Thank you for giving me the floor, Mr. Chair,
I would like to thank, Madam Chef de Cabinet, Viotti for presenting the proposal on shifting the management paradigm in the United Nations. I would also like to thank the chair of the ACABQ, Mr. Ruis Massieu for presenting the assessments of the advisory committee.
Ever since we started this process last fall, Norway has supported the Secretary-General’s aim to reorganize the administrative and operative support functions in the secretariat. We welcome his proposal for two new departments with clearly defined responsibilities and division of labor. We have encouraged his dedication to streamline management and leadership and reduce overlap and cumbersome procedures. We see the need for standard polices, compliance frameworks and checks and balance in an organization, making good use of modern technologies to promote transparency and accountability.
Management reform is an enabler for other reforms. It also a reform that is critical for the organization at this point. We believe that, to be able to deliver on agreed mandates and results in country settings, and to have more impact in peace and security, development, and protection of human rights, procedures need to be simplified and decisions decentralized.
The proposal for a restructuring that is presented to us today, is the starting point for change. It may also constitute a baseline for which we can measure progress. We encourage the Secretary-General to use the management reform to develop key performance indicators to measure the efficiencies of essential administrative functions and support services, such as recruitment and procurement.
Mr. Chair, I will take this opportunity to reiterate Norway’s view that reforms should not be a means to reduce the UNs budgets. Certainly, eliminating time-consuming processes and obsolete procedures are aimed at making the administration more cost-effective and efficient. This will in turn will release resources that can and should be used to deliver better on mandates and substantive outcomes for member states and people.
Mr. Chair. My delegation firmly believes that it is due time to give the Secretary-General a go-ahead to reshape the organization and to put him in a position, together with his leaders and staff, to make real changes, changes in working methods and working culture in a modern organization.
We look forward to the deliberations. I can assure of my delegations full cooperation in reaching a positive outcome.