Mr Chairman,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law. We are very grateful the Legal Counsel for joining us today.

The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Legal Counsel for this briefing, which provides an account of some of the activities undertaken to implement the Programme of Assistance, and highlighted the progress made thus far and the challenges the Programme faces in ensuring its future implementation.

Mr. Chairman,

We note that the objective for which the programme was created has become more relevant in these times as an effective tool of strengthening international peace and security and promoting friendly relations and cooperation among States. Notwithstanding the numerous challenges, we cannot stress enough that immense benefits are derived by state officials, of both developing and developed countries who work in international law, especially members of the Group of 77 and China, from the regional courses in international law, the international fellowship programmes and the audiovisual library.

It is on this premise that the G77 and China has become deeply concerned over the lack of regular budgetary funding for the programme. The Group notes with concern that last year, the Regional course in International Law for Asia-Pacific, which was to be held in Thailand, had to be cancelled because there was no funding for the course. The regional course for Latin America and the Caribbean, expected to take place in Uruguay in 2014, has also been cancelled, even though that country was ready to finance 25% of the cost, and there are no resources for a second course in that region. Moreover, the Audiovisual Library of International Law could be completely discontinued.

The sustainability of this commendable programme, which results are seen every day in the work of state lawyers and of delegates to the UN and other organizations, will clearly be affected by the fact that voluntary contributions has not succeeded in sustaining the programme. This is a critical time for the Programme of Assistance. The whole programme is at risk. We need to be conscious of that. The recommendations made last year by the Advisory Committe were clear. The G77 and China cannot accept the inevitable outcome if adequate resources, including regular budgetary funding, are not secured for the effective implementation of the programme.

In light of the financial situation of the programme, the Foreign Ministers of G77 and China agreed in a Ministerial Declaration adopted during their meeting on 26 September 2013 at the UN Headquarters here in New York, that there ought to be adequate financing for all aspects of the Programme through the regular budget of the United Nations for the biennium 2014-2015, including for the regional courses of international law, the Audiovisual Library, teaching materials and publications, and the Amerasinghe Memorial Fellowship on the Law of the Sea, administered by DOALOS but also part of the Programme of Assistance.

We therefore supported the allocation of resources from the regular budget for the biennium 2014-2015 at our negotiations at the 68th session. Unfortunately, some delegations blocked that possibility. Nevertheless, the G77 and China believes we still have time, and we should make another try this year. We hope that now, when we are already seeing the negative effects of lack of financing, all delegations will be able to support the Programme of Assistance through the measure that could save it : the allocation of resources from the regular budget.

Mr. Chairman,

Additionally, I would like to reiterate that it is important that the Report of the Secretary General includes information on the Amerasinghe Fellowship on the Law of the Sea. Also, on capacity building offered by the Treaty Section, which would encourage Member States becoming parties to treaties deposited with the Secretary General. Familiarity with the Secretary General's Treaty Practice will definitely encourage more states to comply with the requirements of Article 102 of the Charter and become party to the range of treaties concluded under the auspices of the UN and deposited with the SG.

Mr. Chairman,

The United Nations was founded with the conviction that it is international law that rules the relations among States. For a world order based on the rule of law, we need to study, understand, teach and disseminate knowledge of international law. That is the main purpose of this programme and it has trained generations of state lawyers.

We hope that Member States, like the members of the G77 and China, remain committed to these objectives and to taking the necessary measures to ensure the continuation of the Programme of Assistance. We also count on the Secretariat to work together in this endeavour.

The G77 and China urges all member states to join efforts in ensuring that regular budgetary funding is provided for the Programme of Assistance for the benefit of developing and developed countries alike. The G77 and China is ready to work with all Members also at this upcaming session, both at the Sixth and at the Fifth Committes, to make this happen.