STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MISHAL MOHAMMED AL-ANSARI, STATE OF QATAR, AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S FIFTH COMMITTEE IN THE MAIN PART OF ITS 59TH SESSION (New York, 23 December 2004)

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, following the adoption of all the draft resolutions and at the conclusion of the work allocated to the Fifth Committee during the main part of the 59th Session of the General Assembly. I am very pleased that after three months of intense hard work, we have finally come to a successful completion of our work.

The work atmosphere was indeed very encouraging. I have to express my appreciation for all the cooperation and flexibility extended by the European Union and our distinguished colleagues from the United States, Japan, CANZ delegations, Russian Federation and all others who have contributed to the successful conclusion of the subject.

This is the first time that perhaps in ten years the Committee could manage to conclude an omnibus resolution on human resources management during the main part of its session. It could only be possible through the close working relationship among all the groups. The Group of 77 and China for its part understood the value of cooperation and flexibility in order to achieve a resolution which in turn represents an achievement of the Organization because the Group deems the progress of the Organization as most important. I may also add that the resolution on programme planning we have concluded will allow the Secretary-General to prepare a programme budget for the biennium 2006-2007.

Allow me to express the Group's profound appreciation to you, Mr. Chairman and the other members of the bureau for the crucial role you played to ensure the successful conclusion of our work. I have to praise you for your constructive involvement at times when the Committee was in need of it to make its way ahead. Your dedication, objectivity and fairness and your leadership was impressive. The Group of 77 and China sincerely thanks you for your efforts. We are grateful to you and to the members of the Bureau.

I also have to commend all the Secretariat representatives for their hard work and valuable support and advice which were important for delegations to arrive at an informed decision. My thanks and appreciation is also extended to the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Abelian, and to the Deputy Secretary, Mrs. Benary, for their diligence and dedication.

The Group of 77 and China also commends all the coordinators for their tireless facilitation efforts to achieve a successful outcome of our session and for the able manner in which they led us.

The technical support team attached to the Fifth Committee deserves our highest commendation. The interpreters, sound engineers and our Conference Room officers have been very supportive through this process and for that we thank them.

And a special thanks to Mr. Hao Bin, the distinguished delegate of China, who accepted the coordination of the human resources management resolution on behalf of the Group and finally after long hours of negotiations brought back a satisfactory outcome.

I want to reaffirm the importance that the Group of 77 and China attaches to the work of the Organization, and the need to ensure its effective and smooth functioning.

To members of the Group of 77 and China, it is that commitment that allowed us to reach agreement. Qatar is very proud to be a member of the Group. In solidarity, we can surmount any problem. I thank all members of our Group for the very solid support extended to Qatar as the Chair of the Group and to me personally in all the negotiations. You have all been very wonderful.

I think I am very lucky this year to have this particular Group of 77 and China members with me. I thank every one of you for your friendship and kindness towards me.

This is my last statement in the Committee on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Distinguished Colleagues, it was a pleasure working with you. I wish you the best of luck. Happy holidays.