Statement by Ambassador Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan on Agenda Item 132: “ Proposed Programme Budget 2010-2011-Safety and Security”
18 December 2009
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the distinguished Representative of Sudan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
- My delegation would also like to thank Mr. Gregory B. Starr, Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, for introducing the relevant reports on Agenda Item 132, “Proposed Programme Budget 2010-11-- Safety and Security”.
Mr. Chairman,
- 3. First of all, my delegation would like to pay our highest tribute to the UN staff who has offered the highest sacrifice in the cause of peace and security. We appreciate the courage of the UN staff for keeping the UN flag flying in the formidable circumstances.
- The United Nations’ vulnerability to threats and the criminal activity is now well established. While recognizing the primacy of the responsibility of the host country in providing security to the UN personnel and assets, we would like to stress that it is equally crucial that UN and host countries ensure close coordination to achieve this goal. UN must also refurbish its safety standards and train its personnel in following appropriate security protocols to mitigate the grave risks.
- We encourage the efforts of Department of Safety and Security for the provision of guidance, capacity building, and training required for the United Nations’ security management system. In this context, we would like to underline that costly redundancies must be avoided.
Mr. Chairman,
- The United Nations needs not only a decentralized structure of DSS with a lean headquarters that focuses on risk analysis, accountability, and effective oversight of the implementation of policies and programmes with a gradual approach but also a field operations capacity that can ensure effective coordination with national authorities of host governments. We look forward to see the change in the mindset of DSS from a ‘when to leave’ to ‘how to stay’ approach towards security management.
- We expect that the Department of Safety and Security uses information effectively as it is more important than manpower or firepower in ensuring safety and security for field operations in our times. We have noted that the Department of Safety and Security needs to develop a comprehensive information management strategy for analyzing data in integrated and interoperable systems, within its existing information handling mandate.
- We have also noted the request of the Secretariat for resources to augment the security of the UN staff in the wake of current challenges and assure the Secretariat of our constructive approach. We emphasize the role of the General Assembly in defining mandates and formulating policies in the area of safety and security of the United Nations’ personnel and assets. My delegation would like to see timely submission of reports and complete picture of resource requirements to undertake serious deliberations on all issues including safety and security.
I thank you Mr. Chairman.