Statement by H.E. Ambassador UMETSU Shigeru, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Organization of Work Main Part of the 79th Session of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

 

Madame Chair,
 
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, H.E. Ms. Egriselda López of El Salvador, and all the bureau members on your elections to these very important positions. We are confident that you will guide this Committee towards a successful conclusion of our programme of work. I also wish to thank H.E. Mr. Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek Mahmoud of Egypt and the outgoing bureau members for their hard work during the 78^th session. And as always, we are grateful to the Secretariat of the Fifth Committee for their efficient and professional work.
 
Madame Chair,
 
The main session of the Fifth Committee goes on from today for two and a half months. Last year, we achieved in reaching a conclusion before Christmas despite differences and divergences among Member States. We made sure that the UN had ample time to prepare for the new fiscal year and to function properly from January.
 
This year, we have large items on the agenda, including the Revised Estimate regarding the Resident Coordinator System and the scale of assessment. We once again should strive to be even more efficient, effective, and adept in the Fifth Committee in order to achieve a timely and consensual outcome under the leadership of your Chairpersonship, taking advantage of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and improving our working methods continuously.
 
Madame Chair,
 
I would also like to emphasize the long-established tradition of this Committee which is achieving consensus. Let us reiterate our commitment to this, and to make tireless efforts to discuss faithfully, positively and constructively, so that we can come back here again in mid-December, to celebrate our accomplishments.
 
I thank you, Madame Chair.