Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr. Chair,
Thank you for giving me the floor, I have the honour to speak today on behalf of Australia, Canada and my own country, New Zealand.
Allow me to thank Ms. Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance as well as the Controller, Mr Chandru Ramanathan for their comprehensive updates on the liquidity crisis. Also, for steering the Organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the persistent liquidity challenges the Organization is facing.
As the world continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and other complex adversities, the United Nations is as relevant as ever, allowing us to collectively address these challenges that transcend our national borders.
We would like to congratulate the Secretary-General on his reforms, which have enabled the United Nations to adapt quickly to these challenges facing the Organization. We also welcome the efficiencies and lessons learned from responding to this “new normal”.
It is positive to note that the number of Member States who have paid in full and on time has increased moderately compared to the same time last year.
Like any organization, the United Nations must have adequate and reliable resources to ensure mandate implementation. Sadly, the Secretary-General’s report shows 2021 is likely to have the lowest level of mandate implementation since 2010.
The Secretary-General and the Controller have both emphasized the critical point the Organization is at. The unpredictability of funding has created a cycle of instability and uncertainty, a “downward spiral”. The United Nations is being forced to operate on the directives of liquidity rather than strategic goals of the Organization.
This is not sustainable and must change.
Mr. Chair, CANZ has shown its full support and commitment to the United Nations by adhering to the legal obligation required of Member States to pay their assessments. In full, on time and without conditions.
We call upon all member states with outstanding assessments and arrears to pay their past dues as an urgent priority to ensure the Organization is provided with adequate resources and stability to implement the mandates that we, the Member States, have set.
We look forward to the forthcoming report with proposals from the Secretary-General to improve the liquidity situation of the United Nations. All Member States must consider these proposals carefully.
We will work with all Member States to find practical and realistic solutions to improve the financial situation, and to support the Secretary-General in addressing this long-standing problem.
Mr. Chair, to conclude, allow me to reiterate the commitment of CANZ to the financial sustainability of the United Nations, and our willingness to engage constructively in all deliberations on this matter.