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 NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 134: PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR BIENNIUM 2016-2017: REVISED ESTIMATES RELATING THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HIGH-LEVEL INDEPENDENT PANEL ON PEACE OPERATIONS, DURING THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED SEVENTIETH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIFTH COMMITTEE (New York, 11 May 2016)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134 : programme budget for biennium 2016-2017 in particular on the revised estimates relating to the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (HIPPO) of Department of Political Affairs.

2. At the outset allow me to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, and Controller for introducing the report of Secretary-General contained in document A/70/745. The Group would also like to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieur, Chair of the Advisory Committee for introducing the related report contained in document A/70/7/Add.49.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance in strengthening the prevention of armed conflict and the peaceful settlement of disputes which is one of the central to the mandates of the United Nations.

4. The Group of 77 and China also recognizes the role of the Secretary-General in supporting peaceful settlement of disputes and mediation of conflicts.

5. However, the Group is concerned on the timing of the presentation of the current proposal in the middle of discussions related to peacekeeping operations and a few months after the adoption of the budget proposals. The Group is equally concerned on the continued approach of the Secretary-General in presenting the budgetary proposals in piecemeal manner both to the Committee and to the Advisory Committee in the context of the commitment of authority, as well as in the implementation of the recommendations of the HIPPO report.

6. The Group would like to once again stress the need for the Secretary-General to strictly adhere to the budgetary discipline and we look forward to the improvement of this practice in the future.

Mr. Chairman,

7. The Group of 77 and China has taken note of the proposal of the Secretary-General including the proposed staffing and non-staffing resources. The Group has also taken note of the comments, observations and recommendations of the Advisory Committee.

8. In conclusion, I would like to assure you that the Group of 77 and China will carefully scrutinize the proposal before us, including staffing requests based on the impact of each proposal on performance targets and outputs to be delivered and engage constructively during deliberations of this important agenda item with a view to reach consensus outcome in a timely manner.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman