STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY MS DIANA LEE, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 149: RESULTS OF THE SURVEY TO SUPPORT THE REVIEW OF THE STANDARD RATE OF REIMBURSEMENT TO TROOP- AND POLICE-CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES, 27 MARCH 2018

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 agenda item 149, on the results of the survey to support the review of the standard rate of reimbursement to troop- and police-contributing countries.

2        ASEAN aligns itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished delegate of Egypt on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

3        ASEAN thanks Mr Rick Martin, Director of the Field Budget and Finance Division of the Department of Field Operations, and Mr Babou Sene, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), for introducing their respective reports.

Mr Chairman,

4        ASEAN appreciates the efforts of the sample troop- and police-contributing countries who participated in the latest survey. We also appreciate that the survey took into account the individuality and confidentiality of the costs and other data provided by sample countries. We are pleased that the Secretariat has worked with the newly established Headquarters Contingent-Owned Equipment/ Memorandum of Understanding Management Review Board, whose composition includes military, police, logistical, political, and financial experts. We commend their efforts towards an outcome that follows the approved methodology and which is in accordance with the criteria established by the General Assembly.

5        ASEAN emphasizes that in our consideration of this agenda item, it is important for this Committee to always bear in mind the impact that our discussions have on the men and women who have put their lives on the frontlines of our common efforts to maintain international peace and security. We should not be so focused on cost and amount to the exclusion of the real contributions and sacrifices that our peacekeepers make. 

Mr Chairman,

6        ASEAN notes that the number of female peacekeepers deployed has increased over the past four years, from 3,801 in January 2014, to 4,275 in December 2017. We welcome this development, and encourage all stakeholders to continue every effort to increase the number and role of women in peace operations. To this end, we believe that the data used for determining troop costs should make specific provision for the needs and requirements of deploying female personnel, and the next survey should take these elements into account, in line with our efforts across the system to encourage gender parity and highlight the nexus between women, peace, and security.

7        ASEAN also believes that even as we examine the peace continuum in our discussions elsewhere, we should take the same approach to our peacekeepers. In this regard, future cost data should incorporate not only data from pre-deployment costs, but also consider costs associated with the post-deployment stage, including medical and psychological examination and care. 

8        Finally Mr Chairman, ASEAN will take an active interest in our discussions on this agenda item. We assure you of our commitment towards a constructive and productive approach, and look forward to engaging with all stakeholders on this important topic.

I thank you.

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