Fifth Committee, 6th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session

Distinguished colleagues, good morning to every one of you, your excellencies. And thank you for yesterday, for your patience and endurance in accommodating the historic speech of the Secretary General yesterday. It was quite amazing. And the great speech that each of you made was also very helpful in understanding what the challenges look like. I most sincerely appreciate you. Today we're going to start shortly and as the proceeding goes on, I will take a leave to allow my vice chair to also get used to how cold or how hot this seat looks like. So he will preside at some points in the meeting so that we can be, it can be interactive and engaging and we could exchange power from here. If there is power here, he will taste it this afternoon. And if there is no power, he will take his coffee. I call to order the sixth meeting of the Fifth Committee at the 81st session of the General Assembly. Distinguished colleagues, I invite to continue the consideration of agenda item 138, entitled Proposed Program Budget for 2027, beginning with a question of financial performance report on the program budget for 2026. In connection, I invite the Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Program Planning, Finance, Budget, and Controller to introduce the financial performance report of the Secretary-General on the program budget for 2025, containing document A, slide 81, slide 78. Assistant Secretary General, Office of Program Planning, Finance, Budget, and Controller, you have the floor, please.

Good morning, Chair, distinguished delegates. I'm pleased to introduce the financial performance report on the program budget for 2025. The final expenditure in 2025 amounted to 3,484.7 million or 330.1 million less than the appropriation approved by the General Assembly. This under expenditure comprised $269.5 million under regular budget, excluding special political missions, and 60.6 million under special political missions. The under expenditure of $269.5 million under regular budget entities reflects lower than budgeted expenditure under posts, $73.2 million, and non-post resources, $196.3 million, mainly due to the measures required to contain expenditure because of liquidity shortages. The under expenditure of $60.6 million under special political missions, again, reflects lower than budgeted expenditure under operational costs, $78.9 million, military and police personnel costs, $2.4 million, offset in part by higher than budgeted expenditure for civilian personnel costs of $20.7 million. The final expenditure in 2025 includes an amount of $59.7 million U.S. dollars. incurred in respect of commitment authorities, including subventions. The income we collected in 2025 amounted to $389.8 million, which was $24.7 million more than the estimates approved by the General Assembly. The unencumbered balance against the approved assessed budget was $383.1 million. This, coupled with higher returns pertaining to income, of 24.7 million and the cancellation of prior period commitments of 11.8 million result in a total credit of 419.6 million, the treatment of which is governed now by General Assembly resolution 80/270 on the return of credit methodology. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, against the backdrop of a continued deterioration of liquidity in 2025, The report had originally proposed two options to the General Assembly, either to temporarily suspend the return of the net surplus or decide that the net surplus be calculated against the actual collection during the year covered by the performance report. But as you are aware, since the issuance of this report, the General Assembly has adopted resolution 80/270 on the credit return methodology. This milestone resolution now provides a consistent policy framework governing the return of credits across regular budget, peacekeeping budget, and the international tribunals. Therefore, the Secretary-General is withdrawing these two options for action set out in paragraph 86 of the report. In accordance with resolution 80/270, the credits from the cancellation of prior period commitments This is $11.8 million. And the income in excess of the budget estimates of $24.7 million will be returned with the 2027 assessments based on the 2025 scale of assessment. $383.1 million in unspent funds, which are not backed by cash, will be recorded as payables to member states, apportioned on the basis of the 2025 scale of assessment. Chair, distinguished delegates, with regard to the outlook on the current liquidity situation that we discussed last Friday, I am pleased to report that the liquidity situation has improved owing to the collection of contributions in August and September 2026. While the worst-case liquidity scenario for 2026 seems to have been avoided, liquidity remains constrained, requiring some careful spending throughout the rest of the year. Thank you so much for your support, and we stand ready to address any questions you may have in this respect.

