Statement by H.E. Ambassador UMETSU Shigeru, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Agenda Item 136: Proposed Programme Budget for 2026 and Agenda Item 148: Administrative & budgetary aspects of financing UNPKOs, Main Part of the 80th Session of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

Madame Chair,

Japan welcomes the Secretary-General’s report, in particular the proposal for budget efficiency and reduction. The proposal is not perfect and certain area require further clarification. However, we recognize that this is the first concrete deliverable under the UN80 initiative, demonstrating a real commitment to budget efficiency and sending a positive signal for sustaining the momentum for the reform.

Our foremost priority under this extraordinary circumstance is to reach a consensus within the year with tangible outcome rather than unpacking the whole discussion, ensure the UN continues its crucial work on the ground, and then keep our reform efforts active – not as a one-off measure – but as an ongoing and mid-to-long-term commitment in 2026, 2027, and beyond so we don’t have to come back here in ten years and repeat the same discussion again.

Through the upcoming negotiations, we need to make sure that efficiency and effectiveness are being sought while the UN’s core mandates - namely, peace and security, development, human rights, and humanitarian assistance are being preserved and it must be underpinned by full respect for the international law. Safety and security of the staff in the fields are also essential and it should not be undermined. We are also keen on enhancing rejuvenation and geographical diversity under the downsizing exercise, and willing to discuss how to reinforce budget discipline even after the UN80 initiative in order to make the UN budget more sustainable.
 
Despite the very limited time remaining for discussion, Japan stands ready to engage constructively with all delegations to this end.
 
Thank you.