Statement by the representative of the Russian Federation Mr. Evgeny Kalugin during the second part of the resumed 75th session of the General Assembly Fifth Committee under agenda item 143 “Improving the Financial Situation of the UNˮ
Mr. Chair,
I would like to thank Ms. Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, for the detailed information on the financial situation of the United Nations.
The late payment of contributions by Member States has a negative impact on the functioning of the UN, including the results of its work.
We definitely welcome the efforts of Ms. Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, and Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, UN Controller, to actively engage with Member States having arrears with a view to receiving contributions in full from them as soon as possible. We would like to underline that the work of Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, UN Controller, aimed at receiving payments from Member States is founded on a systematic basis.
The approach of the Secretariat is effective, which is confirmed by concrete results. In practice, it reflects a significant improvement in the financial situation of the UN. The positive changes – especially with regard to the UN Regular Budget – are noticeable in comparison with previous years.
There is an increase in the number of Member States which have transferred their contributions in full to the UN Regular and Peacekeeping Budgets. As a suggestion, we would like to ask the Secretariat to inform Member States in future presentations about what “austerity measuresˮ are lifted and/or relaxed in relation to financing through the UN Regular Budget departments and offices of the Secretariat, taking into account the payments received from Member States. We are convinced that not only the removal and/or relaxation of the current restrictions, but also increased transparency in this area will encourage Member States having arrears to follow the example of Member States which have paid their contributions in full.
Thank you.