Thank you very much, Assistant Secretary General, Office of Program Planning, Finance, Budgets, and Controller. Thank you for your statement. And I invite, I now give the floor for member countries to make contributions. So I will invite the introduction of the of introduction. I invite the ACBQ, Juliana, to make a speech.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, I am pleased to introduce the report of the Advisory Committee on the Financial Performance Report on the Program Budget for 2025. Final expenditure for 2025 amounted to approximately 3.48 billion or 91.3% of the appropriation approved by the General Assembly, reflecting the impact of liquidity related spending restrictions across the budget during the year. The Committee notes the continued deterioration of the organization's liquidity situation in 2025. The spending reduction target reached 600 million, the highest in recent years. The Committee notes that those constraints hampered full mandate implementation and reiterates that the General Assembly has repeatedly urged all Member States to fulfill their financial obligations on time, in full and without conditions. Regarding credits to Member States, the Committee notes that the Secretary-General requests concerning the temporary suspension of the return of credits have been superseded by General Assembly resolution 80/270. The Committee recommends that future performance reports include a dedicated subsection or annex in line with provisions of resolution 80/270 on the annual application of the revised credit return methodology. Mr. Chairman, the Committee notes that liquidity related under expenditure affected most budget sections. The committee considers that additional transparency is needed regarding the relationship between budget and actual vacancy rates, appropriations, allotments, and post expenditures, and also regarding the significant variances in the level of non-post allotments made available to different sections. While noting the additional information provided in the report on the framework adopted by the Secretary to manage liquidity in 2025, the Committee is of the view that in a context of protected cash constraints, additional transparency is required to explain and justify why some sections receive allotments close to appropriation level, while others have been allotted a much lesser share of their appropriated budget, and encourages the Secretary-General to continue efforts in that regard. Furthermore, the committee considers that future performance reports should distinguish to the extent possible between sustainable efficiencies and improvements in implementation modalities, lower expenditure resulting from liquidity management measures, and lower expenditure caused by other factors affecting mandate implementation. Mr. Chairman. The Committee reiterates its concerns that treating the initial appropriation as the final budget without reflecting actual performance departs from established budgetary methodology and practice. The Committee accordingly recommends that the General Assembly request the Secretary-General to include, in the context of a comprehensive review of the annual budget cycle, measures to address the related implications for a financial performance report, the determination of the final budget and the application of financial regulation 5.6. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you very much, Ms. Julay Naros, for your speech. Thank you. May I call on distinguished colleague to speak on behalf of Group of 77 and China. It's our distinguished delegation from Nigeria. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on the financial performance report and the program budget for 2025. The group thanks Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary General and Controller, and Ms. Juliana Gaspar-Ruas, Chair of the ACABQ, for introducing their respective reports. The group attaches great importance to this agenda item. Reviewing financial performance goes beyond calculating credits. It enables member states to assess compliance with the General Assembly's budgetary decisions and whether approved resources supported mandate delivery in an effective and efficient manner. The lessons drawn must inform future planning and implementation with clear links between financial and programmatic performance. Mr. Chair, the group notes expenditure of $3.485 billion in 2025, leaving an unencumbered balance of $330. million against appropriations. We remain deeply concerned that spending restrictions which reached $600 million curtailed activities and constrained recruitment. Under spending arising from liquidity restrictions must not be presented as efficiency gains or used to justify reductions in future resource requirements. Monday delivery must remain the driver of budget implementation. We note the Advisory Committee's observations regarding the information provided on resource allocation and the prioritization of activities. We encourage the Secretariat to provide further clarification on the criteria guiding allotments and hiring exceptions across budget sections, as well as their implications for program delivery. Additional information on activities affected by liquidity constraints and the measures envisaged to address those effects would assist Member States in their consideration of the report. The group stresses that the development pillar and the priorities of developing countries must receive due attention and resources. We are particularly concerned about the effects of restrictions on activities supporting development priorities. We also share the advisory committee's concern that reduced funding for travel of representatives and experts may undermine inclusive participation, particularly for member states requiring financial assistance. The group remains deeply concerned that 2025 closed with record arrears of approximately $1.6 billion. The unilateral and persistent withholding of contributions, late payments, and accumulated arrears undermine mandate implementation and place an unfair burden on member states that fulfill their obligations. Mr. Chair, we recall the historic decision taken collectively during the second part of the resumed 80th session to revise the credit return methodology through resolution 80/270. This decision supersedes the proposals in the Secretary-General's report. We note that $383.1 million in unspent funds attributable to collections shortages will be recorded as payables to Member States, while credits from higher than budgeted income and cancelled prior period commitments will be returned with the 2027 assessments. However, the most fundamental and effective response to the organization's recurrent liquidity problems remains the fulfillment by member states of their obligations to pay their assessed contributions in full, on time, and without conditions. While recognizing the genuine difficulties faced by those affected by circumstances beyond their control, the group emphasizes transparent and accountable implementation of the revised methodology. We support dedicated reporting on its annual application, including clear information and credits returned and outstanding balances and timely implementation of the mandated memorandum accounts and disclosure arrangements. These safeguards are essential to enable member states to assess implementation and inform the Assembly's review. Therefore, we urge the Secretariat to expedite the necessary adjustments to UMOJA and provide a clear timeline for making information on the memorandum accounts publicly available and accessible. The group reiterates its long-standing interest in the management of cost recovery funding. We request an update on proposals to improve cost tracing, align service charges with actual costs, and clarify the treatment of accumulated balances and reserves. Reported surpluses must be explained, including timing differences between revenues and expenses, so the member states can assess their nature and any scope for their use in full compliance with the Assembly's guidance. The group reaffirms the General Assembly's authority to approve final appropriations. We share the advisory committee's continued concern regarding the treatment of initial appropriations as the final budget without reflecting actual performance. Clear arrangements are needed to ensure full compliance with the with established budgetary procedures, including the financial regulations and rules and the timely submission where appropriate of proposals for transfers between budget sections. The comprehensive review of the annual budget cycle must address these outstanding issues. The group remains committed to engaging constructively to ensure that budget implementation respects the Assembly's decisions and enables the organization to deliver fully on its mandates. I thank you.

Thank you very much, our distinguished colleague from Uganda, for always keeping to time. Thank you. If there are no further comments, the Committee has thus concluded its agenda discussion on this question. informal consultation on the question will be coordinated by Ms. Elzimer America, who will coordinate the performance report from El Salvador. Thank you. Now, under the general agenda item, I next invite the Committee to consider the question of special political missions. In this connection, I invite the Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget, and Controller, again, to introduce the report of the Secretary-General on estimates in respect of special political missions, goods, offices, and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or Security Council, on the overall resources estimates, cluster 1, 2, and 3, as listed in today's journal. Mr. Secretary-General, you have the floor, please.

