AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would like to thank Ms. Parama Sen, Director of External Audit and Chair of the Audit Operations Committee, Mr. Pedro Guazo, Acting Deputy Controller and Director of Accounts Division, Office of Programme Planning Budget and Accounts, and Mr. Babou Sene, Vice-Chair of the ACABQ, for introducing their respective reports.

The United States places great importance on the work of the Board of Auditors, as the oversight of the UN’s operations and finances provided by the Board is crucial to ensuring that the United Nations functions effectively and efficiently. We would like to thank in particular the delegations of Tanzania, India and Germany for their vital and sustained support to the Board’s work. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Tanzania National Audit Office for their work and for their final reports this year, and welcome Chile as they assume their membership on the Board.

This year’s report provides valuable insight on a number of issues, including those that are essential to properly and fully implementing the UN reform agenda. My delegation is pleased to note that all examined United Nations entities received unqualified audit opinions from the Board in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

We note in particular the Board’s recommendations critical to proper functioning of the Organization, including: workforce management, combatting fraud and corruption, management of implementing partners, and delegation of authority for key administrative tasks, including human resources management and procurement.

Madam Chair, We recognize the Secretary-General’s efforts to address the recommendations of the Board of Auditors, and urge the continued annual improvement in their implementation. By implementing the recommendations of the Board in a timely manner, the United Nations can achieve significant improvements in mandate implementation and service delivery for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world. We look forward to engaging with all delegations to encourage progress in critical areas identified by the Board.

Thank you, Madam Chair.