Mr. Chairman,

            I have the honour to speak on behalf of Group of 77 and China on agenda item 132.

2.         We would like to thank the Controller, Mr. Warren Sach, and the Director of the Administrative Support Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Philip Cooper, for introducing the various reports of the Secretary-General under this agenda item.  We would also like to thank the Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr. Rajat Saha, for introducing the related reports of the Advisory Committee.  We further wish to thank the Under-Secretary-General for the Office of Internal Oversight Services, Mrs. Inga-Britt Ahleniusthe, as well as Inspector Evan Fontaine Ortiz of the Joint Inspection Unit, for their respective reports under this agenda item.

3.         Mr. Chairman, the Group of 77 and China attaches great importance to the consideration of policy matters that are cross cutting in nature and related to the administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations.  While we recognise that each peacekeeping operation has its own mandate, faces its own challenges, and functions in an unique environment, we believe that the cross-cutting resolutions serves as an important policy tool providing comprehensive guidance to the DPKO and peacekeeping operations on issues that are common to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.  We also maintain the view that decisions on the resources and staffing of individual operations have to be taken in the relevant budget resolutions. 

4.         While the Group appreciates the efforts made by the Secretariat to implement the provisions of resolutions 60/266 and 59/296, it wishes to stress that the full implementation of the cross-cutting resolutions are crucial to ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the peacekeeping missions. The Group would, however, like to express its concerns that certain provisions have not been adequately addressed in the overview report of the Secretary-General (A/61/786).

5.         The Group of 77 and China wishes to stress the need for the timely submission of the peacekeeping documents.  We remain concerned that the late submission of reports seriously undermines the work, the ability to prepare, and the quality of the deliberations of the ACABQ and the Fifth Committee.  The Group of 77 and China would like to reiterate that the Secretary General is accountable to the Member States for ensuring the timely submission of quality reports. The Group of 77 and China urges the Secretariat to abide by endeavour to follow the timeline for the presentation of the peacekeeping budget documentation as proposed by the ACABQ in its report A/61/852.

6          The Group of 77 and China notes that the practice of peacekeeping staff to take up temporary duty positions in other peacekeeping missions should be used as an ad-hoc measure to help the establishment of new peacekeeping missions in early phase.  We also note that it seems to have become part of standard operating procedure, which may have administrative and budgetary implications both for the parent and new missions. We are aware of the main issues that necessitate this practice and would like to emphasize the need for addressing them in a comprehensive manner. We look forward to the report of the ICSC Working Group on this important matter, which may help the United Nations to find a long term solution to this issue.

7.         The Group of 77 and China regrets that no information is being presented to the General Assembly concerning the use of consultants and for developing an effective evaluation mechanism for the use of outside expertise. The Group would like to reiterate the relevant provisions of the resolution 60/266 and stress that consideration be given to hiring consultants that are well versed with the  national situation. The Group also wishes to stress the need to abide by the provisions of General Assembly resolutions guiding the use of consultants and external expertise.   

8.         The Group of 77 and China would also like to express its concern regarding the high vacancy rates in all peacekeeping missions which may seriously constrain the ability of the operations to implement their respective mandates. The Group would like to emphasize the need for addressing the issues underlying the high vacancy rates. The Group takes note of the steps taken by the Secretariat in this context such as delegation of authority to missions for recruitment and temporary deployment of officers to accelerate recruitment in the mission facing high vacancy rates,   but would like to underline the need for appropriate accountability measures in this process.  The Group would also like to stress that these recruitment effort should pay due regard to the equitable geographic distribution and gender balance especially the recruitment of female candidates from the developing countries.  The Group would also further like to reiterate the importance of hiring the national staff as a means to overcome this continuous problem in all peacekeeping missions across the board.

9.         In a related aspect on the use of United Nations' Volunteers the Group would like to emphasize that the hiring of United Nations Volunteers should be in compliance with the relevant General Assembly resolutions, the note on guiding principles and the memorandum of understanding between the DPKO and the United Nations volunteer programme. It is also imperative to strengthen coordination between the DPKO and the United Nations Volunteers programme for the use of volunteers in peacekeeping operations, as well as to continuously evaluate the contribution of United Nations Volunteers as a component of peacekeeping operations.

10.       The Group of 77 and China regrets that the report requested with regard to accountability, fraud, corruption, mismanagement, misconduct and conflict of interest, section V of the resolution 60/266 has not been presented.   These are serious aspects that hold implications for the image and functioning of the Organisation. The Group's concern is further reinforced by the findings contained in the report of the OIOS and we look forward to careful deliberations on these aspects in the informal consultations. The Group notes with concern the findings on weaknesses in internal control framework and inadequate managerial accountability for administrative and logistical support functions which seemingly lead to the instances of mismanagement, fraud and abuse, especially  in the field of procurement, travel activity, assets management, strategic deployment stocks, payment of subsistence allowances, human resources management etc. The Group would like to emphasize the importance of developing and implementing comprehensive internal control framework and ensuring that it is effectively monitored by the Secretariat in collaboration with OIOS. 

