Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on this important item.

2. We thank the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, Mr. Gregory Starr, for the introduction of the Secretary-General's comprehensive report on the Department of Safety and Security - Use of private security. We further wish to thank. Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for introducing the report of the Advisory Committee on this item.

3. The Group of 77 and China reiterate the importance of safety and security for the United Nations staff, operations and premises at all its locations in Headquarters, main duty stations, and the field. The Group will continue to support measures aimed at ensuring a coherent, effective, accountable, and timely response to security-related threats and other emergencies.

4. The Group believes that a comprehensive and integrated approach is critical to the issue of safety and security. While we note with appreciation the efforts undertaken in preparation of the Secretary-General's comprehensive report on the Department of Safety and Security and the use of private security which provides important information on number of key areas, the Secretary-General still, however, has not complied with the General Assembly's request for presenting a comprehensive policy framework for safety and security.

Mr. Chairman,

5. The Group wishes to recall the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolutions emphasizing that the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of United Nations staff and premises rests with the host country. The Group has consistently emphasized that any provisions for safety and security of the United Nations cannot work in isolation or without due consultation process with Member States. The Security Level System should, therefore, provide for a close coordination and collaboration with the host country. We note, in this regard that during the current year, the Department of Safety and Security established a common policy on Relations with Host Country on Security Issues for the United Nations Security Management System. We believe that such common policy must taken into account the relevant host country agreements. We will seek further information in this regard during the Committee's informal consultations on this agenda item.

6. It is imperative for the Organization to establish clear criteria for determining security needs and evaluating threat perception and risk assessment on a world-wide basis to ensure that the Department of Safety and Security is able to respond to any emergency. The Group, in this regard, notes the Secretary-General's efforts in developing a standard for safety and security as requested by the General Assembly, and promulgation of Security Level System by the United Nation Security Management System in January 2011. The 'new risk management model', which includes a range of policies, tools and guidelines to identify and assess threats and to determine the level of risk after risk mitigation measures are put in place, must bear in mind the mandate of different UN activities, and that the level of risk and threats vary from one place to another.

7. The Group of 77 and China would like to underline the need for effective implementation of mandated programmes and delivery of services while ensuring the safety and security of United Nations personnel, premises and assets. We will seek additional information on the detailed phases, benchmarks and timelines of the 'programme criticality framework' and the programme criticality level along with their established clear lines of accountability and responsibility and a clear chain of command for all participants in field security and at duty stations.
 
 Mr. Chairman,

8. The Group notes the information provided in the Secretary-General's report on the use of private security (A/67/539). We underline the need for an effective regulation, monitoring, management, and oversight of the Organization's use of private security, which should be utilized only as a last option, and in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and the international human rights and standards. The Group emphasizes that a comprehensive policy for the use of private security should be presented for consideration of the relevant Committees of the General Assembly and the legislative approval should be sought.

9. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China looks forward to engaging constructively during the forthcoming discussion on this matter.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.