STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF UNDP, UNFPA AND UNOPS ANNUAL SESSION, AGENDA ITEM: ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS (New York, 3 June 2015)

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

At the outset, the Group of 77 and China would like to compliment you for your able leadership as President of the Executive Board. We count on your support and excellent stewardship in ensuring that the views of the South are taken on board in deliberations of the Board, going forward.

The Group of 77 and China regards the agenda item on organisational matters as of critical importance, as it touches on issues on the venue of the Annual Sessions of the Executive Board. These Sessions provide a much needed platform for Member States to exchange views and ideas on issues of common interest to improve and strengthen the United Nations Development System.

On that note, the Group would like to request that the UNDP's Annual Sessions to take place in New York, instead of Geneva, so as to broaden participation of developing countries in the decision-making processes of these deliberations. This would assist in putting all participating countries to be on the same page in terms of processes and the way-forward on key decisions. Indeed, no country should be left behind.

Moreover, in these times of resource constraints being faced by the UNDP, when it had to resort to structural restructuring to save costs, the holding of UNDP Executive Board Sessions in New York would also result in a huge amount of cost savings for the UNDP's resources, which could then be further meaningfully utilised in programming functions of the UNDP.

Earlier last year owing to the same, ECOSOC too had decided not to move to Geneva, and we would therefore request for the same level of pragmatism from the UNDP in ensuring that future Executive Board Sessions are held in New York only.

If this decision needs to be indeed endorsed by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution, then the Group of 77 and China is willing to move that draft resolution for consideration by the General Assembly.

Mr President,

The Group is furthermore cognizant of the work that is being carried out by the Executive Board on this matter, regarding finding a solution. We are however, of the view that this must be done amicably and speedily rather than it being an after-thought. It is our principled view that this needs to be prioritised as a matter of urgency. This is pertinent and timely as we prepare for the next QCPR negotiations in 2016.

Mr President,

The Group of 77 and China believes that through an open and frank dialogue on this matter, a solution may indeed be reached in order for the UNDP to be in a better position to adequately carry out its developmental mandate, going forward. We remain hopeful that a win-win solution would be reached sooner, on this issue.

Thank you!