AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Madam Chair.

My delegation would like to thank Mr. Pedro Guazo, Director of the Finance Division, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget and Mr. Cihan Terzi, Chair of the ACABQ for introducing their respective reports. We also thank Ms. Eileen Cronin and Ms. Federica Pietracci for their introductions on the matter of the Joint Inspection Unit report on whistleblower policies and practices.

We note with appreciation the Joint Inspection Unit’s review of whistleblower policies and practices in the UN system organizations as prepared by Ms. Eileen Cronin and Ms. Aicha Afifi. The United States remains committed to ensuring that the UN has effective policies that protect those who report misconduct against retaliation, and we look forward to a more fulsome discussion on the JIU recommendations.

Madam Chair, General Assembly resolution 72/266B on shifting the management paradigm stressed that accountability is a central principle of management reform, that a culture of accountability stems from the leadership of an organization and that an effective accountability system is central to successful management of the Organization. The United States continues to support the Secretary-General’s effort to strengthen the United Nations system’s accountability framework through enhancing transparency, strengthening oversight and aligning authority with responsibility.

The United States is encouraged by the progress noted in the Secretary-General’s eighth progress report on accountability, and the effort to transform the Organization’s culture to one that is results-oriented. Improvements to accountability frameworks reduce an organization to risk by aiding managers in identifying areas of concern and providing a roadmap toward improvement and prevention. Results based management is key to maintaining this focus and effective application.

We continue to support the Secretary-General’s efforts in implementing the delegation of authority framework, and ensuring appropriate guidance, oversight and support is essential to its success.

In this regard, the establishment of the Business Transformation and Accountability Division in DMSPC is an important new element of the accountability system and must serve as a key oversight and planning tool across the Secretariat.

In closing, we look forward to working with all delegations during this session to continue to strengthen the accountability system so that the Organization becomes more transparent, responsible and accountable in delivering on its core mandates and in the stewardship of its resources.

Thank you very much.

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