Guatemala, March 14, 2011. The visit of United Nations Secretary-General to Guatemala from 15 to 17 of March has been applauded by the international community. The Group of Donors, G-13, believes the visit of Mr. Ban Ki-moon to be important in enhancing the fight against impunity and ostracism in the country, especially the exclusion of indigenous peoples.

The Group of Donors reaffirms its support for the Government of Guatemala in its efforts to combat violence and impunity as well as its support for the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The G-13 congratulates the United Nations for the achievements of CICIG, especially the strengthening of the criminal prosecution work of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP). The G-13 firmly believes that rule of law and the full enjoyment of individual and collective rights is the foundation of an equal society and sustainable economic development in the country.

Another priority of G-13 is following up the dialogue with the Government, the Congress of the Republic, the private sector and civil society in order to reform the State's financing model and thereby increase revenue, and also to improve the efficiency and transparency of spending. This reform will be crucial in guaranteeing sustainable development and in fighting poverty in Guatemala.

The G-13 is comprised of the nine countries that donate the most funds to Guatemala—Norway (interim chair), Germany, Canada, Spain, United States, Italy, Japan, Netherlands and Sweden—and the following multilateral organizations: Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations Development Programme, European Union and the Organization of American States.