Vienna Chapter
AGENDA ITEM 1: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Chairperson,
Concerning the adoption of the provisional agenda, I would like to
make a brief comment on the issue of experts from developing countries
attending WGB Sessions that was included under "any other business".
Chairperson,
The Group is of the view that the attendance of experts at Working
Group B is a very important issue for Group of 77 and China. The Group
would like to have this issue discussed as Agenda item 7 bis on this
provisional agenda.
Thank you Chairperson
At the outset, allow me once again to express the satisfaction of the
State Signatories and Ratifiers of the Group of 77 and China in seeing you
chairing the 29th Session of Working Group A of the Preparatory Commission
for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization in 2006. The
Group believes that under your able guidance, discussions will lead to
meaningful conclusions of our work. I assure you of our full cooperation.
The Group would like to welcome Viet Nam's ratification of the CTBT
since the
Last session of the Preparatory Commission. We would like to
reiterate and reaffirm our belief that the latest ratification of Viet Nam
greatly contributes to the universalization of the Treaty. The Group would
like to call on all countries that have not yet signed and ratified the
Treaty to do so.
Chairperson,
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Executive Secretary
for his reports on Major Programmes 6 and 7, as well as his informative
oral report.
The Group would like to commend the Executive Secretary and the PTS
for participating as an observer at the 6th Ordinary Session of the
Assembly of the African Union (AU) Summit from 16-20 January 2006. The
Executive Secretary's outreach activities and meetings with so many
prominent and important African leaders will help promote the
universalization and the promotion of the entry into force of the Treaty.
The Group notes from the Executive Secretary's report that in March
2006, PTS staff from the IMS Division and the External Relations Section
undertook a joint mission to Gabon. The Group would appreciate if the PTS
could provide more information of the outcome of the visit. The Group also
commends the Government of the Netherlands for its voluntary contribution
in support of the PTS international co-operation and outreach activities
which enhanced the understanding of the Treaty in Zambia and Malawi. The
Group encourages the developed countries to follow the same example set by
the Government of the Netherlands.
Chairperson,
While the Group notes that the seven-year service limit for
Professional and internationally recruited General Service staff members
is generally being observed by the PTS, it is very important that the
seven year limit be strictly adhered to in spirit and letter. The strict
adherence to the seven year term limit will provide developing countries
with an opportunity to fill the vacancies in the PTS.
The Group is of the view that extensions of contract should only be
done under exceptional circumstances. In this regard, the Group requests
the PTS to inform concerned State Signatories as early as possible should
such situtations arise.
Thank you Chairperson
Chairperson,
The Group would like to express its appreciation to Mr. Martin
Sinclair for introducing the External Auditor's report for the accounts of
the PTS. The Group has reviewed the accounts for 2005 as contained in
document (CTBT/PTS/INF/800) and would like to make some preliminary
comments. The Group welcomes the External Auditor's unqualified opinion on
the PTS's financial statement.
The Group takes note of the recommendations made by the External
Auditor on the finances of the PTS. The Group takes note of the
recommendation that the PTS should follow the UN practice to call on State
Signatories to ratify the adoption of improved financial reporting
arrangements based on the International Public Sector Accounting Standards
(IPSAS). The Group would appreciate it if the PTS could provide further
information on the financial and administrative implications that IPASS
could have for developing countries.
Chairperson,
The Group could not consider the report of the Advisory Group's
recommendations as contained in document CTBT.AG-26/1. The Group is of the
view that the Advisory Group's report should be published earlier to
enable State Signatories to comment on the important issues contained
therein.
The Group requests the PTS to convene the Advisory Group meeting at
least one month before the start of WGA.
Thank you Chairperson.
Chairperson,
The Group recalls in our statement that it could not consider the
report of the Advisory Group's recommendations as the report was not
published earlier to enable States Signatories to comment on the important
issues therein.
Chairperson,
The Group in order to give enough time for consideration and in the
spirit of compromise could accept that the report and related financial
matters be discussed as sub-item under the agenda item: WGA report in the
forthcoming PrepCom, and requests the PTS to act accordingly.
Having said that, the Group once again reiterates that the future
draft schedule of Advisory Group and Working Group meetings should be
arranged so that they do not overlap with other VIC meetings and at least
to be one month apart from each other.
Thank you Chairperson.
