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 resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council during 2016.

2. At the outset, the Group would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, for introducing the reports of the Secretary-General as contained in document A/71/401 and its addendum, as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing the related report of the Advisory Committee as contained in document A/71/633.

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. The Group wishes to recall that, in accordance with resolution 69/264, and as reiterated in resolution 70/247, the General Assembly has decided that the promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development, in particular the effective and efficient delivery of mandates in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, is one of the priorities of the United Nations for the biennium 2016-2017.

5. In this regard, the Group reaffirms its support to the work of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), especially the roles and mandates of the Regional Commissions, in the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and reiterates that adequate funding and resources be appropriated accordingly.

Madam Chairperson,

6. The Group of 77 and China note that the additional requirements related to the resolutions, decisions, and the ministerial declaration adopted by the ECOSOC during its 2016 and 2017 sessions estimated at $2,872,200 and $556,000, respectively, under the programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017, would require an additional appropriation to be charged against the contingency fund, and that the related resources requirements for the biennium 2018-2019 will be considered in the context of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2018-2019.

7. The Group also notes that these additional requirements result from activities related to the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia strategy and plan of action on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; the committing to the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific; the establishment of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development; the arrangements for the 12th and 13th sessions of the Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters and special meeting of the Council on international cooperation in tax matters; the working arrangements for the 2017 session of the ECOSOC; and the ministerial declaration of the high-level segment of the 2016 session of the ECOSOC, including the 2016 high-level political forum on sustainable development, convened under the auspices of the ECOSOC.

8. The Group of 77 and China, therefore, support the provision of the required resources to finance the resolutions, decisions, and the ministerial declaration adopted by the ECOSOC at its 2016 and 2017 sessions during 2016.

Madam Chairperson,

9. The Group observes that the proposed requirements for the implementation of the ECOSOC resolutions, decisions, and the ministerial declaration in front of us will also be presented, in the next agenda item, in the context of the latest report of the Secretary-General on supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development contained in the document A/71/534. The Group wishes to note at this stage that, in view of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the proposal on the revised estimates does not encompass the work of all regional commissions in supporting the implementation of the two Agendas, in particular with respect to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. In respective appropriate session of our informal consultations, the Group will be interested in receiving full and detailed explanation on the rational of this arrangement by the Secretary-General and coordination among entities in formulating these proposals, and especially how this arrangement responds to the request by the General Assembly in its resolution 70/247, and its subsequent resolution 70/248 C, for a comprehensive proposal addressing the effective and efficient delivery of mandates of the two Agendas.

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

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.