STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. SIRITHON WAIRATPANIJ, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 134, PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2016-2017: PROPOSED REGIONAL RESTRUCTURING OF THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: INCREASING EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 48/141, 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 Proposed regional restructuring of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: increasing efficiency and effectiveness in the implementation of General Assembly resolution 48/141.

2. The Group would like to thank Ms. Kate Gilmore, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/71/218 and Corr. 1, as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), for introducing the Advisory Committee's report contained in document A/71/584.

Madam Chairperson,

3. The Group recognizes the importance of human rights as one of the three pillars of the work of the United Nations, and, within this context, the key role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Group underlines the principles of universality, transparency, objectivity, impartiality, indivisibility and non-selectivity in guiding the work of OHCHR, in the spirit of constructive international dialogue and cooperation, and in the manner consistent with the purposes and principles set out in the United Nations Charter.

4. The Group's support to OHCHR is always reflected in the Human Rights programme review by the relevant intergovernmental bodies. Member States have a responsibility towards the work and functioning of OHCHR, as a major organizational entity of the United Nations Secretariat. It is therefore essential that it receives the appropriate budgetary support and its work is in line with related intergovernmental mandates, relevant rules and regulations, the biennial programme plan and the priorities for the given biennium as approved by the General Assembly.

5. In this context, the Group notes that the current report of the Secretary-General has been submitted in response to the General Assembly resolution 70/247 requesting for a clearer and more detailed proposal on the regional restructuring of the Office. The Group, therefore, has paid close attention to the report and will continue to carefully examine the details of the revised proposal in conjunction with the comments and observations made by the Advisory Committee in its current and previous reports, the details of which was endorsed by General Assembly resolution 70/247.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.