Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China in explanation of position after the adoption of the Programme Budget Implications, which has been submitted by the Secretary-General in accordance with rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The adoption of the Programme Budget Implications by the Committee will now facilitate the adoption of draft resolution A/60/L.48 by the Plenary and thereby finalize the establishment by the General Assembly of the Human Rights Council.

As stated at the previous consultations of the Committee, the Group of 77 and China has been ready to take action on the request of the Secretary-General since Monday, 6 March 2006. We, however, responded favourably to requests by a delegation, which was seeking further instructions, to delay action on the Programme Budget Implications, as we are committed to listening to the views of each and every Member States and to finding consensus solutions.

The Group is pleased that all Member States were able to endorse the additional human and financial resources that will be required to ensure the effective functioning of the Human Rights Council as soon as it is established by the General Assembly. We regret, however, that all Member States were not able to join the consensus which led to the adoption of the Programme Budget Implications. The Group believes that the decision of the Fifth Committee will ensure that the human rights machinery of the United Nations will be able to function without any interruption. We remain committed to the reform efforts to strengthen the United Nations, including its human rights machinery.

We also wish to thank the Co-ordinator of this agenda item, Ms Sarah McGrath, for the able manner in which she has co-ordinated the negotiations of the Committee on this important matter. We further wish to thank the Office of the President of the General Assembly for the guidance that it provided to the Committee throughout its consultations.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.