Statement by the representative of Indonesia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 120, Common System before the Fifth Committee of the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly

New York, 6 November 1998

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Chairman of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) for the introduction of the report of the Commission on the work of its 47th and 48th Sessions, contained in document A/53/30. We find the report reader friendly and useful. Furthermore, we want to commend the Commission for respecting the recommendation with regard to the format and presentation of the report as mentioned in paragraphs 24 and 25 of General Assembly resolution 52/214 B.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the role of the ICSC, and therefore any attempt to modify the role of the Commission should be avoided.

4. Furthermore, the Group of 77 and China would like to acknowledge that the International Civil Servants constitute a most valuable resource of the United Nations. In this regard, the Group emphasizes the high importance it attaches to the common system as a means of regulation and coordination of the conditions of service in the United Nations system-wide and to the particular role of the ICSC in such regulation and coordination.

Mr. Chairman,

5. The Group of 77 and China notes that the participation of the Staff-Representatives in the work of the Commission continues to be limited and would like to stress that their participation could enhance the outcome of the deliberations of the Commission.

6. In paragraph 19 of the ICSC report, the Commission has concluded that the Board of Auditors, in its report A/52/811, did not limit its comments and recommendations to the management audit and therefore entered areas beyond its mandate. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China, in order to comment on the issue, would like to receive more clarifications from the representative of the ICSC and the Board of Auditors.

7. Concerning the consultative process and working methods of the Commission, the Group of 77 and China takes note of the report of the Working Group and the comments and decisions of the ICSC contained in section 3 of the report and would like to stress that this proposed process will strengthen the decision making process as well as the authority of the Commission's decisions.

Mr. Chairman,

8. The Group of 77 and China would also like to make the following observations:

- The Group of 77 and China notes the observations of the Consultative Committee on Administrative Questions (CCAQ) contained in paragraph 41 of the report of the ICSC. Nevertheless, the Group would like to emphasize that the election of experts to the Commission is a prerogative of the General Assembly.

- The Group of 77 and China welcomes the proposal that for the consideration of all key issues, Working Groups with the participation of all parties concerned should be established. The Group is of the view that this method would improve and facilitate the work of the Commission.

- The Group would like to learn about the status of the request of the legal opinion on the effects of the proposals to be incorporated in its rules of procedures as indicated in paragraph 54 of the report. The Group would also like to seek clarification on the condition made for the implementation of these proposals contained in the same paragraph.

- We are of the view that particular attention should be paid to the linguistic competence of the ICSC Secretariat members and in this regard believe that the proposal of the Working Group concerning the establishment of a consultation mechanism among all the parties concerned deserves further consideration..

Mr. Chairman,

9. The Group of 77 and China notes that the ICSC will continue its consideration on the various elements of the conditions of service.

10. The Group of 77 and China notes the discussion and decision of the ICSC on the issue of the comparator as contained in its report A/53/30. In this regard, we would reaffirm the Noblemaire Principle as the basis used for the determination of conditions of service of staff in the professional and higher categories.

11. Finally, concerning the post adjustment at Geneva, the Group of 77 and China reiterates the complex nature of establishing a unique post adjustment for Geneva, and we hope that the additional information requested by the ICSC in paragraph 145 of its report, will be provided by participating organizations so as to enable ICSC to respond fully to the request of the General Assembly.

Thank you.