Mr. Chair,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134: Revised estimates relating to the Funding of the Resident Coordinator System at the first part of the resumed 78th session of the Fifth Committee.

2. The Group wishes to thank Ms. Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance and Mr. Abdallah Bachar Bong, the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for introducing their respective reports.

3. The Group has noted the proposals of the Secretary-General contained in his report A/78/753 that has just been introduced three days before the closure of the work of the Fifth Committee in this session. Because of the time constraint, the Group as well as the Committee will not have adequate time to analyze and discuss the proposals of the Secretary-General on such an important agenda item.

4. Therefore, the Group will mainly focus its intervention at this time appreciating the work of the resident coordinators and to underline the positive impact of the resident coordinator system since its inception in advancing towards sustainable development globally thus accelerating progress towards development goals; we shall also closely follow the status of equitable geographical representation, including at the level of Resident coordinators and other staff in the system.

5. The Group reiterates that a reinvigorated resident coordinator system lies at the center of the repositioned United Nations development system, and in this regard, we would like to highlight its contribution to aligning United Nations capacities with national priorities, convening various stakeholders including United Nations entities, governments, financial institutions, and non-traditional partners facilitating the creation of innovative solutions, and mobilizing substantial financing for development initiatives.

6. Furthermore, the role of resident coordinators has proven fundamental in responding to and managing crises. This integrated approach, along with the emphasis on accountability and operational efficiency underscores the system's pivotal role in strengthening the United Nations development agenda.

Mr. Chair,

7. The Group, however, expresses its concern at the continued shortfall of funding to the resident coordinator system and the United Nations Development system as whole which impacts their agility, effectiveness and support to programme countries' needs and priorities, and is of the view that an open, inclusive, and comprehensive discussion is necessary to find sustainable alternatives to reverse the current financial situation.

8. The Group of G77 and China reiterates the importance of providing the adequate tools to the United Nations Development System and its resident coordinator system, in particular the necessary funding to deliver better in support of the needs and priorities of programme countries.

9. The Group also wishes to emphasize that developed countries have an obligation and a commitment of assisting developing countries in meeting their development objectives and urges the full implementation of commitments made in the funding compact.

I thank you!