Session 1: “Getting back on track for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”

– The Group of 77 and China believes that it is important to acknowledge that the world was not on track to achieve the SDG’s before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Undoubtedly, the economic, social and environmental impacts of the pandemic have dealt us a catastrophic blow, further setting back development progress across the globe.

– We have been involuntarily thrust into uncharted waters, where the only valid response is to strengthen unity and solidarity, pursue accelerated action and adopt transformative approaches, which are indispensable for developing countries to successfully overcome the obstacles to long-term development.

– For developing countries to get back on track, access to sustainable financing in tandem with sustainable development policy solutions are a necessity. The Group underscores the need to provide sufficient liquidity and fiscal space to all developing countries as an immediate policy imperative.

– We also emphasize that strengthening the means of implementation, investing in poverty eradication, food security and nutrition, health, education, resilient infrastructure, science, technology and innovation, are necessary for delivering on the SDGs.

– The transformation we seek should emanate from enhancing productive capacity, diversifying the productive base, creating a level playing field through a rules-based multilateral system, and allowing for the full participation by all peoples in the benefits of sustainable development.

– We reaffirm that the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs, together with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, offer a framework to address longer-term recovery and to place our world on a path to a sustainable future.

Session 2: “Leaving no one behind in the context of COVID-19 and the decade of action and delivery”

– Now more than ever, our global community must remain focused on accelerating the implementation of the people-centered 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ending global poverty in all its forms and dimensions and leaving no one behind now require tangible and urgent actions.

– In this regard, we emphasize the need to pursue sustainability through practical policy solutions, aimed at increasing access to and the provision of, public goods and services, with a view to reaching the furthest behind and the most vulnerable first.

– The Group underscores the important role of the international community in addressing the challenges and needs faced by all developing countries, especially countries in special situations, in particular African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as specific challenges faced by many middle-income countries, conflict and post-conflict countries and countries and peoples living under foreign occupation.

– We reaffirm, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the need to respect the territorial integrity and political independence of States.

– We call on the international financial institutions to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on developing countries, through greater flexibility in assessing their fiscal situation and through the use of appropriate financial instruments.

– We note the role of the United Nations System in supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular, to kick start the Decade of Action and Delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, we recognize the role of the United Nations Development System in supporting national efforts to achieve the SDGs and in line with national priorities.

– The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, with its disproportionate impacts on the poor and vulnerable. To this end, the Group underscores the importance of flexibility, as opposed to a one size fits all approach – as part of the system-wide response – in assisting developing countries to deal with the human aspects of the response and build resilience.