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Statement by Mr. Sho Ono

Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations

 

Agenda Item 132: Improving the financial situation of the United Nations

Main Part of Sixty-seventh Session

United Nations General Assembly

October 18, 2012

 

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

At the outset, my delegation would like to thank H.E. Mr. Yukio TAKASU Under-Secretary-General for Management, for providing a comprehensive overview of the financial situation of the United Nations.  I wish to briefly outline my delegation’s views on this issue.

 

First of all, it is the responsibility of every Member State to pay its assessment, in full and in a timely manner, pursuant to the Charter of the United Nations. The Government of Japan has faithfully fulfilled its obligation in spite of the great financial burdens we face. Japan’s determination to play an active role in maintaining international peace and prosperity remains unchanged and Japan will faithfully implement its international commitments.

 

Japan welcomes the statement by USG Mr. Takasu at the beginning of this session, that he is “very mindful of the dire financial situation of many Member States and the imperative to spend scarce resources prudently”. While the overview report states that “overall, financial indicators for 2012 are generally positive and sound”, Japan would like to reiterate its request to the Secretariat that it utilize the resources contributed by Member States further efficiently and effectively when it implements mandates from the legislative bodies of the Organization.  

 

At the same time, Japan would also like to call upon the Secretariat to seek further efficiency, taking into account the domestic efforts made by each Member State.  In this connection, my delegation would like to stress that the General Assembly should scrutinize potential additional requirements of the current budget as well as next biennium budget outline with a view to setting realistic levels of resources necessary to implement given mandates.

 

Finally, I would like to assure you, Mr. Chairman, that my delegation continues to actively engage in the discussions at the Main session in order to reach a consensus among Member States on all items by the scheduled end of this session based on sufficient explanation from the Secretariat on the proposed budgets.

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.