Summary: 28 October 2009, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union by Ms. Maria Håkansson, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, 64th Session of the General Assembly Fifth Committee, Item 130: Review of efficiency - Procurement, United Nations
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The candidate countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.
Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, the European Union would like to thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Central Support Services, Mr. Warren Sach, for introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the comprehensive report on United Nations procurement activities and the related addenda, and the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), Mrs. Inga-Britt Ahlenius, for her presentation of the report of that Office. Let me also thank the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on
Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), Ms. Susan McLurg, for presenting the related report of that Committee.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union has always been supportive of the management reform process of the Organisation. Procurement represents for us one of the crucial parts of that reform, in order to create a more effective, efficient and well-functioning Organisation. Due to the steep increase in procurement activities in recent years, the strategic function of procurement poses new risks and technical challenges for the Organisation. For this reason, the Organisation's procurement policy must be transparent,
efficient and contain the requisite internal controls, in the context of the four general principles governing procurement in the United Nations.
The European Union has carefully studied the reports in front of us. We welcome the information provided to us about the status of implementation of the procurement reform including the addenda Procurement governance arrangements within the United Nations and Sustainable procurement.
The European Union believes that reforming procurement is a very challenging task and in this respect we appreciate the work the Secretariat has done so far in implementing the reform requirements. Nevertheless, there is still room for further improvements in the functioning of procurement in the Secretariat.
Given the volume of UN procurement activities and its worldwide presence, it is important for the UN to practice sustainable procurement to raise awareness of the significance of sustainability and "best fit" solutions. The European Union encourages the Secretariat to take steps to integrate the concept of sustainable procurement into UN procurement practices.
The EU takes note of the intention of the Secretariat to launch a pilot project for a Regional Procurement Office in the field, and will seek further clarifications on next steps in informal consultations.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union takes note of recommendations and observations the ACABQ has expressed in its report and will follow-up on some of them during the informal discussions. We also take note of the OIOS report on the audit of procurement management in the Secretariat and the work the Secretariat has done so far in this area. We will seek further information in informal consultations on steps taken by the Secretariat with regard to recommendations submitted by the OIOS in its report.
Mr. Chairman,
Keeping in mind that integral parts of the reform process is associated with the new field support strategy, the European Union looks forward to continuing the discussion when the final report in this matter is submitted to the General Assembly in the second part of the resumed sixty-fourth session.
I thank you Mr. Chairman.
* Croatia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
| Top |
European Union Member States
Alerts by email
Email this page
Print this page