STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MISHAL MOHAMMED AL-ANSARI, STATE OF QATAR, ON AGENDA ITEM 113: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENTOF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS (New York, 4 October 2004)

Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 113, entitled: "Scale of Assessments for the Apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations", specifically on requests for exemption under Article 19 of the Charter.

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the bureau for allocating time during the first week of our session to consider the report of the Committee on Contributions (COC) dealing with requests for exemption under Article 19, as contained in document A/C.5/58/40.

3. May I also take this opportunity to commend the Committee on Contributions for the excellent work done at its 64th session, as reflected in its report in document A/59/11. The Group looks forward to constructively participating in the consideration of the report.

Mr. Chairman,

4. The Group of 77 and China wishes to restate the importance it attaches to the efficient and effective discharge of mandates by the Organization, which requires a sound and predictable financial base. In this regard, the Group has always reaffirmed the obligation of all Member States to meet their financial contributions in full, on time and without conditions, in accordance with Article 17 of the Charter of the United Nations.

5. Similarly, and in accordance with Article 19 of the Charter, the Group has always emphasized also the need to extend sympathetic consideration to those Member States that are unable to meet their financial obligations due to genuine socio-economic and political difficulties.

6. In this regard, the Group has carefully reviewed the requests and representations made by Burundi, Central African Republic, the Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Niger, Republic of Moldova, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, and Tajikistan, as contained in document A/C.5/58/40.

7. We agree with the recommendation by the COC that failure by Central African Republic, the Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Niger, Republic of Moldova, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia and Tajikistan to pay the full minimum amount necessary to avoid the application of Article 19 is due to conditions beyond their control. The Group therefore endorses the recommendation of the COC that these Member States be permitted to vote until 30 June 2005.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.