Madam President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Allow me to begin by congratulating you Madam President, Your Excellency Madam Michelle Bachelet on the assumption of the Presidency by Chile in the Security Council for the month of January. We would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement this morning. Equally, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Patriota of Brazil - Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and Madam Leymah Gbowee, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 2011, President Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, for their interventions.

Madam President,

The Group of 77 does not traditionally speak at meetings of the Security Council. Our mandate, as a Group, is to focus on economic and social development issues. However, today's discussion by the Council on the topic of "Inclusive development for the maintenance of international peace and security", has prompted us to request the floor in order to put on record the views of over two thirds of the Member States of the United Nations.

Madam President,

The link between peace and security and development is undeniable. Fulfilment of development goals, would lessen the likelihood of conflict breaking out. Internal conflicts in various parts of the world, have at their very core, the plight of the population to their development aspirations. Many governments that have failed to meet these aspirations have been threatened by internal unrest. The failure to honour development assistance, provide debt relief to developing countries, opening of markets and transferring of technology have all played their negative role in consolidating stability. These are the issues that should be considered in their appropriate forum where we, as member states, should make concrete commitments in this regard.

The Group of 77 and China would like to point out that the primary mandate of the United Nations Security Council is the maintenance of international peace and security. The Charter of the United Nations clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of the Principal Organs of the United Nations. As this Group has stated in this Chamber before, the principle of the separation of the mandates of the UN organs must be respected.

Madam President,

The Security Council considers the issue of development in relation to peace and security at a critical time when the intergovernmental process of negotiations on post -2015 development agenda commences. In fact, the intergovernmental process, which begins today is going underway as we speak. The Group maintains its view that the mandate of the different organs of the United Nations should be respected as the General Assembly remains the highest deliberative body that affords all members states an equal opportunity to participate in development related debates.

The President of the General Assembly has appointed Co-facilitators to lead a process of negotiation on the post-2015 development agenda in which all stakeholders will participate in accordance with the rules of the General Assembly.

As the G77, we will engage in a constructive dialogue to ensure that the United Nations remains central in addressing these global development challenges. Our engagement at the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda is intended to ensure that the United Nations develop a global development agenda, which contributes to international development, thereby resulting in long-term prosperity and peace and security.

Madam President,

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the Group of 77 and China will continue to pursue the achievement of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty, as well as the fulfilment of the commitments made by developed countries in all development-related relevant bodies.

As Member States we are under obligation to ensure that these issues in all their complexity are addressed in the mandated UN bodies to ensure broader participation of Member States.

I thank you.