EU Statement – United Nations 3rd Committee: Informal meeting on Programme Planning

Mr. Chair,

The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Republic of Moldova, align themselves with this statement.

The EU thanks the OHCHR and UN Women for their briefings. We welcome the open and transparent approach proposed by the Chair to better understand programme 14 (Gender equality and the empowerment of women) and programme 20 (Human Rights), allow delegations who wish so to express their views on these programmes.

Firstly, we would like to reaffirm our understanding that today’s informal meeting shall not undermine the role and prerogatives of the Committee for Programme and Coordination in the future. We strongly encourage the CPC to conclude by consensus on all programmes in its future sessions. While it is the function of the CPC to provide to the General Assembly recommendations on whether the Programme Plans are the faithful translation of the mandates given to the UN System, it then is the Fifth Committee’s role to discuss and adopt them.

The Third Committee, as we witness this year again, already has a full Programme of Work, with the adoption of more than 60 resolutions, the conduct of more than 60 interactive dialogues with UN Human Rights mandate holders and senior officials, and a high number of informal negotiations. Adding to the already heavy Programme of Work of the Third Committee such a complex matter as planning discussions is not compatible with our workload. It would not allow the Third Committee to adequately focus its work and energy on the situation of human rights in the world and on the diverse human rights’ questions we look at during the session, which is at the core of the Committee’s work. For these reasons, we do not see today’s discussion as a precedent and will continue to oppose attempts to change the face and the role of the Third Committee.

Regarding programme 14, the EU wishes to reiterate its full support to and appreciation for UN Women’s key role in advancing gender equality, the enjoyment for all human rights by all women and girls, and their empowerment. We reiterate our support to the five thematic areas identified in the programme, and urge Member States to ensure sufficient funding for its implementation. We recognise the important responsibility of UN Women to promote gender mainstreaming across the UN system, including in emerging areas, such as digitalisation or climate and environmental action. We take note of the efforts of the Generation Equality Forum, convened by the United Nations Entity for Gender and Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) co-chaired by France and Mexico, in partnership with civil society, to the advancement of gender equality.

Regarding programme 20, let me reiterate that the European Union strongly supports the work of the OHCHR and calls on member states to ensure that budgetary support is commensurate with the high expectations placed on the Office. We ask both the programmes plans and the programme budgets to give to OHCHR the means allowing the full implementation of the Secretary General’s Call to Action for Human Rights.

The European Union will continue to strongly oppose in CPC, in the Fifth Committee and in the Third Committee amendments aimed at weakening references to human rights, and the promotion of gender equality. We express our sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General to precisely and accurately transcribe mandates for both Programme 14 and Programme 20. The European Union is of the opinion that the two programmes should be adopted by the Fifth Committee without modification.

To conclude Mr. Chair, we would like to thank you again for the transparent approach proposed in discussing about these issues.

Thank you.

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