Mr. Chairman,

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

2. We thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security Mrs. Mbaranga Gasarabwe for the introduction of the report of the Secretary-General on the conclusions of the High-level Working Group on Programme Criticality. We further wish to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for introducing its related report on this item.

3. The Group of 77 and China reiterate the importance of safety and security for the United Nations staff, operations and premises at all its locations in Headquarters, main duty stations and the field. The Group will continue to support measures aimed at ensuring a coherent, effective, accountable and timely response to security-related threats and other emergencies.

4. Likewise, the Group wishes to recall the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolutions re-emphasizing that the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of United Nations staff and premises rests with the host country. The Group has consistently emphasized that any provisions for safety and security of the United Nations cannot work in isolation or without due consultation processes with Member States. The Security Level System should, therefore, provide for close coordination and collaboration with the host country.

Mr. Chairman,

5. While the Group recognizes the efforts undertaken by the High-Level Working Group on Programme Criticality, the Group concurs with conclusion of the Advisory Committee in its report (A/69/786) that the Secretary-General's report lacks details on the operational functioning of the initiative. It further notes with concern that the Secretary General has not submitted the final conclusions of the High-Level Working Group for the General Assembly's consideration and approval as requested in resolution 67/254.

6. In this regard, the Group requests the Secretary General submits to the General Assembly, as soon as possible, the report containing the final conclusions for its consideration and approval. We will seek further information on this and funding of programme criticality during the Committee's informal consultations on this agenda item.

Mr. Chairman,

7. It is imperative for the Organization to continue with clear criteria for determining security needs and evaluating threat perception and risk assessment on a world-wide basis to ensure that the Department of Safety and Security is able to respond to any emergency. In this respect, the Group acknowledges the Secretary-General's efforts in developing a standard for safety and security as requested by the General Assembly, and the adoption of a Security Level System by the United Nation Security Management System. The 'new risk management model', which includes a range of policies, tools and guidelines to identify and assess threats and to determine the level of risk after risk mitigation measures are put in place, must bear in mind the mandate of different UN activities, and that the level of risk and threats vary from one place to another.

8. The Group of 77 and China would like to underline the need for effective implementation of mandated programmes and delivery of services while ensuring the safety and security of United Nations personnel, premises and assets. We will eventually seek additional information on the detailed phases, benchmarks and timelines of the 'programme criticality framework' and the programme criticality level along with clearly established lines of accountability and responsibility and a clear chain of command for all participants in field security, at duty stations and in the support structures of the United Nations System.

9. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China looks forward to engaging constructively during the forthcoming discussion on this matter.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.