Mr. Chairman,
Croatia has aligned itself with the statement made by Finland on behalf of the EU, but I would like to add a few points of my Government on this important issue. At the outset, allow me, on behalf of my delegation, to express my appreciation to the Secretary General Kofi Annan for personally introducing this item to the Fifth Committee. In doing so, once again he has sent a clear message of the importance he attaches to the continuation of human resources reform.
Mr. Chairman,
The Government of Croatia attaches great importance to the new human resources framework and fully supports the Secretary-General's efforts in realizing his vision of an overall programme of reform. We do believe that “Investing in the United Nations” means “Investing in people”, in present and future staff members of the Organization, because the staff is indeed the Organization's most valuable asset. To fulfill this goal, a partnership among member states, staff and management is needed. In order to achieve a more efficient organization, the ability to retain and acquire highly qualified UN staff is of the utmost importance, in particular when more then half of staff are serving in field locations and they all deserve to live and work in equal conditions.
Croatia has always been welcoming and supporting the idea of national competitive examinations as the best method for recruiting young qualified people at the entrance level. The United Nations needs young talented men and women from all around the world, and it should work harder on creating methods so as to attract them rather than discourage them. After discussions over the years and some improvements, the reality is that the recruitment process is still slow.
The United Nations is a global organization, therefore all member states should be represented in its Secretariat. Equitable geographical and gender distribution and the quality of candidates, represent crucial elements, with the understanding of complimenting one another. These elements have to be considered in the recruitment, placement and promotion of staff.
Mr. Chairman,
In regard to gender balance, we acknowledge the improvement of gender distribution within the Secretariat during the last several years. Even so, much more has to be done. Despite the increase of women representation at the lowest levels, gender balance distribution is still far from reaching our goal, in particular at the professional and higher-level positions in the Secretariat. We do need more women at the higher levels across the United Nations, not only because of the fact that they are women who need to fulfill gender balance requirements, but because they are qualified.
At the recent Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security, the Security Council recognized the vital role of, and contributions by women in consolidating peace, and further encourages Member States and SG to increase the participation of women in all areas and all levels of peacekeeping operations, civilian, police and military. Although the overall representation of women on professional posts assigned to peace support operations has risen in last two years, at the D-1 level and above, women's representation is only 10%. So far very few women have performed as Secretary-General's envoys or Special representative of the SG. My delegation is aware that the responsibility lies not only on the Secretariat but with the Member States as well. They should present more qualified women candidates for senior UN posts, and the Secretariat has to make efforts to improve favorable environment that the representation of women at the higher levels could be feasible.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
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