NEW YORK: Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has presided over the first plenary meeting of the Fifth Committee of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Ibrahim, who was elected Chair of the Fifth Committee for the 81st Session, formally opened the meeting and expressed appreciation to member states for the confidence placed in Nigeria and his leadership.
The development places Nigeria at the centre of deliberations on some of the United Nations’ most important administrative and financial matters during the current General Assembly session.
In his opening remarks, Ibrahim stressed the importance of transparency, accountability and effective oversight in strengthening confidence in the United Nations.
He said the Bureau, which was elected on June 2, would work collectively to ensure that the responsibilities of the Fifth Committee were discharged effectively and within the required timeframe.
The Nigerian envoy also drew the attention of member states to the Secretariat’s note concerning the organisation of the committee’s work.
In particular, he highlighted provisions relating to the dates of the session and the submission of membership lists.
During the plenary, member states emphasised the need for careful scrutiny of United Nations budget proposals and their implications for programme delivery.
Delegates also stressed the importance of improving efficiency while ensuring that efforts to reduce costs do not undermine the UN’s ability to carry out its responsibilities.
The discussions further highlighted the need to give adequate attention and resources to the development pillar of the United Nations and the priorities of developing countries.
Member states maintained that sufficient funding would be necessary to effectively implement mandates and programmes already agreed upon by the organisation.
Another issue highlighted during the meeting was equitable geographical representation among United Nations staff.
Member states stressed the importance of ensuring that the composition of the UN Secretariat remains consistent with the principles contained in the UN Charter.
They called for a representative and balanced Secretariat that reflects the diversity of the organisation’s membership.
The Fifth Committee is responsible for the administrative and budgetary affairs of the United Nations.
Its work is therefore central to how the organisation finances its programmes, manages its resources and maintains the institutional capacity required to implement decisions and carry out its responsibilities.
With Ibrahim presiding over the committee during the 81st Session, Nigeria is playing a significant role in discussions surrounding the UN’s budget, administration, resource allocation and organisational efficiency.
