Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 133, entitled 'Programme Planning'.

2. The Group wishes to commend the Chairperson of the Committee on Programme and Coordination (CPC), Mr. Hendrik Ockert van de Westhuizen for introducing the report of the Committee on Programme and Coordination.

Mr. Chairman,

3. Programme Planning deals with the crucial task of translating the intergovernmental mandate into implementable programs. In this regard, the Group wishes to underline the importance of the work of the Committee on Programs and Coordination as the main subsidiary organ of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council for planning, programming and coordination. The CPC not only gives guidance to the Secretariat by the interpreting legislative intends but also considers and develops evaluation procedures for the improvement of program design and avoid overlapping and duplication. In fact the work of the CPC forms the core of the General Assembly's capacity to provide oversight in this key area.

4. The Group of G-77 and China appreciates the work of the Committee on Program and Coordination during its forty-ninth session. Like the previous years, the Report of the CPC provides and excellent basis for the consideration of the relevant issues in the Fifth Committee. We highly value the inputs provide it by the CPC and fully endorse the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on Programme and Coordination (A/64/16).

Mr. Chairman,

5. We welcome the guidance provided by CPC on programmatic aspects of the changes in the biannual program plans for both biannual 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 and reiterate once again that all the budget fascicles must be identical with the strategic framework, as recommended by CPC and approved by the General Assembly. The Group stresses that setting priorities of the United Nations is the sole prerogative of the Member States.

 
Mr. Chairman,

6. The G77 notes with satisfaction that the CPC welcomed the report of the OIOS on the role of evaluation and the application of evaluation findings on programme, design, delivery and policy directives.

7. Nevertheless, the Group 77 and China wishes to reaffirms the sole prerogatives of Member States in defining the roles and responsibilities of the intergovernmental and oversight bodies. In this context, the Group emphasizes that the legislative mandates emanating from the intergovernmental process are the main guidance for the work of the Secretariat and the oversight bodies, included that of the OIOS, when making its evaluation and recommendations.

Mr. Chairman,

8. Regarding the Secretary General's proposal for the alignment of the Office of Special Adviser on Africa and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developed Countries and Small Island Developing Countries, the Group fully supports the recommendation of the CPC on this issue and regrets that OIOS has expressed support to a proposal that goes against a decision of the General Assembly in its resolution 63/260 not to abolish the post of the Special Adviser on Africa at the level of Under-Secretary-General. We believe that this alignment would weaken the United Nations focus on the special needs of the countries for which they have been established.

9. The Group wishes to emphasize that OIOS, when making its evaluation and recommendations, should be solely guided by the legislative mandates emanating from the intergovernmental process. In this context, we reiterate our call to fill in the position of the Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa.

Mr. Chairman,

10. Knowledge management is instrumental to organizational change and remains an important component in the UN management reform process. We note the different roles which could be played by the Knowledge Management Service of the Office of Information and Communications Technology and other offices dealing with knowledge management related issues. We therefore encourage the Working Group on Knowledge Management to assess potential synergies and operational efficiencies when consolidating the Knowledge Management Service.

Mr. Chairman,

11. The G77 and China strongly believes that the United Nations Chief Executive Board should play an important role in improving coordination in the UN system and thus enhance the effectiveness of the Organization. The Group highly appreciates CEB efforts to enhance United Nations' advocacy in the eradication of poverty, achieving the Millennium Development Goals and in the support for Africa and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The Group also appreciates the priority given by the CEB to the role of United Nations in solving all financial and economic crises.

12. The G77 and China, however, urges the Secretary-General, in his capacity as Chairman of the CEB, to encourage more frequent and substantive dialogue between CEB and the Member States in order to enhance the Board's transparency and accountability to Member States.

Mr. Chairman,

13. The Group of 77 and China welcomes the conclusion of the discussion on the improvement of the working methods and procedures of the CPC and the decision of the Committee to not include this agenda item in future sessions. The Group recognizes the progress achieved on this issue and stresses the sole prerogative of the CPC, as an intergovernmental body, to review this matter as and when it finds necessary.

Mr. Chairman,

14. Finally, the Group of 77 and China assures you of its constructive participation during negotiations on this item.

I thank you.