STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MISHAL MOHAMMED AL-ANSARI, STATE OF QATAR, ON THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, UNDER AGENDA ITEM 108: PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2004-2005, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 13 December 2004)

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group o f 77 and China on agenda item 108 entitled "Progrmame budget for the biennium 2004-2005". Mexico also associates itself with this statement.

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the constitution of the Executive Board of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), and the adoption of the programme of work for 2005 as well as the framework of the strategic plan of 2004-2007.

The Group of 77 and China also welcomes the fact that the first phase of the transformation, renovation and revitalization process has been completed with the preparation of the programme of work, portfolio of projects and related budget of the Institute, following the recent appointment of Ambassador Carmen Moreno as its Director, as noted by the Secretary-General in his report A/59/560.

The Group of 77 and China takes note with appreciation of the numerous important initiatives undertaken by the Director of INSTRAW, including the redesign of the web site of the Institute, the strengthening of cooperative arrangements with United Nations entities, the expansion of its research program, the intensification of its fund-raising campaign, the enhancement of communications with governmental agencies, civil society, academia and the private sector, and the strengthening of the training, capacity-building and outreach activities. This initiative addressed the need of both developing as well as developed countries underscoring the international character of the Institute, as an integral part of the United Nations system.

We shall recall that INSTRAW was mandated by Member States as the only entity of the UN system devoted exclusively to the research, training, and the diffusion of information on gender equality. Therefore, the Group of 77 and China calls upon the membership of the Organization to provide its full support to the current efforts of revitalization of the Institute and, in this regard, to ensure that it can carry out its mandate effectively.

We express our appreciation for the voluntary contributions including those contributions made by developing countries. We urge Member States to make voluntary contributions to the trust fund particularly during this critical transitional period.

Thank you.