Statement by Mr. Daisuke Wakabayashi First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Agenda item 147: Administration of Justice Main Part of the Seventy-third Session, Fifth Committee of the General Assembly

 
Madame Chair,
 
         At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to Ms. Alayne Frankson-Wallace, Executive Director of the Office of the Administration of Justice, Ms. Shireen Dodson, United Nations Ombudsman, and Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for introducing their respective reports.
 
Madame Chair,
 
         My delegation would like to emphasize that the Administrative of Justice system is an important foundation for a fair workplace and is essential for a good relationship between staff and management. By securing fairness in the workplace, the justice system should have a positive impact on the performance of both staff members and managers at the UN.
 
         As the foundation of fairness, the justice system needs stability. In this regard, we would like to invoke the need to address the stabilization of the voluntary supplemental funding mechanism to cover the activities of the Office of Staff Legal Assistance. It is also necessary to raise awareness among staff members of the importance of their financial contributions so that all members of staff can equally access services provided under the justice system.
 
Madame Chair,
 
         My delegation emphasizes that the justice system has contributed to the accountability and credibility of the UN. To maintain its positive impact, the justice system itself should work efficiently.
 
         We note the number of applications received by the United Nations Dispute Tribunal and emphasize that the structure should be commensurate with the case load. My delegation will further examine the situation of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal regarding the request for new permanent judges and the optional request for an extension of the ad litem judges.
 
         In closing, I would like to reiterate that my delegation will participate constructively in the discussions during the informal consultations on all aspects of this agenda item.
 
I thank you, Madame Chair.