Remarks by Ambassador Masood Khan, Permanent Representative of Pakistan at the
Group of 77 and China (14 January 2015)

Mr. Chairman,

We convey our sincerest congratulations to South Africa on assuming the leadership of the Group of 77 and China. I assure you that Pakistan would give full support to you and your delegation in your efforts.

I place on record our deep appreciation for the Plurinational State of Bolivia for successfully steering the Group of 77 and China in 2014. I pay a special tribute to Ambassador Sacha Llorenti for his outstanding leadership of the Group during the past year.

This year will mark the 51st anniversary of the Group of 77. Times have changed. And our number in the family of the United Nations has increased to 133,which is more than two thirds of its entire membership. No decision is taken without the consent of the Group as it promotes and protects its members' collective economic interests. As we witnessed this past year, the Group played an active part in finalizing a raft of decisions ranging from sustainable development to financial and administrative matters of the Organization to peacekeeping.

We are deeply conscious that since the inception of the Group, the world order has evolved from Cold War to post Cold War to this part of the 21st century. Many countries from amongst us have achieved phenomenal economic success. And yet the inequities and chronic problems of the past century persist. Abject poverty is an ugly reality in many parts of our globe. New problems have arisen. Severe climate change patterns threaten the existence of some of our members. The Group remains united in its resolution to meet these challenges in consultation with its partners.

Mr. Chairman,

With regard to our work ahead, I will make five points.

One, an intense phase of work starts later this month to develop a framework for post-2015 development agenda and outline a blueprint for financing for development. In both these massive exercises, the G77 should ensure that the United Nations develops a deliverable agenda with adequate means of implementation. The sustainable development goals that we have shaped must be supported by financial and technological resources. Ending poverty, generating employment, and inclusive growth should be our priority goals in the processes here in New York and in Addis Ababa. To this end, we need a more robust engagement within the Group. No attempt should be made to re-open the Rio +20 agreement or the sustainable development goals agreed last year that remain the central narrative. We welcome the synthesis report of the Secretary General and its six essential elements as important inputs in our negotiations.

Two, the post-2015 development agenda should first and foremost be about development. The goal of strong and sustained economic growth should be pursued to eradicate poverty and to ensure a better life for our people. We must do so by enshrining the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities in the post-2015 development agenda.

Three, to assist the Group in developing a solid conceptual and substantive basis for our deliberations, it is essential that it invites, on regular basis, eminent experts on development, particularly from the South, to enlighten us on the issues of relevance to it. To this end, it may also be useful to establish a core group to draft working papers that would crystalize and synthesize the Group position on the post 2015 Framework.

Four, the Group should also continue to use the full potential of the Economic and Social Council to bring about the transition from the MDGs to the SDGs. We should leverage its convening power for employment generation, enhancing the role of young people in shaping the post-2015 development agenda, and forging partnerships to achieve the UN development goals.

The ECOSOC has launched a dialogue on longer-term positioning of the UN development system in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. Members of this Group are the biggest beneficiaries of the UN operational activities and they should have key role in defining the steps needed to make the UN system fit for purpose.

I suggest that the Group should actively engage on the interlinkages between functions, financing, organizational structures, capacity, impact, partnerships approaches and governance structures.

Five, we should develop a strategy to use the High Level Political Forum to mobilize political momentum for the transition to the SDGs. The Forum, under the auspices of ECOSOC, should serve as a key platform for review and implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.

The Group should be in the lead in ensuring that normative and operational parts of the ECOSOC system as a whole are strengthened and fully resourced so that they can deliver their functions effectively.

Mr. Chairman,

Later this year, the Fifth Committee will take up the important issues of Human Resource Management, Capital Master Plan, Umoja, Partnership Facility, Special Political Missions, Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and operational arrangements and conditions of service of ACABQ. The Group's internal consultations and dialogue with all stake holders on these issues will be critical in facilitating sound and just decisions.

It is important that we devise ways to wrap up the meetings of the Fifth Committee much before Christmas so that we avoid last minute bickering and brinkmanship, which are clearly counterproductive. We should also request the Secretariat for early submission of the Fifth Committee documents.

The Group continues its efforts to strengthen the development pillar of the Organization, which has gradually shrunk due to notions of zero-nominal growth of the UN budgets. We also need to review and straighten our classical positions in view of the changed global realities. We require additional financial resources for the effective implementation of development agenda, both from regular budget as well as by tapping into the potential voluntary resources. This would be important particularly for effective implementation of the post-2015 development agenda.

The Secretary General's initiative on Global Partnership Facility is a way forward. This initiative has the potential to benefit from the developing countries.

The Group should undertake a review of its internal working methods, as well as take steps to strengthen the institutional memory of its Office and services provided to the Members of the Group. An Ad hoc Working Group can be established to consider such issues with the aim to increase the transparency in the conduct of our work, encourage open, inclusive and participatory approach in the intergovernmental decision making processes, and increase the voice and visibility of the Group at the important fora.

In the coming days and months, we will deliberate on issues of great significance for the Group. Our past experience suggests that whenever we have spoken with one voice we have advanced our interest most effectively. This year too we should continue to work together with our characteristic unity.

I assure you that under your leadership and in close collaboration with the entire membership, Pakistan will continue to contribute to the Group's joint efforts to promote the interest of all developing countries.

Finally, I thank the minuscule but highly proficient and professional G77 Secretariat for its service to the Group beyond the call of duty.

Thank you.