STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY MR MOK CHAK YONG, DELEGATE TO THE 78TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 134: SEISMIC MITIGATION RETROFIT AND LIFE-CYCLE REPLACEMENTS PROJECT AT THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC PREMISES IN BANGKOK, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE, MAIN PART OF THE 78TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 14 NOVEMBER 2023

Thank you, Mr Chair.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Agenda Item 134: Proposed Programme Budget for 2024, in relation to the seismic mitigation retrofit and life-cycle replacements project at the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) premises in Bangkok. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement made by Cuba on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2 ASEAN thanks Ms Maria Costa, Director of the Finance Division of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on this matter. We also thank Mr Jakub Chmielewski, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for the Committee’s related report.

Mr Chair,

3 ESCAP serves 53 Member States and nine Associate Members in the Asia-Pacific region, 60 percent of which are countries in special situations. The Commission has been playing a key role in helping to promote sustainable development and inclusive progress of countries in the region in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As beneficiaries of ESCAP’s work, ASEAN firmly supports the need to provide ESCAP with a safe and suitable workplace that is also accessible for all. We are grateful to Thailand, as the host country, for its continued efforts in supporting and facilitating the important work carried out by ESCAP and reaffirm our support for ESCAP and its Executive Secretary, Ms Armida Alisjahbana.

4 ESCAP’s Seismic Mitigation Project is a long-term investment with safety and security as the ultimate goal. ASEAN welcomes the progress of the project, which is on track for completion. We continue to stress the importance of good governance, effective oversight, transparency and accountability in project management and commend ESCAP in this regard. We note the seventh audit report of the Office of International Oversight Services (OIOS) and welcome efforts by ESCAP and DMSPC to initiate action to implement the audit recommendations. ASEAN also encourages ESCAP to continue to find innovative ways to realise budgetary savings, manage operational risks and ensure business continuity.

Mr Chair,

5 ASEAN commends ESCAP’s efforts to share lessons learnt for its joint furniture solicitation exercise with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), including through a presentation at the annual conference of the Inter-Agency Network of Facilities Managers in May this year. We are heartened that this has led to other UN agencies and entities in the region leveraging these contracts to purchase furniture resulting in further cost savings for the UN. We are also pleased that the SMP continues to be environmentally friendly and that, upon its completion, ESCAP will meet or exceed the project goal to reduce energy consumption by 16 to 18 per cent through the incorporation of energy-saving and energy efficient design features.

6 ASEAN underscores the importance of including local knowledge, technology, capacity, and locally sourced and manufactured materials in the implementation of construction projects. In this regard, ESCAP’s collaboration with Host Country experts and authorities to ensure the success of the project was exceptional. Among others, ESCAP established robust partnerships with local government agencies and academic institutions on the development of engineering solutions to withstand seismic events, the management and removal of hazardous materials, and the streamlining of construction processes respectively.

7 It is unfortunate that the late impact of COVID-19 and unforeseen site conditions resulted in unexpected delays in the project. We are nevertheless encouraged that ESCAP worked with stakeholders to manage the situation. Indeed, the OIOS acknowledged that the project team had put in place measures to minimise slippage and associated costs. ASEAN is confident that ESCAP’s management team will continue to be proactive in responding to possible project risks and implement relevant mitigating measures to prevent further delays in progress.

Mr Chair,

8 ASEAN also reaffirms our strong support for the other construction projects of the UN Regional Commissions, including for the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON), ECA in Addis Ababa, and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Santiago. ASEAN will follow discussions on these items closely and engage constructively. Thank you.

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