Madam Chair,

The Chinese delegation would like to thank you and the members of Bureau of the Fifth Committee, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee Secretariat for the preparations for this meeting. China congratulates Iraq on its assumption of the Chairmanship of the Group of 77, and aligns itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of the Group 77 and China. We also thank Uganda for its tremendous and fruitful efforts during its chairmanship. China would like to make the following additional comments:

First, with rapid changes unseen in a century, the world is facing growing uncertainty and instability. Faced with turbulence and transformation, we need to reinvigorate true multilateralism and uphold the authority and role of the United Nations. The fair and rational human resources management, efficient and pragmatic financing and budgetary management serve as an important basis for the UN to deliver the mandates. We are ready to advance consultation and cooperation with all parties so as to achieve positive outcomes on all agenda items.

Second, China attaches great importance to human resources management, and hopes that the UN Secretariat will take concrete measures to advance human resources management reform and address the severe under-representation of developing countries in the United Nations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 77/278.

We take note of the claim made by the Secretary-General’s report that the liquidity crisis is bringing tremendous challenges to the human resource management reform. We hope that the Secretariat can overcome difficulties and make greater efforts to implement the GA resolution in the context that the liquidity crisis may not be fully resolved in the near future. 

China pays close attention to the UN Staff Selection 2.0 launched by the Secretariat and hopes to see the improvement of the assessment criteria for candidates, increased efficiency of the recruitment, and more transparency and credibility of recruitment process. Oversight and accountability over the implementation of the principle of equitable geographical distribution of the UN Secretariat needs to be strengthened. We are in favor of attracting young talents to join the UN workforce through the program. We hope that the Secretariat will take concrete measures to increase opportunities for the youth from developing countries to be recruited as UN interns.

 Third, the root cause of the UN liquidity crisis lies in the large arrears in contribution owed by its largest contributor. To solve this crisis, we must tackle both the symptoms and root causes. Suspending the return of credits to Member States would not address the root causes. A realistic and rational approach is essential to the UN program budget and more efforts need to be taken to achieve cost-saving and efficiency. Internal control and performance oversight has to be strengthened to avoid waste and idle resources. The financial contributions of Member States should be cherished and optimized in the use by the UN.

Madam Chair,

The Chinese delegation stands ready to engage constructively with all parties in the consideration of all agenda items and will fully support the Chair to achieve a successful conclusion of the agenda of this session.

Thank you.