Statements and Speeches by Ministry Representatives 2006

United Nations General Assembly Fifth Committee: Item Procurement Reform

Statement by Philip Taula on behalf of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, 23 October 2006

Mr Chairman

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the delegations of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We thank Mr Herman, from the Secretariat of the UN Chief Executives Board, Mr Yussuf, from the JIU, and the ACABQ, for their introductions.

CANZ believes that UN procurement outcomes should and can be improved, and that procurement reform is a key part of the wider process of management reform. The UN is facing an increasing number of complex challenges, especially in peacekeeping. Existing procurement processes have not kept pace with the evolving needs of managers in the field. The resulting problems create unnecessary risks and costs, which reduce the effectiveness of the UN’s efforts, can damage the UN’s credibility and undermine support for its operations.

We seek assurance that the UN procurement function has the guidelines and tools that it requires to undertake the work that we expect of it. We believe that UN procurement processes should:

• support effective and efficient implementation of UN mandates;
• provide realistic guidance and, where necessary, flexibility;
• set high standards of transparency, fairness and well defined clear authority and accountability; and
• provide for disciplined internal controls.

The Organisation’s needs and operating environment are constantly evolving and this requires ongoing improvement and reform of UN procurement. Some important steps have already been taken in recent times and more are underway, including in the areas of ethics, training, and improvements in processes. CANZ welcomes these but cautions that further meaningful improvements will not be achieved solely through the addition of posts.

It would be useful to have an overview of the procurement reforms to be presented to Member States. We would also welcome updates on the implementation of specific measures, including:

• the establishment of an independent bid protest system;
• details on the required professional qualifications for procurement staff, including certification;
• progress of the working group established to examine the issue of possible weaknesses in the control environment related, but not limited, to the split of responsibilities between the Departments of Management and Peacekeeping Operations; and
• the outcomes of the review of the financial threshold of the proposed procurement requirements that should be vetted by the Headquarters Committee on Contracts.

Finally, CANZ would appreciate receiving information on what additional reports on procurement should be expected in the near future.

CANZ looks forward to discussing these issues further over the coming weeks.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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