STATEMENT BY THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA DURING THE THIRY-SECOND
SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION DELIVERED BY MS. MARIA DE LOS MILAGROS
DONNA RABALLO, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, ON BEHALF OF H.E. AMBASSADOR EUGENIO MARIA
CURIA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ARGENTINA, 8-9 JUNE 2009
Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, let me express the satisfaction of the State Signatories of
the Group of 77 and China in seeing you chairing the 32nd session of the Preparatory
Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. The Group
believes that under your stewardship, discussions will lead to fruitful conclusions
and I assure you of our full cooperation.
The Group of 77 and China notes that
since the last Session of the PrepCom in November 2008, further progress has been
made towards bringing the CTBT to its much-desired universal status, with the
ratification by Lebanon and Malawi, thus elevating the number of ratifying States
to 148, within a total number of 180 States Signatories.
The Group thanks the
Executive Secretary Mr. Tibor Tóth for his oral and written reports, and would
like to express its views on the substantive items of the agenda of the present
Session of the Preparatory Commission.
Agenda Item 3: Consideration of the report of Working Group B
Mr. Chairman,
Regarding the issue of the method of work
of Working Group B, the Group of 77 and China once again reiterates its position
that the annual programme of work of WGB can be carried out in two sessions per
year, with duration of three weeks each. The Group recalls that recent experience
has demonstrated that WGB can adequately fulfill its responsibilities within this
time frame.
The Group takes note of the report of the 32nd Session of Working
Group B, the Group wishes to recall its concerns with the imbalance between the
three main dimensions of the verification system, namely the IMS, the IDC and
OSI, due to the excessive focus on station building. The PTS should continue to
seek efficiencies across Major Programmes, taking into account the balance among
them.
Regarding the report of extraordinary session of WGB on evaluation of
the 2008 on-site inspection (OSI) Integrated Field Exercise (IFE), the Group of
77 and China would like to once again thank the PTS for preparation and successful
conclusion of the 2008 Integrated Field Exercise that was conducted last September
in Kazakhstan. The Group also would like to thank the PTS for conducting follow-up
activities on the evaluation of the lessons learned from the IFE08. The group
is in the view that this major activity significantly will contribute in enhancing
the PTS capability in the preparation of OSI Regime and its results and lessons
learned should be subject to due considerations by PMOs, the Group believes that
any possible set of recommendations to be derived from the experience attained
in IFE08 should be structured in order of priority, taking into account cost and
sustainability considerations, as well as the prospects for entry into force of
the Treaty.
Regarding the implementation of the pilot project for financing
the participation of technical experts from developing countries in WGB meetings,
the Group takes note of the selection of five additional technical experts under
this pilot project in 2009, thus increasing the number of experts to nine. The
Group seizes this opportunity to thank the PTS for their efforts as well as states
signatories and OPEC fund for their voluntary contribution in financing this project.
Agenda Item 4 and 5: Consideration of the report of Working Group A and Advisory
Group
Mr. Chairman,
As regards the reports of the 35th session of WGA and part one and two of the
32nd session of the Advisory Group, the Group takes note of all recommendations
contained therein.
Regarding the latest revised proposal
for supplementary appropriations for the two components of the Capital Investment
Fund, as contained in CTBT/PTS/INF.1004/Rev.4, the Group reiterates its view that
the proposal should be treated as a potential supplementary funding mechanism
and not as an alternative for increases in the regular budget.
The Group takes
note with interest that the revised version also allocates funds for the CIF-S
and not only for the CIF-I as originally proposed. The Group underscores that
the funds to be obtained by this mechanism for the CIF-S should allow the Commission
to reduce, by the same level, the appropriations for this sub-fund from the 2011
and 2012 regular budgets.
On the other hand, the Group notes that the installation plan on which the original
proposal was based remains unchanged in the revised version. The Group reiterates
its call for prudence in the installation efforts, especially in light of the
current perspectives for entry into force of the Treaty and of the priorities
set forth by Working Group B for the IMS. The Group would furthermore appreciate
if the PTS could clarify how could a sizable portion of the amount initially sought
for the CIF-I be reallocated to the CIF-S without adjusting the original installation
plan.
Agenda Item 6: Consideration of the
initial draft 2010 Programme and Budget
Mr. Chairman,
The Group has expressed its general views regarding the Initial Draft Programme
and Budget for 2010 during the previous meetings of the Policy Making Organs.
At this occasion, the Group would like to reiterate once again the importance
of the following four key elements that must be taken into account in all budgetary
cycles of the PrepCom:
· the
current well-advanced status of the verification system, · the mandate of the
PrepCom on the provisional operation of the system,
· the actual prospect of entry into force of the Treaty, and
· the financial burden on States Signatories.
Regarding the Initial Draft Programme and Budget for 2010, the Group recalls its
position as expressed in its statement to the 32nd Session of Working Group B
and 35th session of WGA, in which the Group indicated that the preparation of
the Draft Programme and budget for 2010 should be once again based on a target
of zero real growth as a ceiling for the overall expenditures, without precluding
the possibility of identifying possible reductions and savings. In this context
we note the recent proposal of the PTS for a 2010 budget proposal. However, we
recall our previous statement in which we emphasized the need to identify reductions
and savings and look forward to the proposals from the secretariat in this regard
that could facilitate the adoption of the budget.
The Group is encouraged that
recent events have proven the ability of the Treaty's verification regime to fulfill
the mandate of the Preparatory Commission, especially related to the functioning
of the international monitoring system and the processing of data through the
International Data Centre and the subsequent release of reporting products.
There are divergent views on the timing of the completion of the verification
regime. Regarding this matter, the Group believes that our obligation remains
to ensure that the regime shall be capable of meeting its verification requirements
at, and not before, entry into force of the Treaty. It is therefore not necessary
to adjust the draft 2010 budget proposal to allow for the accelerated completion
of this regime before entry into force of the Treaty.
Agenda Item 7: Appointments
and elections
Mr. Chairman,
As regards agenda item 7.1, the Group would like
to express its appreciation for the competence and diplomatic skills demonstrated
by Mr. André Gué in discharge of his duties, since his appointment as Chairperson
of Advisory Group, and hopes that the Advisory Group will benefit from his valuable
experience and expertise as a member of AG.
Regarding the appointment of the
next chairperson of the Advisory Group, the Group is looking forward to receive
the information on the candidates for this position and hopes that consensus be
achieved in this regard in the current session.
Agenda Item 10.1: Request from
Palestine for observer status with the Commission
Mr. Chairman,
With regards
to the request from Palestine for observer status with the Commission, the Group
regrets that after three years, and six Sessions of the PrepCom, the Commission
has still not reached a positive decision on this issue, only because of the objection
of one State Signatory. Bearing in mind the fact that Palestine has been accorded
observer status in other United Nations Organizations, the Group is of the view
that its request to receive this recognition at the Preparatory Commission should
not be treated any differently. The Group therefore reiterates its strong support
for the legitimate request by Palestine to be granted observer status within the
Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, in a manner consistent with the goal of
achieving the objectives and the universality of the Treaty.
