Mr. Chairman,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 129 entitled: "Human Resources Management".

The Group attaches great importance to the issue of Human Resources Management, as we believe that the Organization's Staff is its invaluable asset. We welcome the report of the Joint Inspection Unit on the Headquarters Agreements pertaining to the Staff of the Organization, as well as the report of the Secretary-General on the Composition of the Secretariat.

We note with appreciation the efforts of the JIU as reflected in the report before us. We believe that the report provides important information for the consideration of our committee. We are convinced that the observations and recommendations contained in the report deserve the proper attention by Member States. We support the findings highlighted in the report, in particular in the following areas:

• the issuance of work permits for spouses and family of staff members.
• the simplification of procedures for privileges, immunities and facilities for
  the organization and their staff members.
• the dissemination of information by the organizations and host countries on the privileges and immunities for staff.
• elaboration of a model headquarters' agreement incorporating the basic features to be used by all organizations of the United Nations System.

In the same vein, we would like to reemphasize the necessity of the timely issuance of visas for the staff and officials of the United Nations system by all host countries. We have noted with concern certain incidents where delays were experienced, and would like to urge all Member States to facilitate the work of the Staff and Officials of the United Nations by addressing this problem.

The Group wishes to seek clarifications on the conditions and requirements for recruitment of permanent residents at the Headquarters and any provisions for change of status required, and the underlying reasons for requiring such a change of status if any.

Mr. Chairman,

Turning now to the report of the Secretary-General on the Composition of the Secretariat, the Group would like to reaffirm the need to adhere to the principle of equitable geographical representation in the recruitment of the staff at all levels. We note that this principle has been highlighted in many General Assembly resolutions, most recently in the context of the Outcome Document of the High-level Plenary of the 60th session of the General Assembly.

In this context, the Group would like to request the Secretariat to provide Member States with a comprehensive list of the nationalities of the current USGs and ASGs. In addition, and in the context of the newly established Department of Safety and Security, and in accordance with relevant General Assembly resolutions which requested the Secretary-General to ensure the international character of the Organization in the process of recruitment of the Department, the Group would kindly request the Secretariat to provide a status report on the recruitment efforts undertaken by the Secretariat in this regard, including the nationalities of all staff recruited so far at the senior and management levels (USG - P4).

We are aware that consideration of substantive human resources issues will be taken up at the sixty-first session of the General Assembly, but the Group of 77 and China expects to undertake the necessary deliberations and to receive the clarifications sought on these issues during the informal consultations.

I thank you.