Statement of the Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the United Nations

March 6

Madame President,

 I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to express our Community’s appreciation to you for your Chairmanship and to all members of the Bureau for your diligent efforts and skillful performance in guiding our work during the past main session, allowing us to spend the holidays with our families. This is a practice we need to always enforce. You as well as all Bureau members can count on our Community’s support for the successful conclusion of the work ahead of us, according to the established schedule.                     

Madame President,

CELAC appreciates the distribution of the programme of work in a timely manner, and thanks the Secretariat for preparing document A/C.5/71/L.22 on the status of preparedness of the documentation for the first part of the resumed session.

The proposed programme of work includes issues of great importance for CELAC, such as: the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/71/L.58: modalities for the intergovernmental negotiations of the global compact for the safe, orderly and regular migration, Accountability, Procurement, Standards of accommodation for air travel, amongst others.

Madame President,

CELAC would like to refer to the PBI for the resolution on modalities for the intergovernmental negotiations of the global compact for the safe, orderly and regular migration, we believe that this issue should be considered as early as possible considering that some of the preparatory work will begin in March.

We would like to reiterate the importance of strengthening accountability by implementing effective and efficient mechanisms both at the personal and institutional levels, improving, thus, the administrative and budgetary functioning of the Organization. All Member States should strive for a substantive accountability resolution this session.

CELAC takes note of the Joint Inspection Unit’s annual Report for 2016 and its programme of work for 2017 and, in this regard, wishes to congratulate the JIU for its efforts, and reiterates the importance of ensuring the independence of the Unit.

Madame President,

The Community wishes to emphasize the importance of respecting the date of completion of this session, for the past few session now, Member States have proved that no matter how complex the issues are, if there is political will, we can finish on time.

In conclusion, CELAC reiterates its commitment to collaborate on all agenda items and to actively and constructively engage in formal and informal negotiations. We are certain that negotiations will remain transparent and inclusive and lead to a satisfactory conclusion for the Organization and all Member States.

Thank you, Madame Chair.