Remarks by Ambassador Chris Lu at the conclusion of the first resumed session of the Fifth Committee
Ambassador Chris Lu
US Representative for UN Management and Reform
New-York, New-York
March 31, 2023
AS DELIVERED
Over the next year and a half, much of the UN’s attention will be focused on two major gatherings: the SDG Summit this fall and the Summit of the Future in fall 2024. Far less attention has been given to whether the UN has the system in place about the manpower and processes required to implement the declarations that are made at these summits.
Today we passed the first comprehensive resolution on human resource management since 2016. This is a major step forward in making the UN fit for the challenges of the 21st century. I would like to thank all the delegates for their long hours and spirit of collaboration that made this achievement possible.
With the Human Resources Resolution, the UN will promote a mobility system that will facilitate the movement of personnel from headquarters to the field and vice versa, gaining valuable expertise that will improve the functioning of UN programs. We will rejuvenate the UN by bringing in new talent. We will make the workforce more representative of the countries that make up the UN. And we will strengthen protections against misconduct, including sexual harassment.
Our actions today will improve processes at the United Nations by increasing transparency and accountability. We will improve the performance management system by focusing on outcomes, not outcomes. We will ensure that the United Nations operates to the highest standards by strengthening the Ethics Office’s independence. And we will reiterate that a key regulator – the Joint Inspection Unit – should have the resources necessary to conduct assessments and investigations of UN agencies.
As with any compromise, neither side got everything they wanted in this session. For example, failure to make progress on IT improvements is short-sighted given the rapid pace of technological change and the very real cybersecurity risks the organization faces. But by reaching an agreement today, instead of being bogged down as it has been for years, the Fifth Committee has reaffirmed member states’ authority to play an active role in United Nations operations. That should be a welcome result for any delegation in the room. Thank you very much.
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