Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China at this closing session of the second part of the resumed seventieth session of the Fifth Committee.

2. As mentioned in our statement during the organization of work, it is our genuine and strong determination to have this second resumed session concluded within the timeframe set out in the programme of work. Against the backdrop of challenges and difficulties on a number of issues before us, the Group would like to acknowledge that the Committee has collectively put in an extra effort and worked very hard to maximize the time that we had despite the fact that the negotiations went beyond the timeframe by two weeks.

3. While regretting the delay, on a more positive note, it was these two weeks that made a difference. As we conclude our work today, it is 11 days earlier than we did in 2015, 20 days earlier than in 2014, and 15 days earlier than we did in 2013. It is clearly shown in the last few days of our negotiations that when Member States acted together with their full spirit of cooperation, flexibility and compromise, we could accomplish the work before us in an expeditious manner. This is what we call the collective responsibility of Member States. We hope that the valuable lessons that we experienced at this session will help Member States improving the conduct of their work of the Committee in the future.

Mr. Chairman,

4. Several accomplishments of our work in the past six weeks need to be reflected as a number of issues are of importance to the Group. Those that deserve mentioning here include the resolution on cross-cutting issues as the Group acknowledges the increasing complexity of the peacekeeping operations and recognizes the sacrifices made by our men and women on the ground under adverse circumstances. The cross-cutting resolution encompasses matters relating to budget presentation and financial management by ensuring compliance with legislative mandates and their effective and efficient implementation; personnel issues which will ensure proper representation of the troop-contributing countries and the role of women in peacekeeping operation; and operational requirements which, among others, will ensure transparency of various technology projects, timely reimbursement to troop-contributing countries for the contingent-owned equipment, innovative ways to promote procurement from developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and benefits realization plan from any initiatives relating to filed support and service delivery, including Global Field Support Strategy.

5. The Group is particularly pleased on a historical step forward that we have collectively taken on the measures to ensure full implementation of the zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), which expands its scope by not limiting to all UN uniformed and civilian personnel, but also non-UN forces operating under a Security Council mandate, particularly in the area of reporting of allegations of the SEA in the future report of the Secretary-General.

6. The Group also welcomes the resolution on the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe (RSCE) which, for the first time, has a life of its own separated from the cross-cutting issues complementing the Centre's enjoyment of managerial and operational independence as requested by the General Assembly. In this connection, the Group looks forward to the transfer of the Integrated Training Service to the RSCE with the effective date of 1 January 2017.

7. However, it is unfortunate that it is once again that this year we could not reach agreement on resolution on closed peacekeeping missions despite new creative options to find a sustainable solution to the issue relating to claims payable to Member States, particularly troop and police contributing countries from closed peacekeeping operation budgets.

Mr. Chairman,

8. On a separate issue, the Group wishes to register its concern on the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017 on supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. As we just adopted the resolution on this agenda item, the Group looks forward to receiving a new comprehensive proposal from the Secretary-General to address the effective and efficient delivery of mandates in support of the two Agendas, which is in compliance with the mandate, relevant rules and regulations as well as established practice in the budgetary process, at the earliest opportunity. We cannot afford to lose any more time in support of their implementation.

Mr. Chairman,

9. The Group would like to express its sincere appreciation to you for your constructive, professional and able leadership in steering the work of the Fifth Committee during the seventieth session. Despite the delayed conclusion at this second resumed part of the session, the record conclusion at the main part and the first resumed part of the session is something we all owe it to you and your team of efficient members of the Bureau and the Fifth Committee Secretariat. The Group would also, therefore, like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the members of the Bureau, coordinators of various agenda items, and the Secretariat of the Committee for their dedication and perseverance in conducting the work in a professional and effective manner. The Group wishes to also extend its thanks to conference services officers, interpreters and sound engineers for their services throughout the session.

10. Last but not least, the Group wishes to take this opportunity also to thank our negotiating partners for their flexibility and constructive engagement at this session and looks forward to building on this positive momentum during the main part of the seventy-first session.

Mr. Chairman,

11. Despite all the challenges that we faced during the course of this session, the Group would like to reaffirm its commitment to engage constructively in the work of the Fifth Committee in the next seventy-first session, and hopes that the spirit of cooperation, flexibility and compromise that benefit us in the past year will carry on in our work at the next session.

12. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.