UNGA81 Fifth Committee Main Session
Statement delivered by H.E Ambassador James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
5 October 2026
Thank you, Chair. I have the honour to speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and my own country, Australia.
I congratulate you on assuming your responsibilities and convey appreciation for the work of the Bureau and Secretariat.
We welcome your pragmatic approach and will work with you to achieve a constructive and timely outcome. None of us should consider spending Christmas here a measure of success.
Member States should be proud of the meaningful reforms delivered through the Fifth Committee during the General Assembly’s 80th session – including 1 over USD 500 million in efficiencies and landmark financial reforms enabling the UN to retain approximately USD 1.2 billion.
These reforms are not an exercise in budget cutting, but in strengthening the UN's ability to deliver for the millions who depend on it.
Building on this progress, we must now determine where further change can enhance the UN’s capability, accountability and sustainability.
As we consider the 2027 Programme Budget, CANZ will support continued efficiencies, reduced duplication and stronger alignment between mandates, resources and delivery.
The Secretary-General's proposal provides a strong foundation.
We support continued progress across all three UN80 workstreams, including common administrative platforms; relocations guided by operational requirements and clear criteria, and fewer senior management posts, to streamline decision-making and strengthen organisational effectiveness.
We must also address the complexity in structures and mandates that have accumulated over time. The UN must be adequately resourced to deliver across all three pillars. This includes human rights mandates agreed by Member States.
The process of reform must extend beyond any single year or initiative.
We will look to the incoming Secretary-General and Secretariat leadership to sustain efforts to enhance the Organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness, including through new technologies, reduced duplication, stronger coordination, and a focus on Member State priorities.
We look forward to considering how the proposed 2028 Programme Budget can support further efficiencies and strengthen delivery.
Our goal must ultimately be establishing a culture of continuous improvement.
Chair, UN staff are the Organisation’s most valuable asset.
Human resources policies must sustain a skilled, diverse and agile workforce while containing costs.
We are disappointed that the International Civil Service Commission and the recommendations from the review of the common system compensation package did not fully respond to direction from the General Assembly at the 80th session.
This Committee must pursue substantive reforms to modernize UN staff salaries and benefits while supporting financial sustainability.
CANZ supports a simpler, more sustainable travel framework that delivers value for money while enabling essential travel, including to Small Island Developing States.
The Resident Coordinator system is a critical part of the United Nations' ability to deliver.
It requires predictable and sustainable financing, alongside reforms that strengthen coordination, responsiveness and delivery on the ground.
Strong oversight, accountability and transparency are essential to build confidence and trust in the Organisation.
CANZ remains committed to preventing and combating sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Any streamlining of senior management structures must preserve the effectiveness, integrity, visibility and independence of these critical functions.
Our commitment to efficiencies must also extend to our own working methods.
The work of this Committee is essential to the effective functioning of this Organisation. But it is also time, resource, and labour intensive.
CANZ will work with you, and with all member states, to complete our work in the most timely and resource-efficient manner possible.
Chair, the decisions we take this session will determine whether reform gains become lasting change.
We must deliver for those who rely on the UN and demonstrate sound stewardship of Member State contributions.
CANZ remains committed to working with all Member States to deliver forward-looking outcomes that strengthen the United Nations.
Thank you.