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New York UN

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY H.E. AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 138: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND AGENDA ITEM 147: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, FIFTH COMMITTEE, 8 OCTOBER 2015

8 October 2015

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Mr Chairman,


1        I have the honour to speak on behalf of the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam on these agenda items.


2        ASEAN Member States congratulate you on your election as Chair of the Fifth Committee.  We look forward to working with you and the other members of the bureau.  We are confident that we will conclude this session in a timely manner under your leadership.


3        We thank Mr Bernardo Griever, Chair of the Committee on Contributions for his presentation of the Committee’s report.  We also thank Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General, Controller for introducing the reports of the Secretary-General on multi-year payment plans, and on the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 55/235 and 55/236.


4        ASEAN Member States align themselves with the statement just made by the distinguished representative of South Africa on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on both these agenda items.  On agenda item 138, scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations, we reiterate that all Member States must fulfil their obligations to pay their assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions.  However, we bear in mind that some developing countries face genuine difficulties meeting their financial obligations.  In this regard, we support the Committee on Contributions’ recommendation that Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia and Yemen be allowed to vote until the end of the 70th session of the General Assembly.


Mr Chairman,


5        The current methodology for the scale of assessments has been adopted by consensus for 15 years.  This longstanding consensus is an expression of confidence that the current methodology adequately reflects the principle of capacity to pay.  Economies that have grown faster like ASEAN Member States have assumed a greater share of assessments, while the assessments of those that have grown more slowly have decreased.  ASEAN Member States reaffirm that the principle of capacity to pay must remain the main criterion in the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations. 


6        ASEAN Member States will not support proposals which aim at distorting the principle of capacity to pay or increasing the contributions of developing countries.  We reiterate the position expressed in the Group of 77 and China’s statement that the 22% maximum ceiling is the only element of the methodology which contradicts the principle of capacity to pay, and that this fundamental source of distortion in the scale needs to be addressed.


7        ASEAN Member States also support the view expressed in the Group of 77 and China’s statement that observer intergovernmental organisations which have the rights and privileges usually only applied to observer states such as the right to speak in the General Debate should also have the same financial obligations to the United Nations as observer states.  We look forward to considering the assessment of such international organisations during informal consultations.


Mr Chairman,


8        On agenda item 147, scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of United Nations peacekeeping operations, ASEAN Member States reiterate that all UN Member States should fulfil their financial obligations to the Organisation to ensure the effective implementation of UN peacekeeping mandates. 


9        We note that developing countries are assuming more responsibilities for peacekeeping financing.  In a reflection of the changes in the relative economic situations of UN Member States, the contribution rates of many developing countries, including ASEAN members, will increase while the contribution rates of most developed countries will decrease.  Although ASEAN Member States’ share of UN peacekeeping expenses will grow, we are committed to doing our part to ensure the efficient functioning of UN peacekeeping operations.


10      ASEAN Member States emphasise that the permanent members of the Security Council have special responsibilities in the maintenance of peace and security, which must be considered in connection with their contributions to peacekeeping financing.  ASEAN Member States reaffirm the principle that permanent members of the Security Council should continue to absorb the discounts applied to other Member States in the peacekeeping scale, in recognition of their special decision-making prerogatives on peacekeeping operations in the Security Council.


11      ASEAN Member States also maintain that peacekeeping financing must recognise the special circumstances of developing countries, particularly small developing economies that may have misleadingly high per capita income figures because of their small populations.  Developing countries should not shoulder the same financial responsibilities as developed countries.  We reiterate that no developing country should therefore be categorised above Level C in the scale of assessments for peacekeeping operations. 


12      We are concerned by the automatic graduation of developing countries into Level B, which is the de facto category for developed countries.  Automatic graduation is contrary to the principle established in resolution 55/235 on the need for a clear differentiation of burden-sharing for peacekeeping financing between developed and developing countries.  Any departure from this principle necessitates a comprehensive reassessment of all aspects of the political agreement in 2000 which created the current peacekeeping scale and the 22% ceiling for the major contributor. ASEAN Member States therefore call for the reassignment of all developing countries in Level B to Level C.


13      ASEAN Member States are committed to engaging constructively with all delegations in the negotiations on these agenda items.  Thank you, Mr Chairman.



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