Mr. President,

On behalf of the Group of 77 and China as well as other co-sponsors, I have the honour to introduce the draft resolution entitled "Grduation of Samoa" contained in document A/62/L.33.

Mr. President,

2. We stress the need for a smooth transition strategy for countries graduation from the list of least developed countries. In this regard, the Economic and Social Council, during its substantive session in July this year, decided in its resolution 2007/35 to endorse the recommendation of the Committee for Development Policy that Samoa be graduated from the list of least developed countries.

3. It is in this backdrop that the Group of 77 and China have tabled this resolution, which requires the attention of the international community.

Mr. President,

4. No country wants to live in poverty for ever and all of us agree with the concept of graduation. However, the criteria and rule of graduation need to be fair, and the country concerned should be fully on board.

5. Samoa is economically vulnerable. As a small island developing state it is also vulnerable to impact of climate change. We ask development partners to be forthcoming in recognizing these vulnerabilities and in the event of Samoa's graduation, and continue providing assistance for the country's smooth transition and long term development.

6. We also reiterate our call for the full, timely and effective implementation of the goals and targets of the Brussels Programme of Action, Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius Strategy for Implementation to address the special needs and vulnerabilities of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.

7. On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I wish to thank all those Member States who have co-sponsored this important resolution. We hope that the General Assembly will adopt this draft resolution by consensus.

I thank you.