STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 140: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UN, DELIVERED BY FIRST SECRETARY (POLITICAL) FELICIA CHUA AT THE SECOND PART OF THE RESUMED SESSION OF THE 76TH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 12 MAY 2022

Mr Chair,

1             I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on agenda item 140: Improving the Financial Situation of the UN. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement delivered by Pakistan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2             ASEAN appreciates the regular updates from the Secretary-General and his team on the financial situation of the organisation, and we thank Ms Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance for her presentation on 5 May 2022 on this issue. We also thank ASG and Controller Mr Chandramouli Ramanathan for his update today. 

3             ASEAN remains concerned about the liquidity situation of the UN, in particular the unpredictability of collections. We are concerned to hear that even though the UN had started this year in a better financial position for the regular budget than in 2021, there have been delays in payments in the first quarter of the year, which has partially negated the positive start.  While we commend the Secretary-General and his team for their efforts at liquidity management, it is untenable for the Organisation to continually operate in cash-conservation mode. This would harm its ability to deliver its mandates.  We note with concern that USG Pollard had said that several activities and outputs had to be postponed or cancelled, which would be reflected in the performance reports.

Mr Chair,

4             ASEAN has consistently maintained that the only way to break the persistent cycle of liquidity challenges is for all member states to pay their assessments in full, on time and without conditions.  This is a legal obligation enshrined in the UN Charter.  It is also a moral obligation that member states should ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement the mandates that we ourselves have given to the Secretary-General. 

5             We recognise that some member states face genuine difficulties in paying their assessed contributions due to factors beyond their control.  We commend member states who, despite these difficulties, endeavour to meet their obligations to the UN.  While ASEAN’s assessed contributions to the UN continue to increase, we remain fully committed to fulfilling our financial obligations to the Organisation, and by extension, to multilateralism.  We urge our fellow member states to likewise re-affirm their support and commitment to the UN and multilateralism.

Mr Chair,

6             In closing, let me assure you that ASEAN will continue to take an active interest in the forthcoming discussions on this agenda item, and that we will participate in a constructive and productive manner with all stakeholders.

Thank you.

.    .    .    .    .