Category: Africa Press Organisation – English

Source: United Nations – English

he Secretary-General congratulates the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and its people on the holding of parliamentary elections on 20 October, which took place in a calm and peaceful manner. He further commends the efforts of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), supported by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in the preparations and conduct of these elections.

As the Kurdistan Region of Iraq awaits the final results, the Secretary-General encourages all political leaders and segments of society to continue to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and urges political actors to resolve any electoral disputes through established legal channels and to complete the electoral process by forming an inclusive government as soon as possible. He reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support Iraq’s efforts to consolidate democratic gains and build a prosperous future for the people of Iraq.

Source: United Nations – English

ear Prime Minister Abiy, dear Chairperson Moussa Faki, dear friends and colleagues,

It is an enormous pleasure to join all of you for this moment of history – in this house of history. 

I thank all our partners – particularly the Government of Ethiopia, along with our own United Nations Economic Commission for Africa for the tremendous work.

This hall is where Africa came together to give life to the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union. 

Times were very different. 

In 1961, when this Hall was inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie, only 26 African nations had achieved independence – many of them just months before.

Today, Africa is a transformed continent.

And to my mind, this renewed building symbolizes renewed hope and unity for Africa.

This Hall is a bridge between Africa’s past and future – honouring shared struggles and achievements, while embracing common aspirations.  It is ubuntu.

A state of the art 21st century facility that preserves the grandeur and history of this great continent.

I also see it as an invitation for everyone to cooperate in pursuit of a better future, for Africa and for the world.

Dear friends,

As we celebrate this new beginning, we must also acknowledge the challenges ahead of us.

Africa is a continent of hope. 

But it faces challenges that are deeply rooted in history and are exacerbated by climate change, conflict and persistent poverty.

And African women often bear the brunt of these hardships.

Addressing these issues requires resolute action and renewed solidarity.

Our global institutions were built at a time when most of Africa was under colonial rule.  

But unlike this Hall with its 21st century innovations, many of these global institutions are stuck in those times, unable to respond to the aspirations and rights of the African people.

Africa still has no permanent seat at the Security Council. And let’s hope it will be corrected soon.

And international financial institutions often cannot provide African countries with the response they need – whether it is protection from strangling debt or from climate catastrophe they did not cause.

We can only move forward if we also renew and update global institutions – by making them more effective, fair and inclusive.

Last month, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

The Pact recognizes the need to reform the Security Council to make it representative, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable.

It also calls for groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture – including to massively scale-up affordable development and climate finance.

And the Global Digital Compact includes the first truly universal agreement on the governance of Artificial Intelligence – giving every country a seat at the table, while supporting partnerships to bridge the digital divide and build AI capacity in developing countries and namely in Africa.

We must now move forward together in implementing these historic agreements without delay.

And we must include young people at every step of the way.

Dear friends,

For more than sixty years, the Africa Hall has been a symbol of the continent’s collective aspirations, a testament to its resilience, and a beacon of hope for entire generations.

Today, as we step into this renewed space, let us also renew our pledge to work for the people of Africa and the world we need.

May the debates and discussions here continue to lead towards greater peace, unity and prosperity for all on the African continent.

And I thank you.

Source: United Nations – English

ear Prime Minister Abiy, dear Chairperson Moussa Faki, dear friends and colleagues,

It is an enormous pleasure to join all of you for this moment of history – in this house of history. 

I thank all our partners – particularly the Government of Ethiopia, along with our own United Nations Economic Commission for Africa for the tremendous work.

This hall is where Africa came together to give life to the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union. 

Times were very different. 

In 1961, when this Hall was inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie, only 26 African nations had achieved independence – many of them just months before.

Today, Africa is a transformed continent.

And to my mind, this renewed building symbolizes renewed hope and unity for Africa.

This Hall is a bridge between Africa’s past and future – honouring shared struggles and achievements, while embracing common aspirations.  It is ubuntu.

A state of the art 21st century facility that preserves the grandeur and history of this great continent.

I also see it as an invitation for everyone to cooperate in pursuit of a better future, for Africa and for the world.

