AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to thank Mr. Pedro Guazo, Acting Deputy Controller, and Mr. Babou Sene, Vice Chairman of the ACABQ, for introducing their respective reports.

The resources requested by the Secretary-General respond to clearly mandated tasks as outlined in the draft resolution “Strengthening the capability of the United Nations system to assist Member States in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.” My delegation finds the request and subsequent recommendation by the ACABQ fiscally prudent and therefore supports a decision approving the recommendations of the ACABQ.

Furthermore, my delegation notes that the aforementioned draft resolution welcomes the creation of a new Office of Counter-Terrorism that represents the consolidation of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre. As such, we look forward to reviewing the full budget proposal for the new Office in the upcoming 2018-2019 budget submission that we expect will show further efficiencies through consolidation of the staff and functions of these offices.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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