Thank you Mr Chair,

Firstly, given the gravity of the situation, like others, I want to acknowledge what is happening in Ukraine. Russia’s assault is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK and our international partners stand united in condemning the Russian government’s reprehensible actions, which are an egregious violation of international law and the UN Charter. We condemn the Russian Federation’s increasing use of heavy weapons, including the use of cluster munitions in population centres, and yesterday’s attack on the largest nuclear power station in Europe. We welcome the clear message contained in the General Assembly resolution passed on Wednesday.

Russia must urgently de-escalate and withdraw its troops. It must be held accountable and stop undermining democracy, global stability, and international law.

Mr. Chair,

Turning to the Fifth Committee, let me begin by congratulating Pakistan for assuming Chairpersonship of the Group of 77 and China. We look forward to working constructively with you and your group, and thank the previous Chair, Guinea for their engagement.

The reforms this Committee agreed previously have helped the UN respond more effectively to two of the most challenging years in recent history. We once again have the opportunity to ensure the Organisation is equipped to deliver relevant, system-wide and cost-effective solutions to the challenges of the twenty-first century. Let us make the most of that opportunity this session.

Mr. Chair,

It has been over four years since this committee has provided guidance on the UN’s efforts to strengthen its human resources management. It is our responsibility to ensure that the UN and its staff have modern, fit for purpose human resources policies. We hope to make progress on this important issue and will make further comments next week.

Strengthening the accountability system, and improving transparency, is central to an effectively managed United Nations. We look forward to discussing progress and how we can enhance a culture of accountability at all levels.

Mr. Chair,

We were delighted to hear from the Secretary General that the UN’s financial situation has improved. Our move to realign UK payments to the UN financial year will hopefully have contributed to that, and we encourage others to do the same.

Reforms agreed three years ago continue to have a positive impact on the financial health of peacekeeping operations, including more timely payments to troop and police contributing states. We hope we can consolidate and build on those reforms to address remaining challenges, in particular for the regular budget.

We look forward to making progress on After Service Health Insurance, which is also important for the long-term financial health of the organisation.

Mr. Chair,

The past two years have demonstrated that integrated, agile and responsive supply chains and cost-effective, transparent, procurement activities are crucial for efficient mandate implementation, as well as supporting the health of personnel.

The Secretariat’s focus on the entire supply chain – and transition to a circular supply chain – supports efficiency and sustainability. UN supply chain activities should reduce climate impacts and support the Agenda 2030, in line with best value and UN procurement principles, and across the three dimensions of sustainability – economic, environmental and social.

Mr. Chair,

The UN Support Mission in Libya plays an important role in protecting peace and security in Libya. The new ceasefire mechanism is critical to supporting a fragile security environment and keeping the political process on track. We must ensure adequate, cost effective resourcing in support of full mandate delivery, including swift onboarding of ceasefire monitors.

Finally Mr. Chair, you have our full support as we seek to make tangible progress this session.

The Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt Hon Justin Trudeau MP, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, met in London on 7 March, 2022. They reaffirmed the strong relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom, rooted in deep historical ties and built on shared values.

Canada and the United Kingdom believe steadfastly in human rights and freedoms, democracy, the rule of law and the rules-based international order.

We stand shoulder to shoulder in supporting Ukraine against Putin’s tyranny and brutal aggression. With the rest of the world, we stand in awe of the valour, courage and tenacity of the Ukrainian people, their military forces, and their public officials. We reiterate our unwavering support to Ukraine in this time of need, and our resolute commitment to upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination.

We have each provided military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and more is forthcoming. We will assist those who become refugees, fleeing Putin’s cruel aggression against their country. We are reinforcing NATO as a defensive alliance in the region. We are working together and with countries around the world to ensure the perpetrators and abettors of this illegal invasion face the toughest personal and corporate sanctions ever implemented, trade sanctions, port and airport restrictions, financial penalties, and ultimately the full force of law in the International Criminal Court. Putin and his enablers should have nowhere to hide.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine is illustrative of the growing threat that malevolent actors – both state and non-state – pose to global peace and security, and the freedoms, democratic values, and shared laws that underpin the rules-based international order. In light of the common challenges facing both our countries, and building on a longstanding tradition of close Canada-UK cooperation on security matters, Canada and the UK will be enhancing our national security collaboration in key areas: countering state threats, emerging technology, and cyber challenges.

We will strengthen our strategic cooperation on economic resilience, continuing our close engagement on critical minerals and investment security, and establishing an overarching UK-Canada initiative on critical supply chains to identify concrete shared action and coordinate approaches to risks and vulnerabilities, drawing on each country’s strengths and experience to deliver solutions.