Dear friends,

As we celebrate this new beginning, we must also acknowledge the challenges ahead of us.

Africa is a continent of hope. 

But it faces challenges that are deeply rooted in history and are exacerbated by climate change, conflict and persistent poverty.

And African women often bear the brunt of these hardships.

Addressing these issues requires resolute action and renewed solidarity.

Our global institutions were built at a time when most of Africa was under colonial rule.  

But unlike this Hall with its 21st century innovations, many of these global institutions are stuck in those times, unable to respond to the aspirations and rights of the African people.

Africa still has no permanent seat at the Security Council. And let’s hope it will be corrected soon.

And international financial institutions often cannot provide African countries with the response they need – whether it is protection from strangling debt or from climate catastrophe they did not cause.

We can only move forward if we also renew and update global institutions – by making them more effective, fair and inclusive.

Last month, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

The Pact recognizes the need to reform the Security Council to make it representative, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable.

It also calls for groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture – including to massively scale-up affordable development and climate finance.

And the Global Digital Compact includes the first truly universal agreement on the governance of Artificial Intelligence – giving every country a seat at the table, while supporting partnerships to bridge the digital divide and build AI capacity in developing countries and namely in Africa.

We must now move forward together in implementing these historic agreements without delay.

And we must include young people at every step of the way.

Dear friends,

For more than sixty years, the Africa Hall has been a symbol of the continent’s collective aspirations, a testament to its resilience, and a beacon of hope for entire generations.

Today, as we step into this renewed space, let us also renew our pledge to work for the people of Africa and the world we need.

May the debates and discussions here continue to lead towards greater peace, unity and prosperity for all on the African continent.

And I thank you.

Source: United Nations – English

ear Prime Minister Abiy, dear Chairperson Moussa Faki, dear friends and colleagues,

It is an enormous pleasure to join all of you for this moment of history – in this house of history. 

I thank all our partners – particularly the Government of Ethiopia, along with our own United Nations Economic Commission for Africa for the tremendous work.

This hall is where Africa came together to give life to the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union. 

Times were very different. 

In 1961, when this Hall was inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie, only 26 African nations had achieved independence – many of them just months before.

Today, Africa is a transformed continent.

And to my mind, this renewed building symbolizes renewed hope and unity for Africa.

This Hall is a bridge between Africa’s past and future – honouring shared struggles and achievements, while embracing common aspirations.  It is ubuntu.

A state of the art 21st century facility that preserves the grandeur and history of this great continent.

I also see it as an invitation for everyone to cooperate in pursuit of a better future, for Africa and for the world.

Dear friends,

As we celebrate this new beginning, we must also acknowledge the challenges ahead of us.

Africa is a continent of hope. 

But it faces challenges that are deeply rooted in history and are exacerbated by climate change, conflict and persistent poverty.

And African women often bear the brunt of these hardships.

Addressing these issues requires resolute action and renewed solidarity.

Our global institutions were built at a time when most of Africa was under colonial rule.  

But unlike this Hall with its 21st century innovations, many of these global institutions are stuck in those times, unable to respond to the aspirations and rights of the African people.

Africa still has no permanent seat at the Security Council. And let’s hope it will be corrected soon.

And international financial institutions often cannot provide African countries with the response they need – whether it is protection from strangling debt or from climate catastrophe they did not cause.

We can only move forward if we also renew and update global institutions – by making them more effective, fair and inclusive.

Last month, world leaders adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.

The Pact recognizes the need to reform the Security Council to make it representative, transparent, efficient, democratic and accountable.

It also calls for groundbreaking reforms of the international financial architecture – including to massively scale-up affordable development and climate finance.

And the Global Digital Compact includes the first truly universal agreement on the governance of Artificial Intelligence – giving every country a seat at the table, while supporting partnerships to bridge the digital divide and build AI capacity in developing countries and namely in Africa.

We must now move forward together in implementing these historic agreements without delay.

And we must include young people at every step of the way.

Dear friends,

For more than sixty years, the Africa Hall has been a symbol of the continent’s collective aspirations, a testament to its resilience, and a beacon of hope for entire generations.

