Closed Peacekeeping Missions

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. DHISADEE CHAMLONGRASDR, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND TO THE UNITED BATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 148, ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF THE FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS - CLOSED PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS, AT THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED SEVENTIETH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 2 May 2016)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China during this general discussion on this important issue of Closed Peacekeeping Missions. We express appreciation to the Controller, Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiostas, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the updated financial position of closed peacekeeping missions, and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for introducing the corresponding report of the ACABQ.

2. The Group is concerned by the cash deficit situation in several closed peacekeeping missions. The Group wishes to recall in this regard the legal obligation under the Charter of the United Nations of all Member States to pay in full, without conditions and in a timely manner the full amount of their assessed contributions.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group concurs with the Secretary-General on the importance of properly addressing the cash requirements of peacekeeping operations. It also reasserts the importance of finding a viable solution to the issue of outstanding payments to troop and police contributing countries in closed peacekeeping operations, regardless of the problem of cash deficits in these missions.

4. The Group once again reiterates that in paragraph 7 of General Assembly resolution 65/293, the Secretary-General was requested to submit for consideration and approval concrete proposals and alternatives to address the issue of outstanding amount due to Member States from closed peacekeeping missions that are in net cash deficit. The Group intends to examine the current and previous reports under this agenda item. Given the fact that the outstanding amount is long overdue and many proposals have been presented, the Group views that the full payment of the outstanding amount to Member States, especially to troop and police contributing countries, is the most feasible solution.

Mr. Chairman,

5. Finally, the Group would like to assure you that it will engage actively and constructively in the forthcoming deliberations on this important issue.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.