– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

18 October 2019

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

It is an honour to address the Fifth Committee. I congratulate the Chair, Ambassador Andreas Mvroyiannis, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, and the other Members of the Bureau on their election.

I have great confidence in you, the Bureau, and the Secretariat ably led by Mr. Lionel Berridge, to advance the Committee’s work during the Seventy-Fourth Session.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

The impact of the work of this Committee cannot be overestimated. Decisions taken in this Committee affect the capacity of the United Nations to implement mandates provided by Member States. They shape the work under each of the three main pillars of the United Nations namely: peace and security; development; and human rights.

Fifth Committee decisions reflect the collective commitment of Member States to share the financial burden and to fund the mandated activities of the United Nations. I am confident that consensus will continue to be the decision-making practice in the Committee.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

You are fully aware, I am certain, of the greater urgency to work more diligently and cooperatively, as we make the hugely critical move to an annual budget, from our usual biennial one. The decision of the General Assembly to redouble efforts at implementation of the 2030 Agenda is critical here. Addressing the Programme Budget and the Programme Plan for 2020, will surely get us properly positioned for entry into the Decade of Action for SDG implementation.

The completion of your work in a timely and successful manner is, therefore, an important contribution in serving the people of the world.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

My team and I will follow deliberations and stand ready to support you to advance the work of this important Committee.

The decision of the General Assembly to redouble efforts at implementation of the 2030 Agenda is critical here. Addressing the Programme Budget and the Programme Plan for 2020, will surely get us properly positioned for entry into the Decade of Action for SDG implementation

Tijjani Muhammad Bande

President of the UN General Assembly

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

The UN is facing a liquidity crisis is fully aware. Let me join the Secretary-General in calling on all Member States to support the United Nations by fulfilling their commitments and obligations in accordance with the budget and the scale of assessment. We should do all our utmost to see that our states live up to this responsibility.

I am confident that by striving together we will succeed in delivering for all.

I thank you.