(As delivered)

 

Statement by Mr. Katsuhiko Imada

Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations

 

Agenda Item 136: Improving the financial situation of the United Nations

Second Part of the Resumed Session of the 70th Session of the General Assembly

11 May 2016

 

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

          At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Yukio Takasu, Under-Secretary-General for Management, for providing an update on the financial situation of the United Nations including today’s additional information.

 

          Notwithstanding the fact that Japan’s budget cycle is different from that of the United Nations, my delegation is especially proud to note that, as Mr. Takasu mentioned in his presentation last week, Japan has paid all assessments that are due and payable in full for the Regular Budget, the Peacekeeping Operations, the International Tribunals and the Capital Master Plan. We have made all these payments in a timely manner because we recognize that it is the responsibility of the Member States to pay their assessments in full and on time. Japan has once again discharged its international commitment to contribute to international peace and prosperity, in spite of the long-standing domestic financial difficulties and the recent trend of exchange rates.

 

          My delegation notes with great appreciation the Secretariat’s many efforts to utilize resources in an efficient and effective manner. As the Under-Secretary-General mentioned, we expect the Secretariat to continue to closely monitor the cash position of the regular budget and inform the General Assembly appropriately.

 

          Additionally, though we appreciate the Secretariat’s continued efforts to implement Umoja, which is still in its transition period, my delegation expects the Secretariat to share all necessary relevant information with the Member States in a timely manner. More specifically, allow me to point out that we are experiencing difficulties in receiving timely and complete information on the “Status on Contribution”, which is maintained by the Contribution Division. We remind the Secretariat that is important for us, the Member States, to ensure accountability to our taxpayers as part of our efforts to pay our assessments on time.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

          In closing, my delegation would like to reiterate its request that the budget approved by the General Assembly as necessary for the Secretariat to implement its given mandates continue to be utilized in the most efficient, effective and accountable manner.

 

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.