Vienna Chapter
Madam Chair,
1. First of all, let me once more express the satisfaction of the
State Signatories of the Group of 77 and China in seeing you chairing this
session of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test
Ban Treaty Organization in 2005. We all believe that under your
chairmanship and guidance, discussions will lead to fruitful conclusions
and I assure you of our full cooperation.
Madam Chair,
2. The Group of 77 and China is very much pleased with the results of
the IV Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Treaty
(Article XIV), held in New York from 21 to 23 September, as it evidenced
the overwhelming support of all 117 participating countries to the Treaty
and to its prompt entry into force. The majority of the statements
deplored the lack of consensus on the 2005 NPT Review and the omission of
disarmament and non-proliferation themes in the UN High Level Summit
Report. In the past years, the threat of terrorism and proliferation of
nuclear weapons seem to recommend a tightening up of the multilateral
nuclear non-proliferation regime, which should be balanced by commensurate
efforts in nuclear disarmament. In this scenario, where other conferences
failed, the adoption of the Final Declaration negotiated in Vienna under
the leadership of Ambassador Deborah Stokes, and adopted in New York, is a
glimmer of hope. The Group of 77 and China is looking forward to
discussing future ways of promoting the Entry into Force of the CTBT at
the earliest possible date.
3. We are pleased to note that, since the last session of the
Preparatory Commission, the Cook Islands, Djibouti, Madagascar and Vanuatu
have ratified the Treaty, and Lebanon has signed it. We are very grateful
to those countries and we would like to urge all countries that have not
yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty.
4. The Group takes note with appreciation of the Executive
Secretary's comprehensive written and oral reports.
Madam Chair,
5. The Group would like to express its views on the following issues,
which will be considered during the present meeting of the Preparatory
Commission.
6. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Provisional
Technical Secretariat for elaborating the budget proposal for 2006, and
hereby states its position:
a) The budget proposal should reflect zero real growth, with no
overall programmatic or staff increase.
b) However, given the importance the Group attaches to Major
Programme 4 (OSI), including the Integrated Field Exercise, we are pleased
to note that the substantive increase in the allocation of funds for this
Major Programme is maintained.
c) Every effort should be made to absorb the allocations for security
enhancements within the budget proposal, especially in view of the
existing non-encumbered funds.
d) The Group of 77 and China would like to request the Provisional
Technical Secretariat to include allocation for the participation of nine
experts from developing countries to the meetings of Working Group B in
the budget proposal for 2006. We believe that wider participation of
experts from developing countries in Working Group B meetings would be
beneficial to the work of the Organization.
7. In reference to the Report of the External Evaluation Team, the Group
of 77 and China closely followed the deliberations held during the joint
WGA/WGB meeting held during the last session of Working Group B, in
August. The Group is, to a large extent, in agreement with the
recommendations of the Report and we are looking forward to further
discussions on this agenda item.
8. The Group of 77 and China takes note of the road map prepared by
the Executive Secretary for implementation of the recommendation on the
redefinition of functions within the IMS and IDC Divsion. At this stage,
the Group is not in a position to pronounce itself on the matter, and
requests further consultations with the Secretariat. We would nevertheless
like to make two preliminary considerations, concerning any decision that
may be taken on this issue by the PrepCom in future occasions. Whatever
redefinition of functions within the IMS and IDC Divisions should:
a) not exceed the budget of the present IMS and IDC Divisions; and
b) be in strict observance of the Treaty and its structure.
9. Concerning the composition of the Provisional Technical
Secretariat, the Group of 77 and China is particularly satisfied that the
seven year service limit for Professional and internationally recruited
General Service staff members is being observed. Nevertheless, the Group
notes with concern that the overall representation of developing countries
in the Provisional Technical Secretariat remains unbalanced. In this
regard, the Group would like to reiterate the need to increase the
presence of staff members from developing countries in the PTS, and calls
upon the Secretariat to give due attention to this criterion in the
recruitment process of new staff members, who will replace those who have
reached their service limit. The adequate representation of women should
also be observed. The Group of 77 and China would like to request the
Secretariat to report on efforts made on those two issues, for
consideration at every session of the PrepCom.
Madam Chair,
10. The Group of 77 and China looks forward to the discussion on the
organization and methods of work of the Subsidiary Bodies of the
Commission. Although the Group notes with appreciation the work that has
been carried out by both Working Groups A and B, as well as by the
Advisory Group, we believe that there is room for improvement.
11. One aspect of particular concern, that the Group of 77 and China
expressed in previous occasions, is the small participation in Working
Group B of experts from developing countries. We welcomed the initiative
of the Conference Services Section of the PTS to establish an video system
whereby experts in the capitals can follow discussions live from Vienna
via the internet. This is a positive step forward and a useful tool not
only for developing countries, but for all signatory states of the CTBT.
Nevertheless, Madam Chair, this initiative does not address the issue of
inadequate participation by experts from developing countries, for it does
not allow for negotiations and reactions from experts at home.
12. In this regard, the Group requests the Provisional Technical
Secretariat to examine ways and means to finance the participation of
representatives from developing countries to WGB meetings, and this effort
should be reflected in the Programme and Budget Proposal for 2006.
13. This is a widespread practice in the United Nations system, for
example in the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on
Climate Change and in the FAO in Rome, to mention just a few, where
funding is provided for the participation of a large number of delegates
from developing countries to all negotiation instances, including the
Conference of the Parties.
14. In the case of the CTBTO, the Group of 77 and China believes that
the meetings of the Preparatory Commission, the Working Group A and the
Advisory Group are well covered by diplomats from the Permanent Missions
in Vienna. But in Working Group B, due to the very technical nature of
discussions, it is imperative to have a significant participation of
experts from the capitals.
15. We therefore would like to propose that budgetary funds be made
available to cover travel expenses for nine experts designated by the
Group of 77 and China, being three from Africa, three from Asia and three
from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Madam Chair,
16. Concerning the Chairmanship of Working Group A, Working Group B
and the Advisory Group, the G-77 and China has the following views:
a) The paramount criterion for the selection of Chairs for all three
Groups should be that of competence.
b) There should be pre-established terms of tenure. The Group of 77
and China is flexible on the duration of the terms of tenure - that could
be, in principle, of two or three years.
c) The Group of 77 and China supports the view that the Chairs of the
three groups must come from States that have good record in accession to
international disarmament and non-proliferation instruments and preferably
from countries that have ratified the Treaty.
d) The Principle of Geographical Rotation must be observed, in order
to take into due consideration the participation of developing countries.
The Group of 77 and China would like to recall that this is an established
Principle in the United Nations system.
17. In this regard, the Group of 77 and China would like to express
its deep satisfaction in having Ambassador Abdulkadir Bin Rimdap of
Nigeria as the Chairman of Working Group A, thus observing the principle
of geographical rotation in the Chairmanship of this Working Group.
Thank you Madam Chair.
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