STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MRS. NORMA TAYLOR ROBERTS, PERMANENT MISSION OF JAMAICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 108: PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2004-2005, AT THE FIRST PART OF THE RESUMED FIFTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 17 March 2005)

Mr. Chairman,  

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 108: Programme budget for the biennium 2004-2005.   The Group would like to thank the representative of the Secretary-General for presenting the report of the Secretary-General (A/59/397) on the “Review of the regular programme of technical cooperation and the Development Account”. We also thank the Chairman of ACABQ for his oral presentation thereon.  

The Group of 77 and China notes that the Secretary-General has presented the reports requested in paragraphs 48 and 58 of the General Assembly resolution 58/270 in a single document. However, the Group believes that both programmes have their own mandates, functions and identity and, accordingly, should be presented independently in future reports. The Group would therefore address both issues independently.

Mr. Chairman,  

The   Group   attaches the greatest importance to the programmes and activities   devoted   to technical cooperation and values their contribution   to national efforts   and priorities to attain sustainable economic   growth and economic and   social development.  

The Group agrees with the proposal of designating the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs as Programme Coordinator for this Programme. This will enhance accountability, transparency and coherence in the criteria for the use of the resources approved for this section of the budget.

With regard to the reporting procedure of the programme, the Group favors the proposal of creating, as in the case of the Development Account, a separate report on regular programme of technical cooperation activities, outputs and impact, with a structure and responsibilities as those outlined in paragraph 88(c) of the Secretary-General’s report.

In this context, the Group would like the Secretariat to clarify the role that other Main Committees as well the Committee for Programme and Coordination should perform in the evaluation of the programme.

The Group would like to clearly state its position that it sees no justification for merging this section of the budget with section 35 relating to the Development Account, taking into account the different operations of both programmes, the nature of the activities financed under both sections, as well as their differences from the managerial point of view.

Mr. Chairman,  

Turning to the issue of the Development Account which was established in 1997 jointly by developing and developed countries, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms that the Account has provided valuable support to technical cooperation programmes and activities and is complementary to such programmes.  

Furthermore, the Group appreciates the integrated approach, the multiplier effects sought and the regional and interregional nature of the Account projects. Regarding the criteria guiding the selection and implementation of the projects, the Group appreciates and supports the use of the technical, human and other resources available in the developing countries themselves and the promotion of regional and interregional economic and technical cooperation among developing countries.  

Mr. Chairman,  

The Group has taken note of the progress made in the management of the Development Account as illustrated by improvements in the delivery and implementation rates of projects funded from the account. We are further encouraged to note that the Account is fully consistent with the directions approved by the General Assembly.   As requested by General Assembly resolution 58/270, the Secretariat based its review on five sample projects. The results of the review show positive conclusions and underline the value-added of the Account projects in relation to the regular programme of technical cooperation, namely:   the Development Account, which is funded by the regular budget, is guided by the General Assembly and is not constrained by conditionalities of particular donors earmarking their contributions; the projects, being initiated by the programme managers, constitute a useful complement to technical cooperation based on the requests of the beneficiary countries.  

Mr. Chairman,  

The report of the Secretary-General made two concrete proposals to improve the efficiency of the Development Account:

Firstly, to approve a statement of objective to the programme as set out in paragraph 107 of the report. The Group maintains the view that the General Assembly would benefit from getting the inputs of the Committee for Programme and Coordination on the appropriateness of the proposed objective.  

Secondly, to increase the funding level of the Account which has been maintained at its initial level of USD 13 million per biennium since its inception in 1997. The Group believes that this section of the budget should continue to be subject to the recosting procedure. The Group intends to pursue this issue in future negotiations.  

Mr. Chairman,  

It is understood that the list of project proposals submitted by the respective entities is substantially more than the actual number that can be approved based on the limitation of funding. We also note that no savings have been identified that could be added to the Account. It is thus to be deduced that the underlying assumption upon which the funding arrangement for the Account has been based, is flawed. We stand ready to consider concrete proposals to increase the funding level.  

I thank you.