Distinguished co-chairs of the preparatory committee,
Excellencies,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group wishes to offer its appreciation to both Co-Chairs, the distinguished Ambassadors of the Maldives and New Zealand for guiding us thus far through this process.

The Group underscores its steadfast commitment to constructive engagement in the discussions of the draft outcome document for the Fourth SIDS Conference.

We likewise underscore the need for the international community to adequately and effectively respond to SIDS special case for sustainable development, as they face unique social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities. Defining that response is the bedrock of our overall objective for the next SIDS Programme and Action, and anchors our engagement and approach to the outcome document.

While progress has been slower than we would wish, it is not sufficient to assess progress merely by pace. It must be assessed against substance and against clarity of options and understandings. In our assessment, there has been progress. In case of other issues that require our attention, we shall competently resolve them in the spirit of solidarity and consensus.

The Group of 77 and China continues to stand firmly in support of SIDS and the new 10-year programme of action, and we are committed to working tirelessly in concluding these negotiations, at the expert level, who have been equipped with the relevant mandates to engage in these negotiations, bearing in mind that many of the remaining paragraphs are highly technical.

Nonetheless, the benefit that we can draw from this gathering is that we can impress upon our experts that they need to try harder to do justice to SIDS issues. We propose the following basic parameters as a way of moving ahead:

- SIDS should lead the way for their own development. SIDS should not be asked to compromise on their own ambition. Nor should they be asked to adopt a vision that lacks their ownership in their achievement of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development
- SIDS needs and priorities should remain front and centre.
- SIDS progress now and in the next decades is paramount.

The document needs to set milestones from the point of its adoption and at each step of this journey into the future. We want SIDS to be further ahead not furthest behind.

So we take this opportunity to appeal to other negotiating groups and partner countries to also engage in these negotiations in a constructive manner that will allow for the outcome document to be focused on the needs and priorities of SIDS and to conclude in a timely manner.

Co-Chairs,

As with many intergovernmental negotiations, there are divergences on key points. However, past processes have shown that we are always able to reach consensus, especially with continued massaging of issues and the space that would allow for informal-informal consultations and further bilateral discussions.

The Fourth International Conference is the perfect opportunity to collectively build on how the international community, including developed countries, will contribute to SIDS achieving resilient prosperity.

Finally, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its solidarity and support for our brothers and sisters of SIDS and reiterates its commitment to continue to working closely for their sustainable development.

Thank you.