Thank you, Chair. Distinguished delegates, I have the pleasure to introduce the four reports to the Secretary-General on the proposed programme budget for 2017 in respect of special political missions, good offices, and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council. The overall resource requirements proposed for 36 special political missions for 2027 amount to $422.7 million, net of staff assessment and inclusive of the requirements for the regional service center in Entebbe. This reflects a reduction of $113.5 million, or 21.2%, compared to the appropriation for 2026. The net decrease is attributable to a decrease of $121.5 million in respect of closed and closing missions, namely UNMISS, UNMA and UNAMI. But this is offset in part by a net increase of $8 million for the continuing missions, mainly due to increased requirements under civilian personnel, reflecting the application of the latest standard post costs and vacancy rates. The proposed resources reflect a net decrease of 89 posts or positions, mainly as a result of the abolishment of 61 posts and positions in UNAMA, reflecting the Mission's continued efforts in operational adaptations and functional streamlining, and also includes the abolishment of 45 posts or positions in BINUH, reflecting adjustments to its mandate in resolution 2814 of 2026, and the handover of its support functions to the UN Support Office in Haiti. While formulating the 2027 budget for special political missions, particular attention has also been given to reducing the number of high-level posts, D1 and above. The proposed changes include the abolishment of one USG post for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, one D1 post in the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, one D1 post in BINU, and the downward reclassification of one D1 post to P5 in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Syria. Special Political Missions continued their efforts on strengthening a culture of efficiency. This year, our proposals reflect projected efficiencies of 14.7 million for 2027, which is 3.6% of the approved resources for these missions. This was achieved through continuous conscious efforts to explore opportunities to recalibrate operations with a view to delivering more efficiently. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, in the development of our budget reports and their supplementary information, we continue to strengthen our budget methodology and improve the content, format, and presentation. These improvements include additional tables and annexes, particularly for cluster 3 field missions, and the continued efforts toward standardizing and enriching presentation of financial information. With improving efficiency in mind, UNAMA is now integrated back into cluster 3 report as of the 2027 budget. Previously, the budgets of UNAMA and UNAMI, which is now closed and undergoing liquidation, were presented separately in standalone reports. This was the result of a practice introduced in 2007, at a time when UNAMA and UNAMI collectively represented two-thirds of the total resources of special political missions. With the evolution of mandates and resource requirements in the last two decades, particularly following the closure of UNAMI in 2025, The proposed budget for UNAMA is now comparable in size to other large missions within thematic cluster 3, and this integration enables a more harmonized structure and presentation across the missions of similar size and a more enriched presentation of resource requirements for all missions under the thematic cluster 3. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, I thank you for your consideration of these reports, and we look forward to supporting the Committee in your deliberations of this agenda item. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I must appreciate your time. Be with us here. And I invite share of the advisory committee on administrative and budgetary questions. This is Jonathan Rush to introduce the related reports of the committee. As also listed in today's journal.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, it is my pleasure to introduce the report of the Advisory Committee on the overall resource requirements in respect of special political missions for 2027 and its recommendations for thematic clusters 1, 2, and 3. The requirements of 423 million proposed for 2027 for the 36 continuing missions represent a reduction of 21.2% compared with the resource approved for 2026, mainly reflecting discontinued missions. Proposed staffing reflects an overall net decrease of 89 posts and positions. The Committee acknowledges the efforts to continue identifying and presenting proposals for efficiencies in the budget for 2027, estimated at $14.7 million. The Committee trusts that the next budget proposal will include a comprehensive assessment of the impact of UN80 reform on special political missions, covering mitigation measures and process optimization, as well as any identified risks to mandate implementation. On budget presentation, the Committees of the View that cluster three combines missions of such a variation in size, complexity, and operational requirements that is not conducive to an optimal review and examination. The committee reiterates its view that there is merit in the establishment of a threshold for determining the separate submission of budgets for larger missions. Alternatively, the transferring of smaller missions from cluster three into cluster one and focusing cluster three on the larger, more complex missions would also facilitate an improved improved review of missions budgets. The Committee trusts that more information and options will be provided to the General Assembly in that regard. The Committee notes that of recruitments to geographical posts in SPMs between 1 January 2024 and 31 May 2026, only 21.6% were from underrepresented member states and underscores the additional efforts are needed to bring each unrepresented and underrepresented member state within its desirable range by 2030. Mr. Chairman, regarding the 12 missions under cluster one, the proposed requirements for 2027 represent an increase of nearly 5 million or 9.7% compared to 2026 appropriation. The Committee recommends adjustments to the staffing proposal for the United Nations representative to the Geneva international discussion and the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, as well as adjustments to proposed operational requirements for these two entities and the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen. The Committee trusts that further efforts will be pursued to review the Secretaries-General, special envoys, representatives and advisers, and to consolidate the United Nations presence, particularly where multiple entities coexist. In parallel, the Committee encourages the continued review of mission structures to ensure balanced staffing and streamlined senior management. Mr. Chairman, with respect to Thematic Cluster 2, the proposed requirements for 2027 represent an increase of approximately 1.3 million or 3.6%. The Advisory Committee recommends approval of proposals of the Secretary-General for 2027. The Committee encouraged the Secretary-General to explore possibilities for more accurate budgeting for the experts budget line, such as the use of delayed deployment factors while preserving mandate implementation. As for the budget proposal for 2027 for Cluster 3, comprising nine continuing missions, including United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the proposed requirements represent an increase of 0.25%. The Committee trusts that updated information will be provided on the impact of personnel and operational requirements for the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission arising from the completion of the boundary pillar in placement and mapping project by December 2026, on any implications arising on the Security Council discussions on the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia in October 2026, on the status of service and cost arrangements provided by the United Nations Support Office in Haiti to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, and on any changes on the operational environment or mandate arising from the closure of United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon to the Office of United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon. The Committee also recommends adjustments to the proposed staffing proposals and operational requirements for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and reductions on their operational requirements for the United Nations Support for the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission and the Office of the United Nations Coordinator for Lebanon and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you very much, Ms. Gasparos, for your introduction. We now note your consigned request for increase in cluster 1, 2, and 3. Thank you so much. The floor is now open to any delegation who wishes to make statements. I now give the floor to distinguished representative from European Union on behalf of European Union and its member states. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the member states of the European Union. The candidate countries, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Andorra and Monaco, align themselves with the statement. We would like to first thank the controller and the chair of the ACABQ for their presentation of the respective reports, we have appreciate the timely publication of these reports and welcome the inclusion of the resource requirements for UNAMA and cluster three report. We would like to express our appreciation to all staff of the 36 continuing special political missions and those who have supported the mission that have recently concluded. Through their dedication and hard work on the ground, often in a volatile and challenging environment, the United Nations can deliver on its mandate and all the people who it serves. Mr. Chair, As we are now facing the highest number of conflicts since the foundation of the United Nations, SPMs are an essential tool for preventative diplomacy, mediation and sustaining peace, supporting post-conflict reconstruction and delivering across the three pillars of the UN. Their multidimensional character enables them to respond to today's complex challenges and evolving circumstances on the ground. The European Union and its Member States remain firmly committed to conflict prevention, peacebuilding and the protection and promotion of human rights, in particular the rights of women and girls and fundamental freedoms. We welcome the commitment by the UN to maximize the use of capacities in SPMs, including in peacemaking engagement as outlined in the Secretary's review on the future of all forms of peacekeeping operations. Further, we welcome this review's suggestion on the enhanced use of prevention, peacemaking, good offices and mediation, as well as making a better use of regional offices, envoys and partnerships with regional organizations. This year's discussion takes place during the transition to a new Secretary-General and amid the advancement of the UN80 initiative and its system-wide reform effort to strengthen the way the organization operates. As the largest collective financial contributor to the UN, the European Union and its Member States fully support the reform process and approach to negotiations with a strong sense of responsibility and with a commitment to ensure that every dollar spent is used effectively. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary-General's continued effort to strengthen a culture of efficiency across SPMs, including the efficiencies in the proposed budget for 2027, estimated at 14.7 million US dollar. However, reform also means effective mandate delivery and strengthened impact on the ground. Mandates, as they derive from the Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, must be matched by adequate and predictable financing. This requires all Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full, in time and without conditions, so that the missions have the necessary means to deliver effectively on their mandates. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, For two years in a row, this committee has been able to reach a negotiated outcome on SPMs resolutions. The European Union and its member states appreciate the collective achievement and the constructive negotiation spirit that made a successful conclusion possible. Last year's resolution reaffirmed our shared commitment to improving the overall functioning of special political missions based on their mandates and to make them more efficient, effective, impactful, and fit for purpose for the people they serve. We have the opportunity to build on that success and continue to promote effective leadership and mandate delivery. Looking forward, we encourage the continued development of inclusive strategies that promote a full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, as well as youth and marginalized groups. which is essential to the effectiveness and sustainability of mission activities, as well as continued effort to reduce the mission's environmental footprint on the ground. We remain attached to ensuring the protection of human rights and international sanction enforcement. This year also offers an opportunity to draw lessons from the recent mission transition and closures for systematic application in future planning and operations. In closing, the European Union and its Member States look forward to constructive engagement and a timely conclusion. Our deliberations should ultimately be guided by what matters most: enabling special political missions to make a meaningful difference on the ground through effective mandate delivery and responsible use of the resources entrusted to them. I thank you, Mr Chair.

