STATEMENT BY MR PETER LEE, DELEGATE TO THE 68TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON ITEM 136: FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE (New York, 17 October 2013)

1.                  Thank you, Mr Chairman.  First and foremost, allow me to congratulate you and your colleagues on your election to the Fifth Committee Bureau.  My delegation is confident that you will steer the committee towards completing the session successfully and on schedule.

2.                  My delegation would also like to thank Mr Yukio Takasu, Under Secretary-General for Management for his briefing on the financial situation of the United Nations (UN) last Wednesday.

Mr Chairman,

3.                  My delegation aligns itself with the statement Fiji made on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. We applaud the conscientious efforts of those Member States that have paid their assessed contributions to the UN on time, in full and without conditions.  As we hope that more Member States would be able to exercise their diligence to pay their assessed contributions on time, we also recognise that some Member States, particularly those in the developing world, face genuine constraints in paying their assessments.  However, these Member States account for a very small proportion of the assessments.  It is the delay in payments of substantial assessed contributions by several major contributors that have an unnecessary negative impact on the operations of the UN.

4.                  My delegation is particularly concerned by USG Takasu’s presentation on the status of unpaid peacekeeping assessments.  Permanent Members of the Security Council make up a majority of the member states listed as having the most unpaid peacekeeping assessments as of 1 October 2013.  Permanent Members have special responsibilities for the maintenance of peace and security, and prerogatives such as the right of veto.  Those Member States which have the most power and influence in deciding the mandates of peacekeeping operations are regrettably also the ones who owe the most in peacekeeping assessments.  My delegation reiterates its call for the major contributors to pay their assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions.

5.                  In the same way as Member States are expected to fulfil their financial obligations to the UN, the UN Secretariat must also take proactive and appropriate steps to reduce the UN’s outstanding payments to Member States for peacekeeping missions.   My delegation acknowledges that the Secretariat is striving to make progress to improve its management and operational efficiencies but there is certainly room for further improvement if the issue of outstanding payments continues to surface year after year.  There is a saying that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”   The Secretariat can do much more to enhance its operational efficiency, effectiveness and productivity.   The Secretariat must neither assume nor rest on its laurels.  Discipline must be instilled and existing structures and processes within the Secretariat must be reviewed, refined and if need be, revamped to account to the Member States, many of which are continuing to exercise painful austerity measures to improve the livelihood of its people. 

Mr Chairman,

6.                  A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. As the world today becomes more globalised and increasingly volatile, Members States and the UN Secretariat must work hand in hand for the good of the international community.  Respect can be earned and trust will be restored if we work together cohesively and constructively. My delegation believes that this aspiration can be achieved to fulfil the purposes and principles of the UN.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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