EU Statement – UN General Assembly 5th Committee: Special Political Missions

Madame Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Member States of the European Union.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, as well as Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

We thank the Controller for presenting the Secretary-General's report, and the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, for presenting the Committee's related reports. We note the improvements of the reports and the efforts to consolidate the Advisory Committee’s reports together with the revised estimates. 

We also express our sincere appreciation to the staff of the 37 Special Political Missions, whose dedication and hard work in often volatile and challenging environments are essential to the work and values of the United Nations.

Madame Chair,

Special Political Missions remain at the centre of the United Nations’ engagement across all three pillars. The European Union and its Member States remain committed to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and the protection of human rights, particularly to women and girls. Special Political Missions are indispensable tools for preventive diplomacy, mediation, and sustaining peace. Their multidimensional and cross-pillar character enables them to address today´s complex challenges, making them a cornerstone of the Organization’s impact on the ground.

This year’s discussion on Special Political Missions takes place in the broader context of the UN80 reform to make the Organization more effective, efficient, and responsive to today’s global challenges. As the largest collective contributor to the United Nations system, the European Union and its Member States approach this process with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to ensuring that resources are used effectively and with care. We therefore welcome the Secretary-General’s continued efforts to strengthen a culture of efficiency across Special Political Missions, including the Secretariat’s launch of its strategic approach to efficiency marks an important step toward systematic management of mission resources.

At the same time, we emphasize that efficiency must go hand in hand with effectiveness. Mandates agreed by Member States must be supported with adequate and reliable financing with all Member States fulfilling their obligations through paying their assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions, ensuring that missions are equipped to deliver on their objectives and adapt to evolving circumstances. Mandates without adequate resources cannot succeed.

Madame Chair,

Last year, for the first time in five years, this Committee reached consensus on a resolution on Special Political Missions. We value this collective achievement and the spirit of constructive engagement that made it possible. The resolution reaffirmed our shared commitment to improving the overall functioning of Special Political Missions and enhancing their long-term impact, including through efforts to reduce their environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices. This year, as we review the revised estimates, we have an opportunity to build on that progress and ensure that Special Political Missions deliver efficiently and effectively in a changing global context. 

Going forward, we encourage the continued development of inclusive strategies that promote the participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups, which are essential for the effectiveness and sustainability of mission activities. 

The European Union and its Member States remain committed to a timely and constructive conclusion of this item. We will continue to engage in a spirit of cooperation, with the shared goal of ensuring that Special Political Missions are equipped with the resources, flexibility, and guidance necessary to fulfil their mandate. In light of the UN80 reform, we will carefully consider the proposals before us with a view to strengthening the Organization’s capacity to be effective, efficient, results-oriented, transparent, and accountable, with a focus on delivering for all.

I thank you, Madame Chair.
 

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.