Thank you very much. Your call for mediation, negotiation, are very important. And we must thank the European Union and other members for their contributions to peacekeeping. And I'll give the floor to speak on behalf of CARICOM, is our distinguished delegation from Jamaica. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Chair. I do have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the 14 member states of the Caribbean Community. Let me thank the Secretariat and the ACABQ for the introduction of their respective reports. Chair, CARICOM reaffirms its deep appreciation for the indispensable role that special political missions play in advancing peace, stability, and institution building in the countries they serve, including within our own region. We express our continued solidarity with our sister nation, Haiti. as it strives to restore security, governance, and the rule of law in the face of extraordinary challenges. Binu remains central to the international community's support to Haiti. Complementing national and regional efforts towards sustainable peace and development. Caricom commends the mission's personnel for their dedication and professionalism in delivering on the complex and indeed on the often dangerous conditions. CARICOM underscores that restoring security must ultimately create the space for political stability, democratic governance, and credible elections led and owned by the Haitian people. This remains essential to achieving a sustainable resolution to the crisis in Haiti. CARICOM notes that the proposed resources for BINUH for 2027 amount to approximately 31.6 million US dollars, representing a decrease of 2.2% compared with the 2026 appropriation. We further take note of the proposed reconfiguration of the mission in light of its revised mandate and broader efforts to promote coherence and efficiency within the UN system. CARICOM recognizes the importance of responsible stewardship of resources, particularly in a period of financial constraint. However, resource requirements must be assessed against the Mission's mandated responsibilities and operational needs, ensuring that efficiencies do not compromise mandate delivery or the Mission's ability to maintain a credible and effective presence in Haiti. In this regard, CARICOM attaches particular importance to BINUH's support for the electoral process and welcomes the proposed establishment of a dedicated Electoral Affairs Section. The restoration of democratic institutions and a return to constitutional order are essential to Haiti's long-term stability. We therefore underscore the importance of ensuring that BINUH has the capacity necessary to provide effective support to a credible, inclusive, Haitian-led and Haitian-owned electoral process. CARICOM also takes note of the transfer of BINUH's mission support functions to the UN Support Office in Haiti. We recognize the potential for this arrangement to reduce duplication and allow BINU to focus its resources on its core substantive provisions. At the same time, clear responsibilities, effective coordination, accountability, and reliable service delivery will be essential to ensure that the new support arrangements strengthen BINU's ability to deliver its mandate. We underscore the importance of ensuring that the transition is properly planned and resourced, without disruption to BINU's operations or mandate implementation. CARICOM acknowledges that the Secretariat operates within a context of competing demands and limited resources. We therefore encourage continued transparency in communicating how efficiency gains are being achieved without diminishing the UN's ability to deliver. We stress that predictable, sustainable and adequate funding remains essential to enable BINU to fulfill its mandate and support Haiti's transition towards stability and democratic governance. CARICOM reaffirms the importance of the continued engagement of the UN in Haiti and the essential role of BINUH in promoting national dialogue, strengthening institutions, and advancing the protection of human rights. We remain firmly committed to constructive engagement and partnership with all to ensure that the resources allocated to BINUH enable the mission to deliver tangible results the Haitian people and contribute to peace and stability across our shared region. I thank you.

Thank you very much. I now give the floor to the Dominican Republic.

Mr. Chair, distinguished colleagues, I have the honor to speak today on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, as well as my own country, the Dominican Republic. First and foremost, we extend our gratitude to Assistant Secretary-General Chandrima Mooli Ramnath for introducing the Secretary-General's report and to Ms. Juliana Gaspar Ruas Chairman of the ACABQ, for presenting the committee's related report. Mr. Chair, special political missions constitute a vital tool for the United Nations in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts, and in supporting complex political processes. By fulfilling their diverse mandates, these missions make an important contribution to the organization purpose of maintaining international peace and security. These missions carry out their work in often volatile environments, which requires sufficient and predictable human and financial resources to ensure effective delivery to the multifaceted mandates. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the important contribution of special political missions is reflected in the work of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, BINUH, and the Panel of Experts of the Sanctions Committee concerning Haiti, established pursuant to the Security Council Resolution 2653 of 2022. Also, we recognize the work of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia in supporting the implementation of its mandates. The recognition of these missions by the countries involved is a clear indication of the significant work they undertake in addressing complex situations. Mr. Chair, we welcome the extension of BINU mandates until January 31, 2027, in accordance with the Security Council Resolution 2814 of 2026. The unanimous adoption of the resolution reflects the continued commitment of the international community to support the Haitian people and underscore the important role of BINUH in supporting political stability, governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Haiti. The Panel of Experts also plays a key role in providing impartial investigations and on-the-ground information. As the situation in Haiti continues to be at the forefront of our attention, the Security Council, through Resolution 2829 of 2026, extended the mandate of the Gun Suppression Force until March 31, 2027, to support Haitian authorities in addressing gun violence and restoring security. In this context, BINUH and the Panel of Experts remain committed with critical, important, and complementary mandates to assist Haiti in advancing political stability, and good governance, and threatening the rule of law, promoting a peaceful and a stable environment, and safeguarding human rights. We firmly believe that by adequate providing resources to BINU and the panel of experts, as per the Secretary General's request, We will facilitate the effective implementation of their mandates. In this regard, we encourage BINU to devote more efforts to supporting the Haitian authorities in the implementation of the main priorities of the government roadmap by addressing the real multidimensional problems facing the country. At this critical juncture, BINU plays an essential role in supporting Haitian authorities in organizing elections. coordinating international electoral assistance, and advancing a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned political process. We therefore commend the efforts undertaken to strengthen the Mission's electoral capacity and stress the importance of providing it with adequate resources to support free, credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections, while preserving its ability to fully implement its mandate. Mr. Chair, promoting and maintaining international peace and security stand as an indispensable cornerstone of the United Nations. Therefore, we strongly emphasize the importance of these missions and the need to ensure that they are provided with adequate resources to carry out their mandate effectively. However, we observe that despite the reduction of three special political missions compared to the previous year, SPM continues to represent a significant share of the organization regular budget, accounting for almost 13% of the proposed programming budget for 2027. The financial challenges arising from this situation were appropriately highlighted in the report A/66/340 of October 2011 by the then Secretary-General. 15 years later, despite the notable weight of these missions in the regular budget, a reasonable response has yet to be provided. In this context, we reiterate that, like peacekeeping operations, these missions are established by the decision of the Security Council and are not subject to consideration by the full membership. In this regard, we also emphasize the importance of ensuring that these missions are guided by clear and realistic mandates with provisions for periodic review to assess their progress. Therefore, we reiterate our stance that the funding for SPMs should be channeled through a special and separate account budgeted annually from July to June, applying the scale of assessments used for peacekeeping operations. We affirm on the delegation's commitment to special political missions and the critical role in conflict prevention, as well as the establishment, consolidation, and maintenance of peace. In this regard, we express our readiness to participate actively and collaboratively in these negotiations on these important agenda items. I thank you.

