Remarks on the opening of the first resumed meeting of the Fifth Committee
Ambassador Chris Lu
US Representative for UN Management and Reform
New-York, New-York
March 6, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. Stuhl.
This September and next, the United Nations will convene for two major summits. This year we will recommit to the 2030 timeline for the Sustainable Development Goals, and next year we will chart the course of the United Nations for the remainder of the 21st century.
These summits will make important statements on peace and security, human rights, development and poverty. For these declarations to be more than just words on paper, we need a UN organization that is up to the challenges of the 21st century. That means recruiting, developing and retaining world-class talent and empowering those people with the latest technology tools.
Organizations around the world are transforming their workforces to meet new demands and adapt to the changing nature of work. Unfortunately, since 2016, the Fifth Committee has failed to pass a comprehensive reform of the United Nations human resources system. We cannot afford another year of inactivity.
A purposeful plan is needed to rejuvenate the UN. Young, diverse talent strives to use their skills and vision to shape how this organization addresses global challenges. Unfortunately, this top-heavy organization has a very limited number of entry points.
Even as we hire new talent, we must constantly improve the skills of all UN staff to ensure they are up to the challenges of tomorrow. That means expanding employee access to world-class learning opportunities.
In order for the UN to put the right talent in the right place at the right time, we also need to encourage staff mobility. We know that this organization thrives when employees can gain valuable experience
in the HQ and in the field, so we need to accelerate enterprise-wide mobility by incentivizing employees to move from HQ to the field—and back.
Investing in people also means removing barriers to professional growth. The UN workforce is still a class system where high performers in the field service and general service categories are prevented from progressing professionally. All exceptional performers should be allowed to reach their full potential within the organization.
Finally, we must do more to promote accountability in the organizational culture of the United Nations by ensuring that staff are held accountable for their performance.
We need to improve performance management to ensure managers invest in their teams, high performers are recognized and poor performers are addressed promptly.
We must create a workplace where everyone is respected. This means supporting the United Nations in its ongoing efforts to eradicate all forms of harassment and hold perpetrators accountable.
And we must strengthen the Ethics Office’s independence by approving long-standing proposals that not only represent best practice but also have strong support from the Joint Inspection Unit.
Thank you very much.
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