Mr. Chair,

3. The Group welocmes the SG report which underscores that the protracted military occupation of the Palestinian territory and the Syrian Golan continues to profoundly impact all aspects of life for both populations.

4. It also indicates that the ongoing Israeli grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including, inter alia, the severe destruction of homes and other vital civilian infrastructure, the forcible and repeated displacement, and the unparalleled scale of devastation in Gaza, along with severe restrictions on movement and access, the expansion of illegal settlements and the escalation of settler violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have exacerbated the already-fragile living conditions and threaten their collapse. Such illegal policies and restrictive measures are strangling the Palestinian economy, and severely undermining the social and economic development across Occupied Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip, where almost the entire population has been dispossessed and impoverished.

5. The Group is thus deeply concerned about the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, as a result of Israel's military assaults and blockade, particularly during the past two years, and is equally alarmed by the confirmation of famine in Gaza, for the first time in history, inflicted on the population by the occupying Power's use of starvation as a weapon of war, including by the vast destruction of agricultural lands in Gaza and nearly all food production capacities.

6. Gaza is the most shocking example of Israel's massive violation of the right of the Palestinian people to sovereignty over their natural resources, which the occupation continues to exploit throughout the entirety of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in breach of international law, the relevant UN resolutions and the ICJ advisory opinion that has determined Israel's presence to be unlawful and that it must be brought to a rapid end.

7. The Group underscores the urgent need for an immediate halt to Israel's violations, including its military attacks and blockade on the Gaza Strip, and for protection of the Palestinian civilian population, in accordance with international humanitarian law, while ensuring their recovery and well-being through immediate, unhindered humanitarian access, including through UNRWA. This necessitates the rapid delivery of assistance at scale, including, inter alia, the provision of food and water to address malnutrition, starvation and famine, medical supplies and expertise, fuel, shelters and school facilities to enable the resumption of education.

8. The Group stresses the importance of strengthening UNRWA and urges States to continue extending political support for the renewal of its mandate and its vital humanitarian and development work. This requires immediate efforts to mobilize sufficient financial support to ensure the continuity of its services, which remain a critical lifeline for Palestine refugees, particularly in Gaza in the midst of humanitarian catastrophe.

9. In closing, we call for decisive and concrete measures to end the illegal Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN resolutions, including resolutions 2334, and ES-10/24. Such steps are urgently needed to halt Israel's ongoing crimes and violations of the rights of the Palestinian people and that undermine the two-State Solution, the only viable path to justice and lasting peace for all those living in the region.

10. The Group welcomes, in this regard, the convening of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, and the adoption of the New York Declaration, and calls for its full implementation towards realizing Palestinian self-determination and the independence of their State, where they can fully exercise all of their rights, including to sovereignty over their natural resources and to development, and determine their own destiny.

I thank you.

3. The Group extends its appreciation to Mr. Davit Knyazyan, Chairperson of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC), and to his Bureau, for their efforts and leadership during the sixty-fifth session of the (CPC).

Madam Chair,

4. With respect to programme planning, the Group reaffirms the central role of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) as the main intergovernmental body for planning, programming, and evaluation. This role must be strengthened rather than weakened. It remains crucial that (CPC) members continue to provide substantive recommendations on the programmes formulated by the Secretariat.

5. The Group expresses concern that during the sixty-fifth session, the (CPC) was able to reach agreement on only two out of the twenty-eight programme submitted by the Secretariat. This outcome underscores the need to reinforce intergovernmental engagement, exercise maximum flexibility and demonstrate political will to ensure that all programmes receive timely and substantive recommendations.

6. In this regard, the Group reaffirms its full support for the essential role of CPC in ensuring precise delivery of mandates, which should be maintained during the UN80 reforms. The Group also recalls the importance of the implementation of General Assembly resolution 78/244, which decided that the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Chairs of the Fifth Committee shall reach out to and support the Chairs of the Main Committees to ensure that the programmes without (CPC) recommendations are duly considered, and that conclusions and recommendations are issued in a timely manner.

Madam Chair,

7. The Group underlines the extraordinary challenges of this session in considering the proposed programme budget for 2026, particularly in light of the revised estimates relating to the UN80 Initiative, which encompasses almost the entire regular budget.

8. The Group notes that the Secretary General has proposed a programme budget of approximately (3.2) billion USD, reflecting the adjustments introduced under UN80 Initiative. The Group emphasizes that all mandates must be fully and meaningfully delivered. It is of particular concern that resources for the Organization's development-related priorities, including the promotion of sustained economic growth and the development of Africa, have remained stagnant or have seen only marginal increases, while other areas have expanded significantly.

9. The Group remains firmly committed to strengthening multilateralism and to ensuring that the United Nations is equipped with the necessary resources to implement all its mandates effectively, while pursuing the utmost efficiency.

10. The Group stresses that any proposals under the UN80 Initiative must fully respect the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the intergovernmental nature of the Organization, the mandates approved by Member States, and must provide them with adequate time for thorough consideration and inclusive consulations.

11. The Group further emphasizes that reform should not become a mere cost-cutting exercise. Efficiency gains must translate into improved delivery and responsiveness, not into the erosion of mandated programmes or staff reductions that affect developing country's representation. The Group confirms that all revised estimates and restructuring proposals under UN80 be examined with utmost care, ensuring that no mandated activities are left un or underfunded and that the development pillar receives the attention and resources it rightfully deserves.

