The imposition of unilateral coercive economic measures against developing countries, which are inconsistent with the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, does not contribute to economic and social development, including dialogue and understanding among countries, and impede the capacity of targeted countries to promote post-pandemic recovery. Therefore, we reiterate the urgent need to eliminate them immediately.
The Group welcomes the continuous coordination between the Office and other oversight entities, including the Board of Auditors and the Joint Inspection Unit, in order to minimize overlap and duplication of oversight work. We encourage maintaining and further enhancing this coordination. In addition, the Group urges the full cooperation of all relevant UN entities with the Office in discharging its responsibilities.
The Group believes that a culture of ethics must contribute to ensure that staff members observe and perform their functions in a manner consistent with the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, as required in article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations. This also includes the observation of the principle of the equitable geographical representation while considerating the employment of the staff and the determination of the conditions of service.
After a year of long debates, preparation and intense negotiations on mayor and highly visible international events addressing a multiplicity of development challenges, both within and outside the UN, it is clear to the G-77 and China that what´s been discussed on those multilateral settings is far from being reflected in concrete actions, for which we face, still, another crisis: an implementation crisis.
The United Nations remains an intergovernmental Organization and it is our task in the Fifth Committee to ensure that the management of this institution abides to this notion. The Secretariat is not an independent entity. This is why it is central for the G77 and China in the Fifth Committee to demand transparency, accountability and fairness in the administrative proceedings at the UN.
Achieving social development, as part of efforts towards sustainable development, is a priority for the Group of 77 and China. The Group reiterates that the commitments and objectives of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development and the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development remain as valid.
South-South cooperation is a fundamental pillar of our international cooperation. Its strengthening and development is a key priority for my delegation, as it contributes to the well-being of the peoples and countries of the South, to our collective independence, and to the achievement of internationally agreed development frameworks.