STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 140: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UN, DELIVERED BY DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE MR MARK SEAH AT THE SECOND RESUMED PART OF THE 77TH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 12 MAY 2023

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 Cuba 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 ASG and Controller Mr Chandramouli Ramanathan for his update last week (4 May 2023) and USG Catherine Pollard for her briefing just now.

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 with a healthy cash balance, there have been delays in payments in April of this year which negated the positive start.  In particular, regular budget collections as at the end of April 2023 fell short of the Secretariat’s estimate by US$370 million.  While the Controller noted in his update last week that the Secretariat did not yet see the need for spending restrictions in 2023, it is not sustainable for the Organization to operate under the possibility of having to use various cash conservation measures.  The unpredictability of the situation detracts from the Organisation’s ability to deliver its mandates.   

4 We further note with concern that the total amount outstanding for peacekeeping operations at the end of April 2023 is US$2.8 billion, and that this is an increase in outstanding assessments compared to the previous year.  We urge member states that can do so to settle any outstanding dues within the next two months to ensure that we do not finish the current fiscal year in a worse position than the last.

5 We heard clearly from the Controller during his briefing last week that the “financial health of the Organisation depends on Member States meeting their financial obligations in full and on time”.  ASEAN would add “without conditions” as well.  This is the only way to break the persistent cycle of liquidity challenges of the UN.  We note that this is a legal obligation enshrined in the UN Charter.  ASEAN’s view is that it is also a moral obligation for member states to ensure that adequate and predictable resources are provided to the Organisation to implement the mandates that we ourselves have set.  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. 

Mr Chair,

6 In closing, let me assure you and the UN that ASEAN remains fully committed to fulfilling our financial obligations to the Organisation, and we urge our fellow member states to likewise re-affirm their support and commitment to the UN and multilateralism. 

7 Thank you.

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