Mr. Chairman,
I would like to thank Ms. Jan Beagle, Under-Secretary-General for Management, for her presentation on the financial situation of the Organization. We would also like to thank Mr. Lionel Berridge and the Contribution Department for the continuous support offered to Member States on the issue at hand today.
My delegation endorses the statement by Ecuador on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. Chairman,
Despite recently reiterated questioning about the role of the United Nations, it is worth remembering that this Organization is the result of our peoples' desire to achieve a world of peace and development. Even though seven decades have passed since this dream began, much remains to be done. We can only achieve the ambitious but necessary goals, to which we have committed ourselves, through joint work. Without such effort, we will not be able to end poverty, control climate change or ensure the funding and implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Although there are some positive signs regarding the financial situation of the Organization, in particular with regard to payment situations to the budgets for Tribunals, we regret that in the case of Peacekeeping Operations and the regular budget, the outstanding assessments still represent 41% and 42%, respectively, of the amounts approved.
Mr. Chairman,
The fact that a greater number of Member States has fully fulfilled their financial obligations demonstrates the commitment of the membership to the efficient and effective functioning of the Organization.
We must recognize the efforts by many Member States to fully comply with their payment obligations, particularly the developing countries, as they are the most affected by the current global economic and financial situation. We believe that special situations faced by certain developing countries, which prevent them from fulfilling their financial commitments, regardless of their political will, must be taken into account
Although it is already a recurrent issue of the Organization, it is nonetheless a matter of concern that the bigger debts to the budgets of the United Nations continue to focus around one Member State. It is, by the way, the same State that benefits from the main distortion in the methodology for the calculation of the scale of assessments and obtains substantial profits for hosting this Organization in its territory.
Mr. Chairman,
We have recently known about the Secretary-General's proposals for reform in the areas of development, peace, security and management.
For the reform to be successful, it will also depend on the commitment of all Member States to meet their financial obligations to the Organization, on time, in full and without conditions. This will enable the full implementation of the programs and activities and will provide essential services necessary for the proper functioning of the intergovernmental machinery.
We should not be satisfied with political discourses; we must take concrete actions to give the Organization stable, predictable and sufficient resources to ensure its work.
Mr. Chairman,
Cuba appreciates the recognition received, together with other 30 countries, for having fulfilled all our financial obligations to the Organization.
However, the conditions, obstacles and sacrifices that we face to fulfill this duty are not always known. Fifty-five years after the economic, commercial and financial blockade against the Cuban people was imposed, it is still in force and tightened. The blockade, a unilateral policy that violates the norms and principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, affects and makes difficult the payment of our assessments to the Organization and to other international bodies.
Despite this siege that seeks to isolate us, Cuba keeps its firm commitment to multilateralism, which it is proven not only in its active participation in the work of the United Nations, but also in its political will to fulfill its financial obligations.
Thank you very much.