Thank you very much, delegation from the Republic. May I now give the floor to delegation from Singapore to speak on behalf of Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, on this agenda item on special political missions. ASEAN thanks Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, Assistant Secretary General and Controller, for introducing the report of the Secretary General on estimates in respect of SPMs. We also thank Ms Juliana Gaspar-Ross, ACABQ Chair, for introducing the related report of the ACABQ. Mr Chair, we are at a moment of transition for the United Nations. A new Secretary-General will soon take office as the organization continues to implement reforms under the UN80 initiative. This is an opportunity not only to find efficiencies, but also to address long-standing arrangements that are no longer fit for purpose. The financing of SPMs is one such area. ASEAN wishes to make three points. First, SPMs must be given the resources they need to deliver. These missions are an important part of the UN's work to prevent conflict, support political processes, and sustain peace. Their importance is particularly clear at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and increasingly complex conflicts. ASEAN recognises the efforts of SPMs to identify efficiencies and make better use of limited resources. But efficiency cannot come at the expense of their ability to deliver. Resources must follow mandates, and resources must be used well. Second, we must improve the way SPMs are funded and supported. ASEAN has long supported the establishment of a separate account for SPMs, aligned with the peacekeeping operations budget cycle. There are practical reasons for this. Many SPMs are established or renewed at different points during the year. Much of their backstopping is also provided by secretariat departments funded through the peacekeeping budget. A separate account would better reflect these operational realities and help shield the missions from liquidity constraints affecting the regular budget. This is not a new proposal. ASEAN has supported the relevant recommendations of the ACABQ, including those contained in its report of 13 December 2011, and the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations for more than a decade. As we reform the UN for the future, we should also be prepared to resolve long-standing problems from the past. Third, the financing of SPMs should fairly reflect responsibility for international peace and security. Most SPMs are mandated by the Security Council. Its permanent members bear special responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security. The General Assembly has recognized that these responsibilities should be accounted for in determining contributions towards peace and security operations. ASEAN therefore continues to support financing SPMs according to the peacekeeping operations scale, rather than the regular budget scale. Those with greater influence over the establishment and mandates of these missions should bear greater responsibility for financing them. Mr Chair, ASEAN's position has been consistent. SPMs must be adequately resourced, their financing and backstopping arrangements must be improved, and their costs must be shared fairly. These reforms would make the financing of SPMs more coherent, predictable, and sustainable. ASEAN looks forward to engaging constructively with all delegations on this important agenda item. Thank you.

Thank you very much. May I give the floor now to Djibouti on behalf of Africa Group. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Mr. Chair, I have the honor to speak on behalf of the African Group on agenda item 138, proposed program budget for 2027 concerning special political mission. The group expresses appreciation to Assistant Secretary General Controller, Mr. Chandu Ramanathan, and the Chair of the ACABQ, Ms. Juliana Caspary-Oras, for presenting their respective report. The group appreciate the introduction of this important agenda item at this early stage of the Committee's deliberations. We commend the Advisory Committee and the Secretariat for their effort in facilitating its timely consideration. Mr. Chair, the African Group acknowledge the important role played by Special Envoy, Representative, and United Nations Office in advancing preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery. Africa hosts or has direct relation with several missions under this agenda item, particularly those operating in the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes region, the Sudan, Libya, West Africa, and the Sahel and Central Africa. The Group, therefore, attaches great importance to the allocation of adequate resources to ensure the effective and comprehensive implementation of the mandate. We recognize the complex political and security environment in which these missions operate and comments the effort of host countries and United Nation personnel, particularly those serving under difficult and dangerous condition. The African group reiterated commitment to strengthening measure aimed at ensuring the safety and security of all United Nation personnel. Mr. Chair, the group note that the Secretary General proposed 422.67 million US dollar for 2027, representing a decrease of 113.5 million US dollar or 21.2%. compared with the approved budget for 2026. We note that this reduction primarily reflects the closure of three missions, alongside continued efficiency measures under the UN80 initiative. The Group emphasizes that efforts to achieve efficiencies must not compromise mandate implementation, particularly in missions operating in fragile political and security environments. We will carefully examine the proposed resources and the observations of the Advisory Committee across all three thematic clusters. The African Group gives particular attention to the lasting contribution of special political missions established to support conflict resolution, political stability and sustainable peace. In this regard, we will pay particular attention to cooperation with the host countries and regional and subregional organizations, resource for capacity building and operational activity, as well as equitable geographical representation and the employment of national staff. The Group appreciates the continued effort toward the nationalization of posts in special political missions. Nevertheless, We remain concerned about the underrepresentation of Africa in senior leadership and professional position. We reiterate the importance of equitable geographical representation at all level, including USG, ASG, director, and professional position. The group also underscore the importance of maximizing national staff participation, which threaten national capacity, promote institutional continuity, and contribute to confidence building with host government. We therefore encourage the Secretary General to continue identifying opportunity for nationalization, filling vacant national position and simplifying recruitment procedure while taking into account the operational requirement for each mission. Mr. Chair, the regional service center in Entebbe remain a strategy component of the organization global support architecture. The group note the proposed allocation of 3.26 million US dollar to other center financing and reiterate the importance of adequate and predictable resources to sustain its operation, consistent with General Assembly resolution 80/273. In conclusion, the group reiterates its commitment to constructive engagement and the timely conclusion of negotiation to ensure that all special political mission receive the resource necessary to discharge their respective mandate effectively. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, Your Excellency from Djibouti. Thank you for your statement on behalf of Africa. Let me thank everyone for your patience. We have few countries to now make their statements. We now go to the individual countries. Islamic Republic, Iran, you have the floor.

