UNGA 60
Fifth Committee
Statement by Ms Adelle Ferguson,
First Secretary, Canadian Mission to the United Nations,
On behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
UNMIS: The United Nations Mission in Sudan
1 November 2005
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak today on behalf of the delegations of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Let me begin by thanking the Controller, Mr. Warren Sach and the Acting Chair of the ACABQ, Mr. Rajat Saha for introducing the respective reports on the budget for the United Nations Mission in the Sudan.
Mr. Chairman,
The establishment of UNMIS is a critical further step towards achieving the daunting goal of creating lasting peace for the people of the Sudan and assisting in the alleviation of the extremely difficult humanitarian situation that prevails in that country. The size of the country and the complexity of the situation on the ground however, mean that this road will be a long one.
The very detailed budget presentation before this Committee reflects the magnitude of the challenge facing the international community. Our delegations would like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretariat for their excellent work in preparing such a comprehensive budget document. We appreciate that there are many unknowns at mission start-up that make budget forecasting difficult at best.
We would also like to thank the ACABQ for their considered report that, while acknowledging the fledgling and developing nature of the mission’s management and structures, identifies several areas of potential concern. In this regard, we support the ACABQ’s recommendation that the mission continue to refine its management and administration practices in light of full deployment and experience gained in the day to day running of the mission.
We also support the Advisory Committee’s view that, in tailoring the mission’s structure to the particular realities on the ground, UNMIS must ensure clear lines of responsibility are maintained and that duplication of functions is avoided. Given the size of the mission, Mr. Chairman, we are also particularly concerned that lines of accountability remain clear and that a strong framework is put in place that allows effective oversight by mission leadership.
Mr. Chairman,
UNMIS is a new mission as well as a notably large and complex one, and, with a proposed budget in the order of $1 billion, the level of resources being requested is virtually unprecedented. As a result, it is important to set UNMIS on the right footing from the start, and focus on the best financial and administrative practices in the management of the mission across the board.
For our delegations, Mr. Chairman, the key to success is the adoption of an integrated and holistic approach, on all fronts. UNMIS must be a truly integrated mission with the closest of collaboration, and taking full advantage of the expertise and resources, among all of the actors of the UN system.
But if UNMIS is to succeed in meeting its mandate, it cannot do so alone. It must have the support of the international community. This means not only the prompt payment of assessments for UNMIS but also by making and following through on commitments of voluntary contributions. By working together in this fashion, the Government of Sudan, UNMIS, the wider UN system, and we, the international community, can have a reasonable hope of effectuating lasting change.
Mr. Chairman,
As a new mission, UNMIS is facing untold challenges and a task that may at times seem impossible. It carries however the potential for great success in helping to create peace and prosperity where there has been conflict and hardship. Our delegations take this opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to pledge our full support to helping to ensure that UNMIS has the necessary resources and structures to meet its objectives as it travels the long road before it.
Thank you.