Madam Chair,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China under agenda item 148, on the administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of United Nations peacekeeping operations, specifically on the support account for peacekeeping operations, the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe and the United Nations Logistics Base.

2. At the outset, the Group thanks the Controller, ASG Chandru Ramanathan, and the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Ms. Juliana Gaspar Ruas, for introducing their respective reports.

Madam Chair,

3. The Group of 77 and China strongly supports United Nations peacekeeping operations. Members of the Group contribute significantly to peacekeeping, including as the largest troop- and police-contributing countries, and many current missions are hosted by developing countries. In this regard, the Group reiterates the importance of ensuring adequate, predictable and effective backstopping to peacekeeping operations, in all phases of their life cycle, so that missions can implement their mandates safely, efficiently and effectively.

4. With respect to the support account, the Group notes that the proposed overall resource requirements for the 2026/27 period amount to $383.4 million, representing a decrease of almost 10% compared with the approved resources for 2025/26. We also note that the proposal reflects the continued impact of the UN80 Initiative, including reductions in posts and positions, relocations, consolidations and the application of the new staffing model. The Group will carefully examine these proposals, including their impact on mandate delivery, oversight, accountability and operational support to field missions.

5. The Group acknowledges the Advisory Committee's observations regarding the presentation of efficiencies under the support account. We underscore that efficiency gains must be clearly distinguishable from temporary expenditure compression driven by liquidity constraints or hiring freezes. In this regard, the Group looks forward to receiving detailed and specific information on efficiencies for the 2026/27 period, including those not already resulting from decisions approved in the context of revised estimates.

6. The Group further notes the application of the scalability model to the support account. While recognizing the need for resource levels to reflect the evolving size and complexity of peacekeeping operations, the Group stresses that the scalability model should continue to be refined so as to better reflect operational realities and more accurately inform the determination of required personnel and resources, thereby effectively contributing to cost-savings and efficiency gains, while not weakening backstopping capacity. Any application of the model should remain evidence-based, transparent and responsive to the dynamic operational realities of peacekeeping.

7. The Group also recalls its long-standing position on the importance of broad representation of troop- and police-contributing countries, particularly at senior levels, within peacekeeping support structures, both at Headquarters and in the field. This remains essential to ensure coherence, operational understanding and effective support to mandate implementation.

Madam Chair,

8. Turning to the Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, the Group recalls the role of the Centre as a strategic shared service platform supporting peacekeeping operations, special political missions and other clients. We note that the Centre provides continued transactional and operational support and that its workload has evolved in the context of mission transitions, the closure of the Kuwait Joint Support Office and the consolidation of functions.

9. The Group notes the Advisory Committee's observations regarding the Centre's cash position, liquidity pressures, deferred operational investments, and the need for more detailed assessment of the impact of liquidity challenges on mandate implementation.

10. The Group also recalls the importance of ensuring that eligible national staff of the Centre are granted continuing contracts in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Staff Regulations and Rules. The Group will continue to seek updates on the implementation of this request.

Madam Chair,

11. With respect to the United Nations Logistics Base, the Group recognizes its essential role in providing global logistics, supply chain, geospatial information and telecommunications technology, and operational support to field missions throughout their life cycle, from start-up to liquidation.

12. The Group also notes the important services provided by UNLB to peacekeeping missions and other United Nations entities on a cost-recovery basis. In this regard, we reiterate the need for transparent and comprehensive reporting on services provided, resources required, related posts and positions, and the recording of income and expenditure under cost-recovery arrangements.

13. Finally, the Group takes note of the Advisory Committee's view on the strategic importance of RSCE and UNLB in the context of the UN80 Initiative. We look forward to a comprehensive assessment of their existing and future roles, taking into account their complementary roles and the operational benefits and efficiencies to be derived from centralized and consolidated support to peace operations and beyond.

Madam Chair,

14. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its commitment to engaging constructively on these important agenda items. We will continue to examine the proposals carefully, with a view to ensuring that support structures for peacekeeping operations remain adequately resourced, efficient, accountable and fully responsive to the needs of missions in the field.

I thank you.