Madam Chairperson,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the organization of work of the Fifth Committee at the main part of the 71st Session of the General Assembly.

2. First and foremost, the Group wishes to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on the election and assumption of this important duty. We are particularly pleased that this year we have a woman to chair the Committee after a long pause of the last female chairperson. We have full confidence that, under your able leadership and guidance, the Committee will reach successful and timely conclusion of its work during this session.

3. The Group wishes to recognize the presence of Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts (OPPBA), and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).

4. The Group wishes also to take this opportunity to extend its gratitude to the outgoing Bureau members for the work done during the 70th session.

Madam Chairperson,

5. The Group thanks the Bureau and the Secretariat for preparing the programme of work and the status of preparedness of documentation contained in document A/C.5/71/L.1, which, we believe, will be reviewed and adjusted during the course of deliberations to reflect the progress of the work and priority of the Committee.

6. While recognizing the considerable amount of work that the Committee has to deal with during this main session, the Group remains committed to a thorough consideration of the agenda items allocated to the Committee and trusts that adequate time will be provided to important agenda items for their effective consideration to ensure successful conclusion. In the meantime, it is equally important for the Secretariat and the ACABQ to ensure that Member States receive the reports well in advance. Any delay in issuance of documentation in all official languages according to the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly can seriously affect the work of the Committee.

Madam Chairperson,

7. Among other items that are allocated to the Committee, the Group attaches high priority to the following issues: First, supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development remains top priority to the Group as clearly mentioned in our statements during the first and second resumed parts of the 70th Session. Given that the two Agendas were adopted by our leaders over a year ago, we cannot afford to lose any more time for an early and successful implementation of the two Agendas with adequate financial resources. Secondly, on human resources management, particular focus will be given to items relating to human resources management reform, amendments to the Staff Regulations and Rules, and implementation of the International Civil Service Commission on the common system compensation package. Thirdly, the Group is interested to examine in detail the proposals on construction and property management, especially those pertaining to Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). We also look forward to receiving and studying in detail of the proposed programme budget outline for biennium 2018-2019, and first performance report of programme budget 2016-2017, as a matter of the Group's priority.

8. In addition to the above, there are other items to which the Group will pay close attention during the course of deliberations, including Umoja, global service delivery model, flexible workplace, and capital master plan. The Group will elaborate on the details of its comments and views in their respective agenda items.

Madam Chairperson,

9. Despite the considerable amount of work and complexity of issues that the Committee has to face with during the next three months, the Group wishes to emphasize its readiness to consider and conclude all the agenda items before us within the timeframe allocated in the programme of work to ensure the effective functioning of the organization. The Group has always stressed the principle of conducting the negotiations in an open, inclusive and transparent manner. We believe that it is the Member States' collective responsibility to take decisions that are beneficial to the organization and enable it to perform its mandates effectively and efficiently.

10. In closing, the Group of 77 and China assures you of full cooperation and constructive engagement with the Bureau and our partners for a successful outcome of this session.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.