee in helping this Organization deliver on its mandates. We stand ready to engage with all delegations in an inclusive, transparent and effective manner. I thank you, Madam Chair. Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, the Group expresses its appreciation to the President of the Economic and Social Council for convening this Special Meeting on International Cooperation in Tax Matters. The Group recognizes the importance of this platform in advancing inclusive and effective tax cooperation, particularly in the context of the ongoing efforts to enhance the mobilization of domestic resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Group notes with concern that the financing gap for the SDGs remains substantial. In this regard, we emphasize that international tax cooperation is a fundamental component of the international financing architecture, as it enables developing countries to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and address illicit financial flows, tax avoidance, and tax evasion. The Group underscores that discussions on international tax cooperation must be inclusive, and transparent, recognizing the role of the United Nations, where all Member States participate on an equal footing. In this regard, we recall the adoption of General Assembly resolution A/RES/79/235, which establishes an open-ended intergovernmental negotiating committee for the purpose of drafting the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation and two early protocols simultaneously. This is a significant step towards a more just and equitable global tax system that fully considers the needs and priorities of developing countries. The Group reiterates that international tax rules should support, rather than hinder, the ability of developing countries to mobilize domestic resources. The taxation of cross-border services, the digital economy, and the prevention of profit shifting by multinational enterprises are central to the discussions for the Group. We stress the importance of capacity-building and technical assistance to help developing countries implement effective tax policies and administration. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its strong commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in tax matters. We will continue to advocate for an inclusive and effective international tax system that reflects the development needs of all countries and contributes to a more just and sustainable global economy. I thank you Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, the Group would like to thank the co-facilitators for their efforts in the preparation of the elements paper. We note with appreciation that the text will be following the format of previous ministerial declarations. This is essential to give a straightforward and logical structure to the document. The Group believes that the current outline needs to be further strengthened. The language of the previous HLPF Ministerial Declarations should be used as the basis for 2025 HLPF Ministerial Declaration. Terminologies from relevant inter-governmentally agreed UN development outcomes such as the 2030 Agenda, UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, and Addis Ababa Action Agenda must be used. On Section I of the elements paper, focus should be placed on the urgent need to address the alarming SDGs financing gap, poverty and hunger and ensuring that no one and no country is left behind. Further, the digital divide and technological disparities, limiting access to innovation and AI, especially when 6.2 billion people are still offline, can be considered. It is important that we do not prejudge ongoing discussions in other ongoing processes. At the same time, we underline the need to implement the Political Declaration of the 2023 SDG Summit as well as the relevant development-related commitments on the Pact for the Future, while reaffirming that the HLPF is the mandated platform to review the Agenda 2030 and its SDGs, which is our guidance towards realizing our sustainable development. On Section II, we would emphasize that, in addition to the elements highlighted in the draft outline, the following additional actions must be included: -Exert all efforts to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions - economic, social and environmental - in a balanced and integrated manner, while guided by all the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Regarding SDG 3: we appreciate that the number of issues that were raised by the Group are reflected in the paper. However, we believe that the missing elements in this segment which are critical for developing countries to achieve SDG3 are strengthened. This includes international cooperation and the means of implementation. The Group is also of the view that the zero draft must address various approaches and issues in relation to health in a balanced, inclusive and consensual manner, particularly on the notion of One Health Approach and climate-change related impact, the zero draft ought to avoid singling out or highlighting one issue or approach over others. Therefore, we believe that the following key elements should be addressed and further strengthened: - Scale up adequate and sustainable health financing and investment for developing countries and recognize that financing SDG 3 requires global solidarity and collective effort. - Recognizing that SDG5 faces setbacks when there are delays in achieving other SDGs, and that the most vulnerable to risks are often the most adversely effected. At the same time, SDG5 needs to be considered as a cross-cutting element in accelerating the other SDGs. The Group regrets that its strong call for "tangible actions" is not included in the elements paper, as we believe that it is important