STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 137: HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AT THE FIFTH COMMITTEE, MAIN PART OF THE 69TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON BEHALF OF ASEAN MEMBER STATES

(New York, 18 November 2014)

1       Thank you, Mr Chairman.  I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) on agenda item 137: Human Resources Management. 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 would like to thank Mr Yukio Takasu, Under-Secretary-General for Management, and Ms Joan Dubinsky, Director of the Ethics Office, for introducing the reports of the Secretary-General, A/69/190 “Overview of human resources management reform: towards a global, dynamic and adaptable workforce for the United Nations”, and the nine accompanying reports on mobility, performance management, the young professionals programme, assessment of the system of desirable ranges, staff demographics, gratis personnel, disciplinary matters, amendments to the staff rules, and the activities of the Ethics Office.  At the same time, we would like to express our appreciation to Mr Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), for introducing his report.  We also want to welcome and congratulate Ms Carole Wamuyu Wainaina, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, on her appointment.

Mr Chairman,

3       ASEAN and the UN share a common view on the importance of our peoples, as they are an invaluable resource.  To quote UNGA Resolution 68/252, we “emphasise the fundamental importance of human resources management reform in the United Nations as a contribution to the enhancement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations and of the international civil service”.  Furthermore, noting that 2014 is a Human Resources Management Review Year at the UN, we reiterate our support for the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General to reform the UN Human Resources system, adopt best employment practices and streamline processes.

4       In recent years, there have been many UN resolutions and reports from the Secretary-General highlighting the need for more balanced gender and geographical representation in the UN system.  The UN is diverse and international in representation and therefore must embody this character. The composition of its staff should reflect this.  We recall that UNGA Resolution 68/265 requested the Secretary-General to give equal treatment to internal and external candidates. While such an approach may be prima facie less efficient than prioritising internal candidates, it is necessary in order not to limit the ability of the Organisation to select the best candidates on as wide a geographical basis as possible.  Under-represented nationalities, particularly those from developing countries, must be given a fair opportunity.  We urge the Secretary-General to ensure that external candidates are not disadvantaged and will be given the same chance to apply for all job openings.

Mr Chairman,

5       ASEAN is of the view that the UN needs the best talent in its service. However, staff motivation, professional development and talent retention are also equally essential.  In this regard, the UN needs to continue to review and further strengthen its staff performance management system.  We also reaffirm our support for the implementation of the mobility framework and the Secretary-General’s vision of a dynamic and mobile workforce.  We believe that a well-designed mobility framework and performance management system can shape and deploy the UN’s workforce to serve the Organisation’s growing needs and diverse requirements, especially in hardship duty stations and staff categories.

6       ASEAN Member States are cognisant that the multifaceted work of the UN and its agencies is complex and challenging.  Nonetheless, UN officers should exemplify the highest professional ethics in order to be effective facilitators of the ongoing resolution process.  Although report A/69/332 paints an encouraging picture of the implementation of ethics policies across UN entities, we encourage financial disclosure requirements to be uniformly applied and that any irregularities be dealt with expeditiously throughout the whole UN system.

7       We look forward to working closely with the Secretariat and all Member States to address all the human resources management issues this Session. 

8       I thank you, Mr Chairman.

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