Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the agenda item 146.

2. The Group would like to thank the relevant officials for presenting the respective reports of the UN Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions under this agenda item.

3. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the significant level of implementation of the budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 compared to the previous year and reaffirms its commitment to work together with all stakeholders to help the Secretariat in fulfilling the mandate assigned to the United Nations Global Service Centre of Brindisi.

4. However, the Group of 77 and China notes with regret, the tendency of the Secretary-General to transfer more functions to Valencia, contrary to its original purpose. The Group would like to reiterate the prerogatives of the General Assembly on the management of the said Centre, and support strongly all the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions in this regard.

5. The G77 and China is also deeply concerned by the shortcomings and inconsistencies identified by the Board of Auditors in the management of financial, human and material resources of the United Nations Global Service Centre of Brindisi and requests the Secretary-General to take all appropriate steps to find adequate solutions to rectify this situation.

6. The Group of 77 and China will seek further clarification on this matter during the informal consultations and will work closely with all delegations in order to enhance the ability of the United Nations Global Service Centre of Brindisi to fulfill its mandate.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.