Statement by the representative of Indonesia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 113, Programme Budget for the Biennium 1998-1999, First Performance Report, before the Fifth Committee of the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly

New York, 8 December 1998

Mr. Chairman,

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

The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for introducing the Ninth report of the Advisory Committee on the First Performance Report as contained in document A/53/7/Add.8. The Group would also like to thank the Controller of the United Nations for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the First Performance Report as contained in document A/53/693.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China notes with deep concern that a high vacancy rate was maintained in 1998. In this regard, we recall the decision of the General Assembly that a high vacancy rate hampers the delivery of mandated programmes and activities and the deliberate management decisions to keep a certain level of posts vacant makes the budget process less transparent and management of staff resources more difficult. The vacancy rate should not be used to achieve budgetary savings which inevitably affects the delivery of mandated programmes and activities.

The Group of 77 and China would like to request that the Secretariat should provide, in writing, detailed justification for maintaining a high vacancy rate and a detailed breakdown of vacancies maintained in all sections of the budget in 1998. We would also like to be apprised of the impact of high vacancy rate on the implementation of mandated programmes and activities in 1998.

The Group of 77 and China is of the view that the $ 25.9 million in the reduced requirements as a result of high vacancy rate should not be used to reduce the level of budget in accordance with the decision of the General Assembly. In this context, the Group would consider the effects of such reduced requirements to redress the adverse impact on programme delivery. On the basis of the information provided by the Secretariat on the issue of vacancy rate, the Group will consider a follow-up on the proposed reduced requirements of $ 25.9 million in the context of the informal consultations.

The Group of 77 and China notes that as contained in paragraph 12 of the ACABQ report, there are some additional requirements estimated at approximately $ 47 million which have not been factored into the performance report. The Group considers that these requirements should be additional to the level of resources contained in the first budget performance report and should be dealt with separately by the General Assembly in accordance with resolution 41/213.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China would also like to have detailed information, in writing, on the allocation of resources to various offices under section 1B.4 in document A/52/303, with the guidelines, if any, on the utilization of resources in this section. In particular, we would like to be informed about the level of support provided to the President of the General Assembly. We are of the view that the resources approved for the Office of the President should be utilized in consultation with the President of the General Assembly. The President of the General Assembly should be authorized to utilize the amount within the level of resources approved by the General Assembly.

Thank you.