to build on the momentum and commitments of Beijing+30 to focus on accelerating progress, especially at a time when SDG5 remains incredibly off-track. Regarding SDG 8, we appreciate that some important issues for the Group have been taken on board in this section. Even though we don't fully go along with some language as they have been reflected, we look forward to seeing how they are addressed in the Zero Draft and work on that basis to make it agreeable. The focus should be to support sustainable development across its three pillars in a balanced and integrated manner. The Group would not be supportive of a one-size-fits all approach. On the other hand, there are some key matters that remain of serious concern, mainly the notion of "shared ownership" of the SDGs. The Group does not support this approach, which undermines the principle of national ownership and the leadership at the country level in our pursuit of sustainable development, as reflected in the 2030 Agenda. The Group believes that the following key actions on SDG8 are missing in the elements paper, and need to be addressed: 1- Recommit to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth in developing countries. Invest in economy, including care-economy, to restore and create jobs. Regarding SDG 14, the Group appreciates that the key issues raised by the Group have been included in the elements paper. However, we do see a scope to strengthen these elements. First, the Group would like to see stronger language on means of implementation. In this regard, we support enhancing financial mechanisms to drive SDG14, including commitment to supporting capacity building, facilitating exchange of knowledge, technology and innovation, and financial mobilization to all developing countries to achieve SDG14. We would also like to see reference to enhancing cooperation, including South-South and triangular cooperation in addressing SDG14. Second, we would like to recognize the potential of blue economy initiatives, including eco-tourism, and small-scale and artisanal fisheries, for achieving sustainable development and livelihoods, food security and employment. We also highlight the need for investing in such initiatives, and providing incentives to sustainably promote blue economy, including through promoting responsible fisheries, as well as combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. We want to underline that economic growth must be balanced with environmental protection and social inclusion in sustainable ocean management. Third, we are of the view that the Ministerial Declaration should acknowledge progress made in multilateral processes towards the achievement of SDG14, including the conclusion of the KMGBF, and the BBNJ Agreement. The Group would also like to emphasize that the discussion on enhancing efforts to build climate resilience must include the principles of equity and CBDR-RC. We would note that in achieving SDG14, relevant traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and local knowledge systems must also be considered at the same level as science and evidence based solutions. The Group is also of the view that we should not prejudge the outcome of ongoing discussions under different processes, including UNOC3 and the Plastics Treaty. SDG 17 Regarding SDG 17, We understand that, given the ongoing consultation of FfD4 Outcome Document, we should not prejudge the outcome of the negotiation. We wish to stress that while we recognize that domestic resource mobilization is an important source for financing for development, ODA clearly remains a critical source of development financing and we strongly urge developed countries to scale up and fulfill the ODA commitments as they bear the primary responsibility in financing for development. Besides, the Group wishes to include the following issues missing on the element papers that are essential to the Group, and need to be addressed: 1- Stress our deep concern on financing gaps and decreasing trends of development finance. Recognize the urgency of providing predictable, sustainable and sufficient development finance to developing countries. 15- - Recommit to preventing and combating illicit financial flows and strengthening international cooperation and good practices on assets return and recovery. Reaffirm our commitment to strive to eliminate safe havens that create incentives for the transfer abroad of stolen assets and illicit financial flows. 16- - Take action to bridge the digital divides and spread the benefits of digitalization through technology transfer. Expand participation of all countries, in particular developing countries, in the digital economy, including by enhancing their digital infrastructure connectivity, building their capacities and access to technological innovations. 17- Enchance support to developing countries to enhance their national data and statistical capacity. Regarding the Voluntary National Reviews, the Group notes the following: - The VNRs should be strengthened as a tool for sharing knowledge and tracking progress. We recognize the valuable work of the Group of Friends of VNR, co-chaired by Morocco and the Philippines, and encourage greater support for developing countries in preparing comprehensive VNRs. We look forward to engaging on the zero draft, to work together and formulate language for the Ministerial Declaration, which will have the most impact, while respecting the diversity of views of the UN members. Thank you. 31st Annual Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs (27 September 2007)
Press Briefing by G-77 Chairman at the 41st G-77 Chapters Meeting (26-27 February 2007)
Press Conference by G-77 Chairman on G-77 Agenda and UN Reform (20 February 2007)
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