Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 122: Review of efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations. In this context, the Group wishes to make a few comments on the Note of the Secretary-General on “Strengthening the investigation functions in the United Nations” (A/60/674).

Mr. Chairman,

During the 59 th and main part of the 60 th session, the Fifth Committee has considered and approved several measures aimed at strengthening the investigation functions in the United Nations, as well as ensuring that staff are held accountable for misconduct and any wrongdoings. To this end, the General Assembly adopted resolution 59/287 that set out the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Human Resources Management, programme managers and the Office of International Oversight Services (OIOS) in conducting investigations and reporting findings to the appropriate structures in the Secretariat and to the General Assembly. The Fifth Committee, furthermore, has approved measures to prevent and address allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation and in General Assembly resolution 59/296, requested the Secretary-General to develop a comprehensive policy on this matter, including on the undertaking of investigations.

The Fifth Committee also established the Ethics Office, approved the “whistleblower” policy and increased the capacity of the OIOS in auditing and investigations. In this context, Member States also reached consensus on the responsibilities, reporting requirements, training requirements and the comprehensive follow-up review to be undertaken on the Ethics Office, and the outcome of which will be submitted to the General Assembly at its 62 nd session. Member States further reached consensus on the focus of the comprehensive governance review and the necessity of submitting the independent external evaluation of audit and investigatory system to the General Assembly before the comprehensive governance review. The Group would appreciate it if the Secretariat could inform the Committee of the steps that it has taken to ensure adherence to the consensus agreements reached by Member States and officially conveyed to the President of the Assembly by the Chairman of the Committee in document A/60/611.

The Group of 77 and China would appreciate further elaboration on the status of the interim procedures and protocols that are intended to ensure prompt reporting to the OIOS of cases arising in field missions, as referred to in paragraph 3 of the Note, as well as on the development of the database mentioned in paragraph 4. We also note that the Secretary-General in the 61 st session will submit a full report to the Fifth Committee on the implementation of resolution 59/287. In view of the various measures that Member States have approved in the past years, it would be useful to ensure that the report covers the entire spectrum of activities that are intended to strengthen investigation functions and enhance accountability, including those undertaken in accordance with General Assembly resolution 59/287. This will ensure that Member States receive a comprehensive assessment of how the various components of the broader accountability framework are working together towards ensuring that staff at all levels and irrespective of their nationality are held accountable for any wrongdoings, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United Nations, due process and principles of justice.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.