26th CCPCJ Agenda item 3(b) Directives on policy and budgetary issues for the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme”

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair,

Mr. Chair,   at the outset, I would like to express our appreciation to all members of the Secretariat for their support and diligent work to make this session a success.

Mr. Chair,
Japan would like to thank the UNODC for its budget status report for the 2016-17 biennium.
Japan continues to believe that the Office provides a valuable contribution in implementing important technical assistance programs to counter all forms of crime including corruption and terrorism.  UNODC’s sustained involvement and integrated approach to developing regional, country and global thematic programs foster the political will necessary for practical assistance to make a real impact. In this connection, Japan has provided its largest contribution to date, more than 23 million US dollars earlier this year to support a wide range of technical assistance activities.

Mr. Chair,  
Japan would like to thank the Secretariat for continuing to provide useful and timely updates on UNODC’s activities through FinGov.  FinGov is an important tool for providing transparency and fostering greater communication between the Secretariat and Member States, while decision-making responsibilities remain with the Commissions.  We support the decision and resolution to extend FinGov’s mandate as it is currently configured.

Mr. Chair,
    Japan would also like to commend the Secretariat’s efforts under the leadership of Executive Director, Mr. Fedotov, to improve management and transparency in program delivery. Japan is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue on the programme budget of the next biennium leading up to the reconvened session in December. Discussion on the full implementation of the FCR (Full Cost Recovery) funding model and a flexible allocation of the PSC (Program Support Cost) funds to field offices would be key for the sustainable and effective delivery of programs.
In this regard, I would like to touch upon the following two points.
i)  First, in order to guarantee a fruitful discussion, Japan would like to encourage the Office to fully disclose the calculation bases of respective rates of the FCR applicable to regional representative offices. Japan believes a meaningful assessment of the provisional implementation of the FCR funding model with a view to its full implementation would only be possible with the disclosure of such information.     
ii)  Second, Japan believes a flexible allocation of the PSC Funds to the field offices is essential in order to ensure their sustainability and functionality, that is why Japan welcomed the Office’s decision to reallocate PSC funds to field offices last year. Consequently, we would like to request the UNODC to establish the policy of allocating PSC Funds to support field offices.

Mr. Chair,
In closing, let me reiterate the importance Japan attaches to the UNODC.  The organization remains an important source of anti-crime expertise and delivery of effective technical assistance worldwide.  Japan is prepared to enhance its cooperation with UNODC and will continue to contribute to upcoming discussions in a constructive manner.
I thank you.