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New York UN

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY MR JOSEPH TEO, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ORGANISATION OF WORK OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE AT THE MAIN PART OF THE 72ND SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 5 OCTOBER 2017

5 October 2017

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Thank you, Mr Chairman.


1                 I have the honour to speak on behalf of the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the organisation of work of the Fifth Committee at the main part of its 72nd session. ASEAN aligns ourselves with the statement made by Ecuador on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.


2                 ASEAN takes this opportunity to congratulate you and the members of your Bureau on your election. We are confident that under your able and experienced leadership, the Committee will engage in constructive deliberations and complete its work in a timely manner.  ASEAN also expresses our deep appreciation to Ambassador Rhonda King, her Bureau members, and the Fifth Committee members for their hard work during the 71st session.


Mr Chairman,


3                 In the coming months, ASEAN will continue to pay close attention to the discussions in this Committee. We reiterate that the Secretariat must be given sufficient resources to efficiently and effectively fulfill the mandates approved by the General Assembly. 


4                 ASEAN will follow with interest the Committee's deliberations on the proposed programme budget for 2018-2019, construction and property management, Special Political Missions, and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. We note the continuing importance of the role played by the Office for Internal Oversight Services. In human resources management, we have closely studied the report of the Secretary-General on staff demographics. ASEAN continues to emphasize the importance of gender parity and balanced geographical representation within the Secretariat, especially at senior levels, and we welcome the Secretary-General's commitment towards achieving this goal.  ASEAN will also take an active interest in the Secretary-General's proposals for reform when they come before this Committee, and we look forward to a full discussion of the various elements.  We are encouraged by the steps taken towards a transparent and inclusive process on reform of the United Nations, and we urge the Secretary-General to continue the widest possible consultations.


Mr Chairman,


5                 Every year and every session, the Fifth Committee faces a heavy and complex agenda.  We have repeatedly called for all stakeholders to take steps to improve the timely issuance of documents.  We hope that under your leadership, there will be further progress made.


6                 Finally, ASEAN notes that in recent years, the Fifth Committee has managed to finish each session slightly earlier than the one before.  We look forward to continuing this positive trend, and will work constructively with all delegations towards the timely conclusion of this session.


Thank you.


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