Closed peacekeeping missions

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA BY MS. SONDRA CHEONG, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 146: ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY ASPECTS OF THE FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS - UPDATED FINANCIAL POSITION OF CLOSED PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS AS AT 30 JUNE 2019, AT THE SECOND RESUMED PART OF THE SEVENTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (New York, 4 May 2020)

Mr. Chair

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on Agenda Item 146: Administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations: Updated financial position of Closed Peacekeeping Missions as at 30 June 2019.

2. From the outset, the Group of 77 and China expresses its appreciation to the Secretariat and the Advisory Committee for introducing their related reports.

3. The group notes that the General assembly has deferred consideration of the reports of the Secretary General and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions on the closed peace keeping missions for eight consecutive times since the presentation of the first report at the sixty-sixth session, in 2012. The report we are considering in this session constitutes the ninth update by the Secretary General on the financial status of the closed peacekeeping missions.

Mr. Chair

4. The Group continues to express its concern at the cash deficit situation in the five closed peacekeeping missions whose net cash deficits stood at $85.6 million as at 30 June 2019. These missions have been in this cash deficit situation for far too long and as a result they have not been able to honour the outstanding claims owed to police and troop-contributing countries. Furthermore, the twenty-nine closed peace keeping missions owe troop contributing countries a combined total of $81.4million, with the five missions in cash deficit accounting for 77.4 per cent of this amount. This precarious situation has been occasioned by non-payment of assessed contributions by some member states. The Group underscores its long-standing position that outstanding claims owed by troop- and police-contributing countries by closed peacekeeping missions should be settled in a timely fashion.

5. The group wishes to extend its appreciation to the members states who honoured their obligations and paid their outstanding dues to the closed peace keeping missions last financial year. However, the Group reiterates its call that all Member States should fulfill their financial obligations as set out in the Charter of the United Nations in full, without conditions and in a timely manner.

Mr. Chair

6. The Group notes that borrowing from closed peace keeping missions with cash surpluses has continued to serve as a liquidity reserve for both peace keeping operations and regular budget operations. Since June 2015, the borrowing had more than doubled, from $23.5million to $49.0 million in June 2019. Following the adoption of the General Assembly resolution 73/307 on improving the financial situation of the United Nations which approved the cash pooling-mechanism on a trial basis, for three budget periods, the situation seems to have improved, with a reduction in loans and an increase in the net cash surplus of closed peacekeeping missions. The Group however believes that there is need to comprehensively and sustainably address the liquidity constraints facing the organization.

7. In closing, Mr. Chair, the Group wishes to assure you that it will engage constructively on this important issue and looks forward a consensual outcome.

8. I thank you Mr. Chair