Statement by Mr. Daisuke Wakabayashi, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations Agenda item 142: UN Common System Main Part of the Seventy-fourth Session of the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

Mr. Chair,
 
At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. Larbi Djacta, Chair of the International Civil Service Commission; Mr. Johannes Huisman, Director, Programme Planning and Budget Division, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget; and Ms. Julia Maciel, Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports.
 
Mr. Chair,
 
My delegation fully supports the purpose of the Common System; namely, applying common standards, methods and arrangements to salaries, allowances and benefits for the staff of the United Nations system to avoid serious discrepancies in terms and conditions of employment and competition in recruitment of personnel, and to facilitate the interchange of personnel.
 
In order to maintain confidence in the Common System, it needs to remain fair and sustainable through continuous review, and must reflect changes in economic situations, including the cost of living. In this regard, the International Civil Service Commission plays a key role in reviewing the system and guiding all entities under the Common System.
 
 
In this connection, we are concerned by the implications of the judgements on post adjustment made by the ILO Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT) in July, to the consistency and stability of the Common System. The General Assembly should address this issue. My delegation will constructively engage in the discussion to uphold the stability of the Common System.
  
Mr. Chair,
           
Separately, on the proposed revisions of salaries and allowances, we will closely examine the rationales and justifications for any additional resource requirement, given that the remuneration of the UN staff is funded by the Member States.
 
Mr. Chair,

Finally, my delegation reiterates our support for the more effective and efficient functioning of the UN Common System. We will participate in the negotiations constructively in order to reach a consensus in a timely manner.
 
I thank you, Mr. Chair.