Mr. Chairman,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 139, entitled "United Nations common system".

2. The Group wishes to thank Mr. Wolfgang Stockl, Vice-Chairman of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and Ms. Susan McLurg, Chairperson of the ACABQ, for introducing the reports of the Commission and the Advisory Committee on this agenda item.

3. We also wish to thank Ms. Sharon Van Buerle, Director of the of the Programme Planning and Budget Division, for presenting the Secretary-General's report, and also Mr. Edmond Mobio, President of the Federation of International Civil Servants' Association,  Mr. Christopher Land-Kazlauskas, President of the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System, and Mr. Claude Jumet, President of the United Nations International Civil Servants Federation, for their statements.

Mr. Chairman,

4. The Group of 77 and China would like to reaffirm its support to the ICSC's mandated role and take note with appreciation of the report of the ICSC. At this stage of the process of the United Nations human resources reforms, the International Civil Service Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring the alignment of the United Nations common system to the new contractual framework as set by the General Assembly's resolution 63/250. During this on-going process, the ICSC is providing valuable technical guidance to the General Assembly on how to offer the conditions of service which are more suitable to the United Nations employees and more attractive to those whom wish to work for the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,
 
5. The Group of 77 and China stresses the importance of providing recognition to all staff serving under the UN Common System. Most staff are keen to belong to the Organisation because they believe in its goals and objectives and want to be part of a good cause. Hence, we believe that we have a responsibility to provide them with a well-deserved and respectable remuneration package, with enough incentives and allowances to enable them to perform their work efficiently and effectively amidst ongoing challenges. In that regard, we fully support the ICSC's recommendation to introduce an end-of-service severance pay for fixed-term staff separating from the Organisation upon the expiration of contract after 10 or more years of continuous service in those Organisations. This is an important recognition of the work of staff that have spent many years of excellent service to the Organisation on a succession of fixed-term contracts.

6. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its support for the work of the ICSC. We will continue to follow closely the ICSC's work and its recommendations and we look forward to further discussions on these important matters.

        I thank you, Mr. Chairman.