STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MOHAMED FOUAD, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF EGYPT TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 136: PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2018-2019, ECOSOC REVISED ESTIMATES, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE SEVENTH-THIRD SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 8 November 2018)

Madame Chair,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 136: programme budget for the biennium 2018-2019, the revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its 2018 session.

2. At the outset, the Group would like to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Acting Controller, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General as contained in document A/73/400, 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/73/478.

Madame Chair,

3. The Group continues to attach great importance to ensuring adequately resourcing mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations. It is essential to provide the Organization with the necessary level of financial and human resources to enable it to deliver on its mandates as expected by Member States.

4. The Group of 77 and China notes that the budgetary impact related to the Economic and Social Council resolution 2018/19, entitled "Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti", and United Nations Forum on Forests resolution 13/1 on the outcome of the thirteenth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests is being accommodated within the approved budget level for 2018-2019 whereas the budgetary impact for the budget years 2020 and 2021, would be accommodated within the overall resources that would be made available in the context of these budgets.

5. The Group welcomes with respect to the Council's resolution 2018/23 the new Strategic direction for the ECA, which will contribute to advancing the position of the commission as a premier knowledge institution on the continent, and will enable it to better develop macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation. It will also better equip the Commission to contribute solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, and to design and implement innovative financing models for infrastructure, human, physical and social assets for transforming Africa.

6. The Group notes that the budgetary impact of those changes is within the overall approved budget level for 2018-2019 and emphasizes the importance of supporting the efforts of repositioning the Commission to effectively support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda as well as Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

Madame Chair,

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

I thank you.