Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 133, Programme budget: biennium 2012-2013 - "United Nations Office for Partnerships".

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank Mr. Roland Rich, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, for introducing the Secretary-General's report on the United Nations Office for Partnerships contained in document A/68/186.

3. The Group appreciates the Secretary-General's efforts in preparation and submission of the report to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly on an annual basis, as well as for the useful information contained therein on the activities of the United Nations Office for Partnerships.

4. The G77 and China attaches, as a matter of principle, great importance to the role and participation of stakeholders, including the private sector, in activities towards the realization of the UN's goals and objectives. Based on this overall premise, we are well disposed and fully prepared to engage actively in a constructive dialogue on this important item.

5. We, however, note that the information contained in the report on the activities of the Office for Partnership in the areas of UN fund for International Partnership (UNFIP), United Nations Democracy Fund, and the Partnership Advisory services and outreach, relate to the work of other main Committees of the General Assembly, such as the Second Committee and the Third Committee. It would, therefore, be pertinent for also the other appropriate Main Committees of the General Assembly to consider the contents of the report in order to enhance transparency and enable a more proactive and constructive dialogue on all aspects of this important subject.

Mr. Chairman,

6. We agree that effective partnerships between the UN and the private sector can make an important contribution to our collective endeavours aimed at achieving Internationally Agreed Development Goals including Millennium Development Goals, as well as in encouraging informal dialogue on Post-2015 Development Agenda.

Mr. Chairman,

7. The Secretary-General has indicated in his report that the relationship agreement between the United Nations and the United Nations Foundation is being reviewed to ensure that it is updated to reflect the evolution of the Foundation's collaboration with the United Nations.

8. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China is of the strong view that recognition of national leadership and ownership of development strategies should be a guiding principle of UN operational activities. Partnerships, we believe should also be framed and premised on this principle. They should complement rather than overtake or supersede the national development endeavours aimed at achieving objectives and goals of national development strategies.

Mr. Chairman,

9. We believe that the new initiatives in general and partnerships in particular, should not lead to weakening of the regulatory role of the state and intergovernmental bodies. Importantly, the intergovernmental nature of the United Nations, and the central role and responsibility of Governments in national and international policymaking must be maintained.

10. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China would like to stress that the partnerships should be governed and built around the purposes and principles of UN Charter and that there is greater transparency and accountability in their work.

I thank you.