Chair,
Allow me to begin by congratulating you on your election as Chair of the 81st Session of the Fifth Committee. I trust that you and other members of the Bureau will steer us through this session in the best possible manner. Norway looks forward to supporting and engaging constructively with you, the bureau and colleagues in the Committee throughout the session.
Chair,
During the 80th session, this committee was able to achieve important outcomes for the future of the United Nations. Towards the very end of the session, the committee passed the revised methodology for credit returns, on a trial basis. At the beginning of the session, the committee passed the first concrete outcome of the UN80 initiative, the 2026 budget. In order for the UN to maintain its relevance and credibility, reforms must continue.
With that in mind, Norway will continue to strive for reforms. With growing global challenges and increasing demands on the UN system, limited resources must be used wisely. We must ensure effectiveness and prioritize resources. This requires a willingness by Member States to make tough decisions and to compromise.
The budget must maintain a balance between the three core pillars of the UN: development, peace and security, and human rights. The goal must be to improve the UN’s impact for people on the ground and to enable the UN to deliver on the 2030 Agenda.
Chair,
Let me emphasize that reform must be supported by financing. As Member States we must all do our part, and we must all pay our share. Norway commends those countries that have paid their assessed contributions in full and on time. We call upon all other Member States to pay their outstanding contributions as soon as possible.
My delegation looks forward to engaging constructively with Member States across regions throughout the 81st session. We remain committed to strive towards agreement based on the principle of consensus.
Thank you.