Your Excellency. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We thank Mr. Ramanathan, ASG and Controller, and Ms. Ross, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for introducing their respective reports. My delegation wishes to reiterate its principled and consistent position that the Security Council Resolution 2231, 2015, definitely terminated on 18 October 2025. From that date, it ceased to have legal effect or an operative mandate, and the measures and restrictions established under it were terminated. This position has been consistently maintained by the Islamic Republic of Iran and firmly placed on record, both individually and jointly, by China and the Russian Federation. The Security Council reached no agreement on the validity or legal consequences of the E3's alleged invocation to the so-called SNAP-EC mechanism. Accordingly, the claim of reestablishment of the 1737 Committee or attempts to revive its illegitimate Panel of Experts lack a valid legal basis, and no resources should be allocated to them in the absence of a clear mandate. Furthermore, on 17 September 2026, the Security Council rejected the United States' politically motivated and legally unfounded attempt to revive the so-called mandate of the Panel of Experts of the terminated 1737 Committee. We recall our concerns regarding the Secretary-General's hasty and unjustified proposal to authorize an expenditure of 65,000 and to resume these mechanisms using the limited resources allocated for unforeseen and extraordinary expenses, which serve an entirely different purpose. The outcome of the relevant budget vote demonstrated that a significant number of member states did not support this approach. Moreover, in our view, proceeding with the proposal without giving due consideration to the report and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions represents, from a technical and budgetary perspective, a significant deviation from established practice of this Committee. Beyond our legal position, we believe the related budgetary proposal is inconsistent with the objectives of the efficiency, financial discipline, and the UN 80s initiatives, spirit, and reality. Reviving a structure that had been terminated and ceased to operate years ago creates recurring cost for special political missions at administrative layers and risks duplication at a time of severe financial constraints. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for keeping to time. I give the floor to Cuba.

Thank you very much, Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we'd like to thank Mr. Ramanathan, ASG and Controller, for presenting the Secretary-General's reports on the estimates on special political missions. We'd also like to thank Ms. Caspar Ruas, Chair of the ACABQ, for presenting the related reports from that body as well. Over the last few years, we have seen how resources allocated to special political missions continue to account for a significant chunk of the Organization's regular budget. Although we recognize the importance of these missions, we're not in favor of them being financed under the regular budget when they are only conceived by the Security Council. That is why we think there should be a separate account for the expenses of SPMs to establish criteria that reflect the principal role that permanent members of the Security Council are called upon to play in peace-related matters. Chair, on the estimates for cluster one, special envoys and special advisers of the Secretary-General, particularly the section on the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Cuba reiterates its unequivocal support to the functions of that post. However, we once again would stress that we do not agree at all with the inclusion of activities and results under the so-called responsibility to protect. We recall that there is no resolution from the General Assembly that has expressly established the post of Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect. In addition, there are major disagreements between member states on how this concept should be interpreted and applied, and these should not be ignored through its progressively being incorporated into the UN's activities and structures. In addition to this, we are concerned by the fact that the proposed budget for next year does not break down the resources allocated to the Responsibility to Protect. It is all clumped together under the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. This makes it difficult to assess accountability and the specific resources used. That is why we would call for a breakdown here that would allow for appropriate scrutiny by Member States. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, and your points were noted, particularly on this. I now give the floor to Kuwait. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

In the name of God, the most gracious, most merciful, the outside the state of Kuwait reaffirms its firm belief in the pivotal role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. We also underscore the importance of special political missions as one of the key tools for preventive diplomacy, for the prevention of conflicts and their settlement by peaceful means, and for supporting peacebuilding and sustaining peace. In this context, my country stresses the need to enable these missions to carry out their mandates effectively and efficiently. This requires providing them with the necessary financial and human resources commensurate with the nature of their tasks and the challenges they face, while upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and sound resource management. Mr. Chair, the State of Kuwait's support for the efforts of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security is a steadfast commitment. Over the past decades, that commitment has been reflected in Kuwait's practical and financial contributions. Among them, Kuwait hosted the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission, UNIKOM, for 12 years until its mandate ended in 2003. 2003 and bore two-thirds of its costs. Guided by this commitment, my country stresses the importance of providing special political missions with adequate financial and human resources. Such resources would enable them to implement their mandates effectively and efficiently and strengthen their contribution to conflict prevention and resolution and to consolidating the foundations of peace and stability. We also stressed the importance of striking a balance between the tasks and responsibilities entrusted to SPMs and the resources allocated to them. Such a balance would ensure sustainability of their work and their ability to respond to evolving challenges. Here, we underlined the importance of strengthening coordination among the various organs of the UN, exchanging expertise, building institutional capacity. Such effort would help to improve performance, rationalize the use of resources, and achieve the objectives for which these missions were established. Here, we cannot fail to recall the adoption of Security Council 2792. That resolution ensured that the UN would continue to follow up on the files of Kuwaiti prisoners and missing persons and third country nationals and of Kuwaiti property, including the national archives. My country looks forward to continuing close cooperation with the senior representative of the SGE, Ms. Maria Mashita. for the implementation of the resolution. We reaffirm our full support for her effort in carrying out the task entrusted to her, with a view to achieving tangible progress towards the full resolution of these files. The State of Kuwait also expresses its appreciation for the effort made by the members of the Security Council in this regard. These files have particular humanitarian and national dimensions, and they require continued international follow-up and attention. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the State of Kuwait renews its steadfast commitment to supporting the efforts of the UN in maintaining international peace and security. We express our appreciation for the role played by SPMs in strengthening security and stability. We underscore the importance of continuing to provide them with the necessary support so that they can implement their mandates in the best possible manner and contribute to achievement of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. I thank you.

Great, delegation. Thank you for stressing the point that special missions should have the attention of the budget. May I now give the floor to our delegation from Libya. United States, you have the floor.

