Thank you, Ambassadors. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We wish to thank you, Co-Facilitators, for having presented the elements paper shared with Member States. We support the approach you have set out and we believe that the elements paper is a good basis for the development of the ECOSOC/HLPF review process.

While our comprehensive position will be shared more in detail in the written inputs to be submitted tomorrow, we wish to highlight some preliminary considerations.

Regarding the general overview: the European Union agrees with the proposed scope of the review, which should build upon the previous review adopted with GA Resolution 75/290 and its annexes and related processes, such as the Subsidiary Bodies Review in 2022.

At the same time, we should take this opportunity to further improve the important work of ECOSOC and the HLPF, in order to strengthen the respective roles of these bodies, including by looking at working methods, time management and assessing the performance and impact of their various sessions, fora and segments. We encourage Member States to engage on these aspects in the next steps of the process.

Improving synergies and coordination within, among and beyond these bodies, will continue to be a key priority for the EU. 

Regarding ECOSOC: we support the idea to strengthen ECOSOC’s overarching role as inclusive and central platform for policy development, exchange and accountability on sustainable development. The role of ECOSOC in overseeing the UN development system, including the Resident Coordinators, can be strengthened further.

We should consider how the work of some Commissions or Segments – many of these pre-dating the HLPF – can evolve and be improved. The reports of the System Wide Evaluation Office should also be better connected to the accountability-related work of ECOSOC.

We stand ready to engage with delegations on these suggestions. We also encourage a review of the ECOSOC High Level Segment, its relations with the HLPF and the adoption of the HLPF Ministerial Declaration.

Regarding the HLPF: we continue to fully support its central role for the 2030 Agenda and SDGs review, and its positive impact since its constitution. We should look at how to make sure that the HLPF continues to deliver fully, in the remaining years, for acceleration of the 2030 Agenda. The EU will propose inputs on strengthening the VNR process, in terms of preparation, time allocated to presentation and follow-up, as well as engagement of the UN Country Teams and other stakeholders. This builds on positive experience from previous reviews and consolidated feedback. 

We also look forward to engaging on the selection of the SDGs to be reviewed in the coming years, taking into account the sequencing and reviews of SDGs undertaken thus far.

The EU looks forward to engaging with the Co-Facilitators and with all Member States in the advancement of this important review process.

I thank you.