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Statement by Mr. Mondo Yamamoto

Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations

 

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

The Second Resumed Session of the Sixty-seventh Session

United Nations General Assembly

May 16, 2013

 

 

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 financial difficulties we have been experiencing in recent years. Japan’s determination to play an active role in maintaining international peace and prosperity remains unchanged, and we shall continue to strive to fulfill our international commitments.

 

Taking this opportunity, I am glad to inform you that our national budget for fiscal year 2013 was approved by the Diet of Japan on May 15, just yesterday, and within days the Government of Japan will settle all outstanding payments for the regular budget, peacekeeping operations and tribunals, as reported by the Secretariat on May 10.

 

At the same time, Japan would 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 carefully analyze the Secretary-General’s budget proposals with a view to setting realistic levels of resources necessary to implement the given mandates.

 

Finally, I would like to assure you, Mr. Chairman, that my delegation continues to actively engage in the discussions at the second resumed 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.