Mr. Chair,
Allow me to begin by appreciating your skillful stewardship of our work. I thank ASG Controller Mr. Chandru Ramanathan for introducing Secretary General’s report on resource allocation proposal for the Special Political Missions. We also appreciate the report of ACABQ Chair Mr. Abdullah Bashar Bong in this regard.
Mr. Chair,
Special Political Missions (SPMs) play significant role in preventive diplomacy and post-conflict peacebuilding efforts. We support the Secretary General’s enhanced resource allocation proposal of $ 731 million for the SPMs for 2022. This will significantly help scaling up operational activities of the Missions and strengthen capacity to implement their mandates. Bangladesh has been contributing to SPMs by extending support in capacity building, sharing information, preparing control list, and providing judicial officials and experts.
Mr. Chair,
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas fleeing persecution in their homeland in the Rakhine State of Myanmar since 2017, representing a massive humanitarian operation. The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar has the responsibility to find a durable solution to the crisis. While appreciating enhanced resource allocation for the Special Envoy’s office, we call upon the Member States to extend its mandates for a period until a permanent solution to the crisis is reached. In this regard, we would urge the Special Envoy to remain transparent and accountable about the activities of the office. We thank the outgoing Special Envoy for her efforts and call upon the Secretary General to ensure a consultative and transparent process in selecting her successor. Bangladesh would like to see the Special Envoy’s office succeed in delivering its mandate.
Mr. Chair,
While reviewing the resource allocation proposal for SPMs, let us make a few points:
First, Secretary General’s report shows underrepresentation of female in all field missions. We urge him to make stronger efforts to improve gender balance and geographical representation in all SPMs in line with General Assembly resolution 75/253 A.
Second, the menace of COVID-19 pandemic is still poignant. We must consider the impact of the pandemic during resource allocation to the SPMs.
Third, COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that relying more on virtual meetings and online training tools instead of in-person workshops, conferences or meetings, could significantly reduce travel expenses and in this regard, we appreciate reduction in resource for all official travel.
Fourth, implementation of the delegation of authority could be an important strategic tool for SPMs for efficient and effective delivery of their mandates.
Fifth, we share our concern at the persistent low rates of compliance with the policy for advance booking of air travel by SPMs and call for stronger efforts for strict compliance of directives in General Assembly resolution 74/262.
Finally, we note with deep appreciation the contributions and support provided free of charge by the host countries of the special political missions without whose support the SPMs could not succeed.
You can count on our delegation’s fullest support and cooperation during our course of deliberation.
I thank you Mr. Chair.