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Statement on Behalf of the Group of 77 and China by a Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations, on the Occasion of the Sixth Session of the Post-2015 Development Agenda: SDGs and Targets

New York, 23 June 2015

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

SDGs and targets.

- The Group is appreciative of the inclusion of the SDGs and targets in the text in accordance with our call (and that of the General Assembly) for this report to serve as the basis for the post-2015 development agenda. We believe that the SDGs Report is an inter-governmentally agreed framework that captures the essence of the compelling development challenges confronting developing countries.

- However the Group is concerned that the introductory part of the SDGs, also commonly referred to as the Chapeau, is delinked from the SDGs and is incorporated in the zero draft as an annexure. We hold a firm view that the Chapeau forms an integral part of the report of the OWG-SDGs and until there is certainty as to what happens to the declaration the chapeau of the SDGs should be reflected as such in the text and should not be untied from the SDGs. Similarly the Group would appreciate receiving an indication of how the reservations entered by the Member States on the adoption of the SDGs will be referenced in the outcomes document. The Group has consistently stated its position on this issue.

- On the proposed revision of targets, we would caution against any action that could jeopardize the integrity of the report of the OWG-SDGs in line with the consistent position of the Group. We are sensitive to any action that could not only undermine the delicate compromise but that could actually unravel the entire package that was encapsulated in the OWG-SDG report. We have noted the sentiments expressed by our development partners in the past on the revision of a myriad targets and the Group continues to disagree with these proposals for the reasons outlined above.

- Finally, as we are all aware, in March we mandated the UN Statistical Commission to assist with the development of global indicators. In this regard the Group reiterates its view that a proposal on indicators should be presented for consideration and appropriate action by concerned intergovernmental bodies.

Thank you.