| Date | 18 December 1996 |
|---|
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Agenda item 116
Programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997
Report of the Fifth Committee (A/51/750)
The President
The Assembly will now take a decision on two draft resolutions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 2 of its report, which, for the time being, are contained in paragraph 23 of section IV of document A/C.5/51/L.32.
Draft resolution I (A and B) is entitled "Questions related to the programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997".
The Fifth Committee adopted draft resolution I. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
The Fifth Committee adopted draft resolution II (A to C), entitled "Programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997". May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The President
I now call on the representative of Costa Rica, who wishes to make a statement in explanation of position.
Mrs. Incera (Costa Rica)
(interpretation from Spanish): I have the honour to present the position of the Group of 77 and China on resolution 51/221 B, which the Assembly has just adopted. In our opinion, it is fundamental that the Secretariat, in carrying out the savings measures set forth in General Assembly resolution 50/214, follow the policy guidelines contained in operative paragraphs 9 and 10 of part B and effect the full implementation of mandated programmes and activities.
The Group of 77 and China is pleased that the resolution notes the assurances of the Secretary-General that he will not take any decision on the involuntary separation of staff members, including those on the redeployment list as a result of the aforementioned savings measures. In that connection, the Group of 77 and China look forward to receiving the information requested in operative paragraph 14. We hope that, pursuant to the provisions of operative paragraph 15, the Secretary-General will propose the restoration of a group of vacant posts as a result of the implementation of resolution 50/214. We view this as fundamental, given the activities that have been deferred or cancelled during the current biennium.
We attach particular importance to operative paragraphs 17, 18, 19 and 20, which, inter alia, request the Secretary-General to incorporate the efficiency reviews under way in programme and budget reviews. We consider this essential in order to avoid the duplication of structures that we have experienced. Those operative paragraphs are also aimed at avoiding the institutionalization recently established for the sake of efficiency structures. The Group of 77 and China hopes that the Office of Internal Oversight Services and the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts will undertake and carry out administrative reform while ensuring appropriate programme effectiveness and implementation, in keeping with their respective mandates.
The Group of 77 and China also attaches the highest priority to the report on the impact of savings measures on the Organization's programmes and activities, as requested in operative paragraph 20 of the resolution. Such an analysis should enable the Secretary-General to submit, in the context of the programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999, requests for the resources needed to ensure full implementation of the activities and mandates approved by the General Assembly.
The President
We have concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 116.
The General Assembly has thus concluded consideration of all the reports of the Fifth Committee before it.
