We would like to thank you for convening this thematic event on Landlocked Developing Countries to address their special needs and challenges in preparation of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in 2024.

At the halfway point in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the results are far from the desired ones, and in the case of LLDCs, the scenario is even more discouraging.

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted progress in almost all priority areas of the Vienna Programme of Action. This has been aggravated by challenging global macroeconomic conditions leading to increased risk of debt distress, limiting their fiscal and policy space for critical investments in recovery.

The Group stresses that as the LLDCs head into the final stretches of the 2030 Agenda and the Vienna Programme of Action, efforts towards both need to be reoriented to incorporate the long-term impact of COVID-19, building of more equal, inclusive and sustainable institutions and the nurturing of resilient economies. Towards this end, a transformative recovery aimed at reducing vulnerability to future crises and ensuring that LLDCs can make the necessary progress towards achieving the SDGs and respond to the ambition and the urgency of the Vienna Programme of Action is paramount.

The Group reiterates its recognition of the special development needs and challenges of LLDCs arising from their landlockedness, remoteness from world markets and geographical constraints. These impediments impose serious constrains on export earnings, private capital inflow and domestic resource mobilization and therefore adversely affect their overall sustainable development.

In addition, the adverse impact of climate change on LLDCs has reduced the infrastructure connectivity of the Group and has imposed additional challenges. In this regard, the new Programme of Action presents an opportunity for enhancing cooperation with LLDCs with respect to climate change.

The Group emphasizes that building the productive capacities of landlocked developing countries, promoting value addition and export diversification and moving up global value chains are vital to increasing their trade potential.

It is necessary to promote the integration of LLDCs in global trade by, inter alia, enhancing support for capacity-building and technology transfer to develop digital infrastructure and policies to support e-commerce and the digital economy.

It is necessary to promote structural changes, including through intensified industrialization and a greater utilization of science, technology and innovation.

The Third Conference of the LLDCs will be an opportunity to renew our commitments to this group of countries in special situations with the adoption of a ten-year action programme that responds to their concrete needs and priorities.

The G77 and China reaffirms its solidarity with the Landlocked Developing Countries and its commitment to engage constructively in the preparatory process and negotiations on the new Programme of Action for the LLDCs. The Group looks forward to the successful convening of the Third UN Conference on LLDCs to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2024.

Thank you.

2. We recognize that the present report is being submitted pursuant to General Assembly's endorsement of ACABQ's recommendations for the need to have comprehensive information on spending globally across the Secretariat, including ICT capital expenditures and comprehensive action to deal with cyber security. We also note that this report is presented for the consideration of the General Assembly when the first report of the SG on this matter remains before us to be considered. The Group would like to have more clarity in this regard.

3. We recognize that this report builds on the previous one, through detailed assessments covering five specific areas of investments relate to conferencing systems at Headquarters; safety and security needs at Headquarters, offices away from Headquarters and the regional commissions; renovation of buildings and facilities at ECLAC, renovation of ECA; and renovation of United Nations House in Jerusalem.

4. We note and appreciate the application of lessons learnt in other construction projects in designing the IT infrastructure to ensure stronger connectivity and backups in operations. We encourage the Secretary General to continue his efforts in this regard. However, we still feel that these figures don't completely capture ICT expenditure and investments across the organization and the assessment of the needs with medium- and long-term perspectives. The Group looks forward to having a more comprehensive data in the upcoming reports.

Mr. Chair,

5. The Group concurs with the ACABQ that the level of resources required for capital investment and/or progressive maintenance requirements for the Organization's capital assets should be based on the application of a reliable, consistent, and realistic valuation methodology, along with details concerning the applicability of comparable industry standards to all United Nations-owned and/or operated premises.

6. Furthermore, the capital investment proposals need to be fully coordinated and integrated with other approved strategies and initiatives, such as the improved service delivery concept, as well as other projects underway.

7. Any capital investment planning work programme should seek to maximize efficiency gains and operational effectiveness. It must clearly identify and justify requirements, including in relation to the standardization and interoperability of ICT equipment, and provide comprehensive, detailed, and transparent information on costs, as well as an assessment of the replacement cycle and actual usage of equipment across the Secretariat.

8. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the Group of 77 and China stands ready to continue to engage constructively during the deliberations of this agenda item.

I thank you.

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its gratitude to the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and The Kingdom of The Netherlands for their continued support to the work of the Organization and in particular the Residual Mechanism. We register again, our full support to the work of the Mechanism and that consideration of this agenda and adequate allocation of resources form are a major part of our collective interests.

Mr. Chair,

3. The Group of 77 and China has taken note of the performance of the Mechanism budget for the 2022 which reveal underperformance in the tune of 10.35 million dollars (gross). We have also taken note on the updates on current financial year which indicates that the entity will continue to register underperformance. The Group will be interested to learn the details on the variances on the specific budget lines.

4. The Group notes that the Secretary-General is proposing the budget amounted to 63,930,800 dollars for year 2024 reflecting a reduction of 18.01 million dollars or 22 percent from the resources approved for the current year. The budget assumption includes proposal to abolish 20 posts comprising 15 posts in the Arusha Branch and 5 in The Hague.

5. With regards to the other staff costs, the Group notes that a total of 77 general temporary positions are proposed for reduction at the end of 2024. We will be interested to study details of each of the proposed reduction including level, location and the Office. We will also examine the proposed GTAs for the coming budget year and we trust that, information on the matter will be provided in a transparent fashion.

Mr. Chair,

6. Following the completion of the judicial activities, reduction of prosecution mandates and the proposed streamlined of the administrative support, the Group believe that staffing and resources of the Mechanism should have been more concentrated in the residual functions undertaken by the Registry component. We are concerned that, the proposal before the Committee is opposite. We are also concerned that, the proposed reduction is focused on lower positions and concentrate in the Registry component in Arusha. The Group rejects any double standard in this regard.

7. The Group notes the information that, the President of the Mechanism will present framework of operations to complete its functions to Informal Working Group on International Tribunals of the Security Council. The Group would like to emphasize that, no any administrative and budgetary proposal or initiative is to be implemented without prior consideration and approval by the General Assembly through Fifth Committee.

8. We would also like to emphasize the need for strictly adherence with the Statute of the Mechanism which stipulates the mandates of each of the organ. The Group would also like to remind that, Registrar of the Mechanism as the only principal with Delegation of authority in the administration of the Staff Regulations and Rules and the Financial Regulations and Rules.

Mr. Chair,

9. With regard to the outreach programme, the Group is of the view that, consolidation of lesson learned and best practices should not be kept in the shelves rather need to be shared and used to support the prevention of genocide across the global. In this regard, we look forward for the strengthening of the outreach and library services in Arusha. We discourage any initiative that aim at denying the access of important information to the citizen of the world and future generation.

10. The Group recalls that by paragraph 5 of its resolution 75/249, the General Assembly requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to promote the nationalization of positions in the Mechanism. The Group is of the view that, at this stage a number of administrative, transactional and support functions should have been nationalized. We will follow-up on this matter during our informal deliberations. The Group will also revisit the level of administrative capacity including temporary D1 established by the Assembly during its second resumed part of its seventy-second session.

Mr. Chair,

11. With regards to the construction, the Group of 77 and China would like to register our concern that, the Secretary-General has not submitted the final report on the construction of a new facility for the Mechanism in Arusha. The Group is also concerned that to-date the Mechanism has not resolved the question of settlement of the claim by the Contractor as directed by the General Assembly. We would like to request the Secretary General to ensure that, this issue is resolved amicably and expeditiously for the best interest of the Organization taking into account the experience from other capital projects.

12. Regarding the report of the Advisory Committee, we would like to register our reservations on a number of comments and observations that support the proposed arbitrary reduction and mis-allocation of resources and that we will submit specific proposals to address our concerns.

13. In conclusion, allow me to re-assure you our readiness to engage constructively with a view to reaching consensus outcome in a timely fashion.

I thank you.