(As delivered)

 

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Minami

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

 

Agenda item 134: Proposed Programme Budget: biennium 2016-2017

 Main Part of the Seventieth Session of the Fifth Committee

Of the United Nations General Assembly

12 October 2015

 

 

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

 

          At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, the President of General Assembly for his presence and also for his remarks. My delegation welcomes the intention of the President to be engaged with the Fifth committee negotiations, so that we are able to reach consensual agreement in a timely manner.  I would like to express my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his introduction of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2016-2017.  I would also like to thank Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr. Gérard Biraud, Inspector of the Joint Inspection Unit,  and Mr. Kenneth Herman, UN-CEB,  for introducing their reports.

 

          Japan, as the second largest financial contributor to the United Nations for the last three decades, attaches great importance to the UN budget, which enables this Organization to function. Japan fully supports the UN in delivering its mandate; I cannot emphasize this any more strongly.

 

          However, at the same time, I cannot also emphasize more strongly that every single dollar spent by this Organization comes from the taxpayers of the Member States. A more efficient and leaner UN would ultimately be a much stronger UN. My delegation is one hundred percent behind the Secretary-General’s effort to “do more with less.” In this connection, we support his initiative to freeze 81 posts as part of benefits realization of Umoja, while urging him to identify further posts which can be abolished without compromising the Organization’s ability to deliver its mandate.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

          I recall that in December of last year the Fifth Committee agreed on a budget outline of 5.558 billion dollars. Japan notes the Secretary-General’s efforts in trying to observe this outline—the proposed budget did exceed the approved envelope, but not by much. More concern lies in recosting and add-ons.

 

          The preliminary recosting for the 2016-2017 budget is already estimated at 125 million dollars. There are better ways to manage exchange rate fluctuation and inflation, which many national governments and international organizations are implementing. My delegation is eager to work with all colleagues to find a better solution.

 

          We are also concerned with possible add-ons. Although we are very supportive of the 2030 Development Agenda for Sustainable Development, the report of the High-Level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, the Peacebuilding Architecture Review and so on, efforts should be made to absorb such add-ons to the greatest extent possible. At the same time, the Secretary-General is requested to provide information on PBIs and revised estimates well in advance of any decision making.

 

          Finally, Mr. Chairman, my delegation is committed to participate positively and constructively in the negotiations toward achieving consensus on this important agenda item under your esteemed leadership.

 

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.