STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE KAREN ONG OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 138

Thank you, Madam Chair. 

          I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Agenda Item 138 on Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. ASEAN thanks Under-Secretary-General Catherine Pollard for her update on the financial situation of the organisation on 7 May 2026. 

2        We are troubled to hear that collections in 2025 were the lowest in the last seven years and the Organisation ended the year with new record arrears of $1.57 billion. It is also worrying to learn that unpaid assessments for the regular budget as of 30 April were $2.8 billion, significantly higher than 2025, due to the large arrears at the end of 2025. The lack of certainty on the inflow of collections has forced the Organisation to continue its cash conservation measures.  ASEAN underscores that predictable and timely financing is indispensable for effective programme planning, workforce stability, procurement, and mandate implementation across the Organisation. 

3        Liquidity challenges also continue to plague the peacekeeping budget. ASEAN is deeply concerned that, even as the financial year for peacekeeping comes to a close, there was still an overall outstanding amount of unpaid assessments amounting to $3.5 billion as at 30 April. The outstanding liabilities for contingent-owned equipment for active missions, owed to TCCs and PCCs, amounts to $483 million. This places undue financial burden on TCCs and PCCs, many of which are developing countries, and is neither fair nor sustainable. In the past year, peacekeeping has suffered from severe spending restrictions, and the resulting contingency plans have drastically affected the peacekeeping missions’ capacities to operate safely and effectively. This is deeply worrying given the crucial work on the ground carried out by UN peacekeepers. 

5        ASEAN recognises that the chronic issue of the return of unspent funds in the form of credits to Member States that are not backed by cash collections – even to those Member States that have not paid their assessed contributions in full – has seriously eroded the Organisation’s operational viability and its ability to deliver on crucial mandates. We look forward to working with all delegations towards a credible solution to this issue during this session. 

Madam Chair,

6        Even as we continue to undertake reforms through UN80 Initiative and the review of peace operations to make the United Nations more efficient and fit-for-purpose, it is important to acknowledge that these will not address the root causes of the Organisation’s chronic liquidity problem. The root cause of these liquidity issues is well-known and can only be addressed if all Member States who have the capacity to pay their assessed contributions do so consistently in full, on time, and without conditions, as set out in the UN Charter. Persistent liquidity constraints risk weakening confidence in multilateralism and the credibility of mandates collectively agreed by Member States. The Organisation simply cannot deliver results for the world’s people without the resources to do so. 

7        ASEAN remains fully committed to meeting our financial obligations so that the UN remains a credible institution that is well-equipped to tackle the complex challenges facing us today. We call on all Member States to do likewise. 

Thank you.