PH Ambassador Lauds Efforts of Filipino Leaders to Strengthen the UN’s Administrative System
From left: Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations Third Secretary Marivil V. Valles, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., and Independent Audit Advisory Committee Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan. (New York PM photo)
NEW YORK 25 October 2018 — Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. welcomed the reports of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) Assistant Secretary General David Kanja and Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan at the second Formal Meeting of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary Aspects of the United Nations) 73rd Main Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 10 October 2018.
In his statement, Ambassador Locsin stated that the Philippines accords great importance to the work of the OIOS, and acknowledges the leadership of UN Undersecretary General Heidi Mendoza and the efforts of her team to keep to the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency strengthening the organization. The Ambassador also noted some of the initiatives of the OIOS to bolster the functioning of the office and effectively deliver on its mandate, especially in internal audit, inspection and evaluation and investigation.
On the work of the IAAC, the Ambassador particularly commended the Committee's observations on the role of the OIOS in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the steps it has taken with respect to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include focusing on areas related to gender mainstreaming and gender parity issues, and assessing the extent UN entities go to mainstream the SDGs into their national programs.
Finally, Ambassador Locsin commended the cooperation between OIOS and IAAC and other senior management in the Secretariat, especially in accessing information needed for the Committee's work.
"We encourage the OIOS and IAAC to go on working together closely and with the Joint Inspection Unit and Board of Auditors to ensure accountability and efficiency," the Ambassador said.
The OIOS is an oversight body that plays a crucial role in strengthening the administrative system of the UN through internal audit, inspection, evaluation and investigations. It helps in improving internal controls, accountability and organizational efficiency and effectiveness, which are key objectives of the ongoing UN reform efforts.
Meanwhile, the IAAC is an independent committee which provides expert advice and assistance, comments and recommendations to the OIOS to ensure compliance with audit and oversight recommendations, as well as the overall effectiveness of the UN system. END
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