13 May 2010
STATEMENT BY MR CRAIG LIM, COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 134: IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, FIFTH COMMITTEE, 13 MAY 2010
Mr Chairman,
1 My delegation would like to express our appreciation to the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Ms Angela Kane, for her comprehensive presentation last Friday, 7 May 2010, on agenda item 134: Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations.
2 Singapore is encouraged to hear the news that unpaid assessments by Member States to the Organization has largely dropped this past year. Particularly significant is the fact that unpaid assessments for Peacekeeping has fallen from US$2.884 billion in 2008 to US$1.853 billion in 2009. The reduced amount of unpaid assessments for the Regular Budget, from US$417 million in 2008 to US$335 million in 2009, is also welcomed news. The level of overall unpaid assessments year-on-year as of 30 April has also improved across all categories, with the sum total for 2010 bettering the figure for 2009 by just over US$1 billion. We applaud the efforts made by the Member States who have paid their dues to the United Nations in this timely fashion, particularly when many are facing challenging conditions and difficult situations due to the global financial crisis. In addition, we wish to acknowledge the major contributors for reducing the amount of their unpaid assessments.
3 The above notwithstanding, the financial situation of the United Nations remains far from ideal. We should not be patting ourselves on the back for partly closing the arrears gap when no such shortage should exist in the first place. In this regard, Member States, especially the major contributors, must each play their part to ensure that the Organization is provided for in a timely and predictable manner. We certainly hope that the Organization can continue to report a reduction in the levels of outstanding assessed contributions in the coming years.
4 At the same time, as Member States fulfill our obligations, so too must the Secretariat improve its efficiency and accountability in its use of our resources. Singapore maintains that there is an onus on the Secretariat to reciprocate Member States' improved commitment to the Organization and discipline in the disbursement of assessed contributions, by strengthening accountability and effectiveness in the delivery of results. With national treasuries under tremendous financial pressure everywhere, it is incumbent on Member States to insist on value for our money from the Secretariat.
Mr Chairman,
5 While we have reason for a little optimism based on the report presented by Under-Secretary-General Kane, we should be mindful of the need to exercise greater fiscal prudence and discipline given the growth of the Organization's budget. We do acknowledge that there are increasing demands on the Organization. However, we note that there has often been limited transparency in many of the decision-making processes that lead to the establishment of mandates, which correlates with calls for more resources. This is clearly an issue that Singapore has a deep interest in, and we will endeavour to engage actively in future deliberations on the matter. Thank you.
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