STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. SIRITHON WAIRATPANIJ, COUNCELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 134: PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2016-2017: REVISED ESTIMATES RESULTING FROM THE DECISIONS CONTAINED IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 70/290, ENTITLED "HIGH-LEVEL PLENARY MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON ADDRESSING LARGE MOVEMENTS OF REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS," AT THE MAIN PART OF THE SEVENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FIFTH COMMITTEE (New York, 16 November 2016)

Madam Chairperson,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134: Programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017, on the revised estimates resulting from the decisions contained in General Assembly resolution 70/290, entitled "High-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants".

2. The Group would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General, as contained in document A/71/345, as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing its related report, as contained in document A/71/597.

Madam Chairperson,

3. The Group of 77 and China reiterate the long-standing position of the Group that the level of resources to be approved by the General Assembly must be commensurate with all mandated programmes and activities to ensure their full and effective implementation.

4. As mandated by the General Assembly in its decision 70/539, the high-level meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants which took place on 19 September 2016 was the first summit at the Heads of State and Government level on the subject with a view to strengthen collective efforts in addressing the challenges of human mobility. At the meeting, Member States unanimously adopted the historic New York Declaration, the outcome document expressing an international commitment to save lives, protect rights and share responsibility.

5. The Group supports a comprehensive global approach in addressing the issue of large movements of refugees and migrants and, therefore, supported the convening of the high-level meeting. As also expressed in the Group's Ministerial Declaration of 23 September 2016, the Group has taken note of the decision resulting from the outcome document of the high-level meeting to launch this year a process of intergovernmental negotiations leading to the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018 at an intergovernmental conference.

6. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China note the modalities of the high-level meeting as mandated by the General Assembly resolution 70/290 as well as its additional conference-servicing requirements of US$305,000 to implement the additional workload and, therefore, support the Secretary-General's request.

Madam Chairperson,

7. The Group assures you of our continued commitment to participate actively and constructively in the consultations on this agenda item.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.