Statement by Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, Parliamentary Advisor to the Australian delegation to the United Nations, on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, to the Fifth Committee of the United Nations on Item 130: Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations
(As Delivered)
15 November 2007
Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to speak today on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Our delegations thank UN Controller Warren Sach for his presentation on 7 November detailing the financial situation of the UN as at 31 October 2007, including projections through to 31 December 2007. As Mr Sach said, the picture is mixed and CANZ believe that more should be done, by Member States, to improve the financial situation of the UN.
Mr Chairman,
The Committee discusses this item twice a year which reflects the importance of the subject matter. However, it appears to the CANZ delegations that things do not seem to improve. The overall picture is usually mixed, although sometimes it’s dire. Some Member States, 22 this time around, fulfil their Charter obligations and pay their assessed contributions in full and on time. Many others, the majority in fact, pay most of their dues. And some don’t come close to paying in full or on time.
It appears the only certainty for the UN is budgetary shortfall.
The UN Charter is very clear on the matter of finances for the Organisation. It is the responsibility of each Member State to bear its portion of the expenses of the Organisation. The Member States are the UN’s revenue stream – if the stream becomes a trickle, it is because we, the Member States, have turned off the tap.
Mr Chairman,
CANZ call on the membership to break the cycle of under and non-payment. We must meet our obligations and provide resources to enable the UN to discharge the mandates that we bestow.
CANZ understand that governments may find it difficult to fulfill each and every financial obligation that they have, both domestically and internationally; our own governments are no different.
Indeed, this point is even more pertinent in the current climate of budget growth and Mr Sach was very clear on this matter: assessments have risen and so too have unpaid assessments. The net result is that this year, the Organisation has had to do more with less. This is problematic.
While the UN has some mechanisms to stop-gap these shortfalls, such measures are limited and are at best temporary. They also penalise the Member States and result in the UN’s late repayment of debt and unencumbered balances which affects, in particular, troop contributing countries and those who pay in full.
CANZ believe member states can do more, both individually and collectively. We should pay in full and on time. The Fifth Committee must pursue budget discipline and efficiency. Other inter-governmental processes, such as the Committee for Programme and Coordination and discussions on mandate review, can eliminate duplicative and unnecessary activities. We must encourage a system whereby the Secretariat is rewarded, not penalised, for finding savings.
Mr Chairman,
CANZ will continue to work cooperatively with the membership to ensure the UN is equipped to perform tasks vital to the well-being of member states and the global community.