Statement by Mr. WAKABAYASHI Daisuke, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, On Agenda Item 140: Human Resource Management, At the First Resumed Part of the 74th Session of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

 
Mr. Chair,
 
I would like to express our delegation’s appreciation to Ms. Martha Helena Lopez, Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Human Resources Management, Mr. Abdallah Bachar Bong, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and Eileen A. Cronin, Chair of JIU, for introducing their respective reports.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
Human resources management is one of the key elements of the effective, efficient and inclusive organization. The UN needs to acquire and invest in highly skilled and motivated staff, in order to secure and develop the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in accordance with the UN Charter.  
 
At the same time, Article 101 of the Charter states “the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.” To achieve a more diversified organization, we would like to emphasize the importance to address a long-standing challenge of the under-representation of some Member States in the Secretariat and to improve equitable geographical distribution within the Secretariat as the General Assembly has repeatedly requested. Japan reiterates its request that the Secretary-General more than redouble his efforts to this end.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
Japan is also concerned about the reduced number of entry-level Professional posts and the increased number of senior level posts in the Secretariat, which makes the Organization increasingly top-heavy. Our delegation encourages the Secretary-General to make further efforts to rejuvenate the staff composition of the Secretariat.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
My delegation stands ready to engage in negotiations constructively to reach consensus for better human resources management. 

I thank you.