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STATEMENT
ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MISHAL MOHAMMED AL-ANSARI
STATE OF QATAR, ON THE ORGANIZATION OF WORK OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE
DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE 59TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(New York, 30 September 2004) |
Mr. Chairman, 2. Allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of the Fifth Committee for the fifty-ninth session. It is also my privilege to congratulate other members of the bureau on their well-deserved election. The Group believes that under your leadership the Committee will accomplish all the important tasks entrusted to it. In this context, I would like to assure you of the Group's fullest cooperation in achieving our common objectives in the interest of member states and the organization. 3. Likewise, I would like to express our appreciation to Ambassador Hynek Kmonícek, the outgoing Chairman, as well as to the other members of the previous bureau, for their tireless efforts in coordinating the extremely difficult items this Committee dealt with during the 58th session. Mr. Chairman, 4. The Group of 77 and China is deeply concerned about the late submission and issuance of documentation which has reached an unprecedented level. This chronic problem should be dealt with seriously to ensure that the Secretariat complies with the ten-week and six-week rules, which are reaffirmed year after year by the General Assembly. In this context, we emphasize the need for the strict implementation of the relevant provisions of the General Assembly resolutions and its rules of procedure. Mr. Chairman, 5. As the principal oversight organ of the United Nations, the General Assembly has on numerous occasions stressed the fact that the late issuance of documentation hampers its ability to consider important issues before it effectively. The Assembly has also in the past stressed the need for the Secretariat to ensure that all the reports are issued on time. 6. On this occasion we are confronted with failures on all counts. An unprecedented situation whereby the majority of documents are not issued on time and no explanations from the Secretariat as to the reasons for their late issuance. Mr. Chairman, 7. In light of all the above, the Group was of the view to postpone the work of the Fifth Committee for a period of two weeks in order to allow for the issuance of documentation. However, in the spirit of responsibility and in light of the agreement of the Fifth Committee to swiftly conclude the consideration of agenda items 108, 113, 129, 136, 153, 154 and 155, the Group stands ready to adopt a two-week programme of work reflecting these agenda items. The Group would reconsider the proposed programme of work for the remainder of the session in an organizational meeting to take place as soon as possible on the understanding that every possible effort should be exerted by the Secretariat to expedite the issuance of documents and report it thereon. 8. The Group requests that senior representatives of author departments in the Headquarters responsible for those documents that have not yet been issued as well as from DGACM to be present in the first formal meeting of the Committee on Monday, 4 October, to provide clarifications on the reasons pertaining to this situation. 9. The Group is convinced that the Assembly should consider additional measures to provide for the strict compliance of author departments as well as DGACM with the provisions for the timely issuance of documentation. The Committee may also wish to establish principles and measures of accountability regarding these failures. Mr. Chairman, 10. In concluding, the Group attaches great importance to the efficient and effective functioning of this Committee. We therefore are ready to engage in constructive negotiations with the usual spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding with our negotiating partners. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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