Statement by H.E. Ambassador Jun Yamazaki

Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations

 

Fifth Committee

Main Part of the Sixty-Eighth Session of the United Nations General Assembly

3 October 2013

Mr. Chairman,

 

            At the outset, my delegation would like to congratulate you and other members of the Bureau on your election.  I would like to especially commend the Chair for assuming a very important position.  I believe that we collectively owe it to you to work together so that we can get the work done within the allocated time.  My delegation looks forward to working closely with you and other Bureau members.

 

As we begin the Fifth Committee work in the 68th session of the General Assembly, I would like to touch upon a few points.

 

            First, this main session is scheduled to consider the 2012-2013 budget as well as the 2014-2015 budget proposal.  In order to ensure budgetary discipline, my delegation will carefully analyze and judge the appropriateness and affordability of all potential additional requirements to the current budget as well as the proposed programme budget 2014-2015.

 

Second, human resources management issues including the proposed mobility framework as well as common system issues are also to be discussed during this session.  As these items have great impact on the future of this Organization, my delegation will actively and positively participate in the negotiations on these items.

 

Third, my delegation would like to express its appreciation for the Secretary-General’s continued and strong commitment to better manage the Secretariat and the UN facilities. My delegation attaches great importance to the steady implementation of the UMOJA and IPSAS projects and looks forward to discussing the Capital Master Plan and the Strategic Heritage Plan.

 

Fourth, we will discuss special political missions budgets and some peacekeeping operations budgets including MINUSMA at this session.  My delegation looks forward to working together with other delegations to ensure effective and efficient running of each mission.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

            Allow me to conclude by saying that my delegation will engage in all the discussions of this session in a positive and constructive manner.  We look forward to achieving consensus on all items by December 13.  In this context, my delegation looks forward to receiving reports of the Secretary-General in a timely manner.  

 

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.