Statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the organization of work of the second part of the resumed 56th session of the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly

New York, 15 May 2002

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the organization of work of the second part of the resumed fifty-sixth session of the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly.

The Group of 77 and China takes this opportunity to convey its appreciation for the efforts of the Bureau and the secretariat in finalizing the draft programme of work and the status of documentation for the second part of the resumed fifty-sixth session of the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly as contained in document A/C.5/56/L.1/REV.1. The Group would also like to observe that the proposed programme of work reflects a relatively balanced allocation of time, with priority being accorded those items on our agenda that are time bound. However, the Group requests the bureau to ensure availability of conference services for the fourth week of this session if necessary.

Mr. Chairman,

The late submission of documentation is of continuing concern to the Group. This chronic inadequacy continues to affect the smooth functioning of the Committee’s work. It affects all regional groupings, and in recent years, has proved to be a serious impediment to the proper functioning of all the committees, no just the Fifth. This situation should be addressed seriously under the relevant agenda item. It is of utmost importance that the Secretariat should comply with the six-week rule for the issuance of the documents so that all delegations have the opportunity to review the documents prior to their consideration.

The Group is concerned about the disconcerting trend whereby proposals are being mooted with utter disregard for established rules of procedure. In this context, the Group of 77 and China stresses the need for the full implementation of the decisions and rules of procedure of the General Assembly. The Group reiterates the need to abide by extant rules and regulations governing distribution of the draft resolutions and decisions in all the official languages prior to their adoption.

Mr. Chairman,

With regard to specific items of the programme of work, the Group would like to make some general remarks. In the case of human resources management and administration of justice, the Group would appreciate explanations to be provided by the Secretariat during the formal sessions in regards to the continuing delay in the publications of several reports requested in General Assembly 55/258, a concern also raised in the previous session, as well as in connection with the relationship of the administrative instructions on this issue with the provisions of that resolution. It may be recalled that submission of those reports was part of consensus conclusion of this item in the 55th session of the General Assembly.

The Group of 77 and China has carefully reviewed the list of documents proposed to be postponed to the 57th session and is concerned that several of the reports that have been requested were issued but are nevertheless included in this list, and in particular with regard to the reports on the status of recruitment for the interpretation section at the UN Office in Nairobi, the Secretary-General’s report on COE reimbursements, the progress report on write-off as well as other reports. The Group requests an explanation and the reasons for postponing such reports.

In the case of the report on the implementation of the General Assembly resolution 56/242, the Group reiterates the need for the Fifth Committee to be provided with the relevant report of the ACABQ without any delay, for the proper consideration of this important issue in accordance with the procedures and practice of the General Assembly in regards to budgetary issues.

Mr. Chairman,

In concluding, the Group of 77 and China would like once again to pledge its support and cooperation for the successful conclusion of the work of this session.