Detailed report of activities of the G-77 Vienna Chapter
during 2006 - Chairmanship of the PM of Bolivia His Excellency Ambassador Horacio Bazoberry
UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION - UNIDO MATTERS
During the year 2006 the Vienna Chapter serviced a total of 127 meetings 29
on UNIDO matters, 46 on IAEA, 11 on UNOV and 41on CTBTO matters (including Plenary,
Task Force and Working Group Meetings).
UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
UNIDO MATTERS G-77 Task Force Coordination: Mr. Abdolreza Shaghaghi, Counsellor, PM of the Islamic Republic of Iran
One of the main objectives of UNIDO is poverty alleviation for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through sustainable industrial development
and technical cooperation. South-South cooperation is considered by the Group
as an essential mean and a very valuable tool of contributing to the national
efforts of developing countries to strengthen their economic development within
the framework of the Millennium Development Goals.
The G-77 covered three Policy
Making Organs meetings of UNIDO during 2006: (a) Industrial Development Board
(June and November 2006) and (b) Programme and Budget Committee (September 2006)
as well as the 40th Meeting of the Chairmen/Coordinators of the G-77 (8-9 June
2006) and UNIDO's 40th anniversary celebration (28 November 2006) (a) 31st session
of the Industrial Development Board, held from 6-7 June 2006
During the first meeting under the new leadership of Mr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of
UNIDO, the main issues of relevance to the Group were the Director-General's
Annual Report for 2005. It was pointed out that UNIDO implemented the highest
total of technical cooperation programmes in the past six years, amounting to
$ 112.9 million. It was also noted that the highest level of delivery in 2005
was related to trade capacity-building.
The Group of 77 and China welcomed UNIDO's
efforts in the field of private sector development as well as small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) that act as the bedrock for industrial development.
As far
as the implementation of the MTPF, 2006-2009 was concerned, the Group of 77
and China noted that UNIDO should focus more in the design and the implementation
of concrete development projects in order to ensure job creation which could
help developing countries to deal with international migrant flows, in the context
of cooperation with other UN Agencies.
The G-77 and China appreciated UNIDO's
efforts to mobilize more resources for technical assistance as indicated in
the Annual Report of 2005 and stressed the need to reinforce this trend to assure
the effective implementation of the MTPF. The Group encouraged UNIDO to explore
ways and means to mobilize additional resources for having direct access to
GEF in order to finance environmental projects.
Regarding South - South Cooperation,
the Group noted with appreciation the importance ascribed by UNIDO and the wide
range of activities developed within this frame. The Group encouraged UNIDO
to continue emphasizing and promoting South-South cooperation and more particularly
cooperation in technology transfers.
The Group of 77 and China considered the
evaluation activities at the United Nations system-wide level as an agreeable
way to promote coherent approaches to strengthen the impacts of the system on
development outcomes and in this respect supports the participation of UNIDO
in the inter-agency activities, which could create an enabling environment to
increase further collaboration.
The Group highly appreciated the formulation
and approval of new evaluation policy by UNIDO's Executive Board and expected
that, with the management's support, this decision would optimize the Organization's
achievements on evaluation activities and looked forward to the Evaluation Group,
with due independence, to fulfill its mission in all three main purposes with
respect to support management, to assure accountability and transparency as
well as to drive learning and innovation.
With regard to the personnel matters,
the Group of 77 and China acknowledged the positive progress being made, particularly,
in the wider employment opportunities for any nationals working at the UNIDO
Secretariat. In spite of slight improvement made to respect the gender balance
in the Organization, the Group believed that there should be more efforts to
improve the gender balance at the decision-making level. Furthermore UNIDO should
continue its efforts to ensure that the principles of equitable geographical
representation at the Secretariat are strongly upheld.
(b) 40th Meeting of the Chairmen/Coordinators of the G-77 (8-9 June 2006)
The regular Meetings of Chairmen
and Coordinators of G-77 Chapters are one of the instruments used by G-77 to
strengthen the unity and solidarity of the developing countries.
The 40th Meeting
of the Chairmen and Coordinators of G-77 and China, organized by the Vienna
Chapter and co-hosted by UNIDO, was held in Vienna on 8-9 June 2006.
