Revised estimates resulting from resolutions adopted by the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. DIOSDADO HERNáNDEZ, THIRD SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF CUBA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 134: PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR 2024: REVISED ESTIMATES RESULTING FROM RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ITS SEVENTY-SEVENTH SESSION, AT THE MAIN PART OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 4 December 2023)

Mr. Chair,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. Our Group wishes to thank Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, and Mr. Abdallah Bachar Bong, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports.

3. It is a paramount position of the Group to ensure that mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations are given adequate resources to ensure their successful implementation. It is the responsibility of the Fifth Committee to fulfill this mandate.

Mr. Chair,

4. The Group welcomes the adoption of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). The successful conclusion of this process filled us with joy after more than a decade of preparations. The G77/China was determinant in the progressive character of the Treaty and it was the honor of Cuba to Chair the Group during the final and decisive stage of the process. Therefore, we support the proposal to strengthen the capacity of DOALOS to serve as interim Secretariat of the Agreement and to prepare for its entry into force. We look forward to exchanging views on the financial requirements for this proposal.

5. In the same vein, we will follow closely the discussions regarding the PBIs arising from the adoption of the latest resolution on the Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly.

6. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China would like to assure you, Mr. Chair, that we will constructively and actively engage in the consultations on this important agenda item.

I thank you.