Mr. Chair,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the organization of work for the second part of the resumed seventy-sixth session of the Fifth Committee.

2. I would like to express our Group’s appreciation and support to the efforts made by the Secretariat and Bureau in facilitating the work of this Committee and presenting the programme of work for the 2nd Resumed Session in a timely manner.

Mr. Chair,

3. Our Group recalls that many procedures and methods of work used during this past year and the 1st resumed session this year were put in place due to the ongoing Covid -19 pandemic. In this context, we acknowledge the gradual return to traditional methods of work in our Committee that are crucial for meaningful engagement amongst all member states. We are ready to engage actively during the in-person meetings scheduled throughout this Session.

4. Our group is pleased to see efforts being made towards timely updating and availability of reports for delegates. Timely submission of reports by the Secretariat and the ACABQ to enable the committee to effectively undertake and complete its work remain crucial for effectively carrying out the work of this committee.

Mr. Chair,

5. Our Group is committed to a thorough consideration of Agenda Items allocated to this Committee, including the item deferred from the 1st Resumed session on improving the Financial situation of the UN that merits serious attention to ensure smooth functioning of the Secretariat and effective delivery of mandates. Our Group attaches great importance to the consideration of administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of UN peacekeeping operations, in particular, cross-cutting issues, closed peacekeeping missions, the Support Account for peacekeeping operations, plan and the budgets of the Regional Service Center and the United Nations Logistics Base. These multifaceted items demand our close attention, and we should focus on concluding our deliberations on time to ensure that peacekeeping operations are given the necessary resources to fulfill their mandates.

6. I would like to express our Group’s gratitude for those serving in different peacekeeping Missions and pay tribute to those troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice of the lives in the pursuit of peace. The recent loss of twenty precious lives of peacekeepers in Mali and DRC is a reminder of the magnitude of risk that blue helmets face across peacekeeping operations and the importance of ensuring their safety and security through appropriate allocation of resources. We reiterate that the relevant resolutions and decisions of the Security Council, especially resolution 2518(2020) and 2589(2021), and the General Assembly must be fully implemented, in order to take all appropriate measures to enhance the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel and to bring accountability for crimes committed against peacekeepers.

Mr. Chair,

7. We also look forward to exploring options to build upon last year’s resolutions on closed peacekeeping missions and to achieve a fair solution for unpaid assessments, accounts payable and other liabilities of these missions.

8. I assure active engagement of our group with all member states on other items allocated to the Committee for the second resumed session, including Revised estimates: Antiracism Taskforce Strategic Action Plan, Accessibility for persons with disabilities and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Mr. Chair,

9. To conclude, on behalf of the Group of 77 & China I reiterate our commitment to consider and conclude the items before us within the allocated timeframe of the programme of work. We also reiterate our full cooperation and constructive engagement with you and the Bureau to arrive at a successful outcome for this session.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.