Mr Chair,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 137 entitled "Programme planning."

2. At the outset the Group of 77 and China wishes to commend the chairperson of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC), Mr. Yuri Ambrazevich, under whose guidance and skilful leadership the CPC was able to successfully complete their recent session.

3. The Group also extends its appreciation to Mr. Johannes Huisman, Director planning and Budget Division and Mr. Mario Baez, Chief of Policy and oversight Coordination Services for introducing the relevant reports.

Mr Chair,

4. Programme Planning transforms intergovernmental mandates into implementable programs. It is in this regard that the Group wishes to underline the importance of the work of the CPC as the main subsidiary organ of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council for planning, programming and Coordination. The CPC not only gives guidance to the Secretariat by interpreting legislative mandates but also considers and develops evaluation procedures for the improvement of programme design and the avoidance of overlap and duplication. It is in this regard that the Group considers the work of the CPC to be at the core of the General Assembly's capacity to provide guidance and oversight in the areas just mentioned.

Mr Chair,

5. In reflecting on the CPC report, the Group of 77 and China appreciates the continued commitment by the Committee in promoting accountability, monitoring and evaluation for programme results in the Organisation. The report provides an excellent basis for the consideration of the relevant items on the agenda of the Fifth Committee, and therefore endorses the recommendations and conclusions contained in its fifty-seventh session.

6. Among the priorities of the Group of 77 and China under this agenda item is the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as reflected in the CPC report. The Group continues to stress the importance of the implementation of the framework for the Sustainable Development Goals as it extends far into the next 6 biennium's and virtually touches on every aspect of the United Nations developmental system.

7. Another priority for the Group is the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Group expresses its support for the Office of the Special Advisor on Africa and recommends that the General Assembly emphasize the need for the Organisation of the United Nations system and intergovernmental bodies to continue to take into consideration the views, comments and inputs of regional and sub-regional organisations, including the African Union in their policy formulations and decision making, mainly in the areas of Youth Unemployment, extremism and terrorism, governance, the protection of women and children, mediation, conflict prevention, peace and Security, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

Mr Chair,

8. Given the importance of evaluation processes in the Secretariat, the Group expects that the recommendations and conclusions of the CPC regarding strengthening the role of evaluation and the application of evaluation findings on programme design, delivery and policy directives will be diligently implemented by the managers of the Secretariat.

Mr Chair.

9. As part of the CPC report the Group also takes note of the work of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), as the Sole independent, external oversight body of the United Nations system. The Group expresses satisfaction that the reports of the Joint Inspection Unit continue to be submitted for consideration by the CPC as one of the key mandates of the Committee is to assist the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly on coordination questions. The Group therefore encourages the Unit to intensify its efforts in continuing to introduce relevant and substantial reports for the benefit of the CPC so as to allow it to achieve its objectives and account for its success.

10. In the same vein as recommended by the CPC, the Group encourages the Secretariat to make better use of in house expertise in carrying out evaluations in the entities of the Secretariat, in particular the experience available from the internal and external oversight bodies notably OIOS, the Board of Auditors and the Joint Inspection Unit.

11. We also expect that the Secretariat, in accordance with the recommendations and conclusions of the CPC, when preparing future plan outlines, will fully take into account the need to consult widely with Member States before presenting proposals on management reform for the consideration of the General Assembly.

12. Last but not least the Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the programme performance report as it is an important accountability and management tool for Member States and the Secretariat, particularly the sections on lessons learnt where departments and offices should make better use of experiences to improve future work.

13. To this end the Group stresses that additional outputs during a biennium should mainly come from intergovernmental mandates, especially at a time when the Organisation considers reform questions.

Mr Chair,

14. In conclusion the Group of 77 and China reaffirms its continued commitment in supporting and strengthening the work of the CPC. The Group also reiterates its appreciation for the work done by members of the CPC and for the support received from the very efficient Secretariat during the past session. In endorsing the recommendations and conclusions contained in the CPC's fifty seventh report, Mr. Chair we look forward to continuing this momentum of negotiations in the Fifth Committee as we tackle issues of strategic planning budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.

15. Allow me to assure of you of the constructive participation of the Group during the negotiations on this item, in order that we may reach a positive outcome

Thank you, Mr Chair.