Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 130, entitled "Programme Planning".

2. The Group wishes to commend the Chairperson of the Committee on Programme and Coordination (CPC), Mr. Vladimir Pavlovich for introducing the report of the Committee contained in document A/65/16. The Group would like to thank Mr. Jun Yamazaki, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, for introducing the report on the proposed strategic framework for the biennium 2012-2013: Part I, plan outline and part II, biennial programme plan contained in documents A/65/6 (Part one, Part two and Programmes 1-27). We further thanks Mr. Mario Baez, Chief of Policy and Oversight Coordination Service, Department of Management, for introducing the report on Programme performance of the United Nations for the biennium 2008-2009, contained in document A/65/70.

Mr. Chairman,

3. Programme Planning deals with the crucial task of translating the intergovernmental mandate into implementable programs. In this regard, the Group wishes to underline the importance of the work of the Committee on Programs and Coordination as the main subsidiary organ of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council for planning, programming and coordination. The CPC not only gives guidance to the Secretariat by the interpreting legislative intends but also considers and develops evaluation procedures for the improvement of program design and avoid overlapping and duplication. In fact, the work of the CPC forms the core of the General Assembly's capacity to provide oversight in this key area.

4. The Group of 77 and China appreciates the work of the Committee on Program and Coordination during its fiftieth session. Like in previous years, the Report of the CPC provides an excellent basis for the consideration of the relevant issues in the Fifth Committee. We highly value the inputs provided by the CPC and fully endorse the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on Programme and Coordination (A/65/16).

Mr. Chairman,

5. We welcome the guidance provided by CPC on the proposed strategic framework for the period 2012-2013. The Group stresses that setting priorities of the United Nations is the sole prerogative of the Member States.

6. The Group of 77 and China express its endorsement of the conclusions and recommendations adopted by the Committee regarding the proposed strategic framework, that include an important set of amendments made to it in order to having it in line with the adopted intergovernmental mandates.

7. The Group of 77 wishes to emphasize that is essential the strict adherence of the various entities of the Secretariat to the Regulations and Rules Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspects of the Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of Evaluation. Moreover, paragraphs 4.8 and 4.9 of the Regulations clearly stipulate that the intergovernmental bodies should discuss the draft strategic framework prior to the examination conducted by the CPC.

8. The disconnection and inconsistencies between the adopted legislative mandates and some of the proposals made on the strategic framework, created conditions for long debates and negotiations most particularly over concepts and approaches that are far from enjoying consensus among Member States or are still under discussion by the relevant intergovernmental bodies.

9. The results contained in the report of the CPC are now a balanced reflection of the legislative mandates.

Mr. Chairman,

10. The Group of 77 and China strongly believes that the United Nations Chief Executive Board should play an important role in improving coordination in the UN system and thus enhance the effectiveness of the Organization.

11. The Group of 77 and China, however, urges the Secretary-General, in his capacity as Chairman of the CEB, to take actions in order to enhance the Board's transparency and accountability to Member States. As the CPC recommended, there is a need for the Board to act in accordance with its mandate in conformity with the intergovernmental mandates of its member organizations.

12. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the continued cooperation among the CEB, the International Civil Service Commission and the Joint Inspection Unit and encourages a more effective dialogue and cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

Mr. Chairman,

13. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the steps taken by the United Nations systems in supporting the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the debate generated around it during the session of the CPC.

14. For the Group the recent establishment of the Office of the United Nations in Addis Abeba should facilitate the implementation of the Organization's mandates regarding the support to be extended to the region.

15. In this context, continue to be hard to understand the delay in filling the vacant post of Under-Secretary-General in charge of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. The Group of 77 and China fully endorses the conclusion of the CPC contained in paragraph 386 that reads as follows:

"The Committee recalled General Assembly resolutions 57/7 and 57/300, by which the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa was established, as well as recommendations of the Committee for Programme and Coordination and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, subsequently endorsed by the Assembly in its resolutions 62/236, 63/260 and 64/243, urging the Secretary-General to urgently fill the vacant post of Under-Secretary-General in charge of the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa. The Committee, once again, recommended that the post be filled, as mandated by the Assembly, without any further delay, in order to ensure adequate focus and direct responsibility for implementation of all activities undertaken in the context of United Nations support for NEPAD, the Africa agenda and the Millennium Development Goals through one dedicated office and, in that regard, requested the Secretary-General to report the outcome to the Assembly at the first resumed part of its sixty-fifth session."

16. The Group of 77 and China expects urgent action in this regard.

Mr. Chairman,

17. Finally, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its appreciation for the work done by the Members of the CPC and for the support received by the Secretariat during the past session. Allow me to assure you of the constructive participation of the Group during the negotiations on this item.

I thank you.