Madam Chairperson,
 
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China after the adoption of resolution on "Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus" (A/C.2/62/L. 59) under agenda item 53.

At the outset, allow me to express our felicitations to the distinguished co-facilitators for their outstanding work in bridging the gap among the delegates.

Madam Chairperson,

2. We have joined consensus on this resolution as we accord great importance to the Follow up International Conference on Financing for Development and the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus, which outlined the comprehensive national and international policy actions required to achieve the internationally agreed development goals.

3. We are confident that the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus, to be held in Qatar from 29 November to 2 December 2008, will provide a platform to meaningfully address the global economic imbalances and inequities, assess the progress made, reaffirm goals and commitments, share best practices and lessons learned, and identify obstacles and constraints encountered, actions and initiatives to overcome them and important measures for further implementation, as well as new challenges and emerging issues.

4. We would like to participate in the Conference at the Summit level, and encourage all countries to participate in the Conference at the highest possible political level, including at the level of heads of states or governments.

Madam Chairperson,

5. The Group of 77 and China is pleased to see the roadmap for the preparatory process of the Conference. We are, however, disappointed that enough time could not be allocated for the informal consultations on the outcome document. We expect that the negotiations on the outcome document would begin as early as possible, so as to provide enough time for the delegations to carefully examine the issues and make substantive contributions to the outcome.

6. The Group of the 77 and China remains committed to actively engage in advancing the global discourse on financing for development and to work towards a result oriented, negotiated and positive outcome of the Doha Conference.

7. We request that this statement reflecting our position to the resolution on "Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus" (A/C.2/62/L.59) be included verbatim in the report of the session.

I thank you.