第73回国連総会第5委員会再開会期第一部における議題136「2018-2019年二カ年予算:グローバル・サービス・デリバリー・モデル（GSDM)」に関する西村参事官ステートメント

 
Madame Chair,
 
            I would like to thank both the Secretariat and the ACABQ for their respective reports and for their introduction.
 
            Japan has strongly supported the concept behind the GSDM since its inception. We continue to believe that the GSDM will lead to meaningful cost-savings and improved efficiency, enabling better use of limited resources for what they are truly needed with greater focus on delivery of mandates including in the areas of development and security. At the same time, we also have to face the reality that the introduction of the GSDM will create pains in the form of downsizing in a number of offices. I would like to express sincere respect to those member states that will suffer such pains in the existing UN offices in their countries but still support the GSDM for a better cause. Therefore, we cannot overemphasize the importance of realizing the potential benefit and efficiency gains of the GSDM to its maximum, because it is in the interest of the UN and all the member states, and because undermining such benefits will be injustice to the sacrifices that the reform unavoidably entails.
 
For these reasons, my delegation firmly believes that the GSDM needs to be rightly and most efficiently designed. We should avoid creating unjustifiable inefficiencies due to political considerations, as it would not only waste our money but also be unfair to the affected. Therefore, I would like to stress that this Committee needs to discuss this agenda technically.
 
Madame Chair,
 
            Looking from such perspectives, my delegation is of the view that the Secretary-General’s proposal before us does not convince us that this is the best model to achieve highly effective and most efficient service delivery.
 
            In particular, we would like to understand the technical rationale behind establishing as many as four centers as opposed to less than four, whereas the key concept of the GSDM is consolidation and standardization of location-independent services. The Secretary-General’s revised proposal submitted during the seventy-second session proposed three locations. The past report submitted to the seventy-first session proposed a phased approach of consolidating into two locations. The JIU report describes cases of other UN system organizations where the majority opted for a single location. My delegation is keen to be enlightened with fully convincing explanation why four is the best solution compared to a fewer number of locations, in all aspects including effectiveness, efficiency and long-term benefits. In this connection, I would like to note that the General Assembly has never endorsed the “follow the sun” approach.
 
Madame Chair,
 
            As a strong supporter of the GSDM concept, my delegation stands ready to constructively engage with all other delegations on this important item for our collective benefit.
 
I thank you, Madame Chair.