Fifth Committee

STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY H.E. BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 143: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND AGENDA ITEM 154: SCALE OF ASSESSMENTS FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, AT THE MAIN PART OF THE 79th SESSION OF THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK, 7 OCTOBER 2024

07 Oct 2024

Thank you, Mdm Chair.

1 I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on agenda items 143 and 154 on the scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations and United Nations peacekeeping operations. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement made by Uganda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. 

2 ASEAN thanks Ambassador Bernado Greiver, Chair of the Committee on Contributions, and Mr Chandramouli Ramanathan, Controller and Assistant-Secretary-General for Programme Planning, Finance and Budget, for presenting their respective reports.

Mdm Chair,

3 ASEAN’s strong view is that all member states must fulfil their financial obligations to the United Nations, in full, on time, and without conditions. That said, we understand that some countries face genuine difficulties, particularly for those whose economies are disproportionately affected by global developments, including pandemics, economic crises, and regional instability. ASEAN therefore supports the Committee on Contributions’ recommendations on Article 19 applications.

Mdm Chair,

4 We arrived at the current methodology governing the scale of assessments only after very difficult and protracted negotiations in 2000. Since then, the current methodology has been adopted by consensus for over two decades. This is a reflection of member states’ longstanding agreement on the principles underpinning the scales.

5 First, capacity to pay must remain the core principle underpinning the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations. Under the current methodology, countries that have grown faster economically have seen an increase in their assessment rates, including some ASEAN Member States. ASEAN remains committed to fulfilling our financial and legal obligations to the United Nations. We will continue to do so despite these increases. We will firmly oppose any proposals aimed at distorting the principle of capacity to pay, or unduly shifting the financial burden to developing countries. This is particularly as developing countries already face special and difficult circumstances. For instance, small developing economies may have deceptively high per capita incomes and therefore pay more under the current methodology, even though figures are misleading due to their small populations.

6 Second, ASEAN fully supports the position expressed by Uganda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China that the 22 percent ceiling represents a fundamental source of distortion in the scales and is the only element of the methodology that contradicts the principle of capacity to pay. For over 20 years, the 22 percent ceiling has benefitted only one member state. This must be addressed.

7 Third, ASEAN firmly believes that there should be equity and equality in our treatment of observers with enhanced status. As my colleague from Uganda has mentioned, observer intergovernmental organisations which enjoy the rights and privileges given to observer states, such as the right to speak at the General Debate, should also have the same financial obligations to the United Nations as observer states.

Mdm Chair,

8 I would now like to touch on the scale of assessment for the apportionment of expenses of United Nations peacekeeping operations. The principle behind the financing of peacekeeping operations has been affirmed by the General Assembly since 1963, through resolution 1874 (S-IV) and in several resolutions thereafter.^[1] ASEAN remains of the view that the permanent members of the Security Council should continue to absorb the discounts applied to other member states in the peacekeeping scale. This is in recognition of their veto powers, a special privilege only permanent members enjoy. With special privileges comes special responsibilities, and permanent members should pay for these special privileges. We count on permanent members to demonstrate their leadership and avoid shifting the burden to developing countries. It would be unjust and unacceptable to allow a situation where permanent members maintain or increase their political dominance, while their financial contributions to peacekeeping decrease.

9 Additionally, developing countries should not shoulder the same financial responsibilities as developed countries. ASEAN reaffirms the longstanding G77 and China position that no developing country that is not a permanent member of the Security Council should be categorised above Level C in the scale of assessments for peacekeeping operations.

Mdm Chair,

10 ASEAN will engage actively in the discussions on the scales of assessment in the coming weeks. We commit to doing so in an inclusive manner, with respect for the prerogatives of member states.

Thank you.

.    .    .    .    .