Closed peacekeeping missions

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. NAMITA KHATRI, FIRST SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF FIJI TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 146, ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF FINANCING UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS - CLOSED PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS, AT THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED SIXTY-SEVENTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSSEMBLY (New York, 6 May 2013)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China during this general debate on this important issue of Closed Peacekeeping Missions. We thank Mr. Chandramouli Ramanathan for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the updated financial position of closed peacekeeping missions, and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for introducing the report of the ACABQ.

2. The Group is concerned by the cash deficit situation in several closed peacekeeping missions owing to the non-payment of arrears by some Member States and which has resulted in turn in substantial outstanding dues to Member States that have fulfilled their financial obligations. The Group wishes to recall in this regard the legal obligation under the Charter of the United Nations of all Member States to pay in full, without conditions and in a timely manner the full amount of their assessed contributions.

3. The General Assembly in its resolution 65/293 requested the Secretary-General to submit for its consideration and approval concrete proposals and alternatives to address the issue of outstanding dues to Member States from closed peacekeeping missions that are in cash deficit. The Group will therefore carefully study the proposal of the Secretary-General with a view to finding a lasting solution to this longstanding issue and to address the cash requirements of peacekeeping operations.

4. In this regard, the Group would like to assure you, Mr. Chairman, that it will engage actively and constructively in the coming deliberations on this important issue.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.