STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY H.E. MR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 137: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, 18 OCTOBER 2019

18 Oct 2019

Thank you, Mr Chair.

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 137: Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement made by the State of Palestine on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2 ASEAN thanks Ms Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, for her presentation on 11 October and for her updates this morning.

Mr Chair,

3 ASEAN is deeply concerned about the financial situation of the United Nations, in particular the dire state of the regular budget.  Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise because the writing was already on the wall. At our Second Resumed Session, ASEAN was supportive of measures to alleviate the situation, such as replenishing the Special Account by US$63.2 million. It was unfortunate that consensus on this issue ultimately could not be reached.   

4 There is no recourse to new measures to address the regular budget situation.  The simplest and most effective solution remains for all Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time. First, this is a legal obligation that is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Second, having given our mandates to the Secretary-General, Member States have the moral obligation to ensure that adequate resources are provided to implement these mandates. 

5 Regrettably, Member States are failing on both counts. We have all seen the recent correspondence from the Secretary-General and the Secretariat on the real impact of the liquidity crisis on the work of the Organisation. Now, more than ever, is the time for each Member State to demonstrate greater political will and responsibility to the international community by fulfilling their financial obligations to the United Nations. 

Mr Chair,

6 ASEAN sympathises with Member States who face genuine difficulties in paying their assessed contributions due to factors beyond their control. We commend those Member States who, despite these difficulties, endeavour to meet their obligations to the United Nations. While the share of ASEAN’s assessed contributions to the United Nations has been increasing, ASEAN remains strongly committed to fulfilling our financial obligations to the Organisation. ASEAN calls on our fellow Member States to also re-affirm their support for the Secretary-General in his work, and to renew their commitment to the United Nations and to multilateralism. 

7 I thank you.

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