STATEMENT BY MRS. AICHA AFIFI MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY, DELEGATION OF MOROCCO, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA,ON AGENDA ITEM 124: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS (New York, 8 October 2003)
|
STATEMENT BY MRS. AICHA AFIFI MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY, DELEGATION OF MOROCCO, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA,ON AGENDA ITEM 124: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS (New York, 8 October 2003) |
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 124, entitled: Scale of Assessments for the Apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations, specifically on requests for exemption under Article 19 of the Charter.
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the bureau for heeding its request that the section of the report of the Committee on Contributions (COC) dealing with requests for exemption under Article 19, as contained in document A/C.5/57/39, be considered by the Fifth Committee during the first week of our session.
May I also take this opportunity to commend the Committee on Contributions for the positive work done at its 63rd session, as reflected in its report in document A/58/11. The Group looks forward to constructively participating in the consideration of the report when it is introduced before this Committee next Monday.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China wishes to restate the importance it attaches to the efficient and effective discharge of mandates by the Organization, which requires a sound and predictable financial base. In this regard, the Group has always reaffirmed the obligation of all Member States to meet their financial contributions in full, on time and without conditions, in accordance with Article 17 of the Charter of the United Nations.
On the other hand, and in accordance with Article 19 of the Charter, the Group has always emphasized also the need to extend sympathetic consideration to those Member States that are unable to meet their financial obligations due to genuine socio-economic and political difficulties.
In this regard, the Group has carefully reviewed the requests and representations made by Burundi, Central African Republic, the Comoros, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau Republic of Moldova, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, and Tajikstan, as contained in document A/C.5/57/39.
We agree with the conclusions by the COC that failure by these Member States to pay the full minimum amount necessary to avoid the application of Article 19 is due to conditions beyond their control. The Group therefore endorses the recommendations of the COC that these Member States be permitted to vote until 30 June 2004. As a demonstration of commitment to eventually fulfill their outstanding financial obligations, the Group would like to encourage the concerned Member States to take into account the relevant comments and observations made by the COC.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China notes with appreciation that, subsequent to its request for exemption under Article 19, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was recently able to pay the full minimum amount necessary to avoid the application of Article 19, despite the severe continuing difficulties it is facing.
The Group has also reviewed the request by Niger for exemption under Article 19, as contained in document A/C.5/58/4. We particularly note that despite being one of the poorest LDCs, Niger is actively working to obtain the necessary amount to restore its right to participate in the work of the United Nations. We are also encouraged that Niger plans to submit in the near future, a schedule for payment of its future contributions and arrears.
Given the well-known situation, the Group of 77 and China considers that the request by Niger warrants favourable consideration under the terms of Article 19. The Group therefore supports the request by Niger that, on an exceptional basis, it be permitted to vote until the next session of the COC in June 2004.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, the Group wishes to state for the record that exception on the case of Niger is without prejudice to General Assembly resolution 54/237C of 23 December 1999. The Group reaffirms the provisions of resolution 54/237C, and encourages all concerned Member States that, in order to facilitate the work of the COC in comprehensively reviewing their requests, they should fully meet the requirements of that resolution.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.