STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR MAKARIM WIBISONO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, ON AGENDA ITEM 117: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

New York, 10 March 1998

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 117, on improving the financial situation of the United Nations.

At the outset the Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Management for his presentation on the financial situation of the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China deeply concerned over the continued difficult financial situation of the Organization. In this regard, we have consistently held the views that the current financial difficulties of the Organization is primarily a crisis of payment due to the failure by some member states, in particular the major contributor, to fulfill their Charter obligations in full, on time and without conditions.

We are also of the view that in addressing the late or non-payment by member states of their assessed contributions, there is a need for sympathetic understanding to be given to those who are willing to pay but are temporarily unable to do so due to genuine economic difficulties and reasons beyond their control.

The current financial difficulties of the Organization is a concern shared by Member States. In this regard, in our discussions on the financial problems of the Organization, due consideration should be given by member states to the debts owed by the Organization to the member states. In this context, I would like to emphasize that, in fact, the Organization has been functioning at the expense of those member states and in particular the developing countries who have contributed troops and equipment. Therefore in addressing this issue of critical important we should do our utmost in seeking to resolve this ongoing and vexing question.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China have actively participated in the attempts to find a viable solution to the cash problem which has continuously beset the Organization and which has threaten its capability to fully implement all its mandated programmes and activities. In this context, the Group of 77 and China will continue to work actively in seeking urgently needed results in the ongoing discussions on the crisis of payment confronting the United Nations.

In concluding, the Group of 77 and China emphasizes that the lack of political will of certain member states to fulfill their financial obligations should not be used to confuse this issue with others. Therefore, we would like to reiterate that the scale of assessment has no relationship with the ongoing financial problem of the Organization.

Thank you.