STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR CHIEF ARTHUR C.I. MBANEFO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF NIGERIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP OF 77, ON AGENDA ITEM 169: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
New York, 5 October 2000
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2. The Group has taken note of the statements made by many Member States on agenda item 169, Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the United Nations peacekeeping operations.
3. The Group of 77 and China regard peacekeeping operations as an important function of the United Nations. It, therefore, attaches great importance to the provision of adequate resources to all peacekeeping activities.
4. The Group reaffirms its view that the current difficult financial situation of the UN peacekeeping is not linked to the peacekeeping scale of assessments. In this regard, the Group emphasizes that these financial difficulties can be resolved if Member States, in particular the major contributor, take concrete actions in settling their arrears and honour their Charter obligations by paying their contributions in full, on time and without conditions.
5. The Group reiterates that the principles and guidelines for the apportionment of the expenses of peacekeeping operations approved by the General Assembly in its relevant resolutions 1874 (S-IV) of 27 June 1963 and 3101 (XXVIII) of 11 December 1973 should constitute a basis for any discussion of the peacekeeping scale.
6. The Group reiterates that economically less developed countries have limited capacity to contribute towards peacekeeping operations, and emphasizes that any discussion on the scale must take due account of the economic conditions of the developing countries, in particular low income developing countries, countries suffering from unilateral economic coercive measures, and small economies, whose current positions must not be negatively affected.
Mr. Chairman,
7. We also believe that the peacekeeping scale must take into account the special responsibilities of the five permanent members of the Security Council in the financing of peacekeeping operations. We are of the view that a new element on the floor for permanent members of the Security Council in the scale of assessment should not be included. The inclusion of such an element shall be contrary to the principle of capacity to pay for those countries.
8. The Group emphasizes the importance of reaching an agreement on the regular scale before any conclusion in the discussions on the special scale.
9. The Group would also like to emphasize that discussions on this item should be conducted in a comprehensive and transparent manner in order for all member states to contribute meaningfully to the deliberations on this agenda item.
Mr. Chairman,
10. The Group of 77 and China look forward to the informal consultations on this agenda item and is ready to engage in a constructive dialogue with all our partners on the various issues that have been raised.
11. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.