STATEMENT BY MS CHAY YUEN TING, DELEGATE TO THE 71ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 144: REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES, AND AGENDA ITEM 133: REVIEW OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL FUNCTIONING OF THE UNITED NATIONS -- ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, 30 SEPTEMBER 2016

1.            Thank you, Madam Chair. Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Kingdom of Thailand on behalf of the G77 and China.

2.            Please allow me to congratulate you and your distinguished colleagues on your election to the Bureau of the Fifth Committee. We are confident that under your able leadership, the Fifth Committee will complete its work efficiently, and expeditiously.

3.            We would like to thank Ms Heidi Mendoza, Under Secretary General of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), for introducing the annual report on the activities of the OIOS, as contained in document A/71/337 (Part 1), and Addendum 1. We also thank Mr Joseph Christopher Mihm, Chair of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC), for introducing the report of the activities of the IAAC, as contained in document A/71/295.

Madam Chair,

4.            Singapore strongly supports a robust and independent Oversight Office. The OIOS should be a champion of accountability and fairness in this Organisation. It was for this reason that we supported the establishment of the OIOS in 1994. In recent years, the OIOS has faced its share of challenges. However, despite the daunting task before her, Under Secretary General Mendoza has more than risen to the occasion. We commend Ms Mendoza and the OIOS' continued efforts to uphold and instil the highest ethical and professional standards throughout the Secretariat.

5.            With regard to the specific reports, my delegation congratulates the OIOS on its efforts to assist the Organisation in achieving cost savings, efficiency gains, and to manage risk in a systematic way across the Organisation. We note however, that vacancy rates, especially in the field, continue to be an issue of concern, and have the potential to affect the substantive achievements of the OIOS. We encourage continued efforts to address this issue, to ensure that the OIOS is able to fully implement its given mandate.

6.            On the IAAC, my delegation notes that the IAAC has consistently provided useful and valuable insights on how the OIOS can improve its work. We appreciate its advice to the General Assembly. We will also follow with interest discussions on the recommendations and comments of the IAAC regarding the operational independence of the OIOS.

Madam Chair,

7.            The reports before us today prove the value of upholding the separate and distinct roles of internal and external oversight mechanisms.  Together, the various UN oversight bodies – the OIOS, the Board of Auditors, and the Joint Inspection Unit – form a mutually reinforcing framework on which a better, more efficient and stronger Organisation is built. The General Assembly should therefore send a strong and clear signal to the next Secretary General that the work of the OIOS is an important and integral part of the United Nations. In this regard, they can be assured of Singapore’s full and continued support.

I thank you.

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