Remarks by H.E. Mr. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations, Incoming Chair of the UNGA Fifth Committee, at the Joint Swiss-UNITAR Briefing on United Nations Budgetary Matters

07 September, 2021

Let me warmly welcome the Fifth Committee delegates in my capacity of an incoming chair and express my sincere gratitude to UNITAR and the Swiss delegation to the UN for once again organizing this already traditional briefing, which has become an important event in the preparatory stage on the eve of the Fifth Committee kick-off. The presentations and discussions of this briefing will help us to refresh our knowledge of the financial situation and regulations of the UN, as well as obtain necessary background for the meaningful participation in the Committee’s works.

This committee has always been known for its high level of expertise and diligence and, from the beginning, I want to express confidence that the Committee will deliver its mandate in a most efficient way during the 76^th session of the General Assembly. The Fifth Committee has a very crucial role in the entire UN system. Its decisions have huge impact on the capacity of the United Nations to implement mandates provided by the Member States by allocating adequate resources for the three main pillars of the United Nations: maintenance of peace and security, development and human rights. Such a role can only be met if consensus spirit and teamwork prevail in our work. Despite the negotiation goals that we might pursue and the differences we might have, we all and the entire UN system are the ultimate winners if we manage to have a successful outcome. I am confident that this sense of responsibility will lead the works of the Committee during its 76^th session.

The upcoming session of the Fifth Committee features a number of important agenda items, including programme budget for 2022, scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations, human resources management, financing of UN peacekeeping missions. We all realize that, Covid-19 pandemic continuous to impact the work of our organization. This year also we have to adapt the program of work to the prevailing circumstances. Our incoming bureau has held its first meeting and discussed the issue of the format and work modalities of the Committee. The pandemic related situation remains volatile, therefore together with our colleagues from the secretariat, the bureau tries to find solutions which will be sustainable and will create conducive environment for our future negotiations hopefully with possibilities of having more in person meetings.

Indeed, ensuring the continuity of the work of the Committee and the best use of the experience of the previous sessions are crucially important and I am very grateful to Ambassador Amorin and the Bureau of 75^th session for advice and active support.

It is well known that over the years the Fifth Committee has developed a practice of work that goes well beyond regular working hours, to put it mildly, and I am determined to consolidate the resolve of the Member States to confront this issue and to try to utilize the time taking into account the need of maintaining work and life balance, the importance of which has been emphasized by a number of Member States on various occasions. Timely delivery of reports from the secretariat, ACABQ and other relevant bodies can contribute to that aim. As a Chair I will interact with these bodies in a most cooperative and constructive manner, as much as necessary.

Let me also mention the role of the coordinators of items of the Fifth Committee as they are in a way an extension of the Bureau in steering the work of the Committee. I encourage the Member States to volunteer and take on this important task. The bureau members and also our colleagues from the 5C secretariat team will always be available and assist the coordinators in bringing the respective negotiations to successful conclusion.

Finally, I would like to wish you interesting discussions and I am looking forward to working closely with all delegates of our Committee towards a fruitful outcome of the session ahead of us.

Thank you.

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