Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 146, administrative and budgetary aspects of financing United Nations peacekeeping operations, in particular cross-cutting issues.

2. We would like to thank the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar, the Acting Head of the Department of Field Support, Mr. Anthony Banbury, and the Chief of Human Resources Policy Service, Office of Human Resources Management, Ms. Ruth de Miranda for introducing the various reports of the Secretary-General. We would also like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, Ms. Carman La Pointe, and the Chair of the ACABQ, Mr. Collen Kelapile, for introducing their respective reports.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the consideration of policy matters that are cross-cutting in nature and related to the administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations. The Group reaffirms that the Fifth Committee is the appropriate Main Committee of the General Assembly entrusted with responsibilities for administrative and budgetary matters, including for peacekeeping operations.

4. While each peacekeeping operation has its own mandate and functions, faces its own challenges, and operates in a unique environment, the cross-cutting resolutions serve as an important policy tool in providing comprehensive guidance to the DPKO and the DFS on issues common to United Nations peacekeeping missions.

5. The Group of 77 and China emphasizes that all peacekeeping missions should be provided with adequate resources for the effective and efficient discharge of their respective mandates. In this context, we express concern at the delays in the provision of adequate resources to some peacekeeping missions, in particular those in Africa.

6. The Group of 77 and China underlines that the planning assumptions and resource requests for each peacekeeping operation must be based on the relevant mandates and on the situation on the ground, and not on arbitrary, across-the-board cuts. We therefore consider that the use of so-called "resource reduction targets" in formulating peacekeeping budgets is a grave error.

7. The Group considers that the potential operational impacts of these cuts on missions have not been adequately explored. Such cuts as proposed could adversely impact the work and well-being of UN peacekeepers and hamper the implementation of mandates. In light of this, the Group will follow this issue very closely during our discussion.

Mr. Chairman,

8. Troop-contributing countries make an invaluable contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security. In the course of this work, they often make great sacrifices. In light of this, the Group emphasizes the importance of closely consulting the troop-contributing countries on all matters related to the peacekeeping operations. We also stress the need to expedite reimbursements to troop-contributing countries that bear additional burdens owing to overdue payments by Member States of their assessments.

9. The Group stresses that the long-pending issue of review of rates of reimbursement on account of troop cost continues to pose a serious threat to the sustainability of peacekeeping operations. Recalling the interim measures in this regard approved by the General Assembly in its Resolution 65/289, the Group is willing and ready to continue its constructive engagement with partners to urgently address the troop cost issue until a long-term solution is implemented.

10. The Group notes with satisfaction the decline reported in the number of cases of sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping missions. The Group encourages the Secretariat to continue its good work with the Member States, in particular TCCs, in a spirit of partnership to ensure effective implementation of the zero-tolerance policy.

11. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its unreserved support for the implementation of a zero tolerance policy to prevent acts of sexual exploitation and abuse within the United Nations system. Moreover, given the presence of United Nations personnel throughout the world, the Group calls upon the Secretary-General to ensure that the staff members respect all cultures, not discriminate against any individual or group or otherwise abuse the power and authority vested in them.

12. The Group also emphasizes the need to prevent unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct from damaging the credibility of United Nations peacekeeping missions or personnel or of any troop-contributing country.

13. The Group notes the increase in the level of compensation for all categories of uniformed personnel, contained in paragraph 3 of Section II of General Assembly resolution 64/269. We stress the need to establish a periodic review mechanism for the level of compensation for death and disability, taking into account the cost of living and inflationary factors.

14. We trust that the Secretary-General is fully abiding by the terms of resolution 64/269 in awarding death and disability compensation to all those who are in the service of the United Nations. We call for greater attention on this issue, as determined by resolution 64/269.

Mr. Chairman,

15. The Group of 77 and China expresses its deep concern over the information provided by the ACABQ on the implementation of resolution 65/248, in particular concerning the abolition of posts. We stress the need for the Secretary-General to fully respect the terms of said resolution, which determined that the implementation of the harmonization of the conditions of service must not impact the operational costs nor undermine the implementation of mandated programmes and activities. The Group will seek further clarification on this matter during informal consultations.

16. The Group of 77 stresses the need to provide for adequate field support to peacekeeping operations and will pay close attention to the information provided in the various reports on the matter.

17. The Group assures you of its constructive approach in these negotiations, for a results-focused outcome that will enhance the ability of the United Nations peacekeeping operations to effectively deliver on their mandates.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.