第73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大塚参事官ステートメント

   
Madame Chair,
 
At the outset, my delegation would like to congratulate you for leading us to the conclusion of our work in the First Resumed Session without extending its term. Japan also supports you in making the work of this Committee even more efficient and effective.  
 
Japan will spare no effort to that end, and looks forward to working closely with you and all the members of the Bureau, the senior leadership of the UN, and all relevant staff, including the distinguished members of the Fifth Committee Secretariat.


Madame Chair,


The peacekeeping budget is of a time-bound nature as the fiscal year begins on July 1st, and as such, it is naturally the top priority and the focus of the Second Resumed Session of this Committee. My delegation attaches great importance to the effective, efficient and accountable management of UN Peacekeeping Operations. We believe that proper management is essential to ensure the effective operation, long-term sustainability and credibility of this Organization.
 
The peacekeeping budget requires a particularly high level of accountability. While we appreciate the measures taken by the Secretariat so far, we regret that a sufficient level of accountability has thus far not been provided, including details of the activities undertaken by non-mission entities, the division of labor between the missions and implementing partners based on their comparative advantages, and methods of resource mobilization. In this connection, we will request a more in depth elaboration of the expenditure of resources borne by assessed contributions, as well as their impacts, including performance, for us to scrutinize, and based on which we will consider the appropriate levels of resources for next year’s budgets for each mission.
 
Madame Chair,
 
We share the concern expressed by Secretary-General Guterres on the deteriorating financial health of the Organization, and will pay close attention to his proposals to address the problem. For our part, Japan will continue to fulfill its obligation as a major financial contributor to the United Nations. At the same time, Japan would like to call upon the Secretariat to make judicious use of limited budgetary resources, and to strictly adhere to budgetary discipline. Japan is ready to consider the proposals of the Secretary-General, but will take a cautious approach toward any request for additional financial resources from Member States.
 
Finally, let me assure you, Madame Chair, that my delegation will spare no effort in achieving consensus on all items in a timely fashion, sufficiently in advance of the next fiscal year.
 
I thank you, Madame Chair.