Mr Chair,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on agenda items 135(b): Financial reports and Audited Financial Statements and Report of the Board of Auditors on the United Nations Peace Keeping Operations.

2. On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like to thank the representatives of the Board of Auditors, including the Chair of the Audit Operations Committee for introducing the BOA reports on UN peacekeeping operations for the 12-month period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. The Group also wishes to thank the representatives of the Secretariat and Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for introducing the respective reports related to these agenda items.

Mr. Chair,

3. Let me begin by expressing our Group’s recognition and appreciation of the role the Board of Auditors plays in this Organization. Its work as an external audit and oversight body of the UN is an essential tool for the smooth functioning of the oversight system.

4. Our Group attaches great importance and value to the work of the Board of Auditors in providing the necessary oversight on financial matters of the United Nations peacekeeping operations by keeping track of the organization’s expenditures and efficient fulfilment of mandates. This work complements the oversight work undertaken by other oversight mechanisms, namely the OIOS and JIU.

5. Our Group has thoroughly examined this year’s report and is concerned at the delay towards implementation of some of the previous recommendations as well as those contained in the present report. We reiterate our request to the secretariat to enhance its efforts to effectively implement the endorsed recommendations of the Board for better transparency, efficiency and smooth functioning of operations.

Mr. Chair,

6. Our Group notes the recurrence of similar or related recommendations from previous audits, as well as the emergence of new goals with respect to peacekeeping operations. The present report highlights significant shortcomings in different areas. These include but are not limited to supply chain activities such as deficiencies in inventory management and weak oversight which are concerning. We look forward to our discussions in the upcoming consultations to examine how the Secretariat can expeditiously address the issues identified and take corrective actions in this regard.

Mr. Chair,

7. To conclude, on behalf of the Group I would like to assure you of our readiness to engage constructively with all stakeholders during the informal consultations to conclude these agenda items in a timely manner.

I thank you Mr. Chair.