United Nations General Assembly: Fifth Committee
5 June 2007
Item 132: Administrative and budgetary aspects of financing UN Peacekeeping Operations: Strengthening the capacity of the UN to manage and sustain peace operations
Statement by Edwina Stevens
First Secretary
Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations
On behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
(As delivered)
Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand and Australia. We thank Ms Barcena, USG for Management, and Mr Guéhenno, USG for Peacekeeping Operations, for the introduction of the Secretary-General’s Comprehensive report on strengthening the capacity of the United Nations to manage and sustain peace operations, as well as Ms Ahlenius, USG for OIOS and Mr Saha, Chairman of the ACABQ, for the introduction of their related reports.
CANZ approach this item with the principle that it is the member states’ responsibility to conduct thorough and detailed analysis of the Secretary-General’s proposals. The work of the ACABQ is helpful, but clearly does not abrogate the decision-making role of the General Assembly.
Mr Chairman
On 15 March, the General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting the Secretary-General’s objective to strengthen UN capacity to manage, sustain and increase the effectiveness of peacekeeping activities, by inter alia, establishing a Department of Field Support, and requested a comprehensive report on the matter. CANZ supported that resolution. We have the Secretary-General’s response before us today, along with the related ACABQ report. The Secretary-General’s proposal encompasses three elements: restructure; reform; and, strengthening the Secretariat’s capacity to manage the current, sustained surge in peacekeeping.
Mr Chairman
First of all, CANZ believe that member states have a responsibility to follow through on the General Assembly resolution, and constructively respond to the Secretary-General’s restructuring proposals. We recognise these proposals are substantial and costly, but equally that there is an imperative to support the Secretary-General’s initiatives and enable implementation of reforms designed to strengthen UN operations.
Secondly, the reports call for resources to provide systemic improvements to reform, reinforce and improve peacekeeping management, many of which are not new. It has been seven years since we considered the Brahimi report which assessed the shortcomings of the existing system and made frank, specific and realistic recommendations for change. Outstanding recommendations from the report have since been incorporated into the Peace Operations 2010 reform agenda, which in turn has provided the basis for the proposals before us today. The Integrated Operational Teams are just one example of reform which is desirable and overdue.
And thirdly, the reports before us also document well that the United Nations’ work in peacekeeping has grown at an unprecedented pace and shows no sign of abatement. It is also true that the Secretariat Headquarters has not seen commensurate growth in its resources to effectively and capably support these operations. The member states have a responsibility to equip the Secretariat with the resources it needs to fulfil the mandates which we have bestowed upon it. In other words, we must respond to the surge.
Mr Chairman
We acknowledge that we do not have much time to consider these reports. That said, we do have enough time to provide the Secretariat some much-needed resources.
CANZ want to make strategic and meaningful decisions which broadly address the three elements of the Secretary-General’s proposal.
If we are to resource the Department of Field Support, as proposed by the Secretary-General, we must resource it in a manner which will allow it to truly operate in step with its design. We will respond accordingly to meet the surge. Management needs reinforcement. The military and police capacity of the Secretariat requires strengthening. Integrated teams should provide coherent, integrated and timely support for missions and we will support the concept. The case for an Office of the Rule of Law is strong and has our support. We also believe the relationship with the Department of Political Affairs could be improved.
Mr Chairman
The proposal is not just about resources, it is also about improving the system and making it work better. We expect best practice. We expect the Secretary-General to improve the working methods of the organization - additional resources cannot strengthen systemic weakness. Existing resources must be used effectively, as must existing capacities. We will seek reassurance on points such as unity of command, ICT and possible duplication of functions. We will also welcome further clarification of the benefits expected to flow from the creation of a parallel procurement function.
CANZ remain committed to equipping the Secretariat with the resources it needs to operate effectively and efficiently. CANZ will also be prudent on expenditure. We will not support unnecessary costs. This means we will support extra resources that stand the test of critical analysis. In return, we expect results, we expect accountability.
CANZ look forward to working with member states and the Secretariat on this very important proposal.
Thank you