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 THE FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS: UNITED NATIONS LOGISTICS BASE AT BRINDISI, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED 68TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 7 May 2014)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the agenda item 147: administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of UN peacekeeping operations: United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi.

2. The Group would like to thank the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Ms. Maria Eugenia Casar, and the Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for introducing the respective reports of the Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee in this regard.

3. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its commitment to work together with all stakeholders to help the Secretariat in fulfilling the mandate assigned to the United Nations Global Service Centre of Brindisi.

4. However, the Group of 77 and China notes with regret, that despite the General Assembly decision, the Secretary-General continues to refer to Valencia as part of the Global Service Center. The Group would like to reiterate the prerogatives of the General Assembly on the management of the Center, and to support all the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions in this regard. Any proposal to change the functions currently assigned to Valencia need to be submitted and approved by the General Assembly

5. The G77 and China is concerned with the lack of transparency in allocation of resources to the UNLB and the facility in Valencia for hosting and providing Umoja support services. The Group of 77 and China will seek further clarification on this matter during the informal consultations.

6. The Group of 77 and China will engage constructively in order to a successful conclusion of negotiations under this agenda item.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.