Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 129: Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations - Civilian Capacity in the Aftermath of Conflict.

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank Ms. Sarah Cliffe, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Advisor for Civilian Capacity, for introducing the Secretary-General's report as contained in document A/67/312, as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee and Administrative Questions (ACABQ), for introducing the Committee's relevant report as contained in document A/67/583).

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China strongly supports the Secretary-General's Civilian Capacity initiative and his intention to improve the United Nations' ability to provide support to conflict and post-conflict country. The Group concurs that this process should seek, at all stages, to strengthen and support national ownership by the affected countries.

4. Our Group stresses that building national capacities in critical peacebuilding priority areas such as safety and security, justice, inclusive political processes, core government functionality and economic revitalization are crucial for sustainable peace and development in post-conflict countries.

5. In this context, the Group takes the civilian capacity initiative very seriously, and supports the efforts to make this initiative more practical, effective, transparent, and accountable.

6. We note that the report of the Secretary-General will also be discussed in the Plenary of the General Assembly and in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations as well as in the Peacebuilding Commision as stipulated in resolution 66/255. We also underline that the Fifth Committee has and will continue to have a key role in consideration of the review of Civilian Capacities, given its many administrative and budgetary implications.

7. The Group concurs with the view of the ACABQ that many of the elements of the initiative are still in a conceptual stage. The Advisory Committee has raised important questions, and made a number of important observations and recommendations about how the initiative of civilian capacity could be further developed in practical terms. In this regard, we look forward to receiving further details and proposals related to budgetary and administrative aspects from the Secretary-General in the future. In particular, it is essential to have concrete proposals on how to benefit from the potentials of the global South to be a key partner in support of the peace building objectives through the contribution of civilian expertise to UN missions and through a broader framework for South-South and Triangular Cooperation for peacebuilding in countries emerging from conflict.

8. The Group of 77 and China believes that, in taking forward the review of Civilian Capacity, the Secretariat should ensure transparency and accountability at every stage of the process for the project's success.

9. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I assure you of our continued readiness to engage constructively on this important agenda item.

I thank you.