Today, as we step into this renewed space, let us also renew our pledge to work for the people of Africa and the world we need.

May the debates and discussions here continue to lead towards greater peace, unity and prosperity for all on the African continent.

And I thank you.

Source: United Nations – English

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Excellencies, friends,

I thank the Government of Colombia for hosting this important COP:

The COP to make peace with nature;

And the first since countries adopted the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
 
That Framework is grounded in a clear truth: for humanity to thrive, nature must flourish.

Destroying nature inflames conflict, hunger and disease;

Fuels poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis;

And damages sustainable development, green jobs, cultural heritage, and GDP.

A collapse in nature’s services – such as pollination, and clean water – would see the global economy lose trillions of dollars a year – with the poorest hardest hit.

The Global Biodiversity Framework promises to reset relations with Earth and its ecosystems.

But we are not on track.

Your task at this COP is to convert words into action.

That means countries presenting clear plans that align national actions with all the Framework’s targets.

It means agreeing a strengthened monitoring and transparency framework.

And it means honouring promises on finance – and accelerating support to developing countries.

We must leave Cali with significant investment in the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, and commitments to mobilise other sources of public and private finance to deliver the Framework in full.

And those profiting from nature must contribute to its protection and restoration.

Developing countries are being plundered:

Digitised DNA from biodiversity underpins scientific discoveries and economic growth. But developing countries don’t gain fairly from these advances – despite being home to extraordinary richness. 

This COP must operationalise the mechanism that has been agreed – to ensure that when countries share genetic information, they share benefits – equitably. 

It must engage all of society – as “La COP de la gente”

And it must strengthen the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Indigenous Peoples are the world’s great guardians of biodiversity; luminaries of sustainable use.

Their knowledge and stewardship must be at the heart of biodiversity action at every level. 

Excellencies,

We have a plan to rescue humanity from a degraded Earth.

I look forward to seeing you in person at the end of the COP to hear how you have delivered.

Thank you.

Source: United Nations – English

he Secretary-General strongly condemns the killings in Maputo of Elvino Dias, legal advisor to Mozambican presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane, and Paulo Guambe, the legal representative of the political party PODEMOS.

The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. He urges the authorities to swiftly investigate the killings and bring their perpetrators to justice.

The Secretary-General calls on all Mozambicans, including political leaders and their supporters, to remain calm, exercise restraint and reject all forms of violence ahead of the official announcement of the electoral results.

The Secretary-General reiterates the solidarity of the United Nations with the people of Mozambique and reaffirms its unwavering support to peace and stability during this important phase in the country’s history.

Source: United Nations – English

he Secretary-General has transmitted to the President of the General Assembly the report of the Eminent Person, former Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mr. Mohamed Chande Othman, concerning the investigation into the conditions and circumstances resulting in the tragic death of Dag Hammarskjöld and of the members of the party accompanying him. The Secretary-General’s letter to the President of the General Assembly is accompanied by the Eminent Person’s report and will be publicly available as General Assembly document A/78/1006.

Dag Hammarskjöld served as Secretary-General from April 1953 until his death in a plane crash in Ndola, Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, along with 15 others, UN staff members and crew, on the night of 17/18 September 1961. The Secretary-General pays tribute to all those that died and emphasizes that their families deserve answers.

The Secretary-General is grateful to Judge Othman for his unwavering commitment to this matter and is encouraged that the body of relevant knowledge has grown with each successive mandate of the Eminent Person. He notes that significant new information has been provided to the Eminent Person during his present mandate, including in the areas of: (i) probable intercepts by Member States of relevant communications; (ii) the capacity of the armed forces of Katanga, or others, to have conducted a possible attack on flight SE-BDY; (iii) the presence in the area of foreign paramilitary and intelligence personnel; and (iv) further new information relevant to the context and surrounding events of 1961.

At this juncture, the Eminent Person assesses it to remain plausible that an external attack or threat was a cause of the crash. The Eminent Person notes that the alternative hypotheses that appear to remain available are that the crash resulted from sabotage, or unintentional human error.

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the disclosure of new information by some Member States and by some key Member States’ continued commitment to engage with the Eminent Person. He is also grateful for the cooperation and collaboration by Independent Appointees of Member States as well as individual researchers.

