Madam Chair,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agend item 146: Administration of Justice at the United Nations.

2. The Group thanks Ms. Alayne Frankson-Wallace, Executive Director, Office of Administration of Justice, Ms. Shireen Dodson, UN Ombudsman , and Mr. Udo Fenchel the Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for their respective reports.

3. The Group also takes note of reports of the Internal Justice Council and the Joint Inspection Unit.

4. The Group attaches great importance to the system of administration of justice as an independent, transparent and professionalized mechanism for effective human resource management of the Organization. The Group firmly believes that it is necessary to explore the resolution of work-related disputes and guarantee accountability and respect for the rights and obligations of staff members.

5. The Group notes with concern the sharp increase in requests for legal assistance across the internal justice system, reflecting growing anxiety among staff, regarding the impact of UN80 reform measures and budget reductions on employment conditions.

6. In particular, the Group notes with concren that the Office of Saff Legal Assistance recorded a rise in requests for legal assistance in 2025, while the Management Evaluation Unit (MEU) registered a 71 per cent increase in requests in 2024, the highest level since the establishment of the system. These figures reflect staff anxiety over the impact of reform measures and underline the importance of adequate capacity, early conflict prevention and timely responses by both OSLA and MEU.

7. The Group expresses concern over the increase in complaints of racism and racial discrimination, and reiterates that dignity, inclusivity, and equality for all staff is indispensable to a fair and respectful workplace. The Group supports ongoing efforts by the Anti-Racism Office and requests regular reporting on tangible progress achieved in this regard.

8. The Group recalls that the General Assembly resolution 79/254, requested the assessment of pilot initiatives such as judicial mediation and conciliation proceedings. We note the feedback provided by both the Secretary-General and the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, and believe that judicial mediation and informal mediation by the Ombudsman Office are complementary mechanisms, each contributing to the fair and expeditious resolution of disputes. The Group supports continued exploration of these tools, provided that participation remains voluntary and procedurally fair.

9. The Group attaches great importance to the Office of the United Nations Ombudsman, which plays a vital role in resolving workplace issues before they escalate. We welcome the significant increase in the number of cases handled in 2024 and the growing reliance on informal processes. The Group encourages the Secretariat to further strengthen this Office, ensure prompt follow-up on its recommendations, and promote awareness of its services among staff and managers.

10. The Group notes the recommendations of the Internal Justice Council regarding continuous judicial training, exposure to field realities, and ethical standards for judges. We underline that these measures to enhance performance and accountability must fully respect the principle of judicial independence, as established by the General Assembly in resolution 62/228.

11. The Group remains concerned by the rise in workplace misconduct, as highlighted in the Secretary-General's report and data collected by the Office of Internal Oversight Services. The Group condemns these behaviours in the strongest terms and urges the Secretariat to adopt a victim-centred approach, strengthen awareness programmes, and ensure that managers are held accountable for preventing and addressing such misconduct.

12. The Group also underlines the indispensable role of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance in ensuring equal access to justice for all staff. We encourage continued dialogue between the Internal Justice Council and OSLA to address capacity gaps, expand outreach, and ensure that all personnel, regardless of their category or duty station, benefit from adequate legal representation.

13. The Group of 77 and China stresses that the credibility of the United Nations depends on a justice system that is accessible, balanced and properly resourced. We therefore urge that any future reform or efficiency measure under the UN80 context should not compromise these foundational principles or undermine the independence or decentralized nature of the system.

14. The Group stands ready to engage constructively with all delegations and stakeholders on this important agenda item, with a view to achieving a timely and consensual conclusion.

Thank you.