第72回国連総会第5委員会再開会期第二部における作業計画に関する星野大使ステートメント

 
Mr. Chairman,
 
            As we begin another session, I would like to express our sincere support for you as Chairman of this important Committee. I believe that under your able guidance we will be able to conclude our negotiations, despite the extremely challenging agenda before us.
 
            The peacekeeping budget is of a time-bound nature as the fiscal year begins on July 1st, and as such, it is the first priority and the focus of the second resumed session of this Committee. My delegation places great importance on the effective, efficient and accountable management of UN Peacekeeping Operations. This is not only because the significant investment for the operations is ultimately borne by the taxpayers of the Member States, but also because we believe that proper management is essential to ensure the effective operation, long-term sustainability and credibility of this Organization.
 
            With this in mind, my delegation will continue to closely scrutinize the requests of the Secretary-General to ensure that peacekeeping budgets reflect actual requirements to deliver the mandates laid down by Security Council resolutions.
 
            I would like to share today one of the viewpoints from which to scrutinize the Secretary-General’s proposals; namely, the importance of ensuring proper accountability for performance and misconduct with regard to Peacekeeping Operations. We are especially interested to know in detail how the UN Secretariat is held accountable for performance and misconduct, particularly with regard to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment, by those non-UN Secretariat entities whose activities are funded by the UN Secretariat through transfers from the UN peacekeeping budget. This is a serious matter of accountability, as their activities are funded by our assessed contributions, and accordingly borne by our taxpayers. My delegation sincerely hopes that there will not be any cases of such misconduct by non-UN Secretariat entities, as they would undermine the cause and value of our collective investment, bearing in mind and recognizing the service of the brave and dedicated peacekeepers.

Mr. Chairman,
 
            I would like to take this opportunity to share our preliminary observations regarding the issues related to the UN reform that this Committee will consider in the weeks ahead. Let me reiterate that Japan will continue to support the initiative of Secretary-General Guterres toward the realization of impactful UN reform. My delegation believes that we should not lose the unprecedented momentum we have, and that we need to create a consensus and reach a decision at this session toward a more effective, efficient and accountable UN, without letting the bureaucracy prevail.
 
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.