The Meeting
highlighted to contribution made to multilateral development cooperation by
Vienna-based organizations: UNIDO, IAEA, UNOV/UNODC and OFID. The participation
of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization
(WTO) underlined the need for inter-agency cooperation in development. The importance
of the Meeting was confirmed by the presence of the executive heads of the UNIDO,
IAEA, UNODC and UNCTAD. Other participants included senior officials representing
several Member States in the UN system and the Executive Director of the Third
World Network, an independent non-profit international network of organizations
and individuals involved in issues relating to development. At the end of the
40th Meeting, the Chairmen and Coordinators of the Chapters of G-77 unanimously
adopted the 'Vienna Spirit' communiqué. The full communiqué may be found on
www.g77.org/vienna/ViennaSpirit.pdf. (c) 22nd session of the Programme and Budget
Committee Meeting, held from 5-6 September 2006
During this meeting the main focus of the Group was on the Report of the External Auditor, financial performance
report and programme performance report for the biennium 2004-2005 as well as
UNIDO's financial situation, mobilization of financial resources and Medium
Term Programme Framework (MTPF) 2008-2011.(d) UNIDO 40th anniversary celebration
held on 28 November 2006
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary an official
ceremony was held at the Austria Center with the participation of high-ranking
officials from Member States as well as host country representatives, with the
presence of the former UNIDO Executive Heads. More than 1100 participants celebrated
this important event. In the afternoon panel discussions on "Reducing Poverty
Through Sustainable Industrial Growth" took place during which poverty, trade
and development as well as energy and environment issues were discussed with
the participation of high-level panelists.
The Group in its statement on this
occasion, which was delivered at the opening session of the 32nd IDB underlined
that UNIDO has achieved important successes in terms of fighting poverty and
promoting sustainable development through productive capacities in the industrial
sector. Its creation, forty years ago, made the case for the promotion of industrial
development as an indispensable part of the overall national and international
efforts to overcome poverty and underdevelopment.
While paying tribute to the
former Heads of UNIDO, the Group noted that there is an increasing recognition
of the need and scope for improving the international architecture dedicated
to international development and that Countries could largely benefit from a
more consistent and reinvigorated commitment to international cooperation within
the areas mandated by UNIDO. This commitment would have a clear impact on the
attainment of higher and more sustainable levels of development, in line with
the overarching goals established in this field. The creation of productive
capacities in the industrial sector provides an important tool to tackle some
of the most pressing issues of the development agenda. UNIDO has a role to play
in that regard and that is what the Group expected from UNIDO. (e) 32nd session
of the Industrial Development Board, held from 29 November 2006 - 1 December
2006
During this meeting the Group mainly focused on the Implementation of the
Cooperation Agreement with the United Nations Development Programme, the Implementation
of the Medium Term Programme Framework 2006-2009, including South-South Cooperation
and the Regional programme for Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the
number and duration of sessions.
Regarding the Implementation of the Cooperation
Agreement with the United Nations Development Programme the Group tabled a draft
decision which was adopted by consensus. The Group emphasized that the financial
and operational sustainability of the existing UNIDO desks, should be clearly
worked out prior to any kind of expansion and that the extension of UNIDO Desks
should not be done by the closure of some of the existing UNIDO Country Offices.
Moreover, the Group would like to reiterate that UNIDO's ability to deliver
on its core competencies should not be sacrificed by stretching its resources
beyond its means. Similarly, extra attention should be paid to joint funds mobilization
for Private Sector Development (PSD).
The Group invited UNIDO to place before
its Governing Bodies, prior to the expiry of the Cooperation Agreement, a fully-fledged
independent evaluation, for consideration of Member States.
The Group requested
Member States to encourage UNDP to support the agreement through substantive
contribution and ensure country-level funding to UNIDO Desks and invited the
donor community to continue co-funding of the joint programmes developed under
the agreement as well as the UNIDO Desks. The Group suggested that other parallel
arrangements should be pursued by UNIDO for expansion of field representation
and added visibility.
On the Implementation of the Medium Term Programme Framework
2006-2009 the Group tabled two draft decisions regarding the 40th anniversary
of UNIDO and the Regional Programme for Latin Amercia and the Caribbean, which
were both adopted by consensus.
