Thank you, Madam Chair,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China at this closing session of the second part of resumed seventy-ninth session of the Fifth Committee.

2. The Group would like to express its appreciation to you Madam Chair, and to all bureau members, for the leadership and guidance throughout the second resumed session of the 79th Session of the General Assembly and for successfully concluding your chairmanship.

3. The Group also extends its appreciation to the Secretariat of the Fifth Committee, led by Lionel Berridge, to the coordinators for their hard work, dedication and the important roles they play to support us in our negotiations.

Madam Chair,

4. With respect to the agenda items that were before the Committee this session, we are pleased to have reached consensus on the Strategic Heritage Plan (SHP) which reflects the Group's commitments to the successful implementation of this important United Nations project in Geneva.

5. The Group also welcomes the consensus achieved on the report of the Board of Auditors and on the approval of the budgets for peacekeeping missions.

6. The Group notes the number of agenda items that were concluded at a skeletal resolution.

Madam Chair,

7. Our inability to conclude some of the other agenda items is a matter of concern for our Group.

8. In particular, the Group regrets the absence of comprehensive agreements under the agenda item on improving the financial situation of the United Nations. We made every attempt to achieve consensus by moving significantly from our positions in the true spirit of compromise. It is concerning that we were not able to adopt substantive resolutions on these important matters, especially in identifying steps to address the Organization's recurrent liquidity problems. We look forward to continuing discussions on this agenda item during the main part of the ( 80th) session. We also find it regrettable that the Committee was not able to adopt a resolution on Cross-Cutting issues and Close Peacekeeping Operations.

9. We hope that in the future, the Committee will make greater efforts to have negotiated outcomes and give appropriate guidance to the Secretariat on the management of the Organization.
10. Before concluding, allow me to thank all our negotiating partners, the likeminded plus+ and the Russian Federation for their constructive engagements with the Group of 77 and China, on several issues during this session.

11. Finally, as we look ahead and prepare for the eightieth session, the Group reaffirms its commitment to always engage constructively in the work of the Fifth Committee in helping this Organization deliver on its mandates.

I thank you.