The Secretary-General notes that the Eminent Person considers that it is almost certain that specific, crucial and to date undisclosed information exists in the archives of Member States. The Secretary-General further notes the Eminent Person’s assessment that he has not received, to date, specific responses to his specific queries from certain Member States. The Secretary-General has personally followed up on the Eminent Person’s outstanding requests for information, and calls upon Member States to release any relevant records in their possession.

With significant progress having been made, the Secretary-General calls on all of us to renew our resolve and commitment to pursue the full truth of what happened on that fateful night in 1961.
 

Source: United Nations – English

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Dear colleagues of UNIFIL,

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of speaking with representatives of your countries here in New York.

Today I want to speak to you directly.
 
I want to say to you what I said to them: 

I am full of admiration and gratitude to the men and women of UNIFIL. 

I am so proud of you — and I know your countries are proud of you, too.

You should know that here in New York, we are all very aware of your bravery during some of the most challenging moments in the history of UNIFIL.

I have been crystal clear:  the safety of United Nations personnel is our highest priority.

And all parties have an obligation to ensure the safety of our personnel.

The inviolability of UN premises must be respected, at all times.

Attacks against UN peacekeepers are completely unacceptable.

They are in breach of international law, against international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.

Despite all the challenges, UNIFIL remains in its positions.

Every day you keep the blue flag flying — and ensure the primacy of international law. 

I am in constant contact with General Lázaro – assessing the latest developments. 

Our path forward is clear.

We need an immediate ceasefire and the full implementation of resolution 1701.

The men and women of UNIFIL are tirelessly working to give our diplomatic efforts a fighting chance.

You are not just on the Blue Line in Lebanon, you are literally on the front line of peace.

Thank you for your service.

*****

Chères et chers collègues de la FINUL,

En début de semaine, j’ai eu le privilège de m’entretenir avec des représentants de vos pays respectifs ici, à New York.

Aujourd’hui, je tiens à m’adresser directement à vous.

Je tiens à vous dire ce que je leur ai dit : 

Je suis empli d’admiration et de gratitude pour les femmes et les hommes qui composent la FINUL.

Je suis fier de vous – et je sais que vos pays le sont également.

Sachez qu’ici, à New York, nous sommes tous très conscients de la bravoure dont vous faites preuve dans l’un des moments les plus difficiles de l’histoire de la FINUL.

J’ai été très clair à ce sujet : la sécurité du personnel de l’ONU est notre priorité absolue.

Toutes les parties ont l’obligation de garantir la sécurité de notre personnel.

L’inviolabilité des locaux des Nations Unies doit être respectée à tout moment.

Les attaques visant les Casques bleus sont totalement inacceptables.

Elles sont contraires au droit international et au droit international humanitaire et peuvent constituer un crime de guerre.

Malgré toutes ces difficultés, la FINUL tient ses positions.

Chaque jour, vous faites flotter le drapeau bleu – et garantissez la primauté du droit international.

Je suis en contact permanent avec le général Lázaro pour suivre l’évolution de la situation.

Notre voie à suivre est claire.

Nous avons besoin d’un cessez-le-feu immédiat et d’une mise en œuvre intégrale de la résolution 1701.

Les hommes et les femmes de la FINUL travaillent sans relâche pour donner à nos efforts diplomatiques une chance d’aboutir.

Vous n’êtes pas seulement sur la ligne bleue au Liban, vous êtes littéralement sur la ligne de front de la paix.

Merci pour votre service.

*****

Estimadas y estimados colegas de la FPNUL:

A principios de esta semana, tuve el privilegio de hablar con representantes de sus países, aquí en Nueva York.

Hoy quiero hablar con ustedes directamente.
 
Quiero decirles lo mismo que les dije a ellos: 

Siento gran admiración y gratitud hacia los hombres y mujeres de la FPNUL. 

Estoy muy orgulloso de ustedes, y sé que sus países también lo están.

Deben saber que aquí, en Nueva York, todos somos muy conscientes del valor que han tenido durante algunos de los momentos más complicados de la historia de la FPNUL.

