President，

China thanks Administrator Achim Steiner for his briefing and supports the statement delivered by the representative of Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

China appreciates Administrator Steiner’s tireless efforts and significant contributions since assuming office. Under his leadership, UNDP has kept pace with the times, embraced innovation, and built a stronger, more resilient, and future-oriented organization. UNDP has become a key pillar in helping developing countries respond to increasingly complex external challenges. I would like to share three points:

First, the UN development pillar is more important now than ever. Investing in development is essential to securing peace and security. China supports the overall framework of UNDP’s new Strategic Plan, its broad mandate centered on poverty reduction, and its focus on national priorities and real challenges in programme countries. We support UNDP’s efforts to deliver integrated, nationally owned, and inclusive solutions, especially in fragile countries to enhance their self-driven development capacity.

Second, we must unite and cooperate to address financing challenges. Global development is at a critical juncture. The sharp decline in core resources has severely constrained UNDP’s flexibility and capacity for innovation, which is of grave concern to China. We call on developed countries to fulfill their ODA commitments, and we encourage UNDP to expand diversified partnerships and support South-South and triangular cooperation led by developing countries.

Third, we support building a stronger and more effective UNDP. China encourages UNDP to constructively engage in the UN 2.0/UN80 reform process, fully playing its foundational role in the development system, helping developing countries implement the 2030 Agenda more effectively, and seizing the opportunities of our time such as artificial intelligence and green transformation.

UNDP has been an outstanding partner of China in our reform and opening-up journey and in the implementation of the SDGs. Over the past four decades, our collaboration has supported nearly 800 million people in China to lift themselves out of poverty and promoted green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

China is committed to further strengthening its partnership with UNDP, advancing more balanced and inclusive development based on national programming, and deepening triangular cooperation under the framework of South-South cooperation to jointly tackle shared challenges and ensure no one is left behind.

Finally, China once again expresses appreciation for Administrator Steiner’s outstanding leadership, particularly his efforts in advancing cooperation with China, and we wish him all the best in the future.

Thank you.