Thank you, Chair, I am speaking on behalf of ASPAG.

1. We commend the Office for preparing the additional information in response to the issues raised during the discussion last week.  

2. We appreciate the Office’s efforts on adjustment by exploring various approaches to absorb the projected cost increases, resulting a decrease of programmatic expenses and the cost of hosting ILC. However, we reiterate our call for a nominal “zero-growth”, given on-going concerns of many groups and countries about the public finances constraints faced by many member states. We request the Office to further intensify its fiscal efforts to offset cost increases by maximizing expenditure reductions. We welcome the Office’s re-evaluation of potential cost reductions related to hosting the ILC, which has led to lower conference rental costs. We also request the Office to continue to explore all possible measures to further reduce conference expenses, such as fully utilizing existing facilities in the ILO building or those of other international organizations, and trying its best to avoid using the commercial venues like the Palexpo as much as possible.

3. Chair, human resources are precious and strategic asset of all international organizations, including the ILO. ASPAG reiterates our deep concern on the persistent under-representation of staff from many member states and lack of information on planned measures to address this issue. According to the GB document for information PFA/INF/8, the average “less than adequate” representation rate across all member states is 40%, while the rate in ASPAG region is significantly higher at 59%, the highest among all regions. We note that the Office is planning to consider this issue in the preparation of the New Human Resources Strategy. However, the strategy alone is insufficient. We strongly urge the Office once again to formulate a concrete roadmap with clear actions and timelines for achieving a fair and equitable geographical distribution of staff and develop a stand-alone output under Enabling Outcomes in the proposed biennium P&B. 

4. Regarding the geographical imbalances in XBDC distribution, we take note of the Office’s explanation. However, we would like to emphasize that a significant number of countries in our region are still low-income and lower-middle income countries, they therefore continue to require development assistance. Thus we request the Office to redouble its efforts to mobilize more extra-budgetary resources, in addition to the traditional ODA, to allocate to the development cooperation funds in our region.

5. With regard to output indicators for outcome 9, we understand that the Office is in the process of developing methodological notes for the new output indicators under outcome 9. We hope these indicators will be made available before the start of the biennium to ensure that outcome can be properly assessed.

6. Chair, at this stage, we would like to hear the views of other GB members, as well as the Office’s further response and reaction, before proceeding to final decision.

I thank you, Chair.