Statement by Shannon White, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Australia: Fifth Committee on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand on Item 118: Programme Budget for the Biennium 2008–09 – Safety and Security
Monday 11 May 2009
(As delivered)
Thank you Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I would first like to thank the Under Secretary-General for Safety and Security, Sir David Veness, for the introduction of the reports of the Secretary General on a strengthened and unified security management system for the United Nation. I would also thank Mr Kenneth Hermann, Senior Advisor, Information Management Policy Coordination, Ms Inga-Britt Ahlenius, Under-Secretary General for Internal Oversight Services and Ms Susan McClurg, Chairperson of the ACABQ, for introducing their respective reports.
Mr. Chairman,
The tragic attacks of 11 December 2007 on the UN premises in Algiers once again reminded us of the risk that UN staff face while serving the Organisation. While absolute security is never be possible, it is the duty not only of the Secretary-General, but also of Member States to ensure that security conditions are adequate and constantly improving.
This is a challenging goal, as the security environment for the United Nations has never been more threatening, particularly as peacekeeping and humanitarian missions are mandated to operate in increasingly volatile settings.
The creation of the Department of Safety and Security was an important first step in ensuring a systematic and professional approach to staff safety and security. However, with over 140,000 civilian UN staff and associated personnel, as well as 300,000 dependents in more than 180 countries around the globe, the task of providing this security is an enormous challenge.
Mr.Chairman,
In its resolution 61/263, this Committee emphasized the need for a comprehensive safety and security policy framework. Since that time there have been a number of reports, including from the OIOS and the Independent Panel on Safety and Security that have echoed the need to review operations to better define roles and responsibilities with clear lines of accountability and, in this regard, we are also awaiting the outcomes of the management review due this month.
Ideally we would like to be in a position now to consider the forthcoming comprehensive report on the safety and security policy framework of the United Nations. However, we understand that the need to review safety and security policy and procedures in light of the tragic events in Algiers has caused significant delays.
Our delegations urge the Secretary-General to complete this report as soon as possible. Member States need to be able to consider all aspects of the strengthening of safety and security, including related management and financial challenges, in an integrated and timely manner if we are to ensure UN staff are provided with the necessary protection.
Mr. Chairman,
While a comprehensive approach to security has not yet been presented for our consideration, the Secretary-General has outlined a number of areas that require our immediate attention.
Our delegations would prefer to follow the advice of the Independent Panel on Safety and Security, that additional human and financial resources should only be determined following a management review. However, we concur with the Secretary General that there are a number of discrete areas where immediate action is not only justified, but urgently needed.
We concur with the ACABQ that the work already started on the PACT I and II needs to be continued, and we look forward to receiving the revised resource requirements from the Secretariat. We also agree that security situations in relation to the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, the UN Truce Supervision Organisation and the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East represent particular challenges that need to be dealt with immediately.
Our delegations also feel that where UN operations in remote locations are vulnerable, there is an even more urgent need to provide for their security. In particular, we feel that some strengthening of security analytical capacity is warranted.
Mr. Chairman,
As we consider this request, let us never forget that we have a collective responsibility to the men and women working for the UN system around the world, responding to global peace and development challenges. Among our duties as managers of the institution that has sent them to do this vital work, none is more important and urgent than the duty to provide for their safety and security.
While we would all prefer to have received one proposal for a comprehensive security approach, the reality is that the safety of UN staff and associated personnel is too important to delay. We urge other delegations to give appropriate consideration to the proposal before us, and look forward to working constructively with our colleagues on this important matter.
Thank you Mr. Chairman