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Statement by H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Minami

Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

 

Agenda: Organization of Work

 Second Part of the Resumed Session of the 70th Session of the Fifth Committee

of the United Nations General Assembly

2 May 2016

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

          At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your strong leadership which led us to the completion of the first resumed session of this Committee on time and in a constructive spirit. I believe that under your able guidance we will be able to carry forward the positive energy of the first resumed session into this one, and agree on the set of budgets for the United Nations’ important activities for peace and security.

 

          My delegation attaches great importance to the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations and their effective, efficient and accountable performance. As such, we stand ready to engage in these negotiations with a view to achieving an agreement on budget levels and ensuring their effectiveness, efficiency and accountability. We believe that peacekeeping budget is the first priority in this session.

 

          In particular, with regard to accountability, conduct and discipline, the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse is regrettably again on our agenda. It is an issue of great concern that allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse persist in some peacekeeping operations, notably in the Central African Republic. While we strongly support Organization’s “zero-tolerance policy”, and welcome Security Council resolution 2272, my delegation looks forward to receiving further explanations and updates from the Secretariat, especially recently appointed Special Coordinator, Ms. Jane Holl Lute, on this matter.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

          As to the issue of revised estimates for the Programme Budget for the period 2016/17, my delegation wishes to stress that, on any issues coming to this Committee, adequate information including on mandates and procedural matters should be duly provided beforehand. Any proposals requiring for additional resources should be based on specific mandates agreed upon by the relevant intergovernmental body, and fully justified with sufficient explanations regarding how the existing resources are reprioritized and refocused to cover them. The more important the substantive issues are, the more critical it is to follow the proper process. My delegation believes that in order for us to arrive at right decisions all proposals should be fully documented and supplemented by justifications, and be given sufficient discussion time.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

          My delegation looks forward to participating in the negotiations positively and constructively toward achieving a consensus on all the agenda items by the scheduled deadline of this session.

 

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.