STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF GUYANA ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, BEFORE THE FIFTH COMMITTEE ON AGENDA ITEM 115: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE RESUMED FIFTY-THIRD SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

New York, 16 March 1999

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 115: Improving the financial situation of the United Nations.

The Group would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Mr. Joseph E. Connor, for his statement and for presenting updated information on the financial situation of the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China wishes to underscore the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations and reaffirm the legal obligations of Member States to bear the expenses of the organization in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and the requirements to pay assessed contributions and arrears in full, on time and without conditions. The Group recognizes, however, the need to extend sympathetic understanding to Member States who are temporarily unable to meet their financial obligations as a consequence of genuine economic difficulties.

Moreover, the Group of 77 and China regrets to note that due to the continuing cash flow deficit in the regular budget, the Secretariat has had to resort to internal cross-borrowing from peacekeeping budgets in order to finance the regular budget expenses. The late reimbursement to developing countries that provide troops and equipment to various peacekeeping operations, therefore continues to be of concern to the Group.

Mr. Chairman,

Finally, let me reaffirm that the Group of 77 and China shall continue to constructively participate in the collective efforts to resolve the chronic financial difficulty of the organization. We also wish to reaffirm our view that the only viable solution is for Member States to pay arrears promptly and to honor faithfully their legal obligations in full, on time and without conditions.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.