12. The Group reiterates that equitable geographical representation remains a core principle for our membership. We are seriously concerned that the UN80 Initiative, which entails the abolishment of numerous posts and positions, may further exacerbate existing imbalances in the Organization's geographical distribution. The Group therefore looks forward to receiving further information from the Secretary General on concrete steps to ensure that this vital principle is upheld.

Madam Chair,

13. The Regional Commissions are vital for translating global mandates into regionally tailored action, fostering cooperation among countries, and advancing sustainable development. In this context, the Group reiterates its longstanding call for strengthening the development pillar of the United Nations and will work to ensure adequate resources for bodies that are integral to it, including DESA, UNCTAD, OHRLLS, ECA, ESCAP, ECLAC, and ESCWA. In this context, the Group recalls paragraph 14 of General Assembly resolution 72/279, which mandates that efficiency gains should be redeployed to development activities.

14. The Group also underscores the need for a renewed and in-depth discussion on the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation (RPTC) and the Development Account. While both mechanisms remain essential tools for capacity building and technical assistance, their resource levels have not kept pace with growing demands. The Group therefore calls for a more coherent structure and adequate resourcing to ensure that these mechanisms respond effectively to the actual needs of developing countries, thereby enhancing the United Nations relevance and impact on the ground.

15. The Group of 77 and China reiterates its strong support for UNRWA, recognizing its indispensable role in assisting Palestinian refugees, and will work towards ensuring that it receives the necessary and predictable financial resources to continue its vital work during these challenging times.

16. The Group also recalls that, as the largest troop and police contributors to peacekeeping missions, it strongly emphasizes that adequate financing for the areas of the Secretariat sustaining and supporting peacekeeping operations is essential to enable them to effectively and efficiently execute their mandates.

17. The Group is deeply concerned by the financial constraints caused by the persistent arrears in assessed contributions, most of which are owed by the single largest contributor. These arrears reflect a lack of political commitment to the United Nations and multilateralism as a whole, undermining the Organization's ability to implement its approved programme budget. Approval of the proposed budget for 2026 will be meaningless if the Organization is not provided with the liquidity required to deliver its mandates.

18. In this regard, the Group proposes that whenever a liquidity crisis arises, the Secretary-General should issue a public statement at the opening of the General Debate of the General Assembly during the High-Level Week, informing Member States of the Organization's financial situation.

19. In conclusion, the Group reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the work undertaken in this session not only secures necessary financing for mandated programmes but also contributes to better serve all peoples around the world. We will continue to engage constructively and in a spirit of consensus on this important agenda item.

Thank You.

The Group reaffirms the central role of the United Nations in addressing global challenges and takes note of the Secretary-General's UN80 Initiative. We stress that any proposals under this Initiative and its three workstreams must fully respect the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and uphold the intergovernmental nature of the Organization.

The Group emphasises that the UN80 process must strengthen, not dilute, multilateralism. It must ensure equitable participation of all Member States and address the priorities and concerns of developing countries. In this regard, the Group underscores that reforms across all three pillars of the United Nations - peace and security, development, and human rights - should contribute to advancing sustainable development, enhancing the voice and representation of developing countries, and be conducted through a transparent, inclusive, and Member State-driven process.

Madam President,

The Group takes note of the proposal for a regional reset, and would require more time to evaluate this before proceeding ahead. Preliminarily, we requests further clarification on the proposed establishment of a system-wide working group chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General, particularly regarding its composition, scope, decision-making modality and accountability framework. It is essential to ensure that this mechanism operates transparently and that its work complements, rather than overlaps with, regional and intergovernmental processes. We stress that Member States will make the final decision in case of any proposals to change the regional architecture.

Madam President,

The Group notes that the progress report on workstream 3 contains several proposals for the consideration of Member States, including those aimed at preserving cash liquidity. However, we stress that more detailed information and analysis are needed to ensure that any proposed mergers, reallocations, or reductions do not negatively affect mandate implementation, the balance among the three UN pillars.

The Group emphasises that any proposal on structural changes and program realignment must entail the protection of institutional knowledge and expertise of UN specialised agencies, funds and programs that support member states, especially in developing countries. In this regard, the Group emphasizes the need to protect and promote equitable geographical distribution, particularly for unrepresented and underrepresented Member States within the Group. Vacancies, including those resulting from retirements, should be used to advance this objective, and no abolishment or post reduction should undermine the principle of equitable representation.

Madam President,

The Group underscores that every mandate represents the collective will and aspirations of Member States and should be treated equally, regardless of its funding source - whether assessed or voluntary - or the type of funds allocated, whether earmarked or non-earmarked.

The Group also notes the report's references to fragmentation and duplication of efforts across the Secretariat. These challenges must be addressed through a comprehensive assessment of mandates, both system-wide and at the regional level. Such an assessment should also identify whether difficulties arise from funding constraints, mandates design, or leadership and accountability gaps.

Madam President,

Finally, the Group of 77 and China remains firmly committed to engaging actively and constructively in the discussions on the UN80 Initiative, with the aim of ensuring that the process leads to a more effective, equitable, and truly representative United Nations system - one that strengthens multilateralism, advances development, and delivers meaningful results for all peoples and nations.

Thank you, Madam President.