Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134: programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017, in particular revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by ECOSOC at its substantive session of 2015.

The Group would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, as well Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Budgetary and Administrative Questions, for introducing their respective reports on this agenda item.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China continues to attach great importance to the adequate funding of mandates approved by intergovernmental bodies of the United Nations. Such funding must provide the Organization with the necessary level of financial, as well as human, resources in order for it to be able to deliver as expected by Member States.

In the 68th session, with the adoption, by consensus, of resolution 68/1, the Economic and Social Council went through an overhaul designed to make its work more relevant, efficient, as well more responsive to the needs of Member States, particularly in the area of social development. As such, member States have a duty to continue to work for a stronger, more effective ECOSOC, especially the full implementation of its resolutions and mandates.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China notes that the additional requirements related to the resolutions approved by ECOSOC during its 2015 cycle amount to $3,347,000, of which $3,084,100 would require an additional appropriation to be charged against the Contingency Fund.

The Group also notes that these additional requirements stem from activities related to the establishment of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean; the intergovernmental committee on technology for development in the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia; the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti; the restructuring of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to be fit for the evolving post-2015 development agenda; and to the international arrangement on forests beyond 2015.

In this regard, the Group wishes to recall that, in accordance with resolution 69/264, the General Assembly has decided that the promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development will be the top priority of the United Nations for the coming biennium.

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China, therefore, supports the provision of the necessary resources to finance the resolutions and decisions adopted by ECOSOC at its 2015 session.

In conclusion, the Group reiterates its commitment to participate actively in the consultations on this important agenda item.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.