(Check against delivery)
Statement by Ms. Nobuko Iwatani
Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
Agenda item 132: Review of efficiency: Accountability
Fifth Committee
First Part of the resumed session of the Seventieth Session
of the United Nations General Assembly
8 March 2016
Thank you, Mr. Chairman
My delegation would like to thank Under-Secretary-General for Management Mr. Yukio Takasu for introducing the Secretary-General’s fifth progress report on the Accountability system in the United Nation, and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Mr. Carlos Ruiz Massieu, for introducing his Committee’s report on this subject.
As my delegation has stated in the past, Japan continues to attach great importance to strengthening accountability in the United Nations Secretariat. Japan welcomes the progress that has been made so far in establishing structures and systems which, if utilized in the manner intended, can provide management and the governing bodies’ elements for a viable accountability framework. At the same time, we agree with the Advisory Committee that additional practical measures should be introduced to ensure that the different elements other than management and governing bodies’ element lead to progress with respect to ensuring improved institutional and personal accountability in the future.
Regarding specific issues in the Secretary-General’s report, I would like to touch upon some points this morning.
First, a series of steps taken as well as those to be taken are explained in the Secretary-General’s report, including those regarding Enterprise Risk Management and Results-based Management. They are presented as being taken within approved resources. I would appreciate the indication from the Secretariat on initiatives which would potentially require additional resources, if any.
Second, on Result-based Management (RBM), the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General in its resolution A/RES/69/272 paragraph 14 a detailed plan, with a fixed time frame and clear milestones, for the implementation of result-based management as part of the regular functioning of the Organization. My delegation looks forward to such a plan which the Secretariat develops following the completion of the design of Umoja Extension 2, as well as any updates.
Third, Japan shares the concern by the Advisory Committee that the Secretary-General has not yet taken steps to refine and revise the policy against retaliation to provide protection for whistle-blowers following the external expert review in 2014. The revision of the policy against retaliation needs to be finalized without further delay.
Fourth, on Enterprise Risk Management, my delegation notes the comment by the Advisory Committee that “risk treatment and response plan” lacks operational precision and does not, in fact, include a “response plan” which would set out measures to hold senior managers accountable for handling the risks associated with their respective areas of responsibility. My delegation is interested in any additional explanation on a concrete timeframe of the “risk treatment plan” or action plan regarding Risks identified respectively, as well as on progress in implementation of enterprise risk management in five field entities, which are expected to be completed soon.
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation supports a series of observations made by the ACABQ including these, and is interested in following them up during the informal consultation that will start this afternoon. Japan is ready to engage constructively in discussion on all aspects of this agenda item during the informal consultations with a view to achieve further feasible and practical improvements in accountability at the United Nations.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
