Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134: Improving the financial situation of the United Nations.

2. First, we would like to thank Mr. Yukio Takasu, Under Secretary-General for Management for the presentation on the financial situation of the Organization made on 9 October. The Group would also like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to the Office of Contributions for the updated information of the assessments for Member States and its continued support to Member States.

3. The Group is concerned because of the financial indicators for 2014 shown by the regular budget. Taking into account that the level of cash available for the regular budget is already low, the Group´s concern grows exponentially when this situation is expected to worsen by the end of the year.

4. The Group has consistently stated that the full, timely and non-conditional payment of assessed contributions by Member States to the budgets of the Organization is an obligation established in the Charter. We strongly urge all Member States, especially those that have the capacity to settle their arrears to meet their financial commitments in a timely fashion. It is critical that all Member States live up to their financial commitments so as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the United Nations.

5. In this context, the Group of 77 and China strongly rejects all unilateral coercive measures contrary to the international law, which obstruct and sometimes impede payments from members of our Group to the budgets of the Organization.

Mr. Chairman,

6. The G77 and China highlights the negative situation of the CMP cash situation which will be exhausted in few days by November. Within this context, the Group of 77 and China considers very important to recall that operative paragraph 13, Section VII, of resolution A/RES/68/247 B, did authorize the Secretary-General to use the Working Capital Fund and the Special Account as a bridging mechanism to address possible cash flow challenges of the project during the time remaining until its completion. Nevertheless, the G77 and China underlines that such decision was made on an exceptional basis and was the result of an immense flexibility from the Group.

7. Furthermore, the Group considers of upmost importance to also recall operative paragraph 14, Section VII, from the same resolution A/RES/68/247 B, which decided that this bridging mechanism will be replenished at the main part of the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly through the established budget assessment in order to maintain the robust liquidity of the Organization. The Group will closely follow up the implementation of this mandate.
Mr. Chairman,

8. Concerning the outstanding payments to Member States that provide troops, formed-police units and contingent-owned equipment to peacekeeping operations, the Group of 77 and China recognizes the efforts made by the Secretariat to reduce the amount owed. The Group also notes the decrease expected by the end of this year and expresses firmly that more should be done to ensure that Member States are reimbursed in full, expeditiously.

9. Since most troop-contributing countries are also developing countries, they are not in a position to sustain their troop commitments and maintain their equipment on their own for extended periods of time. As this issue represents a major concern and a true priority for the Group, we will follow this matter with keen attention.

10. With regard to the payments to the peacekeeping operations budget, we reiterate the request to those countries that have not paid their assessments in full and on time, to do so as soon as possible.

Mr. Chairman,

11. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China urges all Member States to meet their financial obligations to the Organization in full, on time, and without any precondition in order to strengthen the ability of the United Nations to fully implement its mandates.

I thank you.