Distinguised co-facilitators,

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

2. I would like to express the Group’s support to your leadership in conducting what we expect will be a process of open, inclusive, predictable and transparent intergovernmental negotiations. With Namibia, one of our members, in the facilitation team, the Group is well represented.

3. The Group appreciates the convening of this meeting and the circulation of the proposed roadmap to guide our work. We remain fully committed to engage constructively in the preparations of the Summit of the Future.

4. However, we should not replicate the shortcomings of the negotiation process of General Assembly resolution 76/307. In that regard, we refer to the Explanation of position of the Group on its adoption, in which we expressed our dissatisfaction on a number of elements, such as the unnecessary and unhelpful haste of negotiations, the lack of clarity and predictability of the process, and the insufficient time to consult Capitals and find compromises. We also recall all the previous statements delivered by the Group on the Secretary General’s report “Our Common Agenda” and the Summit of the Future.

5. The preparations for the Summit of the Future should be conducted based on what Member States have agreed in resolution 76/307. That agreement is limited to holding the Summit in 2024, with a Ministerial Meeting in 2023, and to initiate open, transparent and inclusive intergovernmental consultations on the preparatory process. As per OP16 of that resolution, the intergovernmental preparatory process of the Summit shall consist of consultations to determine the scope of the Summit, topics and organization of the interactive dialogues and negotiations to conclude the outcome document.

6. Member States have not taken a decision yet on the scope of the Summit and its outcome document. We have the tracks proposed by the Secretary General’s team, to which proper consideration should be given. Nonetheless, as part of this intergovernmental process, Member States should have the space and time to determine those that would be part of the preparations of the Summit of the Future in 2024 and the ones that might need further reflection. Member States should also have the possibility of identifying additional tracks for the Summit, if needed.

7. In that sense, the Group believes that the first part of this process, in particular leading up to the Ministerial Meeting in 2023, should be devoted to consultations on the scope, topics and other elements mandated by resolution 76/307. Beginning substantive discussions on specific proposed tracks, without Member States deciding on the overall scope of the Summit would appear to be premature, and could prejudge its general outcome.

8. The Group is convinced that the main priority in present times should be achieving the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the SDG. It is essential to ensure that the Summit of the Future and its preparatory process contribute to that end.

9. Overlaps with other very important processes should be avoided. In the coming months, there is a high number of processes already mandated by Member States that will consume time and efforts. Attempting to start substantive discussions on proposed tracks would entail an additional burden, that would be felt the most by small delegations, particularly from developing countries.

10. If the Summit of the Future is to be truly successful, and its preparatory process truly inclusive, it would be unwise to put smaller delegations in the difficult position of choosing which processes to follow and engage in. That road would leave some behind.

11. The Group believes that the preparatory process for the Summit of the Future should ensure the effective participation of all delegations, in particular smaller ones and those coming from developing countries.

12. The Group also believes that further information should be made available to Member States on a regular basis, particularly on the different steps and timeline of the intergovernmental preparatory process. A revised version of the roadmap that takes into account our Group’s concerns would be most helpful. Predictability and further clarity are essential.

13. The Group takes note with interest of the idea of elaborating Policy Briefs on specific proposed tracks for the Summit. These documents would serve as important inputs, among others, for the preparatory process and deliberations leading up to the Summit in 2024. However, they should not be considered the basis of negotiations. Taking into consideration that Member States have not decided on the scope of the Summit, it is also important to highlight that not all Policy Briefs would necessarily contribute to the preparations for or should be considered tracks of the Summit.

14. The Group emphasizes that the overall preparatory process for the Summit, including the Ministerial Meeting, should be organized in a way that enables delegations to consult Capitals and receive instructions.

15. To conclude, the Group reiterates its willingness to engage with a constructive spirit in the preparatory process of the Summit of the Future.

I thank you