General Assembly Fifth Committee 80th Second resumed session
Statement on behalf of CANZ (Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Delivered by Ambassador Mr. Michael Gort, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations
4 May 2026
Chair, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, New Zealand and my own country, Canada.
CANZ thanks the Secretary-General for the 2026-27 peacekeeping budget proposals, Ms. Gaspar Ruas and the members of the ACABQ for their reports, as well as you, Chair, and the members of the Bureau, for your leadership of the Committee’s work.
We also pay tribute to the women and men serving in UN peacekeeping operations around the world. We honour and mourn those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of sustainable and lasting peace. CANZ reiterates its condolences on the recent loss of French and Indonesian personnel. Peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel save lives; this work should never cost them their own.
Chair, CANZ remains deeply concerned by the severity and persistence of the 4 Organization’s liquidity crisis. This situation continues to constrain mandate delivery and undermine the effectiveness and predictability of UN operations, including in the field.
We echo the Secretary-General’s call for all Member States to pay their assessed contributions on time, in full, and without conditions. Australia, Canada and New Zealand consistently meet this obligation and urge all Member States to do the same.
CANZ also underscores the urgency of advancing concrete solutions to strengthen the Organization’s financial sustainability. In this regard, we welcome the information provided by the Secretariat on modifications to the methodology for calculating credits to be returned, based on actual revenues.
We continue to assess the technical aspects of the proposal but see potential for it to provide tangible near-term relief and contribute to greater financial stability, thereby enabling the UN to continue delivering on mandates that Member States have set and agreed funding for. CANZ will also continue to advocate for complementary measures to promote long-term financial stability for the Secretariat and to modernise the Financial Rules and Regulations.
Chair, the Second Resumed Session presents a critical and timely opportunity to address these budgetary challenges.
Peacekeeping missions are operating in increasingly volatile and complex environments. These pressures are further compounded by significant liquidity constraints, with direct consequences for mandate delivery and operational effectiveness.
In this context, CANZ emphasizes the importance of adequate and predictable resourcing for peacekeeping operations, aligned with mandates approved by the Security Council.
CANZ appreciates the Secretary-General’s efforts, in line with the UN80 initiative, to reduce duplication, strengthen coordination, and enhance the cost-effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. We stress that such efficiencies must remain clearly focused on delivering results in the field and ensuring missions are equipped to meet current and emerging challenges.
CANZ was encouraged by the successful outcomes of the Contingent Owned Equipment Working Group negotiations. The integration of gender-responsive hygiene considerations in the COE framework is a practical step toward reducing barriers to women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and fostering safer, more inclusive missions. Advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda is central to operational effectiveness and sustainable peace.
Building on this progress, CANZ underscores the importance of providing regular and comprehensive policy direction on peacekeeping issues.
CANZ remains firmly committed to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment across the UN system. We commend the Joint Inspection Unit and welcome its recommendations. Protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment is core business and must be implemented through a consistent victim-survivor‑centered approach, supported by sustained leadership and appropriate resourcing.
CANZ also stresses the need for adequate resourcing of protection mandates including protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, child protection, preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence, and the protection and promotion of human rights.
Equally, CANZ highlights the importance of strengthening peacekeeper safety and security, including through appropriate tools, training and capabilities.
Chair, CANZ looks forward to engaging constructively with all Member States to achieve pragmatic, practical and consensus-based outcomes that safeguard the financial sustainability of the Organization and strengthen the effectiveness and impact of UN operations now and for the future.
Thank you.