Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 146, administrative and budgetary aspects of financing United Nations peacekeeping operations, in particular cross-cutting issues.

2. We would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Ms. Susana Malcorra, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, Ms. Catherine Pollard, and the Controller, Mr. Jun Yamazaki, for introducing the various reports of the Secretary-General, including the one proposing a Global Field Support Strategy. We would also like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, Mrs. Inga-Britt Ahlenius, and the Vice-Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr. Colleen Kelapile, for introducing their respective reports.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the consideration of policy matters that are cross-cutting in nature and related to the administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations. The Group reaffirms that the Fifth Committee is the appropriate Main Committee of the General Assembly entrusted with responsibilities for administrative and budgetary matters, including for peacekeeping operations.

4. While we recognise that each peacekeeping operation has its own mandate, faces its own challenges, and functions in a unique environment, we believe that the cross-cutting resolutions can serve as an important policy tool providing comprehensive guidance to the DPKO and the DFS on issues that are common to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.

5. The Group of 77 and China emphasizes that all peacekeeping missions should be provided with adequate resources for the effective and efficient discharge of their respective mandates. In this context, we express concern at the delays in the provision of adequate resources to some peacekeeping missions, in particular those in Africa.

6. The Group of 77 and China supports the objectives of expediting and improving support for peacekeeping missions, by improving quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services; strengthening resource stewardship and accountability; improving the safety and living conditions of staff; and fully utilizing local and regional investments and capacities, including enhancing local procurement.

7. The Group recognizes the valuable contributions and sacrifices made by troop-contributing countries to maintaining international peace and security. In this regard, we stress the importance of expediting the reimbursements to troop-contributing countries that bear additional burdens owing to overdue payments by Member States of their assessments.

8. The Group of 77 and China reiterates the necessity of a sustained dialogue and intensified consultations between Headquarters, the peacekeeping missions, and principal stakeholders, in particular troop- and police-contributing countries, on ways and means to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.

9. The Group further stresses the importance of effective and efficient utilization of all resources provided to the peacekeeping operations, including the need to ensure that there is no waste, deterioration and obsolescence of store items held by the United Nations.

10. The Group of 77 and China would like to state its unreserved support for the implementation of a zero tolerance policy to prevent acts of sexual exploitation and abuse. The Group stresses the importance of training, awareness generation as well as appropriate measures in the context of development and quick-impact projects as measures that can help in the prevention of such abuse. We emphasize the need to prevent unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct from damaging the credibility of any United Nations peacekeeping mission or troop-contributing country or United Nations peacekeeping personnel.

Mr. Chairman,

11. The Group assures you of its constructive approach in these negotiations, for a results-focused outcome that would enhance the ability of the United Nations peacekeeping operations to effectively deliver on their mandates.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.