STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY MR. TIMOTHY TAN, DELEGATE OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 138: PROPOSED PROGRAMME BUDGET 2027 – SPECIAL POLITICAL MISSIONS, AT THE MAIN

Thank you, Mr Chair.

                    I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, on this agenda item on Special Political Missions (SPMs).

2                  ASEAN thanks Mr Chandru Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary-General and Controller, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on estimates in respect of SPMs. We also thank Ms Juliana Gaspar Ruas, ACABQ Chair, for introducing the related report of the ACABQ.

Mr Chair,

3                  We are at a moment of transition for the United Nations. A new Secretary-General will soon take office, as the Organisation continues to implement reforms under the UN80 initiative. This is an opportunity not only to find efficiencies, but also to address longstanding arrangements that are no longer fit for purpose. The financing of SPMs is one such area.

4                    ASEAN wishes to make three points.

5                    First, SPMs must be given the resources they need to deliver. These missions are an important part of the UN's work to prevent conflict, support political processes, and sustain peace. Their importance is particularly clear at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and increasingly complex conflicts. ASEAN recognises the efforts of SPMs to identify efficiencies and make better use of limited resources. But efficiency cannot come at the expense of their ability to deliver. Resources must follow mandates, and resources must be used well.

6                  Second, we must improve the way SPMs are funded and supported. ASEAN has long supported the establishment of a separate account for SPMs, aligned with the peacekeeping operations budget cycle. There are practical reasons for this. Many SPMs are established or renewed at different points during the year. Much of their backstopping is also provided by Secretariat departments funded through the peacekeeping budget. A separate account would better reflect these operational realities and help shield the missions from liquidity constraints affecting the regular budget.

7                   This is not a new proposal. ASEAN has supported the relevant recommendations of the ACABQ, including those contained in its report of 13 December 2011, and the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, for more than a decade. As we reform the UN for the future, we should also be prepared to resolve longstanding problems from the past.

8                     Third, the financing of SPMs should fairly reflect responsibility for international peace and security. Most SPMs are mandated by the Security Council. Its Permanent Members bear special responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security. The General Assembly has recognised that these responsibilities should be accounted for in determining contributions towards peace and security operations.

9                    ASEAN therefore continues to support financing SPMs according to the peacekeeping operations scale, rather than the regular budget scale. Those with greater influence over the establishment and mandates of these missions should bear greater responsibility for financing them.

Mr Chair,

10                 ASEAN’s position has been consistent: SPMs must be adequately resourced, their financing and backstopping arrangements must be improved, and their costs must be shared fairly. These reforms would make the financing of SPMs more coherent, predictable, and sustainable.

11                 ASEAN looks forward to engaging constructively with all delegations on this important agenda item.

12                 Thank you.