STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATION OF QATAR, ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, ON THE ORGANIZATION OF WORK OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE DURING THE FIRST PART OF THE RESUMED FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 10 March 2004)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the organization of work of the first part of the resumed fifty-eighth session of the General Assembly.

2. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to express appreciation to the delegation of Morocco for its able leadership during its chairmanship of the Group in the year 2003. Since this is the first time that my delegation speaks as Chair of the Group of 77, I would like to assure you that the Group will continue to operate in such an effective and constructive manner, that combined with the positive efforts of all the members of the Committee, we are convinced that under your able leadership our work will undoubtedly reach a successful conclusion.

3. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank you as well as the members of the Bureau and the Secretariat for providing us with the draft programme of work and the status of preparedness of documentation contained in document A/C.5/58/L.57/Rev.1.

4. With regard to specific items of the programme of work, the Group of 77 and China attaches importance to the following issues: JIU reform, human resources management, capital master plan, support costs related to extrabudgetary activities, closed peacekeeping missions, and various OIOS reports.

5. Having said that, allow me, Mr. Chairman, to make some remarks on the above-mentioned programme of work and the status of preparedness of documentation.

6. With respect to the status of documentation, it is with deep concern that the Group notes, once again, that some documents are still issued late, in particular under agenda item 121. This problem, which unfortunately is a recurring one, could have adverse effect on the smooth functioning of the Committee. Such a situation if not corrected, would lead to a waste of time and effort. In this regard, the Group wishes to express its regret that the Committee will not be able to consider the important issue of Administration of Justice.

7. The Group of 77 and China once again urges the Secretariat to strictly comply with the six-week and ten-week rule, as well as with the provisions of relevant General Assembly resolutions and its rules of procedure, in particular the rules of abstaining from publishing any document on the UN website before being published simultaneously in all official languages in hard copy.

Mr. Chairman,

8. The Group of 77 and China would like to reiterate its assurance of full cooperation and wish you the best of success.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.