STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY MS NOELLE TAM, DELEGATE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 134 ON FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE AT THE MAIN PART OF THE 78TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 9 NOVEMBER 2023
9 November 2023
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Madam Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Agenda Item 134 on the Flexible Workplace. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement delivered by Cuba on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2 ASEAN would like to express its appreciation to the Secretariat, the ACABQ and the Office of Internal Oversight Services for the briefings on their respective reports.
Madam Chair,
3 A physical workplace environment that adequately meets the needs of staff is essential to the productivity of their work towards mandate delivery of the UN. To this end, ASEAN notes the continuous efforts of the organisation to implement measures for a flexible workplace, including flexible working arrangements, which allowed the organisation to respond and adapt quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, we stress that flexible working arrangements should be well thought out, and ultimately must not affect the effectiveness and efficiency of the UN Secretariat in delivering its mandates and responding to the needs of Member States. We look forward to the Secretary-General’s report on this issue at the first part of the Fifth Committee’s resumed 78th session.
4 ASEAN appreciates that the flexible workplace project has enhanced the Organisation’s business continuity and resilience and contributed to its environmental sustainability. While we welcome the OIOS’ findings in this regard, we are concerned that the implementation of a flexible workplace did not demonstrably improve staff productivity and may have negatively contributed to staff health and well-being. We urge the Secretary-General to address the issues identified in the OIOS report, namely – noise, lack of privacy and inadequate enclosed workspace – to ensure that the office environment continues to be suitable for staff to work effectively, with a balanced consideration to their health and well-being. Further efforts should also be made to ensure that the relevant spaces, such as quiet rooms, are used for their intended purposes.
Madam Chair,
5 ASEAN commends the increase in office space capacity, and the cost savings incurred due to the organisation’s reduced real estate obligations, as well as the reduced demand for office equipment and materials. However, we were dismayed to learn that despite the capacity gain, physical occupancy of the Secretariat Building has been lower than originally envisaged. The physical presence of the Secretariat staff is fundamental to the work of the organisation and to meet the requirements of Member States, including in-person meetings as the UN returns to normal business.
6 In conclusion, ASEAN is pleased to note that the Department of Operational Support has accepted the OIOS’ recommendations to determine and implement the optimal occupancy levels in the flexible workplace, including the use of flexible working arrangements. We look forward to an update from the Department on the changes that it intends to implement during the informal consultations under this agenda item and in the Secretary-General’s report on this issue.
7 Thank you.
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