STATEMENT BY MS SHERYL SHUM, DELEGATE TO THE 67TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 140: REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES AND AGENDA ITEM 129: REVIEW OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL FUNCTIONING OF THE UNITED NATIONS, 8 OCTOBER 2012

1        Thank you Mr Chairman.  Please allow me to add my congratulations to you and your distinguished colleagues on your election to the Fifth Committee Bureau.  My delegation is confident that under your leadership and guidance, the Fifth Committee will be able to complete its challenging tasks efficiently and on time.

2        We would also like to thank Mr David Kanja, Assistant Secretary-General for the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), for introducing the Report of the activities of the OIOS, as contained in document A/67/297 (Part 1) and its Addendum.  We would also like to thank Mr Adrian Patrick Strachan, Vice-Chair of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) for introducing the report on the activities of the IAAC, as contained in the document A/67/259.

Mr Chairman,

3        My delegation aligns itself with the statement of Algeria on behalf of the G77 and China.  Singapore firmly believes in the value of strengthening accountability, fairness and oversight in the United Nations (UN).  It was for this reason that we supported the establishment of the OIOS in 1994. We support Ms Lapointe and her team in its continuing efforts to instill high ethical and professional standards throughout the Secretariat.

4        With regard to the specific reports, we note happily the progress made by the OIOS in reducing its vacancy rates to 15% at the end of the reporting period. We understand from the report that further progress is expected on this front and would urge the Secretary-General to make every effort to fill these posts. We welcome the addition of Mr David Kanja, Assistant Secretary-General, to help strengthen the leadership of the OIOS.  We hope that a better staffed Office will help ensure that workplans are implemented on a timely basis.  My delegation also welcomes the innovative initiatives by the OIOS to improve its work processes, and the various recommendations aimed at cost savings, efficiency gains and other process improvements across the Organisation.  We encourage the OIOS and the Management Committee to continue working closely together to ensure the full and expeditious implementation of these recommendations.

5        On the IAAC, my delegation’s experience continues to be that the IAAC has consistently provided valuable and useful insights on how the OIOS can improve its work. We have benefitted from the IAAC’s work and appreciate its efforts in advising the General Assembly.

Mr Chairman,

6        My delegation reiterates its support for the operational independence of the OIOS and reaffirms the separate and distinct roles of internal and external oversight mechanisms. Together, the various UN oversight bodies – the OIOS, the Board of Auditors, the IAAC and the Joint Inspection Unit – form a mutually reinforcing framework on which a better, more efficient and stronger Organisation is built. In this regard, they can be assured of Singapore’s full and continued support.

I thank you, Mr Chairman.