Me he expresado con total claridad: la seguridad del personal de las Naciones Unidas es nuestra prioridad máxima.

Y todas las partes tienen la obligación de garantizar la seguridad de nuestro personal. 

La inviolabilidad de los locales de las Naciones Unidas debe respetarse, en todo momento.

Los ataques contra el personal de mantenimiento de la paz de las Naciones Unidas son completamente inaceptables.

Infringen el derecho internacional y el derecho internacional humanitario y pueden constituir un crimen de guerra. 

A pesar de todas las dificultades, la FPNUL permanece en sus posiciones.

Cada día, ustedes mantienen la bandera azul ondeando y garantizan la primacía del derecho internacional.

Estoy en contacto constante con el general Lázaro, evaluando los últimos acontecimientos. 

Nuestro camino para avanzar está claro.

Necesitamos un alto el fuego inmediato y la aplicación plena de la resolución 1701.

Los hombres y las mujeres de la FPNUL trabajan incansablemente para dar una oportunidad a nuestros esfuerzos diplomáticos.
 
Ustedes no están solamente en la línea azul del Líbano; están literalmente en primera línea de la paz.

Gracias por su servicio.

Source: United Nations – English

overty is a global plague, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world.

But poverty is not inevitable. It is the direct result of the choices that societies and governments make — or fail to make.

This year’s theme reminds us that people mired in poverty contend with societal discrimination and systemic barriers that make it more difficult to access vital services and support.

Ending global poverty — and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals — requires governments shaping institutions and systems that put people first. 

It demands that we prioritize investments in decent work, learning opportunities and social protection that offer ladders out of poverty.

And it calls on us to fully implement the new Pact for the Future by supporting an SDG Stimulus and reforming the global financial architecture to help developing countries invest in their people.

Eradicating poverty is an essential foundation for humane, dignified societies that leave no one behind.

On this important day, let’s re-commit to making poverty history.

*****
La pauvreté est un fléau mondial qui touche des centaines de millions de personnes à travers la planète.

Toutefois, elle n’est pas une fatalité. Elle résulte directement des choix que font, ou ne font pas, les sociétés et les États.

Le thème de cette année nous rappelle que les personnes en proie à la pauvreté sont confrontées à des discriminations sociétales et à des obstacles systémiques qui les empêchent d’accéder à l’aide et aux services essentiels.

Pour éliminer la pauvreté dans le monde et atteindre les objectifs de développement durable, il faut que les États se dotent d’institutions et de systèmes qui placent les gens au cœur de leur action.

Il convient d’investir en premier lieu dans le travail décent, l’apprentissage et la protection sociale, véritables marchepieds pour sortir de la pauvreté.

Il convient enfin de mettre pleinement en œuvre le nouveau Pacte pour l’avenir, en soutenant le plan de relance des objectifs de développement durable et en réformant l’architecture financière internationale afin d’aider les pays en développement à investir dans leur population.

L’éradication de la pauvreté est indispensable à l’édification de sociétés humaines et dignes où personne n’est laissé de côté.

En ce jour important, redisons notre détermination à faire de la pauvreté une histoire ancienne.

Source: United Nations – English

xcellencies, Distinguished delegates,

I welcome this opportunity to introduce the proposed programme budget for 2025.

I do so in a context of a multiplicity of challenges and with a strong sense of urgency.

In a context of major global shocks, the United Nations is more needed than ever — with our unmatched convening power.

The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations represent a commitment towards updating and reforming international cooperation to make it more networked, effective, fair and inclusive.

The 2025 programme budget proposal reflects in many ways, the priorities set out in these landmark agreements.

The proposal renews our commitment to deliver on our mandates to advance peace, sustainable development, and human rights.

At the same time, we will continue to work to cement our reforms, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

In the new digital age, the United Nations has an essential part to play.

We reached a milestone with the Global Digital Compact which includes the first truly universal agreement on the international governance of Artificial Intelligence with the UN at its centre. 

Madam Chair, distinguished delegates,

In December 2022, the General Assembly lifted the trial period and formalized the change to an annual budget period.

