Statement by Mr. Fahmid Farhan, Counsellor, Bangladesh Permanent Mission at the Fifth Committee, Agenda Item 138: Proposed programme budget 2023 Special Political Missions, 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, 14 October 2022, Conference Room 3

Mr. Chair,

I thank you for giving me the floor. I also thank the ASG Controller Mr. Chanramouli Ramanathan for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on estimates in respect of special political missions. I also thank Mr. Abdallah Bachar Bong, Chair of the ACABQ for introducing the ACABQ’s report on this issue.

 

Mr. Chair,

Special Political Missions (SPMs) play a significant role in preventive diplomacy and post-conflict peacebuilding efforts by responding to global security challenges. The gradual expansion in their number, scope and size reflects their importance in global peace and security. Hence, they need to be provided with adequate resources to deliver on their mandates effectively. To increase their efficiency further, there needs to be better coordination between special political missions, peacekeeping operations, and other peacebuilding activities.

Considering this, we support the Secretary General’s enhanced resource allocation proposal of $161.9 million for the SPMs in 2023. This will significantly help scaling up operational activities of these Missions and strengthen their 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,

As you are kindly aware Bangladesh is currently hosting over a million Rohingya minorities who fled atrocities in Myanmar. The situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate since the military takeover last year. As of now not a single Rohingya has been able to return to their homeland due to fear of continued persecution and insecurity.

In view of this, we consider the mandate of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Myanmar critically important. We hope the General Assembly will extend the mandate of Ms. Noeleen Heyzer and also allow her the resources and flexibility she needs to fulfill her mandates.

At the same time, we call upon the Special Envoy to continue her engagements with all stakeholders, especially the United Nations Security Council, the UN agencies funds and programmes based in Myanmar, ASEAN and the Special Envoy of ASEAN Chair and other regional actors in finding a lasting solution to the crisis in Myanmar. We also urge the Special envoy to continue her engagements with the Rohingya minorities currently sheltered in Bangladesh in her efforts to finding means to fulfill their right to safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar.

 

Mr. Chair,

While reviewing the resource allocation proposal for SPMs, let me highlight a few specific points:

First, Secretary General’s report shows underrepresentation of females in all field missions. We urge him to make stronger efforts to improve gender balance and geographical representation in all SPMs. We also want to see increased role of women in decision making process with regard to conflict prevention and resolution.

Second, implementation of the delegation of authority could be an important strategic tool for SPMs for efficient and effective delivery of their mandates.

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.

I thank you.