EU Statement on the appointment of UNIDO's External Auditor, as delivered on 16 May 2023
Mr. Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The following countries align with this statement: Türkiye§, North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine*, Republic of Moldova*, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Norway+.
Mr. Chair,
The EU and its Member States take note of the ongoing process for appointment of the UNIDO External Auditor and thank the Secretariat for its information on the procedures and on the status of candidatures. We recognise the high interest among the UNIDO Member States and welcome the eight nominations submitted by Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Tanzania and Türkiye for consideration by this PBC.
The EU and its Member States attach particular importance to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity of the candidates, with due regard to regional rotation and gender equality. We look forward to an inclusive, transparent and merit-based process in view of the election that will take place during the 20th General Conference in Vienna (27 November -1 December 2023).
To ensure an equal opportunity for all candidates to present their statements to UNIDO membership as well as to allow UNIDO Member States to consider the nominations and take an informed decision on the most qualified candidate, we encourage the Co-Chairs of the Informal Working Group on Programme and Budget Committee-related issues to convene a Candidate Forum, with a Q/A session, similar to the one organized in 2021.
Furthermore, Mr. Chair, we take note that UNIDO’s External Auditor, Mr. Alexei Kudrin, ceased his tenure as Chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation on 29 November 2022, but that UNIDO Member States were not informed of his replacement in accordance with Financial Regulation 11.2 until 28 April 2023. We regret the late notification on such an important function for UNIDO and call on future office holders to ensure timely, accurate and thorough communication to the Secretariat and Member States.
Thank you for your attention.
§ Candidate Country
* Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.