Regarding the UNIDO 40 decision, the Group invited
the Director General to continue his efforts to strengthen the capacity of the
Organization to respond to the needs and interests of its Member States, particularly
in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and to position UNIDO in the multilateral
context as a relevant and pro-active UN agency. Furthermore the Director-General
was invited to enhance the cooperation arrangements of UNIDO with other international,
regional and subregional organizations, in the relevant areas of UNIDO activities,
and to mobilize adequate financial resources for its technical assistance and
global forum activities.
As far as the Regional Programme for LAC was concernid
the Group requested the Director-General to formulate a regional programme for
LAC as well as in consultation with the States of the region to propose a strategy
for mobilizing the required resources for the implementation of the programme.
The Group took note of the establishment of UNIDO Centres for South-South Industrial
Cooperation in various countries and hoped that these Centres will play an active
role in enhancing South-South cooperation. The G-77 and China welcomed the recent
steps taken by UNIDO to initiate the establishment of specialized Centres for
South-South industrial cooperation and stressed that the development of such
institutional infrastructure for South-South cooperation is essential to harness
not only cooperation between developing countries, but also to connect "North-South-South"
linkages.
As for the number and duration of sessions the Group was in agreement
with the idea of introducing efficiencies and economies in the conduct of sessions
of the Programme and Budget Committee and the Industrial Development Board.
The Group underlined that the current arrangements as far as the number and
duration of the IDB and PBC are concerned should be maintained and options other
than eliminating or shortening of the sessions of PBC and/or IDB should also
be explored.
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
IAEA MATTERS G-77 Task Force Coordination: Mr. Bouchaib Eloumni, Counsellor, PM of Morocco
During the year 2006 the Vienna Chapter serviced a total 46 meetings on IAEA matters (including Plenary, Task Force and Working Group Meetings).
The Group of 77 and China remained active during the year 2006 in pursuing the Member States' collective interests in the three pillars of the Agency's activities, i.e., technology, safety and verification.
Technical cooperation remained a major interest:
The Group stressed the importance of making TC funding assured, sufficient and predictable.
The Group emphasized the importance of ensuring contribution of TC programme to sustainable development and stressed that TC projects should have a technological impact.
The importance of respecting the ownership of project was also emphasised.
The Group underlined the necessity of maintaining a balance between all statutory activities of the Agency.
First major event: negotiation of TC target (2007-2008) and Indicative planning Figures (2009-2011). The Group made the case for increasing the target and the figures with solid arguments.
Second major event was TC resolution in the 50th General Conference: for the first time the Secretariat is requested to explore all means of making TC funding assured, sufficient and predictable.
The Group made a major contribution to consultations on funding PACT
Interaction with the IAEA's Secretariat:
The Group continued promoting and improving interaction with the Secretariat, in particular with TC Department: briefings, meetings including with DDG-TC.
Meetings with other departments: Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Nuclear Energy. A visit was organised to a nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic.
Contribution to the BOG meetings:
Besides request of consultation by the Chairman of the Board, the group adopted a proactive approach in support of its positions and interests.
The Group statements were focused on issues of major importance to its membership.
Contribution to the 50th General Conference:
The Group sponsored General Conference resolutions on Strengthening of the Agency's technical cooperation activities, Strengthening of the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications (Programme of Action for Caner Therapy, Development of the sterile insect technique for the control or eradication of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, Support to the African Union's Pan African Tsetse and Tryponosomosis Eradication Campaign (AU-PATTEC), Measures to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear, radiation and transport safety and waste management (Education and Training in Nuclear, Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety) adopted by consensus.
The Group contributed to intensive consultations and negotiations on other resolutions.
The Group improved the coordination of its activities and interventions, especially in the Committee of the Whole.
COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST-BAN-TREATY ORGANIZATION
CTBTO MATTERS G-77 Task Force Coordination: Mr. Allan Wright, First Secretary,
PM of South Africa
During the year 2006 the Vienna Chapter serviced a total of 41 meetings on CTBTO
matters (including Plenary, Task Force and Working Group Meetings).