11.       The Group strongly supports the quick impact projects, which make an important contribution towards the success of the peacekeeping missions. Every effort should be made to ensure their full implementation without artificial deadlines. The extension of the projects should be closely linked to the situation on the ground and the specificities of each and every mission.

12.       The Group of 77 and China regrets that the report on the review of all aspects of fuel management in peacekeeping missions was not presented on the pretext that adequate funds had not been approved for hiring an external consultant to prepare this technical report. We find this a poor excuse. We believe that Department has adequate resources at its disposal to hire an external expert and sufficient expertise to undertake such a review.  The Secretariat alternatively should have raised this concern with the Assembly at the time of the adoption of the resolution.  Given the significant amount of resources spent on fuel management and reported instances of mismanagement and fraud in this area,   we believe that the Assembly would have benefited from considering this matter at this session and would like to emphasize that such comprehensive reports must be presented at the future sessions.

13.       With regard to the costing structure of air operations, the Group would emphasize the need for optimizing the use of air assets and takes note of the steps taken by the Secretary General to achieve the objectives stipulated in the resolution 60/266.  The Group would like to more information on the activities and output of management expert team that the Secretary General intends to establish to address all related issues. The Group would however, like to clarify that the efficiency gains and cost effectiveness should not be at the cost of undermining the safety, organization and rotation cycle of the troops, nor the operational necessities of the mission. One size fits all approach may not be feasible given the specific requirements and unique nature of each peacekeeping mission.  While regional approach in missions located in geographic proximity may be advisable, it may not be a solution in individual missions in specific regions. The Group would also further like to receive the reports on the comprehensive review of the transportation requirements, the costing structure of the air operations.

14.       In the context of the management of vehicle spare parts the Group would like to seek further information on the benefits of the Galileo and Mercury assets management systems in the peacekeeping missions.  The Group would further like to emphasize that while it takes note of the explanation of the Secretary General of the specific circumstances in each mission in the area of spare parts, we would like to emphasize that every effort should be made to ensure the procurement of spare parts from the developing country markets. We regret that the ACABQ in its report made no comments on this issue. We would like some clarification on this aspect in the informal meetings.

15.       With regards to the result based budgeting, the Group would like to emphasize that it is imperative to ensure the adoption of  coherent and consistent mandates and provision of related resources for their actual implementation.  The benchmarking of specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound mandates and objectives guarantee an effective implementation of the mandates as well as the resources.  The Group support the broad thrust of recommendations of the Joint Inspection Unit contained in report A/60/709/Add.1 and would request the Secretary General to ensure their implementation appropriately both in collaboration with the Security Council as well as the General Assembly. The Group also likes to further add that the Secretary General should initiate appropriate measures to ensure the gradual implementation of the result-based management that would bring about a quintessential improvement in  implementation of pragmatic aspects of the budgets as well as the accountability of the programme managers including senior management.

16.       The Group of 77 and China would like to express its serious concern over the instances of sexual exploitation and abuse reported by the Secretary General in relevant reports including those by the OIOS. The Group would like to state its unreserved support for the implementation of a zero tolerance policy to prevent and punish acts of sexual exploitation and abuse. The Group takes note with appreciation of the Secretary General's three-pronged approach of prevention, enforcement and remedial measures to address these issues. The Group would like to stress the importance of the training, awareness generation as well as appropriate measures in the context of development and quick impact projects as measures that can help in the prevention of such abuse.

17.       The Group of 77 and China believes that there is linkage between the Special Committee on Peacekeeping as well as the agenda item under consideration.  The Secretary General's reports specifically addresses the recommendations and issues highlighted by the Special Committee. It is regrettable that this year, as a result of the inflexible position adopted by a delegation, the Special Committee to date has been unable to adopt its annual report. This unfortunately may impact on the consideration in the Fifth Committee of the cross-cutting issues.  The Group consequently wishes to request the Chairman of the Committee to urgently resolve this matter with Chairpersons of the Fourth Committee and the C-34 before closing the formal consultations in the Fifth Committee on this agenda item and moving to the informal consultations.  It would be difficult to address resources in certain areas without their respective policies.

18.       The Group agrees with the recommendation of the DPKO Working Group on the payment of MSA to staff officers in the mission area in lieu of reimbursement to troop contributing countries, since this measure will help to achieve uniform policies and improving the efficiency and accountability of personnel with tasks that require decision-making skills and responsibility.

19.       The Group would also like to assure you of our constructive engagement on other issues in the related discussions.

 I thank You Mr. Chairman.