In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful. Mr. Chair, allow me to extend to you and to the members of the Bureau of the Fifth Committee my sincere congratulations on your election. I wish you every success in steering the work of the Committee and assure you of my delegation's support and cooperation. The delegation of the State of Libya aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Djibouti on behalf of the group of African states. I would like to add the following remarks in my national capacity. The delegation of the State of Libya wishes to thank the Secretariat and the ACABQ for reports on financing of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, UNSMIL. My delegation underscores the important of the role played by the Mission in supporting Libyan efforts to achieve stability. It also helps to facilitate a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, with full respect for the sovereignty, unity and independence of Libya and its national institutions. Mr. Chair, The consideration of the Mission's budget should be based on the requirements for implementing its mandate and should ensure the provision of the human and financial resources needed for the Mission to carry out its tasks efficiently and effectively. At the same time, we stress the need for the prudent use of resources, greater transparency and accountability, and a link between expenditure and clear results that can be measured. In this context, my delegation considers that any proposal to reduce resources, abolish posts, or restructure the mission should be based on a clear analysis of its impact on mandate implementation. We look forward to receiving clarification on the justification for these changes and on the extent to which they will affect the mission's capacity to provide the support required within Libya. We also stress the importance of making greater use of qualified Libyan talent, ensuring fair and transparent competition for national posts, giving qualified Libyans the opportunity to fill local posts in accordance with the applicable recruitment conditions, and investing in their training and capacity development. My delegation further stresses the importance of close coordination with the Libyan authorities. Responsibilities should be clearly defined between the mission and the United Nations agencies, funds, and programs operating in Libya, so as to avoid duplication of activities and make the best use of available resources. Mr. Chair, Improving administrative efficiency should strengthen the Mission's capacity to carry out its tasks. We therefore call for clear and timely information on budget implementation, vacancies and proposed changes to the staffing table, so that Member States can take informed decisions. In conclusion, the delegation of Libya affirms its readiness to engage constructively in the consultations. Our aim is a budget that responds to the actual needs of the mission, ensure financial discipline, and supports the effort of Libyans to achieve peace and stability. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, Libya, for reiterating the importance of sovereignty in accordance with Article 2.4 and 2.7 of the United Nations Charter. Will I give the floor now to our delegation from Cyprus? Cyprus, US, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this is the first time I'm taking the floor, allow me to extend Cyprus' congratulations to you and your team for your election. I assure you, Mr. Chair, of my delegation's commitment to supporting you and your team throughout the session to conclude our deliberations on time. Allow me to express our appreciation to the Assistant Secretary General, Comptroller, Mr. Chandru Ramanathan, and the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Mrs. Juliana Caspar Ruas, for introducing their respective reports before us today. Mr. Chair, at the outset, Cyprus aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union, but would also like to make some additional remarks in my national capacity. Special Political Missions have been critical instruments of the United Nations in its endeavor to maintain international peace and security, deployed over the past eight decades on the basis of mandates from the Security Council or the General Assembly. In this regard, we emphasize the critical imperative of ensuring the need for SPMs to be adequately funded so to effectively deliver on their mandates. In this context, and as previously stated before this Committee, I reiterate Cyprus' position that deliberations on special political missions in the Fifth Committee ought to focus solely on budgetary matters, addressing and ensuring that SPMs have the necessary resources for the implementation of their mandates as decided by the Security Council. Therefore, decisions of the Fifth Committee on special political missions should adhere to the framework and parameters established by relevant Security Council resolutions. Challenging these parameters or revisiting the set framework does not fall within the purview of this committee. Deliberations on budgetary issues ought to concentrate on providing adequate resources for the full implementation of the Security Council mandates. Cyprus fully supports the mandate of the mission of the Secretary-General's Good Offices Mission in Cyprus, a mandate that derives from the provisions of relevant Security Council resolutions and decisions. These resolutions also establish the basis for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus as a bicomunal, bizonal federation with political equality as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions. Mr. Chair, you can count on my delegation's constructiveness during the technical deliberations for the budget of the mission of the Secretary-General's good offices in Cyprus. I thank you.

Thank you very much. Yes, Respect for General Assembly resolution and Security Council is paramount in the Paris, very important for the survival of the United Nations and the work of the committee. We now give the floor to Turkey delegation to make their statement. You have the floor, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Allow me to congratulate you and the members of your bureau for your election. Please rest assured of my delegation's support in working towards a successful conclusion of the work of the committee. I would like to thank the ASG Controller and the Chair of the ACABQ for the presentation of their respective reports. At a time of increasingly complex conflicts, special missions remain important instruments of mediation, conflict prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes, while maintaining budgetary discipline and efficiency. We underline the need for transparent, evidence-based budget proposals, realistic expenditure projections and rigorous scrutiny of proposed increases. We attach particular importance to the implementation of the UNAT initiative in the context of special political missions guided by operational needs and political realities. Mr. Chair, we take note of the proposed resource requirements for the Secretary-General's good offices in Cyprus and the ACABQ's observations regarding expenditure patterns and operational efficiencies. We also take note that the proposed programme plan explicitly refers to the role of the guarantor powers and to the broader format meetings convened by the Secretary-General. However, there needs to be better scrutiny on why the costs of the mission are rising and why there are no substantive adjustments arising from the UN80 initiative, despite the discontinuation of the special advisor position. We reiterate that every component of the UN in Cyprus is expected to treat the two sides equally and impartially. Any UN mission should respect the current realities of the island, which is that in Cyprus there are two equal peoples, as their inherent sovereign equality and equal international status are enshrined in international treaties. Turkiye believes that a results-oriented approach to the proposed programme budget for 2027 should combine prudent resource management with the preservation of the Organization's capacity to prevent conflicts, facilitate political solutions, and advance international peace and security. In closing, my delegation looks forward to constructive engagement and a timely conclusion of the session. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Yes, equal treatment should be the focus of international treaty. and the UN Haiti reform, the circus ends. May I now give the floor to Haiti, our delegation, to make their statement. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chairman. Chairman, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Jamaica on behalf of CARICOM, the Dominican Republic on behalf of countries of the Latin America and the Caribbean region, and now we'd like to make some comments in our national capacity. Mr. Chair, my delegation attaches particular importance to this agenda item on the proposed programme budget for 2027, specifically the SPMs. We have taken due note of the Secretary General's report, which mentions resources under the SPMs segment, And we welcome the recommendations made by the ACABQ in this context. We welcome the adoption of resolution 2814 of the Security Council, which extends the mandate of the UN's office in Haiti up until the 31st of January next year. We note the resources requested by the Secretary General for BINUH. And we also note the proposed reduction of some 7% in next year's budget compared with this year's. However, we do hope that this will not affect the mission's effective implementation of its mandate. We also note the proposed budget for the Group of Experts. And in this regard, we stress the need for a coherent, effective, coordinated implementation of the mandate of the Group of Experts, notably in in the context of the sanctions regime pursuant to Security Council resolution 2794. Mr. Chair, as the SG's report makes clear, SBMs play a critical role in upholding international peace and security, as well as in peacebuilding efforts. In this context, It is important and critical for these missions to have the necessary financial and human resources for them to discharge their mandates effectively. This is a responsibility for all member states. And the mandates of these missions have to be tailored to the real needs of host countries so that tangible results can be produced for the benefits of the peoples concerned. My delegation particularly notes the explanations provided by the Secretary-General on the results hoped for in the context of the implementation of the mandates of BINUH and the Group of Experts, particularly in the domain of the stability and security of Haiti for next year. My delegation, in this context, reaffirms our full commitment to a robust international solidarity and multilateralism to make the mission more effective and better tailored to the challenges that humanity is facing? Thank you.

Thank you very much. Yes, we must tailor our mandates to country needs. Resolution 2817 and 2794 are very important. May I now give the floor to the Russian Federation. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Chair, we'd like to thank the USG Controller, Mr. Manan Ramanathan, and the Chair of ACABQ, Ms. Reif, for introducing the reports under this agenda item. I'd like to touch on the question of resources linked to the so-called resumption of the work of the 1737 Security Council Committee. and its group of experts. I would like to reiterate our position on this. There was never any snapback that took place, and Security Council Resolution 2231 has expired. The Fifth Committee should not find itself in a situation whereby it is expected to approve via budget decision an initiative that has not been approved on the part of the Security Council. In this connection, we believe that the resource requirements on this issue should be set at zero. call on the secretariat to stick very strictly to its mandates. In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm our readiness to constructively work on other special political missions, given the need for effective implementation of intergovernmental mandates. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you, the Federation of Russia. I can assure you that the Fifth Committee will stay within its mandate, as you emphasise. to that the fifth committee's to the size caution and I'll get the floor to the delegation from Sudan to have the floor you have the.

