Madam Chairperson,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134: Programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017, in particular on the revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council at its thirty-first, thirty-second and thirty-third sessions and twenty-fourth special session.

2. At the outset, the Group would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General as contained in document A/71/623, as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing the related report of the Advisory Committee as contained in document A/71/688. 
 
Madam Chairperson,

3. The Group of 77 and China reiterate the long-standing position of the Group that the level of resources to be approved by the General Assembly must be commensurate with all mandated programmes and activities to ensure their full and effective implementation.

4. The Group attaches great importance to the human rights pillar of the United Nations, and is, in particular, a strong supporter of the work of the Human Rights Council.

Madam Chairperson,

5. The Group of 77 and China note that the additional requirements related to the resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council at its thirty-first to thirty-third sessions, held in 2016, and twenty-fourth special session, held in December 2015, are estimated at $49,385,000 of which $23,019,800 relates to activities of a perennial as well as of a recurrent nature that has therefore been included in the programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017. The Group further notes that the remaining requirements of $26,365,200 are new requirements for the bienniums 2016-2017 and 2018-2019, and that the amount of $14,910,500 would require additional appropriations to be charged against the contingency fund for the biennium 2016-2017.

6. The Group notes the proposal of the Secretary-General for the establishment of 11 new posts at the P-5, P-4 and P-3 levels to support the activities mandated by the Council. The Group also notes the Advisory Committee's recommendations in this regard.

7. In this context, the Group believes that the mandates approved by the Human Rights Council should be provided with sufficient resources.

8. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China assure you of our continued commitment to participate constructively in the consideration of this agenda item with a view to reaching conclusion in a timely manner.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA 
BY MS. SIRITHON WAIRATPANIJ, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 134: PROGRAMME BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM 2016-2017: REVISED ESTIMATES RESULTING FROM RESOLUTIONS AND DECISIONS ADOPTED BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, AT THE MAIN PART OF THE SEVENTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, FIFTH COMMITTEE 
(New York, 15 December 2016)

Madam Chairperson,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda item 134: Programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017, in particular on the revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council at its thirty-first, thirty-second and thirty-third sessions and twenty-fourth special session.

2. At the outset, the Group would like to thank Ms. Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General as contained in document A/71/623, as well as Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing the related report of the Advisory Committee as contained in document A/71/688. 
 
Madam Chairperson,

3. The Group of 77 and China reiterate the long-standing position of the Group that the level of resources to be approved by the General Assembly must be commensurate with all mandated programmes and activities to ensure their full and effective implementation.

4. The Group attaches great importance to the human rights pillar of the United Nations, and is, in particular, a strong supporter of the work of the Human Rights Council.

Madam Chairperson,

5. The Group of 77 and China note that the additional requirements related to the resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council at its thirty-first to thirty-third sessions, held in 2016, and twenty-fourth special session, held in December 2015, are estimated at $49,385,000 of which $23,019,800 relates to activities of a perennial as well as of a recurrent nature that has therefore been included in the programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017. The Group further notes that the remaining requirements of $26,365,200 are new requirements for the bienniums 2016-2017 and 2018-2019, and that the amount of $14,910,500 would require additional appropriations to be charged against the contingency fund for the biennium 2016-2017.

6. The Group notes the proposal of the Secretary-General for the establishment of 11 new posts at the P-5, P-4 and P-3 levels to support the activities mandated by the Council. The Group also notes the Advisory Committee's recommendations in this regard.

7. In this context, the Group believes that the mandates approved by the Human Rights Council should be provided with sufficient resources.

8. In conclusion, the Group of 77 and China assure you of our continued commitment to participate constructively in the consideration of this agenda item with a view to reaching conclusion in a timely manner.

I thank you, Madam Chairperson.