STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE, MAIN PART OF THE 69TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON BEHALF OF ASEAN MEMBER STATES

(New York, 16 October 2014)

1        Thank you 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: Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations.  I thank Mr Yukio Takasu, the Under-Secretary-General for Management, for his comprehensive presentation last Thursday and his update this afternoon.  ASEAN aligns itself with the statement just made by the Plurinational State of Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. 

2        ASEAN is encouraged that the overall financial indicators for 2014 are generally sound.  127 Member States have fully paid their regular budget assessments and 31 Member States have paid all their assessed contributions as of today.  ASEAN commends all Member States that have made a concerted effort to meet their financial obligations to the UN in full, on time and without conditions. 

3        On the other hand, we note with concern that significant assessments remain unpaid, particularly for the regular budget.  As we saw in USG Takasu’s presentation last week, the level of cash available for the regular budget is currently low and the situation is expected to tighten further towards the end of the year.  The final outcome will largely depend on incoming contributions in the remaining months of the year.  ASEAN stresses that Member States are bound under the United Nations Charter to fullfil all their financial obligations. This should be done on time, in full and without conditions.  The failure to do so compromises the financial standing and, most importantly, the effectiveness of the UN.  

4        ASEAN also believes that the UN needs to demonstrate more effective management of the resources entrusted to it by Member States.  The Secretariat needs to exercise greater fiscal discipline, and use initiatives such as UMOJA and the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards to build a strong, effective and results-oriented organisation.  ASEAN also encourages the Secretariat to further improve transparency of its work and consultations with member states including by providing clear and timely information. 

Madam Chair,

5        The world is facing increasingly complex challenges, many of which have implications beyond borders and even continents. These challenges range from terrorism to climate change to the outbreak of diseases.  The UN, as the only multilateral organisation in the world with global membership and universal legitimacy, is best placed to deal with many of the challenges that Member States collectively face.  The UN needs the necessary resources to fulfil the mandates it is entrusted with.  At the same time, the UN needs to strengthen its accountability, transparency and effectiveness in delivering results.  ASEAN looks forward to working closely with the Secretariat and all Member States to achieve our common goal of building a UN that is responsive to global challenges.

6        I thank you, Madam Chair. 

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