I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Member States of the Group of 77 and China. The G77 and China wishes to thank the Secretary-General for his reports on the items we are discussing today.

Mr. President,

Despite all the actions and commitments by African countries, the main constraint to African development remains the lack of adequate resources. It is however highly commendable that African leaders have been taking ownership and leadership of the continent's socio-economic renewal agenda in order to transform its development agenda through the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). We believe that challenges that the continent continues to contend with, like the fight against poverty, high youth unemployment, and rising inequality amongst others, need global cooperation and partnership.

The G77 and China also believe that Africa requires more support in its development path, including through its developmental framework entitled "the African Union's Agenda 2063" as its strategic agenda for ensuring a positive socio-economic transformation in Africa within the next fifty years. The G77 and China is encouraged by the importance attached by Member States in supporting the AU Agenda 2063 and we are certain that the support given will translate into firm commitments toward Africa's development.

Mr President

The G77 and China further believes that the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda present tangible prospects for foreign direct investment flows into Africa, accordingly serving as an important source of financing for development in the continent without upsetting the Official Development Assistance, which remains the main source of international financing for the development. The group reiterate the importance of the need for developed countries to fulfill their commitments regarding ODA to developing countries and to also provide genuine debt relief to African countries, especially LDCs. The Group would like to reiterate that North-South Cooperation still lies at the core of the global partnership for development. South-South Cooperation, Triangular Cooperation and the private sector are complements, rather than substitutes. The 2030 Development Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda are transformative in nature and would play a critical role in achieving development objectives and inclusive sustainable growth and development in Africa. The G77 and China is of a firm belief that this will undoubtedly contribute to much active participation of the African economies in the global economy and would also promote regional economic cooperation and integration.

Mr President

The Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to all the delegations for their constructive contribution earlier this year which has led to the adoption of resolution on "Causes of Conflict and the Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa". This is a continued affirmation of the support that the United Nations membership has towards the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa. We believe that the resolution continues to be an important platform in stressing Africa's responsibility and role for peace and security in the continent and entails the need for Africa to strengthen its capacity to address the root causes of conflict and to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner.

The G77 and China acknowledges positive trends and advances in obtaining durable peace in Africa and also emphasizes the need to create conditions required for durable peace, as a necessity for sustainable development. In this regard, there is an urgent need to continue developing African human and institutional capacities, particularly in countries emerging from conflict.

Furthermore, besides traditional threats to peace and security in Africa, we must equally find solutions to address other emerging challenges, particularly terrorism. We therefore maintain the need for the UN system to support African regional and sub- regional organizations in the implementation of counter terrorism action plans. In this regard, we are encouraged by the commitment of member states in supporting the efforts of African countries to achieve the goal of a conflict-free Africa and to end all wars in Africa by 2020.

Mr President

Over the past 15 years, the world has seen tremendous progress on malaria control and prevention. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nine countries (Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Namibia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Swaziland and Eritrea) are on track to reduce malaria incidence by 75% and three additional countries are projected to achieve reductions between 50% and 75% by the end of 2015. These tremendous results mean that 3.9 million child deaths have been averted in Africa.

Mr President

Lastly, despite the success of this unprecedented scaling up of anti-malaria interventions, much work remains to be done and many countries in Africa continue to experience challenges in rolling back Malaria, consequently falling short of national and international targets. As we move toward the Sustainable Development Goals and pursuit of malaria elimination, there is a persistent need for the UN system, specifically the WHO to assist in addressing weak health systems and inequitable access to health services, elevate domestic and international financing and deal with insecticide resistance in Africa.

I thank you.