Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of Group of 77 and China under agenda item 128.  

2. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank Ms. Joan McDonald, Director of Facilities and Commercial Services Division, for the introduction of the Secretary-Genera's report (A/62/328) under this agenda item and the Chairman of ACABQ Mr. Rajat Saha for the introduction of the relevant report.

3. The Group of 77 and China recognizes the seriousness of the threat that the virulent strain of AVIAN influenza known as A (H5 N1) poses to the humankind including the United Nations staff.  The appropriate preparedness to deal with the potential hazards for the United Nations constitutes an important obligation of the Organization towards all its employees. We note with appreciation the efforts of the UN for developing coordinated response and strategy to deal with this pandemic. In this context, we note the appointment of United Nations System Influenza Coordinator with a mandate to develop a unified and a comprehensive strategy on prevention preparedness and to control AVIAN influenza within the UN system.   The Group also notes the appointment and the activities of the steering committee on AVIAN influenza.  We hope that these and other related measures such as, the  appointment of coordinators at all duty stations, preparation of guidelines and contingency plans by the pandemic senior emergency policy teams would create sufficient capacity to protect the health safety and security of UN personnel, its physical assets and the continuation of critical functions and operations of the United Nations.  

4. The Group would like to seek some clarifications with regard to the assumptions behind the resources that have been requested in the Secretary-General's report, particularly that the pandemic would impact approximately 30 to 40 % of the UN personnel and that it has the potential to affect all UN duty stations.  The Group of 77 and China would also like to seek additional information with regards to the coordination and consultation with the World Health Organization and the national health authorities in the preparation of the current report.

5. The Group of 77 and China believes that the ACABQ has offered a very useful advice with regards to a comprehensive review of business continuity requirements under the supervision of the Chief Information Technology Officer, instead of a piecemeal approach to this issue.  The Group of 77 and China also generally agrees with the other observations and recommendations of the ACABQ on the medical intervention and prevention, capacity building and training aspects of the report.

6. The Group of 77 and China would engage in the discussions under this item with a view to put in place adequate measures and arrangements to ensure the safety and security and health of all UN employees.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.