Chair，

I would like to start by congratulating you on assuming the chairmanship of the Fifth Committee of the 80th Session of the General Assembly. You can count on China's full support for your work. I commend the work by members of the Bureau, the ACABQ, and the Secretariat for the preparation for this meeting. China aligns itself with the statement by Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China.

The world, at present, has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation with rising unilateralism. The more turbulent the international situation becomes, the more imperative it is for us to enhance solidarity and coordination, strengthen the role of the United Nations, practice true multilateralism, and jointly promote global governance. China firmly upholds the UN-centered international system, and makes unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for humanity. We are contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to navigating global transformation and overcoming pressing challenges by advancing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative.

China supports the UN to improve its efficiency and capacity to fulfill its mandates through the UN80 Initiative to advance reform and achieve vitalization. Reform concerns the interests of the general membership. As such, it is necessary to practice strict economy, reduce formalism and bureaucracy, strengthen consultations with a focus on the United Nations serving the people of its Member States, build the broadest possible consensus, and make responsible decisions based on comprehensive and prudent assessments. Reform must not become an excuse for the United Nations to do less, nor a pretext for a certain member not to fulfill its financial obligations. Reform must fully address the enormous needs of developing countries, and genuinely provide institutional and resource guarantee for development efforts.

UN program planning and budget process should adhere to the Member States-driven principle and reflect the legitimate appeals of Member States. The program budget should strike a balance in resources allocation among the UN's three pillars of peace and security, development, and human rights. The UN Secretariat should increase the representation of developing countries in its staff, and also should improve transparency in the budget preparation and implementation process, ensure the meaningful engagement of all Member States, and effectively implement the General Assembly resolutions on "zero-based budgeting" and "the culture of efficiency". The Secretariat should give due attention to the recommendations of the Board of Auditors and strengthen internal control, so as to ensure effective oversight and accountability.

Chair,

We have an unprecedentedly heavy workload during this main session. The Chinese delegation stands ready to work constructively with all parties in the deliberations on all agenda items to jointly advance their completion and achieve expected outcomes.

I thank you, Chair.