Thank you, Madam Chair,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China at this closing meeting of the second part of the resumed eightieth session of the Fifth Committee.

2. At the outset, the Group wishes to express its sincere appreciation to you, Madam Chair, for your steadfast leadership, patience and tireless efforts in guiding the work of the Committee throughout this session.

3. The Group also extends its appreciation to the members of the Bureau, the Secretariat of the Fifth Committee, the conference services staff, the interpreters, as well as to all facilitators, for their continued engagement with Member States. We also wish to recognize the support of the Controller, the Secretariat and the representatives of all advisory bodies for their valuable contributions to the work of the Committee.

Madam Chair,

4. The Group is pleased that, despite the complexity of the negotiations, the Committee was able to conclude a number of important agenda items by consensus. In particular, we welcome the adoption of the landmark decision establishing a revised mechanism for the return of credits, alongside the approval of the peacekeeping budgets, the review of reimbursement rates for troop- and police-contributing countries, the recommendations of the 2026 Working Group on Contingent-Owned Equipment and the Support Account. Together, these outcomes strengthen the financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of the Organization and reflect the Committee's ability to deliver meaningful results through dialogue, flexibility and constructive engagement.

5. The Group also notes that several agenda items were concluded through skeletal resolutions. While these outcomes allowed the Committee to preserve continuity in essential areas, they should not become the preferred method of addressing substantive policy questions that require meaningful intergovernmental guidance.

6. At the same time, while the Committee was unable to conclude substantive outcomes on several other important issues, the successful conclusion of negotiations under the agenda item concerning the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations stands as a defining achievement of this session.

Madam Chair,

7. The adoption of a revised mechanism for the return of credits represents a landmark decision for this Organization. It demonstrates that, in the face of unprecedented financial challenges, Member States can come together to develop pragmatic, balanced and innovative solutions to respond to the Organization's pressing operational needs while preserving the integrity of the Financial Regulations and Rules.

8. This agreement establishes a new methodology for the categorization and return of budgetary credits, introducing a coherent framework applicable across the regular budget, peacekeeping budgets and the international tribunals. By distinguishing between different categories of credits and ensuring the automatic return only of credits supported by available liquidity, the methodology strikes a careful balance between the rights of Member States and the financial needs of the Organization. In doing so, it reinforces sound financial management and reflects our shared determination to safeguard the effective implementation of the mandates entrusted to the United Nations.

9. As a matter of fact, transparency and consistency in the recording of arrears, by fiscal year, remains a cornerstone of this new methodology. The application of this mechanism shall in no way diminish the responsibility of Member States associated with outstanding assessed contributions. On the contrary, it reinforces the fundamental principle that all Member States must fulfill their financial obligations under the Charter of the United Nations by paying their assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions, thereby safeguarding the Organization's financial integrity and long-term sustainability.

10. Throughout these negotiations, the Group engaged constructively with all partners, demonstrating a genuine willingness to bridge differences. Guided by clear principles and a spirit of compromise, Member States were ultimately able to converge on a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of all parties while responding to the urgency of the current liquidity situation.

11. More broadly, today's agreement sends a powerful message that multilateralism continues to deliver meaningful results when Member States demonstrate political will, good faith and a shared commitment to strengthening this Organization. At a time when confidence in the international system is increasingly being tested, this Committee has shown that consensus remains possible, even on the most complex and politically sensitive issues.

Madam Chair,

12. Throughout this session, the Group has conducted itself in a spirit of openness, flexibility and responsibility. As long as Uruguay serves as Chair of the Group, it will continue to uphold this approach, honoring the Group's unwavering commitment to multilateralism and to this Organization, which stands at the heart of the multilateral system and remains indispensable to addressing the complex global challenges of our time, including those faced by developing countries.

I thank you.