STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. KAREN LOCK, PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 117: THE UNITED NATIONS FUND FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS (UNFIP), IN THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 9 November 2006)

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 117, in particular on "the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)".

The Group of 77 and China wishes to express its appreciation to Mr Amir Dossal, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office for International Partnerships, for his introduction of the report of the Secretary-General (A/61/189).

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships. The Group appreciates the work of the Fund, which was established to promote partnership between the United Nations and the United Nations Foundation. We further recognise the personal contribution made by Mr. Robert Edward Turner to the United Nations.

The Group of 77 and China commend the Fund, which through its collaboration with the United Nations Foundation have supported $809.5 million in programming in the areas of children's health, population and women, environment, and peace, security and human rights. Since 1998, funding has been allocated to 376 projects in 121 countries involving 39 United Nations organisations.

Turning to some of the activities of the Fund in 2005, we note with appreciation that a total of $170.5 million has been allocated for that period. We, furthermore, appreciate the assistance provided by the United Nations Foundation and UNFIP in 2005 to the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the earthquake in Pakistan. The Group of 77 and China also notes the preparatory work undertaken by the UNFIP for the launch of the United Nations Democracy Fund and its activities, as called for in the World Summit Outcome Document.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group notes the role played by the UNFIP in facilitating new partnerships and alliances with the private sector, foundations and civil society organizations for the operational activities of the United Nations system aimed at promoting the value of corporate social responsibility and providing "seed-money" for several valuable goals in the sphere of the advancing the Millennium Development Goals.

The work of UNFIP illustrates the positive contribution that public-private partnerships could make towards the work of the United Nations, as envisaged by the Secretary-General when he urged business leaders in 1998 to increase their investment in developing countries and work in partnership with the United Nations system. Recent United Nations conferences and the World Summit have given further impetus to the growth of partnerships, in terms of both project partnerships on the ground and strategic global partnerships.

To this end, the activities of the UNFIP continue to play an important role with respect to the implementation of commitments made at the major United Nations conferences and summits, and to working towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals and implementing the World Summit decisions. The Group remains appreciative of the positive contribution made by the UNFIP to projects in developing and least developed countries.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.