Mr President,

Allow me to join previous delegations in expressing our sincere gratitude to you, USG Ryder and the Secretariat for their efforts to include all UN Member States in the UN80 reform process. We believe this is imperative for the success of the process.

Germany fully aligns with the statement held by the European Union and Canada. Let me add the following remarks in my national capacity:

The first is of a more general nature
Germany is and will remain a reliable supporter of a strong United Nations, politically and financially. For us, the UN is strong when it is able to act in a coherent, integrated and impactful manner– both operationally and normatively. We support the Secretary General when he says, he wants a UN that is “more effective, nimble and fit for today’s challenges.”.

It is further our conviction that UN80 cannot be a simple cost-cutting exercise. UN80 is about ensuring the UN´s resilience for the decades to come. For this, all three pillars of our work must be strengthened. And, to be successful, UN80 must be firmly based on outcomes of the Pact for the Future. For us, the Pact and UN80 are two sides of the same coin.

Mr President I would like to point to two specific aspects:

First, on efficiency gains. Staff costs are a major part of the UN’s spending. We therefore cannot ignore the cost structure of the organization. And in this context, we appreciate the important and impactful work of the independent International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and we think it should be part of thois conversation.

Second: With regard to the second work stream - the mandate review -We are fully aware that Member States must be in the driver’s seat. But to take decisions, membership needs solid proposals on the way ahead. I encourage the Secretariat to provide a comprehensive, data-driven reporting, including proposals, on how to shape the mandate review.

In closing, Mr President, I want to assure you of the continued and constructive engagement of my delegation in this critical reform process.

I thank you.