STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS DAYANA RIOS, MINISTER COUNSELOR IN THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 147, ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF FINANCING UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS - CLOSED PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS, AT THE SECOND RESUMED PART OF THE SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 5 May 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China during this general debate on the important issue of closed peacekeeping missions. We express our appreciation to the ASG-Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar and the Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu for introducing the relevant reports of the Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee in this regard.

2. The Group remains concerned by the cash deficit situation in several closed peacekeeping missions owing to the non-payment of arrears by some Member States, which has resulted in turn in substantial long outstanding dues owed by the United Nations to troop contributing countries that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the organisation.

3. While the Group recalls in this regard the legal obligation under the Charter of the United Nations of all Member States to pay in full, without conditions and in a timely manner the full amount of their assessed contributions, however, it asserts the importance of finding a viable solution to the issue of outstanding payments to troop contributing countries in closed peacekeeping missions, regardless of the problem of cash deficits in these missions.

4. The General Assembly in its resolution 65/293 requested the Secretary-General to submit for its consideration and approval concrete proposals and alternatives to address the issue of outstanding dues to Member States from closed peacekeeping missions that are in cash deficit. We are grateful for the Secretary General for his recent proposal contained in document A/68/666, yet we perceive any proposal other than the full payment of these outstanding payments to troop contributing countries as unfeasible, given the fact that they are long overdue.

5. On the other hand, we do concur with the Secretary General on the importance of addressing the cash requirements of peacekeeping operations. This has to be taken into account, while considering finding a lasting solution to these longstanding outstanding payments.

65. Finally, the Group would like to assure you, Mr. Chairman, that it will engage actively and constructively in the coming deliberations on this important issue.

Thank you.