STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY MR JOSEPH TEO, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 136: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, FIFTH COMMITTEE, 13 OCTOBER 2016

1        Thank you, Madam Chair.  Before I begin, please allow me to express our deepest condolences to our friends from Thailand on the passing of his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.    

2        Madam Chair, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on agenda item 136: Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations.  ASEAN aligns itself with the statement made by the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of Thailand on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

3        I thank Ms Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas, Assistant Secretary-General and Controller, for her presentation last week, and the update given this afternoon by Under Secretary-General for Management Mr Yukio Takasu.  ASEAN commends all Member States that have made concerted efforts to meet their financial obligations to the United Nations.  In particular, we applaud the 27 Member States that have paid all of their assessments in full as of today. 

4        ASEAN notes that as of today, 129 Member States have paid their regular budget assessments in full.  We are happy that the United Nations’ overall financial indicators for 2016 remain generally sound and positive.  However, we are deeply concerned by the increase in the amount of unpaid assessments for the regular budget, and the impact that this will have on the cash position of the Organisation in the closing months of this year. 

5        ASEAN sympathises with the predicament of some Member States, particularly developing countries which face genuine difficulties in paying their assessments.  Nevertheless, we encourage all Member States with unpaid assessments to meet their financial obligations in full, on time, and without preconditions.  Failure to do so compromises the ability of the United Nations to effectively implement its mandates.    

6        In peacekeeping, ASEAN welcomes the Secretariat's efforts in reducing the quantum of outstanding payments to Member States contributing troops, police, and equipment to United Nations peacekeeping missions by close to half of the amount owed in 2015.  This is a significant reduction, and we applaud the Secretariat's expressed commitment to meeting its obligations to Member States.  

Madam Chair,

7        The world faces complex challenges.  As the sole multilateral organisation with global membership and universal legitimacy, the United Nations has a vital role to play in fostering solutions to these challenges.  The United Nations’ Member States have the responsibility to provide the Organisation with sufficient resources necessary to carry out its important work.  However, the Organisation must also be accountable to its Member States.  The Secretariat must ensure that our collective contributions are managed honestly, transparently, and efficiently.  Towards this goal, ASEAN will continue working constructively with the Secretariat and other Member States to build a stronger and more effective United Nations.     

8        I thank you, Madam Chair.

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