Chairperson,
The Group thanks the PTS for the revised draft 2007 Programme and
Budget as contained in document CTBT/PTS/INF.802.
In this regard, the Group would like to make the following comments:
(a) The Group is of the view the 2006 Programme and Budget increase
was an exception that included increases to cover the costs associated
with the VIC Security Enhancement Costs. The 2007 budget should be
compared to the 2005 programme and budget which reflected zero real
growth.
(b) The Group notes that the PTS has made efforts to present a budget
within a realistic and reasonable financial framework. The Group remains
concerned that the budget proposal does not reflect the principle of zero
real growth. Once again, the Group reiterates its principled position that
future budget proposals should reflect zero real growth.
3. The Group takes note that the 2007 budget for the verification
related programme is based on a number of factors, such as the PTS
capacity to absorb new work, and the need to propose a budget that is
realistic and reasonable to cover the cost of the build-up of the
International Monitoring System. The Group appreciates the PTS efforts to
engage State Signatories on any significant additional costs that the
verification process may cause.
Chairperson,
The Group reiterates its concern that the overall representation of
developing countries in the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS)
remains unbalanced. It is critical that the PTS make a concerted effort to
increase the presence of staff members from developing countries in the
PTS. The Group 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. In this regard, the Group
requests the Executive Secretary to provide a separate report on the
efforts made and the staff recruited from developing countries to every
Prep Com meeting.
Equally important is the need to ensure that the representation of
women from developing countries in the management structures of the PTS
receive more attention.
Chairperson,
The Group takes note of the Final Report of the External Evaluation
Team, and extends its appreciation to the participants of the Team under
the leadership of Ambassadors Rimdap and Starr for producing the document.
The Group recalls the decision of the Twenty-Fifth Session of the
Commission in November 2005 which had adopted the final report of the
external review team as a basis for proceeding with the restructuring of
the PTS.? The Group reiterates its principled position that all
recommendations of the External Evaluation Team's report must be
thoroughly examined in WGA and WGB, and adopted by the Preparatory
Commission, before they can be implemented. The Group thanks the PTS, the
Review Team and States Signatories for the ongoing consultations which
were conducted in a fruitful and transparent process. The Group reiterates
its concern on the recommendation concerning the re-definition of the IDC
and IMS Divisions in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty, as the
Group has yet to be convinced of this proposal.
Thank you Chairperson,
Chairperson,
The Group welcomes the mainstreaming of the discussions on the Status
of On-Site Inspectors and Inspector Assistants and looks forward to
further progress in this issue. In this regard, the G-77 and China agrees
that the creation of an open-ended group of interested States Signatories
to follow up on these discussions, as proposed during the joint WGA/WGB
meeting last February, would be an appropriate way to move forward.
Thank you Chairperson.
Chairperson,
The Group recalls the decision of the 25th Preparatory Commission as
contained in document CTBT/PC-25/3 which recognized inter-alia the deficit
in the participation by experts of developing countries, and decided, to
request the WGA to examine the modalities, including financing, of this
issue at its next session with a view to reaching a consensus on a
recommendation to the Commission for a pilot project.
The Group notes that since the creation of the Prep Com, experts from
developing countries have not been adequately represented in the sessions
of WGB. Although the Group has accredited diplomatic representative to
attend WGB sessions, it was done to achieve a quorum in the sessions. The
Group is of the view that it is not a good practice for experts from
developing countries to be excluded.
Chairperson,
The Group is of the view that the participation of experts from
developing countries would greatly facilitate and enhance the work in WGB
and contribute to building capacity on these issues in developing
countries.
The Group reiterates its calls that the best approach would be to
make funds available in the budget to cover expenses for representatives
of developing countries to participate in WGB meetings on the basis of
three representatives each from the following regions: namely; Africa,
Asia and the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean Countries.
Chairperson,
While most IMS stations are located in territories of developing
countries, the deficit of participation of these states in WBG
deliberations would undermine the universalisation of decisions made by
WGB and Preparatory meetings. The Group requests the session of WGA to
make a recommendation on this issue, and to submit it for adoption to the
26th Prep Com. In this context the Group is of the view that the
participation of experts from developing countries would greatly
facilitate and enhance the work of WGB and contribute to promote the
universalization of the decisions made by the PrepCom.
Thank you Chairperson.
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