The format of the programme budget has stabilized. The programme plans reflect our increased results-orientation.
Our 350 results frameworks continue to move further towards demonstrating the impact and positive change of our work on the ground. 

The planned targets have become more ambitious.

More than 65 percent of quantitative planned targets are now aiming to achieve a 10 percent or more increase in performance. This is an increase from less than 30 percent in the 2018-19 biennium, 45 percent for 2023, and 60 percent for 2024.

We have reduced duplication in the strategies and deliverables, while maintaining the same level of programmatic information. 

Every programme manager is expected to scrutinize every dollar spent and planned to be spent.

And they must constantly review and adjust programmatic activities to achieve planned results.

This will allow us to optimize resources for mandate delivery and focus even more effectively on results.

Let me now turn to the overall resource requirements.

To fully implement our mandates, we will require a total of $3.6 billion in 2025.

Excluding Special Political Missions, this includes a total of 10,494 posts, representing a net increase of 115 posts required to implement new or strengthen existing mandates.

The proposed budget also includes $711 million for the continuation of 36 Special Political Missions for 2025. 

This reflects a decrease of $31 million from last year primarily because of the discontinuation of the field mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), and our investigative team to promote accountability for the crimes committed in Iraq by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD). 

In line with the usual practice, you will consider later in the session additional proposals for construction, revised estimates and programme budget implications resulting from new or revised mandates. These include revised estimates in support of the implementation of the Pact of the Future, and for UNRWA.

We continue to make every effort to find efficiencies while also recognizing that any further cuts to support departments risk jeopardizing policy, operational, or communication support to our programmatic work.

Allow me to highlight five specific elements of our 2025 programme budget proposals:

First, we propose to continue our investment in sustainable development.

We propose an increase of approximately $4.5 million, the sixth consecutive annual increase for the development pillar.

The Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation – or RPTC — will be a key recipient. 

The increases will further strengthen the direct support provided to governments to help advance their development efforts.

With the proposed increase of $2 million, resources for the RPTC will have grown by more than 45% since 2019.

The proposed increase in the RPTC will be split evenly between all entities. 

However, we propose an additional $0.5 million for the Economic Commission for Africa for technical assistance and advice to Member States on the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Our proposal also includes an increase of $1 million for the Development Account to enhance and expand targeted, country-level capacity development support and to broaden the dissemination of the projects’ results to more countries.

We also seek increases of $0.6 million for the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa and $0.75 million for the Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States.

Further, we want to strengthen the UN development system through structural changes to help ensure sufficient and predictable funding — and enhanced accountability.

The Resident Coordinator system has faced a chronic funding shortfall since day one.

A sustainable and predictable funding mechanism, through partial financing from the regular budget, is essential. 

My proposal for assessed funding is under review by this Committee.

It is important to reach a decision on this topic.

Member States’ expectations of the RC system are growing.

The effects of the funding gap are felt every day.  For example, the recruitment for 78 posts across 52 countries has been suspended.

We also seek to put the small System-Wide Evaluation Office on a firmer footing with regular budget funding.

This will further enhance transparency and ensure effective, independent evaluation of the UN development system at the country level – the raison d’etre of the UNSDG System-Wide Evaluation Office.

Second, human rights.

The proposal includes an additional $8.3 million to support the work of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic and ensure its functioning at full capacity in 2025. 

We are also seeking an increase of $8 million for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for more effective implementation of mandates, especially at the regional level.

Additionally, based on the recommendation of the ACABQ and the guidance from the General Assembly, we have included resource requirements that will arise from anticipated mandate renewals by the Human Rights Council later in the year.  

By presenting these resource requirements now rather than separately later in the session, Member States have a more complete picture of the resources being sought for the Office. This will also reduce fragmentation and increase transparency. 

Let me emphasize that this consolidation, which amounts to $28.8 million, does not represent an increase in resources – only a change in presentation.

Third, boosting support for the unprecedented humanitarian challenges in Gaza, with approximately $3.5 million in additional resources.

This includes an increase of nearly $2.5 million for UNRWA which complements the additional $30 million approved for 2024.

UNRWA is a lifeline for Palestine refugees, and a crucial factor for regional stability.

