Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Agenda Item 134: Proposed Programme Budget for 2024 and Agenda Item 135: Proposed Programme Plan for 2024, Main Part of the 78th Session of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

Mr. Chair,
 
At the outset, I would like to extend my appreciation to His Excellency Secretary-General António Guterres for introducing the Proposed Programme Budget for 2024. I would also like to thank the Committee for Programme and Coordination and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for their respective reports.
 
Last year, we, the Fifth Committee, achieved an important agreement on the progressive proposal by the Secretary-General to change from a biennial to an annual budget period, allowing the United Nations to become more vigilant, responsive and agile, amidst an ever changing global environment.
 
At this 78^th session, we have the responsibility to continue to give guidance to the UN in order for it to maximize its efficiency and transparency.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
We note that the size of the programme budget continues to project upward. Furthermore, we have observed a trend of conversions of extrabudgetary resources to the regular budget in recent years.
 
We do recognize that the role of the UN has increased due to humanitarian crises and multiple challenges occuring across the globe. Nevertheless, or rather, precisely for these reasons, the accountability of the UN budget to the fiscal authorities and taxpayers of the Member States has never been greater.
 
We will carefully assess the overall level of the proposed budget, based on technical evidence and budgetary discipline, to determine the sufficient level of resources for the implementation of UN mandates.
 
We must also ensure that the UN remains vibrant and innovative and rationalize any posts and mandates that may be outdated, and to that end, we continue to look forward to the Organization’s reform and rejuvenation strategy.
 
As always, my delegation remains committed to engaging positively and constructively in the negotiations ahead, in order to achieve a consensual outcome.
 
You can count on my delegation’s full cooperation in this regard.
 
I thank you, Mr. Chair.