Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly
New York,
October 22, 2021
His Excellency, Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations and Chair of the Fifth Committee,
Distinguished delegates,
“All roads lead to the Fifth Committee,” I was told. I am therefore delighted to address the Fifth Committee today.
I warmly congratulate Ambassador Margaryan, as well as all Bureau Members, on your elections to the Fifth Committee.
Let me also commend the efficiency and support that the Secretariat, led by Mr. Lionel Berridge, has consistently demonstrated.
Distinguished delegates,
In a continuing pandemic environment, the Fifth Committee has led the way in achieving consensus and dialogue through constructive engagements.
Whether driven by the mandate to help implement the 2030 Agenda, or the mandate to tackle an ambitious UN reform agenda, the Fifth Committee delivers and delivers consistently.
Quite frankly, the United Nations’ operations cannot effectively and efficiently function without the Fifth Committee’s work. It is, undoubtedly, the “engine” of the General Assembly.
Excellencies, we need that engine running smoothly and efficiently this year.
The 76th session of the UNGA is especially crucial.
It will be the first time the Committee will have to consider the scales of assessment alongside the annual regular budget. This is particularly important given the context we are in.
Dear colleagues, I need not remind you that we are emerging from a global pandemic that has devastated lives and livelihoods, decimated economies, and led to friction around the world.
The eyes of the world are on the UN. This is not the year for us to dither or delay; this is the year that we must act, that we must demonstrate that we can act. That is what will reignite the sense of hope and optimism in our world, that is what will address the challenges we face.
With this in mind, I have three main “asks” for the Fifth Committee:
- First, I would encourage all Member States to kindly fulfil their annual contributions on time and in full. The Organization continues to face liquidity crisis. This, in turn, impacts on mandate delivery especially for countries in special situations. We all have to do our bit to keep multilateralism flying.
- Second, I encourage you to focus on in-person formal and informal meetings to ensure more efficiency and effectiveness for the vital work of the Committee. I hope and would encourage that the Committee completes its work on the Programme Budget and the Scale of Assessments in a timely manner even under these extraordinary circumstances. I hope you will all agree that Christmas and New Year holidays will not be the same without the 5th Committee completing its work.
In this context, I would also sincerely urge you to continue your work on the budget without delay in parallel to any discussion related to programme planning.
- Third, I encourage the committee to consider the Secretary-General’s proposal as outlined in Our Common Agenda, to “identify ways to improve the budget process, especially in how we formulate and communicate the results that we hope to do and accomplish.”
Distinguished delegates,
As the Fifth Committee continues its important work to expand efficiency and transparency, let us be guided by the principle that “Humanity must be at the centre of all our efforts.”
Let us continue to observe innovative working methods to deliver for people, for planet and for prosperity.
Let us work together to achieve a meaningful session under a Presidency of Hope.
I thank you.
Throughout our disarmament efforts, it is my conviction that women and youth can make a meaningful contribution. Let us take special pains to ensure that women and youth, as well as civil society, are more actively engaged in this work going forward.