Fourth, advancing peace and security. 

This includes an increase of $2.5 million for disarmament, including the establishment of 9 posts to implement activities requested by the General Assembly.

We are also seeking an increase of $1 million for the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process to intensify its vital work.

Following the landmark decision of the General Assembly, we will address persistent funding challenges of the Peacebuilding Fund due to its exclusive reliance on voluntary contributions — by approving a $50 million dollar grant for the Peacebuilding and Recovery Facility of the Peacebuilding Fund starting in 2025.

And fifth, strengthening our capacities in investigation and ethics. 
We are seeking an approximately $2 million increase, for the creation of three temporary positions for the Ethics Office and ten for the Office of Internal Oversight Services.

Madam Chair, distinguished delegates,

With the structural aspects of the reforms now well consolidated, it is imperative to keep working together to achieve the cultural change for results.

Our 2025 budget continues to strive towards our shared vision for UN 2.0, through a forward-thinking workforce culture, empowered by cutting-edge skills.

Gender equality and geographical representation remain priorities.

We are working nonstop to ensure that our workforce reflects the membership of the United Nations.

The General Assembly decision to increase the number of geographical posts has enabled us to reduce the total countries that were un- or under-represented and over-represented. 120 countries are now within range compared to 103 in December 2023.  

We are revising our strategy for equitable geographical distribution to focus on attracting more staff from countries that are un-or under-represented.  

Through our RC system and UN Information Centres, we have launched targeted outreach strategies in those countries, namely in many of the developing countries that are under-represented. 

In the same vein, we strive to expand opportunities for recruitment from as wide a geographical basis as possible for all posts.

All these efforts are yielding results.  For example, at the start of the UN development system reform, 41% of Resident Coordinators were from the global South.  Today, this number has increased to 57%.

We have successfully maintained gender parity at senior levels and, based on current projections, we will be able to reach parity at an Organizational level before 2028.

But we must do more to achieve parity at every entity and every level.

We are also working on the next phase of our system-wide disability inclusion strategy and making progress in our efforts to combat racism and racial discrimination at work.

Madam Chair, distinguished delegates,

The proposal before you reflects our ambition to respond to new threats and opportunities.

For us to deliver on our promises, Member States must also honour their commitments to this Organization.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of programme delivery and use of financial resources in 2025 will depend on the availability of cash.

I hope that we can end the current trend of declining liquidity.

The Organization started this year with only about $67 million in cash, compared to $700 million last year, making it extremely vulnerable to adverse changes in payment patterns of assessed contributions.

On top of that, the Organization had to return $114 million as credits to Member States as part of the 2024 assessments, which meant that we would collect less than the budget approved for 2024, even if all Member States pay in full in 2024.

The depletion of the regular budget liquidity reserves at the end of 2023 therefore necessitated imposing stringent cash-conservation measures from the very beginning of 2024. 

Unless the liquidity reserves are replenished fully at the end of this year, cash conservation measures are again likely to constrain budget implementation in 2025. 

This is why I have proposed that the General Assembly temporarily suspend the return of credits for 2023 against the 2025 assessment. 

The credits will be held in a reserve and released to Member States as soon as conditions improve.  

This is critical to both minimize the risk of negative impact on programme delivery and the ability to fulfill even non-discretionary commitments to personnel and third-party partners in 2025. 

I once again urge Member States to meet their financial obligations in full and on time.

I thank Member States that have paid in advance or earlier than before, and have made adjustments to their internal processes to continue to pay earlier.

We will keep monitoring the situation and reach out to Member States to pay in full and inform us of their plans so we can adapt our spending based as needed.

However, when programme delivery is repeatedly constrained by liquidity, past spending patterns become less reliable indicators of the real needs of the Organization.

Madam Chair, distinguished delegates,

The outcome of the Summit of the Future has opened pathways to new possibilities and opportunities towards securing a peaceful and livable future for everyone on our planet.

Against this backdrop, I look forward to your support for my 2025 programme budget proposal.

I welcome this opportunity to engage with you today and assure you that my senior managers will continue to support your deliberations on these proposals.

Thank you.