Mr. Vice President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

From the onset, I wish to thank you for your efforts in the preparations thus far for the forthcoming 2025 ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment (OAS). On behalf of the Group of 77 and Chinaa, I wish to reiterate the Group's concerns on the draft programme, which we have transmitted a letter to you this passed Monday.

Firstly, the Group indicated that there is a need for a development-center focus to the programme, especiallly in light of the immense challenges currently facing the international development agenda, the Group expressed its concern that the programme's emphasis on themes such as peacebuilding, humanitarian issues, and other aspects, which extend beyond the core development mandate of the Segment. We therefore, respectfully urge that the programme be adjusted, particularly by revisiting the inclusion of agenda items 9 and 10 in their entirety.

Mr. Vice President,

Secondly, the Group requested clarification on the intended focus of Agenda Item 2 entitled "Supporting the front-lines of operational activities for development: Messages from the field" as it remains insufficiently defined. The Group suggested that sustainable development be clearly the focus of this segment and that the experiences of developing countries - Africa, MICS, LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS - be featured.

Thirdly, the Group underlined the importance of a substantive dialogue with the Executive Heads of UN development system entities, and proposed a full three hours be allocated for the session under Agenda Item 5.

Fourthly, the Group recommened that Agenda Item 6 should address not only SDG financing at the country level but also the broader challenge of mobilizing adequate resources for the UN Development System. It should also provide an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the funding compact 2.0.

On the other hand, while the topic of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment remains of critical importance, the broader accountability challenges within the RC system-as identified in paragraph 124 of the 2024 QCPR-require higher-level attention. The Group therefore recommends that the Secretary-General's report under Agenda Item 3 also address these systemic concerns.

Finally,the group also highlighted the need for a standalone segment on the Means of Implementation, particularly digital. We recall that last year's programme contained two such segments.

Mr Vice President,

The Group's letter also addressed the matter of the outcome for the segment, and in particular your recommendation for an ECOSOC decision to be adopted at the conclusion of the Segment, the Group reaffirmed its well-established position that it serves as the penholder for all OAS and QCPR-related outcomes.

Nevertheless, recognizing the procedural need for a formal outcome to take note of the reports presented, the Group is open to the adoption of a concise and procedural intergovernmental decision that only takes note of the Reports of the Secretary-General, the Report of the Deputy Secretary-General in her capacity as Chair of the UNSDG, and the report of the System-wide Evaluation Office. The Group will submit a draft text for this purpose and wishes to reiterate its view that the scope of the decision should remain limited to these elements, without the inclusion of additional substantive elements.

The Group trusts that this balanced approach will meet procedural requirements while upholding the integrity of the intergovernmental process.

Finally, Mr. Vice President, the Group looks forward to a revised Programme, which will ensure that in this challenging times for development that our focus in this OAS centers around frank dialogue and addressing possible durable solutions for the development challenges programme countries face.

Please be assured of our constructive and meaningful engagement to ensure this Segment is successful.

I thank you.