STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. SAINIVALATI S. NAVOTI, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF FIJI TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 134: PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2014-2015, SUBVENTION FOR THE UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR DISARMAMENT RESEARCH AND REVISED ESTIMATES RESULTING FROM RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS OF ECOSOC AT ITS SUBSTANTIVE SESSION OF 2013, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE MAIN PART OF SIXTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 24 October 2013)

Mr. Chairman,

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

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank Mr. Johannes Huisman, Director of the Programme Planning and Budget Division, for the introduction of the reports of the Secretary-General contained in documents A/68/80 and A/68/380, and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairman of the ACABQ, for introducing the related reports of the Advisory Committee under this item.

Mr. Chairman,

3. The Group of 77 and China notes the request for subvention to the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), and expresses its appreciation to the useful work carried out by the Institute.

4. The Group is seriously concerned by the fact that the subvention to UNIDIR for the biennium 2012-2013 was not recosted, which is in complete disregard to the General Assembly's decision. We fully share the concerns expressed by ACABQ in this regard, and request the Secretary-General to provide the necessary clarification to the General Assembly.

5. By presenting a request that does not update the level of resources in accordance with the-non post related recosting decided by the General Assembly, the current proposal disguises a reduction in the amount proposed for UNIDIR for the next biennium. The Group of 77 and China will thoroughly consider the matter with a view to ensuring that the Institute has the necessary resources from the regular budget for the biennium 2014-2015.

6. Furthermore, the Group of 77 and China during the informal consultations would closely follow up on the issue of deviation from the General Assembly's mandate on the established budgetary procedures with a view to uphold the integrity of existing budgetary procedures and the financial regulations and rules of the Organization.

Mr. Chairman,

7. The Group would like to once again stress the importance of providing the necessary resources to finance all decisions of intergovernmental organs of the Organization in the field of social and economic development. We continue to believe on the need to allocate adequate resources to implement mandates arising from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at its substantive session of 2013 related to financing the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti; the Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.

Mr. Chairman,

8. In conclusion, I wish to assure you of the readiness of the Group of 77 and China to engage in open, inclusive and transparent negotiations on this very important agenda item.

I thank you.