Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet
Acting Deputy Permanent Representative
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
October 5, 2020
AS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD
Mr. Chairman,
The United States would like to thank Under Secretary-General Ms. Fatoumata Ndiaye for the annual report on the work of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The United States also congratulates Ms. Janet St. Laurent on her appointment as Chair of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) and we look forward to working with her and the Committee this session.
Mr. Chairman,
The United States values the work of OIOS, as one of the key catalysts behind its establishment, and continues to believe that now more than ever, as the Secretary-General’s reforms are solidified, that OIOS plays a critical role in ensuring the United Nations becomes more accountable, transparent, and agile through its audit, investigation and inspection and evaluation services. We were pleased to see the notable increase in recommendations related to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
Key to the proper functioning and maintaining trust in the Organization is rooting out fraud, misconduct and corruption and the timeliness of such investigations. The United States notes the efforts to bring down the average length of time for investigations and continue to encourage sustained efforts in this regard.
The United State further supports the role of the IAAC in providing feedback on OIOS and its oversight function, especially in light of various reform and transformational initiatives on which the Organization has embarked and strongly endorses its focus on oversight implementation and the need to embed an enterprise risk management in the day to day work of the United Nations.
Thank you.
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