Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation would like to thank Mr. Sach, ASG and Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Management and Ms. Eugenia Casar, the Controller for their presentations on the financial situation of the United Nations made on May 14 and today respectively. My delegation associates itself with the statement made by Algeria on behalf of the G77 and China.

Mr. Chairman,

The current international situation is very complex and challenging. As the most important intergovernmental organization of the world, the UN has an irreplaceable role to play in international affairs. We support the Secretary General's efforts on change management with a view to making the UN more responsive to the requirements of the new situation. We hope that the relevant financial reform will enable the UN to manage and implement ever increasing programs and activities more effectively, utilize resources in a more rational manner, maximize output and efficiency and better serve the member states.

According to the Controller, as of May 24th, 96 member states have paid in full their assessed contributions; 68 member states have paid in full their assessments for the two tribunals; and 41 member states have paid in full their peacekeeping assessments. We note with appreciation that some member states, particularly some developing member states, have tried hard to fulfill their financial obligations in spite of various difficulties they are facing. We hope that, like most other member states, major states in arrears will also pay all their assessments in full, on time and without conditions and pay up all their arrears as requested by the General Assembly.

The international community is now making concerted efforts to jointly tackle the challenges presented by the global economic and financial crisis. China hopes that the Secretary General will, through management reform and other measures, enhance accountability, implement strict financial discipline, improve management and efficiency in resource utilization, and value and put to good use every penny paid by member states.

Mr. Chairman,

China is a developing country with a low per-capita income. We still have many people living under the poverty line and thus need enormous financial input for our economic and social development. Nevertheless, for 2011, by overcoming the tremendous difficulties, we managed to pay the full amount of our assessed contribution under the regular budget; our assessment for the ICTY and ICTR; our CMP assessment; and our peacekeeping assessment. As for the year of 2012, China has paid in full its assessed contribution under the regular budget and its assessment for the two tribunals. We have already paid most of our peacekeeping assessment and are in the process of paying the remaining. China has thus contributed with concrete action to efforts to ensure a sound financial foundation for the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

A sound and balanced financial foundation constitutes a basic condition for the UN to fulfill its Charter responsibilities and carry out program activities. All member states should display positive political will and a high sense of responsibility and effectively fulfill their financial obligation stipulated in the Charter so as to enable the UN to better perform its functions.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.