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Statement by H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Minami
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Agenda: Organization of Work
Main Part of the Seventieth Session of the Fifth Committee
Of the United Nations General Assembly
8 October 2015
Mr. Chairman,
I would first like to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your elections. I believe your able guidance and leadership will lead us to a successful conclusion of this session.
In the past two years, the Fifth Committee set unfortunate precedents of extending the session past Christmas. We must not repeat this again this year. In the course of first and second parts of the resumed session of 69th session, mutual trust has been enhanced among the Member States. Therefore, I am confident that we can reach a consensus and conclude the session on time, especially by keeping our Q&A sessions to a minimum and starting “real” negotiations as early as possible.
I would also like to remind all my colleagues of the important GA resolution 41/213 adopted in 1986. Since then, the Fifth Committee has kept the tradition of deciding financial matters by consensus. We must respect this principle and not undermine it in any manner.
Mr. Chairman,
This year is the lunar year of the Fifth Committee which comes every six years, whereby we are faced with both the Scales and the Regular Budget at the same time. In addition to these, we have before us many other pressing and complex agenda items, such as common system, various construction issues and several management reform initiatives. We look forward to having a constructive discussion on all agenda items with a view to achieving our common goal: a more efficient and effective United Nations.
Finally, let me assure you, Mr. Chairman, of my delegation’s willingness to participate in the negotiations positively and constructively toward achieving consensus on all agenda items by the scheduled deadline.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
