Mr. Chairman,

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

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank Ms. Linda Wong, Chief of Service II, Programme Planning and Budget Division, for the introduction of the report of the Secretary-General contained in documents A/69/609, and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairman of the ACABQ, for introducing the related report of the Advisory Committee under this item.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China notes that decisions of the ECOSOC at its substantive session of 2014 calls for additional requirement of USD 56,300 for the biennium 2014-2015. The Group of 77 and China supports the provision of the necessary resources to finance the resolutions and decisions adopted by the ECOSOC at its substantive session in 2014. In this regard, it is our expectation that the requirements for the support of the Secretariat to the resident coordinator system, in the amount of USD 13 million, will be fully reflected in the context of the programme budget for 2016-2017,

4. The Group would like to once again stress the importance of providing the necessary resources to finance all decisions of intergovernmental organs of the Organization in the field of social and economic development. We continue to believe on the need to allocate adequate resources to implement mandates arising from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Mr. Chairman,

5. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage in open, inclusive and transparent negotiations on this very important agenda item.

I thank you.