Statement by Minister-Counsellor Mr. Fumito Miyake under Item 3: Policy directives to the drug programme of the UNODC and strengthening the drug programme and the role of the CND as its governing body, including administrative, budgetary and strategic management questions
2017/3/14
Thank you, Madam Chair,
Please allow me to begin by congratulating you on your election as Chair and by congratulating the other members of the Bureau. I would also like to express Japan’s appreciation to all members of the Secretariat who have supported our work in the most diligent and kindest manner. Your efforts are very much appreciated.
(Japan’s contribution)
Madam Chair,
Japan highly appreciates UNODC’s expertise in addressing and countering the world drug problem. Although much progress has been made in this area over the years following the 2009 Political Declaration and accompanying Plan of Action as well as the Outcome Document of the UNGASS, the world drug problem continues to pose a serious threat to the stability of society and health of people in many parts of the globe. Japan recognizes UNODC as an important strategic partner to help tackle this problem and, on those grounds, has been constantly providing the Office with extra-budgetary contributions. Last year, for example, Japan contributed around 30 million US dollars in total to fund many global projects of UNODC. From the outset of this year, Japan already decided to make an initial contribution of around 23 million US dollars to support its efforts, including a number of projects to counter world drug problems.
(Transparency of the finance and governance of UNODC)
Madam Chair,
Japan would like to thank UNODC for its report on the consolidated budget for the 2016-17 biennium. We particularly appreciate the Secretariat’s efforts to continue providing useful and timely updates on UNODC’s activities through FinGov. FinGov is an important platform that not only provides transparency but also fosters responsibility and accountability in fund management as well as greater communication between the Secretariat and Member States. Accordingly, Japan supports the decision tabled at this session to extend FinGov’s mandate.
Japan is of the view that our collective efforts should continue to be strengthened to counter the new drug related challenges we face. In this regard, Japan acknowledges the central role of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in addressing international drug control issues and as the governing body of UNODC’s drug control programmes. In order to carry out its mandate and fulfill the expectations of various stakeholders, it is critical that UNODC pursues its path to improve fund management and transparency in the delivery of its programmes. In this regard, Japan encourages UNODC to continue to evaluate and report on the impact of the funding model of full cost recovery on administrative practices, office viability and project delivery. We believe a streamlined funding model would be a way to ensure both effective and efficient program delivery, and sound financial stability.
To further bolster efficiency and transparency, it is also vital that the UMOJA system is fully up and running as soon as possible.
For this purpose, Japan wishes to receive full disclosure on the following background information:
1. The status of the use of programme support costs (PSC) and of the full cost recovery (FCR), and
2. The implementation status of UMOJA.
(Geographical representation and Gender mainstreaming)
Madam Chair,
Before closing, I would like to extend Japan’s appreciation for UNODC’s conscientious effort to achieve an appropriate level of geographical representation and gender mainstreaming in every facet of its work. Japan would like to see the Secretariat’s efforts intensified to achieve the goal of geographical and gender parity, particularly at the senior level.
(Closing)
Finally, I would like to reiterate Japan’s commitment to fight against an increasing worldwide drug problem to ensure the health and security of all of our citizens. In this vain, Japan is prepared to enhance its cooperation with UNODC, whose expertise and technical assistance in this area is indispensable.
I thank you.
Please allow me to begin by congratulating you on your election as Chair and by congratulating the other members of the Bureau. I would also like to express Japan’s appreciation to all members of the Secretariat who have supported our work in the most diligent and kindest manner. Your efforts are very much appreciated.
(Japan’s contribution)
Madam Chair,
Japan highly appreciates UNODC’s expertise in addressing and countering the world drug problem. Although much progress has been made in this area over the years following the 2009 Political Declaration and accompanying Plan of Action as well as the Outcome Document of the UNGASS, the world drug problem continues to pose a serious threat to the stability of society and health of people in many parts of the globe. Japan recognizes UNODC as an important strategic partner to help tackle this problem and, on those grounds, has been constantly providing the Office with extra-budgetary contributions. Last year, for example, Japan contributed around 30 million US dollars in total to fund many global projects of UNODC. From the outset of this year, Japan already decided to make an initial contribution of around 23 million US dollars to support its efforts, including a number of projects to counter world drug problems.
(Transparency of the finance and governance of UNODC)
Madam Chair,
Japan would like to thank UNODC for its report on the consolidated budget for the 2016-17 biennium. We particularly appreciate the Secretariat’s efforts to continue providing useful and timely updates on UNODC’s activities through FinGov. FinGov is an important platform that not only provides transparency but also fosters responsibility and accountability in fund management as well as greater communication between the Secretariat and Member States. Accordingly, Japan supports the decision tabled at this session to extend FinGov’s mandate.
Japan is of the view that our collective efforts should continue to be strengthened to counter the new drug related challenges we face. In this regard, Japan acknowledges the central role of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in addressing international drug control issues and as the governing body of UNODC’s drug control programmes. In order to carry out its mandate and fulfill the expectations of various stakeholders, it is critical that UNODC pursues its path to improve fund management and transparency in the delivery of its programmes. In this regard, Japan encourages UNODC to continue to evaluate and report on the impact of the funding model of full cost recovery on administrative practices, office viability and project delivery. We believe a streamlined funding model would be a way to ensure both effective and efficient program delivery, and sound financial stability.
To further bolster efficiency and transparency, it is also vital that the UMOJA system is fully up and running as soon as possible.
For this purpose, Japan wishes to receive full disclosure on the following background information:
1. The status of the use of programme support costs (PSC) and of the full cost recovery (FCR), and
2. The implementation status of UMOJA.
(Geographical representation and Gender mainstreaming)
Madam Chair,
Before closing, I would like to extend Japan’s appreciation for UNODC’s conscientious effort to achieve an appropriate level of geographical representation and gender mainstreaming in every facet of its work. Japan would like to see the Secretariat’s efforts intensified to achieve the goal of geographical and gender parity, particularly at the senior level.
(Closing)
Finally, I would like to reiterate Japan’s commitment to fight against an increasing worldwide drug problem to ensure the health and security of all of our citizens. In this vain, Japan is prepared to enhance its cooperation with UNODC, whose expertise and technical assistance in this area is indispensable.
I thank you.