STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR DAUDI N. MWAKWAGO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, IN THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON AGENDA ITEM 120: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS

New York, 20 October 1997

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 120: Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations.

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. David Etuket, Chairman of the Committee on Contributions, for presenting the report of the Committee on Contributions on proposals for a scale of assessments for the period 1998-2000 as contained in document A/51/11. We appreciate the efforts of the Committee on Contributions in carrying out the difficult task assigned to it by the General Assembly by its resolution 51/212B.

The Group of 77 and China continues to believe that its proposal contained in paragraph 1 (c) of resolution 51/212 B should serve as a good basis for further negotiations with a view to reaching a decision on a scale of assessments for the period 1998-2000.

In this context, the Group of 77 and China reaffirms that the principle of capacity to pay remains the cardinal principle in the apportionment of the Organisation=s expenses. It is democratic as well as equitable: Deviation from that principle may have serious consequences in the well being of the Organisation.

The Group of 77 and China has consistently maintained that the continuing financial difficulties of the Organisation are the direct consequence of the nonpayment of substantial arrears and overdue contributions by some major contributors. Viable solutions to the financial situation can emerge only when Member States take concrete actions to clear their arrears and pay their future assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions or benchmarks, in accordance with article 17 of the Charter. The Group of 77 and China firmly believes that the present financial situation can only be resolved if the Member States show firm political will by fulfilling their legal obligations under the Charter.

The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its view that the current financial situation is not linked to the methodology of the scale of assessments. Any revisions to the current methodology will not solve the critical financial situation facing the Organisation since it will neither change the aggregate level of revenues available to the Organisation nor guarantee payment of assessed contributions promptly and in full in the future. On the contrary there is every likelihood it might adversely affect the revenues of the Organisation and thus weaken its effectiveness.

It is our view that a decision needs to be taken on a new scale as a matter of urgency before the end of the current regular session to enable the Organisation to fulfil its obligations. The Group of 77 and China is looking forward and willing to enter into negotiations on this important matter in a constructive spirit. In this regard, we emphasise that all consultations should be conducted openly and in a transparent manner.

The Group of 77 and China is of the view that any proposal which is in essence discriminatory against developing countries on any pretext is totally unacceptable.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.