05 Mar 2010
STATEMENT BY FIRST SECRETARY CRAIG LIM, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 130: REVIEW OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL FUNCTIONING OF THE UNITED NATIONS (ACCOUNTABILITY) FIFTH COMMITTEE, 5 MARCH 2010
Mr Chairman,
1 I would like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Ms Angela Kane, for introducing the Secretary-General's report, A/64/640, entitled "Towards an accountability system in the United Nations Secretariat", the Chairman of the ACABQ, Ms Susan McLurg, for introducing the Committee's report, A/64/683, and the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, Ms Inga-Britt Ahlenius, for introducing the OIOS report A/64/587 on the "Review of the practice of the Secretariat regarding the sharing of information contained in reports of consultants on management-related issues".
2 Singapore believes in the importance of strengthening the system of accountability here in the United Nations, particularly given the central role the Organisation plays in the affairs of the world. So much has been entrusted to this Organisation, and each one of us who passes through these corridors on a daily basis has the responsibility and the duty to perform our functions to the best of our ability without precondition.
3 While the Secretary-General's report has tried to address some of the issues of concern to Member States, unfortunately, my delegation's view is that it does not go far enough. The very definition of accountability set out in the report is far too limited. While we recognise that the obligation to deliver specific results is one component of accountability, it is a little surprising that the report did not see the merits of including the fundamental element of personal responsibility of staff members for decisions made, and actions taken, into this definition. Greater emphasis needs to be made on creating the conditions for a culture of accountability and integrity here in the United Nations. This is something that could be further developed. After all, integrity defines who we are as people. It also defines what we are as an organisation.
4 Singapore is also concerned that the Secretary-General's report does not adequately address the eleven specific topics spelled out in General Assembly Resolution A/RES/63/276. We further note that the Resolution had asked that the Secretary-General prepare this comprehensive report "in consultation with the respective oversight bodies". While some consultations did take place, my delegation's view is that these could have been done in a far more comprehensive and inclusive manner.
5 One of the annexes of the report outlines the proposed Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control Framework. My delegation is encouraged by the enlightened desire to move the Secretariat from a risk-averse culture to a risk-aware one as this could lead to more creative ideas and responses to the challenges faced by the Organisation. However, this needs to go hand-in-hand with a credible and comprehensive accountability framework, under which for instance, programme managers would be held to account for their use of resources, personal conduct, and ability to achieve results, for all actions and decisions taken, regardless of their level of risk.
6 In addition, my delegation is of the view that the Secretariat's explanation of the steps taken to address the failure of the United Nations Oil-For-Food Programme falls short of expectations. As stated in Resolution A/RES/63/276, the General Assembly had included in its agenda, the item entitled "Follow-up to the recommendations on administrative management and internal oversight of the Independent Inquiry Committee into the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme" since its 60th session. Yet, four years have passed without a full accounting of the significant flaws in terms of internal monitoring, inspection and accountability that were identified in the Volcker report. Singapore reiterates our call for its discussion by the General Assembly in an open setting.
Mr Chairman,
7 Over past sessions, the Secretariat and Member States have worked on this exercise to introduce an accountability system in the United Nations, albeit without satisfactory results. Clearly, there are gaps in the report that need to be addressed jointly by the Secretariat and Member States. Singapore stands ready to engage robustly and constructively in the informal consultations that will follow, as we continue working towards developing what we hope will eventually be a credible and comprehensive accountability system for the United Nations.
8 Thank you.
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