Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China under agenda item 116 and 129 on the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/C.3/65/L.60/REV.1 entitled "Global efforts for the total elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action", and draft resolution A/65/L.36 entitled "Permanent memorial to and remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade".

2. The Group would like to thank Ms. Sharon Van Buerle, Director of Programme Planning and Budget Division, for introducing the respective statements of the Secretary-General, in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, as well as Ms. Susan McLurg, Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for her oral introduction of the relevant reports of the Advisory Committee. We also wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to Advisory Committee for the sense of urgency and efficiency they displayed in carrying out their work for this matter.

Draft resolution A/C.3/65/L.60/REV.1

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group notes that at its fifty-second meeting on 23 November 2010, the Third Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.3/65/L.60/REV.1 by a resounding majority.

4. We further note that the Secretariat informed the Third Committee, at the time of adoption of the draft resolution, that in view of revisions to the draft resolution, the programme budget implications (PBI) of its terms were being determined and the related statement of programme budget implications, if any, would be provided, as soon as full consultation with relevant substantive offices were complete.

5. The Group notes with concern the introduction of this important PBI takes place three weeks after the adoption of the relevant resolution by the Third Committee.

6. We trust that in future PBIs will be presented to the respective Committees of the General Assembly, as early as possible, in line with rule 153 of the rules of procedure.

7. The Group of 77 and China fully endorses draft resolution A/C.3/65/L.60/REV.1 and the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions on the programme budget implications of the text.

Draft resolution A/65/L.36

Mr. Chairman,

8. I now wish to turn the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/65/L.36 related to the permanent memorial to and remembrance of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

Mr. Chairman,

9. The Group of 77 and China cannot but over emphasize the importance of educating and informing current and future generations about the causes, consequences and lessons of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade

10. The General Assembly has given four successive mandates on the observances, each time with broad consensus, and adopted with a significantly high number of co-sponsors (147 Member States co-sponsored resolution 64/15 last year) demonstrating its importance to the international community

11. In this context, the G77 and China expresses its serious concern about the lack of cooperation and willingness on the part of the Department of Public Information and other related entities of the Secretariat on engaging actively on the activities related to the remembrance of such an immense tragedy of the contemporary history of mankind.
 
Mr. Chairman,

12. The Group of 77 and China fully endorses draft resolution A/65/L.36 and the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions on the programme budget implications of the text.

13. The Group, however, would like to draw attention that to the fact that no provision was made by the DPI in order to fulfill the mandate requested in three successive resolutions, whereby the Secretary-General is requested to report to the General Assembly on continued action to implement the programme of educational outreach, including actions undertaken by Member States in implementing the present resolution, as well as steps to enhance world public awareness of the commemorative activities and the permanent memorial initiative. While there have been reports on DPI activities, no reports have been made on action by Member States to implement the resolutions.

14. This is another example of the lack of attention the matter has received from the DPI and the lack of support this remembrance celebration event receives in comparison to similar remembrance events, in terms of action and resources for implementation of its mandate.
Mr. Chairman,

15. Given the political, historical and cultural importance of the initiative on slavery and the project to erect a permanent memorial; and bearing in mind the strong international support for the initiative, every effort should be made to provide the requisite financial and human resources to ensure full implementation to all the resolutions on the issue, including the appropriate annual observances in March of each year
 
16. In keeping with DPI's mandate for outreach and knowledge sharing, and its role in the organizing of UN international observances, the goal of educating and informing current and future generations about the causes, consequences and lessons of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, which is a fundamental pillar of the initiative, requires adequate resources for implementation.

17. We expect the Secretariat to engage seriously on the issue and the outreach activities should, as an imperative, be extended to all Member States on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

I thank you.