Floor thank you Mr. chair for giving you the floor Mr. chair my delegation aligns itself for the statement made by Djibouti on behalf of the African group and I make the statement in my National capacity Mr. chair Adopted. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the budget for SPMs for 2027. Also, we thank and appreciate the ACABQ for the presented remarks, recommendations on the proposed resources for these missions, including the Office of the Personal Envoy of the SG for Sudan. The government welcomes the personal envoy, Mr. Aristo, and we stand ready to work with him and assist him in the implementation of his mandate. We continue to engage with the personal envoy since his appointment, positively and constructively. This is because we are keen on ending the war and achieving stability and peace in Sudan. We also renew our commitment to continue to cooperate with the UN and its relevant organs. Here, it is important for all these efforts to be based on respect for Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We have taken note of the proposed resources for the Office of the Personal Envoy of Sudan for 2027. Also, we took note on the proposal for the transfer of the work from Algiers, the capital, to Addis Ababa. And in light of the remarks of the ACBQ and SG, it is important to coordinate with relevant regional entities. Here, we stress the importance for this arrangement to contribute to enhancing continued coordination with the government of Sudan as the relevant and concerned entity. And this would contribute to integration between the relevant regional initiatives and UN initiatives towards the optimal use of resources and avoiding duplication duplication of effort and duplication of initiatives that would lead to fragmentation of efforts towards peace. Mr. Chair, once again, we renew our commitment to fully cooperate and constructively cooperate with the UN and the personal envoy in support of all the efforts towards ending the war and achieving stability and peace in the Sudan to protect Sudan's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and meet the aspirations, legitimate aspirations of its people towards peace and security and stability, I think.

Thank you very much, Sudan, for your speech. You reiterated the issue of sovereignty again. Thank you. And I think that is well noted. May I give the floor to distinguished delegation from Japan. You have the floor, Your Excellency.

Thank you, Chair. I would like to begin by expressing our profound appreciation to the ACABQ and the Secretariat for their hard work and dedication in preparing and presenting the reports. Mr. Chair, in today's highly complex and rapidly changing international situation, the importance of special political missions cannot be overstated. Over the decades, SPMs have made vital contributions to conflict prevention and peacebuilding. At the same time, to ensure the accountability of the organization to member states and their taxpayers, it is essential that SPMs carry out their activities in an efficient and effective manner. Last year, thanks to the UN 88 initiative began by the Secretary General and the efforts of member states, we successfully reached a consensus on streamlined budget for SPMs. It is vital that we sustain this momentum and continue to support these efforts. In this regard, Japan appreciates the continuous efforts of the Secretary General and his team in presenting the SPM budget proposal. In light of the discontinuation or downsizing of certain missions, it is critical to pursue further rejuvenation of staff. promotes the rationalization of resources through redeployment and reassignment of personnel and streamline operations while ensuring that the mandate of SPMs are fully delivered. Mr. Chair, To this end, Japan is fully committed to engaging constructively with other member states in the upcoming consultations to ensure that SPMs can effectively fulfill their mandates in today's volatile global security landscape. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, Japan, for your statements, which emphasize the need for efficiency and effectiveness of the mandates given to SPM. Thank you so much. I think we will now give the floor back to the European Union, who requested to make some short statements. Thank you. Ursula von der Leyen, you have the floor from the European Union.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Further to the comments made by the distinguished delegate of Turkey, we would like to recall the established procedures and working methods of the Fifth Committee. We reiterate that in the Fifth Committee deliberation, budgetary issues regarding special political missions stem from the resolution of the UN Security Council. This resolution established the mandate framework of the special political mission, set out the UN parameters on which these political processes are based. We recall in particular resolution 541 1983 and 550 1984 in which the Council calls upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus, and not to recognize any Cypriot State other than the Republic of Cyprus. These resolutions are binding to all Member States, who must adhere to and abide by them. Our role in the Fifth Committee is not to revisit these mandates, but to discuss and adopt the level of resources that will allow their full implementation. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much, the delegation for European Union. I will now have to give the floor back to Tokyo, who has decided to make a response. Your Excellency, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. The primary counterpart with regard to the matter in question, the Turkish Cypriot side, unfortunately cannot be heard in this platform. Nevertheless, Turkey would like to declare for the record that we are against attempts to politicize the Fifth Committee, including through unfounded allegations and selective and one-sided interpretation of history. It's clear that the European Union and its institutions have entirely lost their impartiality on the Cyprus issue, aligning themselves with the Greek Cypriot side as if they're active party to the issue. We therefore call on European Union to abandon its one-sided approach, refrain from politicizing humanitarian aspects of the Cyprus issue as an instrument of political propaganda, and to acknowledge and respect historical realities on the island, including the suffering endured by the Turkish Cypriot people. Thank you.

Now, before we round up, I think Cyprus wants to make comments again. The United States, you and their comments here and there, we will not be able to make any comment from this side. So, Cyprus, your Excellency, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Further to what has been stated by the European Union, I'm also obliged to exercise the right of reply. In respect to what has been said by the delegation of Turkey, allow me to reiterate that the international community has no doubts the Republic of Cyprus is a member state of the United Nations and the only internationally recognized state on the island of Cyprus under international law and Security Council resolutions. In relation to the remarks made by the delegation of Turkey, these are rejected in toto as they're objectionable, both on grounds of relevance as deliberations in the context of the Fifth Committee ought to remain technical as well as of substance, since they blatantly contradict Security Council resolutions, especially Security Council Resolution 541 and 550. It is indeed regrettable that the representative of Turkey is trying to politicize the discussion in a technical committee like the Fifth Committee, and we see what is happening today. Allow me to reiterate the position of my delegation that the decisions of the Fifth Committee on special political missions should therefore adhere to the framework parameters established by relevant Security Council resolutions. Challenging these parameters or revisiting the said framework does not fall within the purview of the Fifth Committee. Deliberations on budgetary issues ought to concentrate on providing adequate resources for the full implementation of the Security Council mandates. I thank you.

Thank you very much. And let me sincerely thank our distinguished colleagues for great opportunity of having an excellent discussion today. I'm sure there are many other discussions coming out at the informal consultation. If there is no further comment, the committee has thus concluded its general discussion on this issue. A formal consultation on the report just introduced will be considered by Mr. Thomp of Norway. This meeting is adjourned.