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The Group of 77 and China actively raised, pursued and supported positions
on the following issues:
- Use of civil and scientific data for Tsunami warning purposes,
- Modalities to finance the participation of technical experts from developing
countries in technical meetings of the Preparatory Commission,
- Schedule of meetings of the Policy Making Organs for 2007,
- Financing of the 2007 Article XIV Conference,
- Consideration of observer status for Palestine;
- Final 2007 Programme and Budget proposals,
- Restructuring of the PTS,
- Human Resource issues.
1.2 Concerning the modalities for the pilot project to finance the participation
of technical experts from developing countries in technical meetings of the
Preparatory Commission, the Group will need to liaise and work closely with
the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) to ensure the successful implementation
of the pilot project, and especially to nominate candidates that would qualify
for assistance in terms of this Project.
1.3 Concerning the schedule of meetings of the Policy Making Organs for 2007,
the Group will need to ensure that Working Group B re-examines in 2007 the duration
and organisation of its meetings, including avoiding the holding of parallel
sessions, in order to prepare a proposal how to organise these sessions from
2008 onwards.
1.4 Concerning the financing of the 2007 Article XIV Conference, the Group
needs to continue to pronounce its position in the informal consultations that
efforts should be made to reduce the financial costs of the Conference, and
that the main purpose of the holding of the Article XIV Conference is to promote
the entry into force of the Treaty, without prejudice to the importance of achieving
universality of the Treaty.
1.5 On other substantive issues, the Group would need to continue to reiterate
its principle positions that the PTS pursues and implements a zero real growth
budget. On human resource issues, the Group should continue to reiterate that
the seven-year limit is strictly adhered to in spirit and letter.
2. USE OF CTBTO CIVIL AND SCIENTIFIC DATA FOR TSUNAMI WARNING PURPOSES
2.1 In 2006 the Preparatory Commission considered the debate on the issue of
using the civil and scientific aspects of the CTBTO to detect possible Tsunami's
following the tsunami disaster in December 2004. The G-77 and China supported
the recommendation that the Commission adopt principles and operating rules
for the provision of data to certain tsunami warning organisations. The Group
believes that the decision is conditional to respect for the CTBT and that the
provision of such data should not be in conflict with the aims, objectives and
resources of the CTBT.
3. MODALITIES TO FINANCE THE PARTICIPATION OF TECHNICAL EXPERTS FROM DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES IN TECHNICAL MEETINGS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION
3.1 During the 29th Session of Working Group A, the Group lobbied the Provisional
Secretariat to consider using funds from the regular budget to fund the attendance
of nine experts from developing countries in the sessions of Working Group B.
The Group led the negotiations with mainly the European Union to find a compromise
package agreement on the above-mentioned issues, some outstanding since 2005.
Part II of the 27th Preparatory Commission adopted a decision to establish the
pilot project to finance the participation of technical experts from developing
countries in technical meetings of the CTBTO, funded by voluntary contributions,
and requested States Signatories to contribute financially to this project.
3.2 In 2007 the Group will have to liaise and work closely with the Provisional
Technical Secretariat to establish the selection criteria for the technical
experts. The Group will have to establish its own internal criteria mechanism
in consultation with the sub-regional groups and provide the PTS with a list
of candidates. The Group will also have to participate in the monitoring committee
consisting of donor and recipient countries to review the pilot project each
year with the view to establishing an arrangement that will ensure reliable
and predictable source of funding for the participation of experts in technical
meetings of the CTBTO.
4. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS OF THE POLICY MAKING ORGANS FOR 2007
4.1 During 2006 the Group submitted a proposal to reduce the meetings of the
policy making organs for 2007. During extensive discussions with the PTS and
the Office of the Executive Secretary, consensus was reached to reduce some
of the working days of the Policy Making Organs. The Executive Secretary presented
a revised calendar of meetings which reduced both Preparatory Commission meetings
to four days each and Working Group A to three days each. Agreement was reached
to task Working Group B to re-examine in 2007 the duration and organisation
of its meetings, including avoiding the holding of parallel sessions, in order
to prepare a proposal how to organise these sessions from 2008 onwards. The
Schedule of meetings for 2007 was adjusted, and a process was established to
consider how to further streamline the schedule of meetings for 2008.
