Mr. Chair,
Excellencies and colleagues,

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

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Chair, as well as the other members of the Bureau for your election to lead this High-level Committee. The Group of 77 and China looks forward to working closely, actively and constructively with you and members of your Bureau.

The Group reaffirms its view of South-South cooperation as a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

As mentioned in the Nairobi Outcome document, and reiterated in the BAPA+40 outcome document, South-South cooperation and its agenda have to be set by countries of the South and should continue to be guided by the principles of respect for national sovereignty, national ownership and independence, equality, non-conditionality, non-interference in domestic affairs and mutual benefit.

At the same time, we reiterate that South-South cooperation is not a substitute for, but rather a complement to North-South cooperation. Strengthening and expanding South-South cooperation among developing countries shall not reduce the commitment of developed countries and their long-standing pledges in terms of the volume and quality of their Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Mr. Chair,

We are meeting at a time of unprecedented global crises. Eight years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, decades of development gains have been undermined and, in some cases, reversed. International cooperation and global solidarity have never been more necessary than now to face the current challenges and to bring the developing countries back on track to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.

The discussions of the High-level Committee during this week will be an opportunity not only to take stock of the progress made in the implementation of the BAPA+40 outcome document but also an opportunity to highlight the importance of South-South and triangular cooperation in the recovery from COVID-19 pandemic and to raise the awareness of the international community on its continued relevance.

Mr. Chair,

We reiterate our strong support to the mandate of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). The Group is pleased that the Office in its strategic framework (2022-2025) will continue to support the efforts of developing countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the decade of action, in accordance with their needs and priorities.

We further express our appreciation to the UNOSSC as the articulator for South-South cooperation in the UN System and its leadership for being an all-around and responsive partner of the Group, and for playing a critical role in advancing the construction of a much-needed multilateral South-South support architecture. The Group also appreciates the countries of the South who have stepped up their cooperation with UNOSSC, which has also enhanced its role and impact by up-scaling it in terms of financial, human and budgetary resources for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Mr. Chair,

The Group would like to recall the importance of triangular cooperation, which is aimed at facilitating, supporting and enhancing South-South initiatives, through the provision of, inter-alia, funding, capacity-building, technology transfer as well as other forms of support, at the request of developing countries, in line with the principles of South-South cooperation, and must be led by the countries of the South.

In addition, we also underline the need to strengthen South-South and triangular cooperation on access to science, technology and innovation by creating synergies, developing expertise and boosting resources in different regions and institutions and, in this regard, welcome the convening of the Havana Summit on Science, Technology and Innovation, to be held on 15th and 16th September, as an effort to enhance cooperation in this field.

The Group further recognizes the significant contribution of South-South cooperation in the area of trade and its ability to promote sustainable development among developing countries. In this regard, we reaffirm the importance of strengthening South-South trade cooperation arrangements, including preferential trade and investment arrangement and the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries. In this connection, the relevant United Nations organizations, including UNCTAD, must continue to support developing countries in deepening and enlarging South-South trade integration, regional, sub-regional and interregional economic integration and cooperation arrangements.

The Group reiterates that the imposition of coercive economic measures, including unilateral sanctions, against developing countries constitutes a major impediment to economic and social development and seriously hinders dialogue and understanding among countries. Such actions not only undermine the principles enshrined in the Charter of the UN and the international law but also severely threaten the freedom of trade and investment. These actions constitute major obstacles to South-South and triangular cooperation.

Mr. Chair,

The Group is of the view that in our collective efforts to implement and achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as other commitments, the growing importance of South-South and triangular cooperation must be recognized but, at the same time, must not be overemphasised considering its role as a complement and not a substitute of North-South Cooperation.

Finally, we are confident that under your leadership, the 21th Session of the High-level Committee will be a success and hope that the views and concerns of the G77 and China would be duly incorporated in its deliberations.

I thank you.