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 IN THE MAIN PART OF THE 59TH SESSION (New York, 23 December 2004)

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak today on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group of 77 and China attaches greatest importance to all the issues considered by the Fifth Committee that have been approved today by the General Assembly. In particular, the Group will like to highlight some of these issues. It should be understood, that while addressing some of the outcome decisions, it does not imply that others not highlighted are of any lesser importance.

The Group of 77& China stresses that the Secretary General should present the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2006-2007, fully reflecting the priorities just approved by the General Assembly. Particular attention should be given to programmes and activities related to social and economic development.

In this context, the Group of 77 and China emphasizes the crucial importance of the implementation of Right to Development and reaffirms the validity of the Declaration on Right to Development.

The Group hopes that the implementation of any efficiency measure will not impact at all negatively on mandated programmes and activities.

The Group looks forward to the full implementation of the human resources management resolution, in particular, the results and findings of the recommendations of the Board of Auditors on the audit on the implementation of application of the principle of geographical representation at all levels.

Furthermore we reiterate the necessity to ensure that women from developing countries be accorded equal opportunity in the recruitment process, and we look forward to the full implementation of the relevant paragraphs in this context.

On the PBIs the Group regrets that the General Assembly did not approve, at this stage, neither a subvention nor a payment for the rental and maintenance costs of UNITAR. The Group will address comprehensively, this issue, during the 60th session of the General Assembly in the context of the proposed programme budget 2006-2007.

Concerning OIOS, the Group reiterates its full support to the role of the office. The G-77 and China recognizes the primary role of the General Assembly in the consideration and action on the reports submitted to it, as reflected in paragraph 4 of the draft resolution A/C.5/59/L. 28. Finally, the Group of 77 and China will like to state that in general, although they have small delegations, they endeavoured to participate actively at all levels of the negotiations process, whether at informal informals or at the informals.

Mr. President,

This session was exceptional with regards to its workload. The G-77 and China delegations negotiated, under the pressure of time and in very stressful situations, and often showed maximum flexibility to take on board, the concerns of the other delegations.

The Group wishes to emphasize that all the negotiations were held in very open, transparent, friendly atmosphere and in good faith.

Furthermore, the Group emphasizes the need for developing further, confidence building among all negotiating partners as well as ensuring respect for each other's position and looks forward to continuing this partnership in our future interactions.

Thank you, Mr. President.