Statement by Ms. ABO Ai, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, Agenda item 134: Proposed Programme Buget 2024 - Special Political Missions Main Part of the 78th Session of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

Mr. Chair,
 
First of all, I would like to thank Ms. Maria Costa, Director of the Finance Division of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget for presenting the Secretary-General’s reports on Special Political Missions, as well as Mr. Jakub Chmielewski, Vice-Chair of the ACABQ, for introducing the Advisory Committee's reports.
 
Mr. Chair,

Let me take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the efforts and achievements of the personnel of the Special Political Missions struggling with difficult tasks
in very challenging environments.
 
Japan greatly values Special Political Missions and will continue to support them. SPMs have played and will continue to play a critical role in sustaining peace and stability by
preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts.
 
Mr. Chair,

We, as Member States, bear the responsibility of ensuring that missions receive the necessary resources and utilize finite resources efficiently and effectively to fulfill their mandates. In this regard, we appreciate the improvements in the Secretary-General's budget proposals for SPMs, including accurate vacancy rates based on actual data and the rejuvenation of some positions. Building upon the Secretary-General's efforts, we seek further enhancements in the budget, including in addressing the persistently high number of long-vacant positions within SPMs so that we can contribute to a more effective allocation of our resources.
 
Mr. Chair,

In closing, I would like to express our commitment to engage positively and constructively in the upcoming discussion in order to achieve a negotiated outcome through a collective effort as a committee on this important agenda item.
 
I thank you.