(As delivered)

Statement by Ms. Nobuko Iwatani
First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations

On agenda item 135: Programme Planning
Main Session of the Seventy-first Session
Of the United Nations General Assembly

30 September 2016

 

 

Thank you, Mme. Chair,

 

          I also wish to thank Mr. Johannes Huisman, Director, Programme Planning and Budget Division, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts and Mr. Mario Baez, Chief, Policy and Oversight Coordination Service, for introducing the reports under the agenda item 135 Programme Planning, namely A/71/6 and A/71/85, and A/71/75, respectively.  I also thank the chair of CPC who cannot be here today, for her able conduct during the session.

 

          My delegation would like to refer to these reports before us, including the report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC). My delegation commends the tireless efforts of the Member States to hold intensive and fruitful discussions on the programmes of the proposed strategic framework for the period 2018-2019, during the fifty-sixth session of the CPC in June. We also appreciate the continuous support of the Secretariat of the CPC during the aforementioned session to conclude the negotiations on all agenda items and to adopt the report of the CPC, as contained in document A/71/16.

 

          Having taken part in the negotiations in June, my delegation supports conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the CPC, and is ready to engage constructively in discussions on this agenda item in order to reach a positive outcome, as well as the discussion on the 2018-2019 biennium programme budget.

 

Mme. Chair,

 

          Japan reiterates the significant role and functions the CPC plays in the process of drawing up the regular budget of the United Nations, seeking further efficiencies and cost-effectiveness in the regular budget, including by carefully examining the legislative mandates and proposed programmes as well as identifying areas of overlap or duplication throughout the system. My delegation will continue to actively participate in the deliberations of the CPC in coming years.

 

Thank you, Mme. Chair.