We will also strengthen our cooperation on disinformation and malign information operations from state actors. We will continue to use the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism for joint assessment and collective action, including ramping up our collective engagement with media, tech platforms and civil society to tackle Russia’s unprecedented information war. We will collaborate in forums like the Media Freedom Coalition and Freedom Online Coalition to call out Russia’s suppression of freedom of speech and independent media, and their false justifications for their barbaric actions.

We will support strategic communication capacity in Ukraine and help to build the admirable resilience of the Ukrainian people to Russian disinformation.

Closer ties between our two countries have never been as important as they are now – to stand up for democracy and build resilient, forward-looking, and green societies. We will strengthen bilateral cooperation on several critical fronts:

• deeper collaboration with respect to security and intelligence, including through Five Eyes, to better combat current and future threats to democracy and our collective security and economic interests, including from foreign interference, economic coercion, disinformation and cyber attacks;
• build on existing defence relationships, specifically in science and technology collaboration, cold weather operating in the High North, military space capability, Indo Pacific security and green/sustainability initiatives. The UK’s polar research vessel HMS Protector will visit Canada in the summer.
• reinforcing strategic cooperation in our world-leading capacity in science, technology and innovation including fields such as AI, quantum, bio-manufacturing, clean energy sources, telecoms, arctic and polar research and food production;
• negotiating a new, ambitious, progressive free trade agreement between Canada and the UK and working with the UK to successfully complete its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
• affirming that swift and ambitious action on climate change is essential, including the action necessary to reach Net Zero, and helping the world adapt to those consequences of climate change that cannot be avoided, especially cognisant of the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. This includes joint work to expand global adoption of effective emissions reductions policies, increase international climate finance commitments, support coal phase out, mobilise private finance, promote Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and reforestation, and support energy transition in third countries. Carbon pricing is a crucial tool to reduce emissions and drive clean innovation, including through adopting robust domestic carbon pricing policies and engaging international partners to share expertise.
• establish a new UK-Canada Travel Health Dialogue to explore the scope for bilateral cooperation to underpin greater international consistency on border and travel measures, and on how countries use global travel health policies in their responses to further variants and global health challenges.

We are committed to democracy, freedom and human rights. Our countries are both stronger when we work together towards our shared objectives and in support of our shared values. We commit to bringing our united strength to bear against Russian aggression and in support of Ukraine.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to thank SRSG Haysom, Major General Gituai, and Ms Williams Yuyada for their valuable briefings.

Firstly, the United Kingdom would like to commend UNMISS for its continued efforts to protect civilians, build durable peace, and support inclusive and accountable governance in South Sudan.

As we approach the mandate renewal, it is our sincere hope that UNMISS continues to receive this Council’s full support at this critical juncture in South Sudan’s implementation of the peace agreement — Particularly as we look ahead towards elections.

Madam President, two years have now passed since the formation of the unity government. We have each welcomed the positive steps taken during this time, including on national and state governance, and today we welcome the passing of the Constitution Amendment Bill.

Once again, however, we recognise that progress remains woefully slow. We should not forget the human price of these delays.

It remains our sincere hope that full implementation of this peace agreement will deliver positive change for the South Sudanese people. Of particular concern is the continued lack of progress on the unification of forces and their redeployment.

We echo the Secretary-General’s concerns over defections and subsequent violent clashes between different armed factions across the country. Such incidents perpetuate division at a time when the need for unity is greater than ever. They are also against the letter and spirit of the peace agreement.

Madam President, the human rights situation in South Sudan is also deeply worrying. The continued crackdown on civic space, including harassment of human rights activists, detention of journalists and restrictions on freedom of speech and association, are unacceptable.

We also remain deeply concerned by the harrowing reports of violence, killings and continued use of sexual violence by the parties to the conflict, including the deeply disturbing reports of sexual violence in Tambura. As Ms Williams Yuyada said, the perpetrators must be held accountable. We call on the Government of South Sudan to fulfill their responsibilities, with respect to their people.

Lastly, I would like to highlight our serious concern at the urgent humanitarian crisis. With an estimated 2 million people expected to be acutely malnourished in 2022, the crisis is set to become yet more severe unless the humanitarian response can improve.

For its part, South Sudan’s Government must reduce interference in humanitarian activities and remove illegal checkpoints and other bureaucratic impediments to humanitarian delivery.

In closing, Madam President, the United Kingdom would like to reiterate our calls on South Sudan’s leaders to deliver on their commitments and to foster the conditions for holding free and fair elections.

Thank you.