Statement of the Group of 77 and China during the Seventh Meeting of the Working Group on the Regular Budget and TCF Targets for 2020-2021, delivered by H. E. Ambassador Omar Amer Youssef, Permanent Representative of Egypt
Vienna, 29 May 2019
Co-Chairs,
1. The Group wishes to thank the Co-Chairs for providing Member States with the Informal Working papers on the Regular Budget and TCF targets 2020-2021, as contained in notes 52 and 53, and their continued efforts to build consensus on the Programme and Budget.
2. The Group notes the proposed overall increase of 2.2% in the Regular Budget over 2019. Further noting that, while the basic features of the original proposal have been preserved across all major programmes, the Group reiterates its view that the distribution of resources within the regular budget should reflect a balance between promotional and non-promotional activities.
3. The Group notes with satisfaction that some views expressed by the Group have found reflection in the working paper proposed by the Co-Chairs, including, with respect to: the breakup of the presentation of the Draft Budget Proposal and information on items of expenditure and staff costs; the importance of discussing the ICSC recommendations, and their financial impact on the budget in a timely and transparent manner. In this regard, the Group also looks forward to the findings of the comprehensive review of management of human resources to be undertaken during the next two years.
4. With respect to ASHI, the Group shares the view that the Secretariat should continue to explore more options for addressing this important issue, in particular, by also considering cost containment measures that would help mitigate ASHI liabilities.
5. The Group notes the proposed TCF targets for 2020 to be set at 88 million 61 thousand Euros and for 2021, 89 million 558 thousand Euros. The Group also notes the proposed IPFs for 2022 and 2023 to be 89 million 558 thousand Euros respectively, and believes that when discussing the amount of the future targets on the basis of the IPFs, Member States may take into account price adjustments and other relevant factors. The Group reiterates that at all times the IPFs are to be taken as the starting point of negotiations of TCF targets.
Co-Chairs,
6. In view of the continuing growth in demand from Member States for the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), increase in the membership of the Agency and other relevant factors, sustained efforts are required to render the resources for the TCP sufficient, assured and predictable.
