Mr. Chairman,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of the G77 and China on agenda item 137: Human Resources Management.

2. The Group of 77 and China wishes to express its deepest disappointment over the handling of this crucial issue for the Organization.

3. The inability of the Secretariat to answer questions raised by Member States is a major source of concern and surprise.
 
4. Moreover, taking into account that the General Assembly intended firmly to take a decision on the final step of the new contractual framework and, that, to that effect,
the Secretariat had almost a year to prepare.  

Mr. Chairman,

5. Ensuring the well-being of the staff of the Organization is of the utmost importance to the Group of 77 and China, and it is with concern that we come to the decision to postpone the consideration of the implementation of the continuing appointments.

6. Nevertheless, we must recognize the indication given by the Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Catherine Pollard, that she will inform the staff members by video conference today which undoubtedly would help to dissipate any possible misunderstanding about the current situation and we hope to see the staff involved in the work that the Secretariat needs to perform in the coming months.

Mr. Chairman

7. The Group of 77 and China rests commited to the completion of the Human Resources Management reform at the earliest opportunity and would participate in an informal dialogue with the interested parties in the near future.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.