Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on financing of field visits of the Peacebuilding Commission, agenda item 128: programme budget for the biennium 2008-2009.

2. The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank Ms. Sharon Van Buerle, Director Programme Planning and Budget Division, for introducing the Secretary-General's report on the financing of field missions of the Peacebuilding Commission (A/62/670). The Group also wishes to thank Ms. Susan McLurg, the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing the report of the Advisory Committee (A/62/7/Add.33).

3. Following resolution 60/180, which finalised the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission, the Commission's field visits were funded from a combination of self-financing by members and other earmarks. There is evidently, a need for the PBC's field missions to be funded from a stable source. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China welcomes the report of the Secretary-General, on financing field missions of the PBC.

4. The Group reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the Peacebuilding Commission receives adequate financial resources to effectively do its vital work in helping countries emerging from conflict.

5. The Group of 77 looks forward to constructive consideration of the resource requirements for the Peacebuilding Commission. We believe that it is imperative to ensure that the Commission receives the necessary resources to ensure its effective functioning. The PBC is crucial in the overall efforts to strengthen the United Nations and deserves our full support.

6. We look forward to favourable consideration of the Secretary-General's request for the required resources for financing field missions of the PBC.

I thank you.