4.2 In 2007 the Group will need to ensure that Working Group B is tasked to
re-examine in 2007 the duration and organisation of its meetings, including
avoiding the holding of parallel sessions, in order to prepare a proposal how
to organise these sessions from 2008 onwards.
5. CONSIDERATION OF OBSERVER STATUS FOR PALESTINE.
5.1 Concerning the issues of granting Palestine observer status, the Group continued
to express its support for Palestine's request. In 2007, the Group should continue
to express its strong support for the request by Palestine to be granted observer
status within the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO and that a decision to
this end is taken at this session of the Preparatory Commission.
6. 2007 ARTICLE XIV CONFERENCE
6.1 The Group continues to believe that the budget for the conference should
be realistic and take into consideration its actual purpose and objective, which
is to develop strategies to focus on the early entry into force. The Group expressed
the view that costs related to pre-session, in-session and post-session documentation
for the 2007 Article XIV Conference should be kept to an absolute minimum.
7. REVIEW OF THE FINAL DRAFT 2007 PRORAMME AND BUDGET PROPOSALS
7.1 In 2006, the Group of 77 and China reiterated its position that any proposal
for the verification-related work programme and budget elements for 2007 is
guided by the principles of zero real growth. The Group reiterated its view
that the budget should be realistic and reasonable to cover the cost of the
build-up of the International Monitoring System. The Group should continue to
maintain this position according to its long-established principles on budgetary
matters.
8. RESTRUCTURING OF THE PTS
8.1 During 2006, the Group closely followed the restructuring activities of
the PTS and raised a detailed position on the issue of restructuring. This included
support for the mandate of the PrepCom, maintaining the balance between the
political and technical tasks of the PTS, and fair geographical representation
on the External Review Team.
9. HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES
9.1 The Group reiterated its position that human resource issues in the PTS
should
continue being created according to the existing staff rules and regulations;
the PTS' 7-year service limit and the administrative directive on recruitment,
appointment, re-appointment and tenure be adhered to. The Group should continue
to maintain this position according to its long-established principles on human
resource matters.
UNITED NATIONS
OFFICE IN VIENNA (UNOV - UNODC) MATTERS
G-77 Task Force Coordination: Ms. Maria
Felician Ortigao, First Secretary, PM of Brazil (until 15 August 2006)
During the year 2006 the Vienna Chapter serviced a total of 12 meetings on UNOV matters (including Plenary, Task Force and Working Group Meetings).
Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 13-17 March 2006
The G-77 and China have proponed the thematic debate for the 49th session of "Alternative development as an important drug control strategy and establishing alternative development as a crosscutting issue" in accordance with Commission's resolution 48/9. Over the years, alternative development has been a useful drug control strategy by contributing to a reduction of illicit Crops cultivation, while at the same time, providing growers with alternative means of livelihood. However, the Group noted, as indicated in the INCB Report for 2005 that alternative development projects have not been extended to all regions where illicit crops are cultivated. The debate constituted the opportunity to re-examine and expand the focus of the alternative development and preventive alternative development to all regions where the problem exists, and to cultivations of illicit crops that have not been included.
In this context the Group co-sponsored two the resolutions emanating from members of the Group on (i) Using alternative development programmes to reduce the cultivation of cannabis plants; and (ii) Strengthening international cooperation for alternative development, preventive alternative development and protection of the environment;
During this session the Group reiterated the strengthening of international cooperation by tackling the problems of transit countries, as they constitute the link between producing and consuming countries. Some transit countries along those routes are facing the consequences of trans-national organized crime, terrorism and governance issues.
The Group also reiterated its conviction that the fight against demand and supply of drugs requires an integrative approach of preventive and enforcement measures, greater partnership and shared responsibility at the international, regional, sub-regional and bilateral levels. It also requires a reinforced dialogue among UNODC, and all stakeholders, greater cooperation and coordination. In this context the G-77 called upon the internacional community to to take a more active stand on financing programmes and activities that deal with the fight against illicit drugs.
Crime issues
The 15th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held
21-28 April 2006 examined the issues of technical assistance, terrorism, norms
and standards, as well as those of corruption and transnational organized crime,
more particularly in the framework of the Conference of the Parties 9-18 October
2006 and 10-14 December 2006.
