Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 137 entitled "UN Common system".

2. The Group wishes to thank Mr. Kingston Rhodes, Chairman of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and Mr Collen Kelapile, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for introducing the reports of the Commission and the Advisory Committee on this agenda item. The Group also thanks Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar, Assistant Secretary-General, and Controller for her statement.

3. We further thank Mr. Mauro Pace, President of the Federation of International Civil Servant's Association, and Ms. Palina Analena, President of the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System, for their statements.

Mr. Chairman,

4. The Group of 77 and China would like to reaffirm its support to the ICSC, and would like to express our appreciation to the Commission for its commendable work in fulfilling its responsibilities as mandated by the General Assembly. We take note of the report and recommendations of the ICSC which had been prepared in consultation with all interested parties, including representatives of Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

5. The Group reaffirms the independence of ICSC and also supports a common system approach under the auspices of the ICSC in the development and application of conditions of service, and the principle that all staff serving under similar conditions should receive equal treatment across the United Nations common system.

6. The Group of 77 and China stresses the importance of providing recognition to all staff serving under the UN common system. Most staff are keen to belong to the Organisation because they believe in its goals and objectives and want to be part of a good cause. Hence, we believe that we have a responsibility to provide them with a well-deserved and respectable remuneration package, with enough incentives and allowances to enable them to perform their work efficiently and effectively amidst ongoing challenges. In that regard, the Group support the ICSC's recommendation for introducing an interim measures related to the establishment of the level of danger pay at the rate of 25 per cent of the net midpoint of the applicable local General Service salary scale.

7. The Group also supports the ICSC's decision on the post adjustment for New York staff members. The post adjustment multiplier of 68.0 should become due in New York as of 1st of august 2012, in accordance with the approved methodology.

8. The Group thus emphasizes that adequate resources should be appropriated for the full and immediate implementation of all the recommendations of the ICSC.

Mr. Chairman,

9. The Group of 77 and China assures you of our active participation in the coming informal consultations on this important agenda item.

 I thank you.