Mr. President,

China appreciates the efforts made by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. John Ashe, towards formulating the post-2015 development agenda and attaches significance to the important role of women, the young and civil society in the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda. China associates itself with the statement made by Bolivia on behalf of G77 and China, and would like to make the following observations.

Firstly, it is essential to keep in mind the overall objectives and remain focused on the priorities in our efforts to successfully formulate the post-2015 development agenda. The efforts of the international community for the post-2015 agenda must be carried out on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the current state of international development cooperation, as well as a review of the achievements and challenges in implementing the MDGs. The international community should take eradicating poverty and promoting development as the centerpiece of the post-2015 development agenda, and avoid an overloaded agenda that may deviate from the theme of development. The international community should adhere to the principle of diversity in development models by respecting the independence of all countries in determining their development strategies and goals, as well as the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, which is the basis for international cooperation for development. China has noted that one of the themes for this event is addressing inequalities. China supports the efforts made by countries to promote inclusive growth, improve social protection system and the capacities of the vulnerable groups for development, ensure that the fruits of development will be shared by all, and achieve social equity and justice. At the same time, the international community should pay more attention to the inequality among countries, exert great efforts to eliminate the gap between the North and the South in development. The developed countries should effectively implement their commitment to official development assistance. All countries should work together to improve global governance system so as to allow a greater voice of the developing countries in the international affairs.

Secondly, women issue should become important elements in the post-2015 development agenda. Promoting gender equality and protecting the rights and interests of women are important symbols for social development and world progress. China is in favor of setting a stand-alone goal for women in the post-2015 development agenda, with an emphasis being placed on their economic development and poverty eradication. Besides, while elaborating the goals for employment, health and education in the post-2015 development agenda, it is also necessary to give adequate consideration to the special needs of women, so as to address various challenges faced by women in their development. Next year will mark the twentieth anniversary of the World Conference on Women in Beijing. China welcomes and supports the forthcoming Beijing+20 commemorative activities, which will attract contributions in various forms from women’s organizations around the world to the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda.

Thirdly, the young will have an important role to play in promoting development beyond 2015. Young people are an important force for maintaining social stability and promoting economic development. There is a growing commonality in the issues related to youth, which need to be addressed through the joint efforts of the international community. Issues concerning the young people are closely linked to economic development, poverty eradication, promoting employment, education, health and so on. In designing the goals on employment, education and health for the post-2015 development agenda, due consideration should be given to the special needs of the young, by heeding the opinions of the youth and the youth organizations, so as to ensure that the young will become one of the major forces to promote development beyond 2015.

Fourthly, civil society should contribute to the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda on the premise of complying with the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. It is the Member States that are formulating and will implement the post-2015 development agenda, and they should play a leading role throughout the process. China acknowledges the active role played by the civil society in promoting the implementation of the MDGs, and supports the civil society in playing a constructive role in the process of formulating the post-2015 development agenda, by means of cooperation with the government on the premise of complying with the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. The expertise, experience and perspectives of the civil society can be an important complement to the Member States’ efforts in formulating the post-2015 development agenda.

Mr. President,

The post-2015 development agenda will determine the orientation of the international development cooperation in the future. The international community should formulate a set of goals by consensus to guide international development cooperation and national development, in the spirit of equality, mutual trust, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and win-win cooperation. China is ready to work together with all member states to make positive contributions to this process.

Thanks you, Mr. President.