Thank you Chair.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of New Zealand and my own country, Australia.

We take the floor in support of the statement just delivered by the Federated States of Micronesia on behalf of a group of Pacific Island Countries.

Australia and New Zealand recognise the scheduling challenges faced by small delegations, including many Pacific Island Countries, when it comes to taking action in the Plenary and the Main Committees.

We highly appreciate the efforts of the Bureau and the Secretariat to limit overlaps with Third Committee voting at this session. We reiterate the request made by the Federated States of Micronesia that the Chair of the Third Committee bring this issue to the attention of other Committees and the next Chair of this Committee.

Each Member State should be afforded equal opportunity to participate in UN informals and action. We ask that future Secretariats and Bureaus take this into consideration when drafting schedules to avoid overlap as much as possible.

We take this opportunity to recognise the efforts of the Federated States of Micronesia, which over many years has played an informal coordination role, ensuring Pacific Island Countries have been able to register their positions on as many issues as possible.

Australia and New Zealand remain committed to ensuring the voices of our neighbours in the Pacific are heard at the United Nations.