The G-77 and China which underlined its highest interest in the thematic debate for this year's session of the Commission: "The effectiveness of technical assistance provided to Member States in crime prevention and criminal justice", highlighted the important of technical assistance and mutual legal assistance as key tools to combat the transnational nature of many crimes including terrorism and for the implementation of the Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and Corruption.
The 15th session of the Commission of the CCPCJ constituted an opportunity for the Group to reiterate its attachment to the implementation of the Vienna and Bangkok Declarations that recognized that comprehensive crime prevention must address the root causes of crime including inter alia injustice, poverty, unemployment, marginalization of vulnerable people and lack of education. In this context, it called upon the international community to assist developing countries in the implementation of their strategies to address the root causes of crime, in accordance with the TOC convention.
The Group of 77 and China strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and deeply emphasizes that enhancing dialogue among civilization, promoting tolerance, preventing the indiscriminate targeting of different religions and cultures and addressing development issues and unresolved conflicts will contribute to international cooperation, which is among the most important elements to combat terrorism.
The Group underscored the central role of the United Nations in the fight against terrorism and also strongly believes that any measures taken to combat terrorism shall comply with all obligations of states under international law and should adopt such measures in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.
The G-77 and China welcomed the increasing number of Member States of the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three Protocols and expressed its appreciation to the UNODC for its endeavors to promote the ratification and implementation of the Convention and its protocols. However, the Group noted the declining number of responses to the questionnaires designed for gathering information and emphasizes the importance of addressing the problems and obstacles faced by countries in reporting to the Conference.
The Group also underlined the importance of promoting international cooperation and combating transnational organized crime more effectively through close and dynamic international cooperation including the adoption of concrete measures for mutual legal assistance, extradition, law-enforcement, technical assistance and training.
The Group also reiterated its position regarding the setting up of mechanisms for the implementation that should include technical assistance projects aimed at better implementation of the Convention by State parties. In this context, the Group welcomes the establishment of an open-ended working group on technical assistance, which will hold its first meeting during the intersessional period before the 4th session of the Conference of the Parties - to be held in 2008.
United Nations Convention against Corruption, 1st Conference of the State Parties, 10-14 December 2006
During this meeting the Group of 77 and China highlighted the importance to the prevention and control of corruption, including, inter-alia, through effective measures for its detection, investigation and prosecution, as well as through effective international cooperation. The Group underscored the fact that most of the ratifiers are developing countries, and in this regard, called for the ratification by all countries, in particular developed countries, as a reflection of worldwide commitment to eradicate corruption.
The Group urged the UNODC and its Member States to pursue technical assistance activities in relation to the implementation of the Convention against Corruption, including assistance in capacity building and in the preparation of related legislations.
In this context the Group emphasized the importance of adopting appropriate measures to facilitate asset recovery through international cooperation and called upon all States to extend mutual cooperation to discourage the continuation of transactions and transfers of assets obtained through corruption-related crimes.
As regards standard and norms on Crime Prevention, the Group welcomed the setting up of an Intergovernmental Expert Group Meeting, held in Vienna during 2006, to finalize two key questionnaires on standardising the norms on crime prevention, as tools to collect key information and identify the means and resources for technical assistance in the field of crime prevention. The Group suggested that its focus should be on prevention of crime through social development or social crime prevention, locally based crime prevention, situational crime prevention and on social reintegration of criminals.
With regard to the protection and the preservation of cultural heritage, the G-77 and China urged Member States and relevant institutions to promote mechanisms to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance to fight without truce all crimes that infringe on the cultural heritage of peoples and facilitate the recovery and return of property forming part of such heritage.
On the issue of the functioning of the Commission and its revitalization, the Group of 77 and China was in favor of granting budgetary authority to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, commensurate with that enjoyed by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
The Group also urged the adoption of the most efficient approach for the work of the Commission and its methodology, more particularly the streamlining of the number of questionnaires sent to Member States.
The Group also requested the Secretariat to provide the Commission with a report containing information on the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the CCPCJ during its past 15 sessions and the actions, which have been taken by the Commission for their implementation.
