STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 141: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE SECOND PART OF THE 79th RESUMED SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 19 MAY 2025

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on agenda item 141 on Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement made by Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. 

2 ASEAN thanks Controller Chandru Ramanathan for his update on the financial situation of the organisation on 9 May 2025. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the UN’s founding, it is deeply troubling that the UN’s chronic liquidity problem has simply become part of the organisation’s operating assumptions. We have heard from the Secretariat’s briefings to Member States that the organisation is being forced to operate at 83 percent of its approved budget, along with an extended hiring freeze until August. This has no doubt affected mandate delivery in some areas, especially given the uneven distribution of liquidity across the various UN departments. 

3 In the Asia-Pacific, the UN ESCAP has had to resort to strict liquidity mitigation measures due to the withholding of approved regular budget resources. These include the closure of the Secretariat building and on-site working space to all staff from May to August, and restrictions on all staff travel, meetings, and hiring of experts and consultants. This is particularly concerning as ESCAP is the biggest regional commission with 60 percent of membership from countries in special situations.       

4 Liquidity challenges have also plagued the peacekeeping budget. ASEAN notes with dismay that the percentage of unpaid assessments is on the upward trend despite the overall decline in the peacekeeping budget. We are especially concerned about the $2.67 billion in unpaid peacekeeping budget assessments at the end of April 2025. The precarious cash position for peacekeeping has increased the risk of payment defaults, which could affect operations on the ground.

Madam Chair,

5 ASEAN is committed to working with all Member States on this agenda item, to agree on measures to alleviate the UN’s financial situation, while understanding that the root cause of this problem is the irregular, late, or non-payments of assessed contributions. As the Organisation seeks to make the UN more efficient, accountable and fit for purpose under the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative, we must continue to ensure that the UN can deliver results for the world’s people and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Pact for the Future. 

6 This will only be possible if Member States fulfil their financial obligations in full, on time, and without conditions. We recognise that some Member States face genuine difficulties in paying their assessed contributions due to circumstances beyond their control. We commend Member States who, despite these difficulties, endeavour to meet their obligations. 

Madam Chair, 

7 ASEAN remains fully committed to meeting our financial obligations so that the UN remains a credible institution that is well-equipped to tackle the complex challenges facing us today. We call on all Member States to do likewise. 

Thank you. 

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