Statement by Mr. MIYAZAKI Atsushi, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, Agenda item 142: Scale of Assessments, Main Part of the 81st Session of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

Mr. Chair,
 
I would like to begin by expressing our profound appreciation to the Committee on Contributions as well as the Secretariat for their hard work preparing and presenting the reports.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
As one of the largest financial contributors to the United Nations, Japan attaches significant importance on the scale of assessments. These assessed contributions serve as the backbone of the UN, enabling it to execute its mandate effectively and efficiently. Therefore, it is vital that we uphold the principle that each Member State should contribute according to its capacity to pay. This principle ensures a fair and equitable sharing of the financial responsibilities necessary for the UN to operate.
 
In light of the rapidly evolving global economy, it is crucial that we refine our methodology for determining these assessments. Our aim should be to more accurately reflect each Member State’s real capacity to pay, utilizing the most current, comprehensive, and comparable data available.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
Regarding the application of Article 19 of the UN Charter, my delegation sees  the recommendations presented by the Committee on Contributions as appropriate. We endorse the exemption and encourage the Member State with significant arrears, as noted in the Committee’s report, to consider submitting a new multi-year payment plan.
 
I thank you, Mr. Chair.