Construction and property management - UNON conference facilities

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MR. MEDARD AINOMUHISHA, PERMANENT MISSION OF UGANDA TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 139: PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR 2025 - CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - UNON CONFERENCE FACILITIES, DURING THE MAIN PART OF THE SEVENTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 5 November 2024)

Madam Chair,

1. The Group of 77 and China thanks Mr. Chandru Ramanathan Assistant-Secretary-General and Controller and Mr. Abdallah Bachar Bong, the Chair of the Advisory Committee for Introducing their respective reports.

2. The Group of 77 and China extends our sincere appreciation to the Government of Kenya for its continued invaluable support in upgrading infrastructure around the Gigiri compound, which has substantially advanced project objectives. We also commend the streamlined administrative processes related to diplomatic privileges and immunities, which indirectly supported the smooth provision of conference services within the Office compound. We encourage continued collaboration between the Secretary-General and the host country to ensure the project's sustained success.

3. The Group notes with appreciation from the Secretary General's report that the project is on track in terms of scope, schedule, and the approved funding as set out in General Assembly resolution 78/253.

4. The Group welcome the Secretary-General's commitment to using local materials and construction methods within the project's design. We encourage the further integration of local knowledge, technology, capacity, and labor throughout the project's implementation and look forward to updates on efficiency gains in future progress reports.

5. The Group emphasizes the importance of strong oversight and coordination, particularly through the Global Asset Management Policy Service (GAMPS) at Headquarters. We trust that GAMPS will continue to play an active role in supervising the project, including risk management and the application of lessons learned.

6. The Group recognizes the project team's efforts to create synergies with the Block A-J replacement initiative, including through the amendment of the existing risk management consulting contract and staffing integration. We are confident that applicable lessons learned and best practices from other United Nations construction and renovation projects will be applied throughout this project and with GAMPS providing essential guidance.

Madam Chair,

7. As I conclude, the Group reiterates the importance of this project, being one of the major construction projects identified in the report of the Secretary-General on the strategic capital review. Its successful completion will address the urgent needs posed by the deteriorating conditions and limited capacity of the conference facilities at UNON.

I thank you.