Remarks by the President of the General Assembly
Mr. Philémon Yang
Fifth Committee, 2nd meeting – General Assembly, 79th session
8 October 2024
[As Delivered]
Your Excellency Ms. Egriselda Aracely González López, ambassador, Permanent Representative of El Salvador, United Nations, Chair of the Fifth Committee,
Mr. Abdallah Bachar Bong, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions,
Excellencies,
Dear Ambassadors,
Distinguished Delegates,
Let me start by expressing my warm congratulations to you, Madame Chair, and the bureau members on your well-deserved election.
Your long experience on matters related to the work of this Committee will certainly help to not just conclude the Committee’s work in a timely manner but will also produce tangible outcomes in our common quest for progress on administrative and budgetary matters within the United Nations.
I thank the Secretariat of the Committee for its effective support to the conduct of the Fifth Committee’s business.
The assistance of the Secretariat in the work and success of the Committee is of utmost importance to all of us.
And I further thank the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for its important and complementary contribution to deliberations of the Fifth Committee.
The inputs of the Advisory Committee do indeed help the Committee in making well informed decisions. This is very much appreciated.
Excellencies,
Without a doubt, administrative and budgetary matters are the backbone of any organization.
The United Nations is no exception.
While the last decade has proven to be a difficult period for multilateralism, still we have the duty to set aside political differences and continue working together towards consensus – as has been the tradition of the Fifth Committee – to keep this Organization, I mean the United Nations, running smoothly.
We cannot afford paralysis in administrative and budgetary matters because it will plunge the Organization into crisis.
I therefore appeal to you, wonderful Fifth Committee delegates, to collaborate and demonstrate utmost flexibility in order to reach an effective outcome in a timely manner. We count on all of you.
I also encourage you to liaise with your colleagues in the thematic committees so as to be better informed on matters that come to you for ultimate administrative and budgetary decisions on behalf of the United Nations.
Madame Chair,
While all work in the Fifth Committee is imperative, I would like to touch upon three critical questions.
First, as annually required, the Committee must adopt the 2025 programme budget by the end of this year, hopefully well before the set deadline.
On this issue, I must say, “Budget is one thing; cash is another thing.”
The United Nations cannot function properly without necessary resources from Member States.
Failure to provide adequate funds will come back to you, Member States, as it will be impossible to implement any mandate.
I strongly urge you not only to adopt a realistic and implementable budget, but also to plead with your capitals to pay the assessed contributions in full, on time, and without conditions.
Second, Member States during this session will negotiate the scales of assessment, in line with the established triennial cycle.
The recommendations by the Committee of Contributions on the scales for 2025 to 2028 are based on agreed, objective criteria and should guide your deliberations on that matter.
I trust that Member States will agree on the scales as early as possible, allowing delegates to focus on the proposed budget and other pressing matters.
And third, discussions on the Resident Coordinator system have been underway in relation to the allocation of funds from the regular budget.
I am aware that there are differences in views on this important and sensitive matter.
It is my hope that consultations will be widely held and exhausted before making any decision, to avoid creating further divisions among Member States.
I encourage delegates to demonstrate maximum flexibility and commitment towards strengthening the United Nations system, keeping both effectiveness and accountability in mind.
If we want a United Nations that is active in the field, in support of country efforts, particularly with regard to the full and effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, support to the Resident Coordinator system is key in this collective endeavour.
Let me conclude by wishing you fruitful deliberations and a timely, successful conclusion to your work.
I thank you.
*****
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