Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Firstly, Ambassador Al-Thani, I wish to thank you for organizing this timely and important event and for extending an invitation to Iraq to deliver these remarks on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Through you I wish to also express thanks to the Government of the State of Qatar for its continued contribution to driving the social development agenda.

As we sit on the margins of the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development and look forward to the forthcoming Second World Summit for social Development, It is difficult not to notice the very concerning and challenging global environment, where poverty and hunger are increasing, the devastating negative impacts of climate change are taking a toll on peoples' well-being, social protection, livelihood and development aspirations.

Therefore, The summit's Political Declaration should be a concise, action-oriented declaration that sets out a plan of action that we should commit to achieve and which places people at the center of development and gives momentum to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Also, the United Nations system, especially the specialized agencies, funds, programs, and regional commissions, have to ramp up their contribution to advancing social development.

We must continue to advocate for development that is inclusive and benefits all people, while respecting the development paths chosen by individual countries, respecting the right of all countries to equal participation in international affairs and to development, the need to address development concerns of developing countries with concrete actions, and reduce inequality among and within countries, leaving no country and no person behind.

A thorough reform of the international financial architecture and institutions is urgent and long overdue, if there is a true commitment to advance social and economic development efforts worldwide

We believe that international development cooperation, North-South, south-south and triangular cooperation, remain a catalyst to fulfilling social development objectives. The international community and development partners have a pivotal role to play in collaborating with and supporting developing countries in implementing their social development agenda.

The Group underscores that many developing countries will not be able to advance in social development efforts, while they face unilateral coercive measures, contrary to international law, which have a direct and negative impact on the wellbeing of their populations.

The Group highlights the importance of family-oriented policies and programs as tools for, inter alia, fighting poverty, social exclusion and inequality, promoting work-family balance and the empowerment of women and girls and advancing social integration and intergenerational solidarity, to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The Group recognizes the essential contribution of elderly persons, youth and persons with disabilities to our societies. Therefore, we must ensure the mainstreaming of their challenges and priorities into our strategies to foster an environment that secures their dignity and human rights and keeps them as equal stakeholders in advancing social development.

We are confident that we are ready in the forthcoming Conferences and processes to lay out solid and well financed plans to ensure that together we tackle the scourges of today so that we can build a future where social development is not merely an aspiration but a tangible reality for all.

I thank you and I wish you a successful event.