EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Discussion on the Secretary-General's Note on the Implementation of Reporting Mandates

Distinguished co-Chairs, excellencies, colleagues,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We thank the Secretary-General for the timely submission of the note on implementation of reporting mandates, and the Secretariat for the considerable analytical work that enables us to enhance the implementation of reporting mandates.

The European Union welcomes the overall approach taken by the Secretariat. The emphasis on producing reports that are more focused, user-oriented and evidence-based, while preserving the integrity of mandates is fully consistent with the objectives set out in resolution 80/251.

We particularly support the proposed improvements to reporting practices, including differentiated reporting formats, concise update reports where appropriate, greater use of data and visual presentation, standardized structures and clearer recommendations. These measures will improve accessibility and usability for Member States without affecting the substance of existing mandates.

At the same time, we welcome further clarification regarding the proposed next steps. In particular, we would be interested to hear from the Co-Chairs how the recommendations contained in this note can feed into the work of the Main Committees and other intergovernmental bodies. On what basis will individual committees consider these recommendations? How will consistency across the system be ensured while fully respecting the mandates and competencies of each intergovernmental body?

More broadly, we reiterate the importance of strengthening the evidence base that should underpin this review process.

In this regard, we consider it essential that the Secretariat provides Member States with a comprehensive overview of existing mandates, including reporting mandates, meetings, agenda items and programme budget implications, accompanied by information on implementation and delivery of mandates to strengthen transparency and accountability.

We would also appreciate further information on the analytical basis underpinning the estimates contained in the Secretary-General's note, including the references to reductions of "less than 5 per cent" and "about 10 per cent". Consistent with the principle of transparency and informed decision making, we would appreciate if the Secretariat could provide additional detail on the reporting series and mandates that were assessed, as well as the methodology used to arrive at these estimates. We would also welcome a list of reports that were identified for consolidation or changes in reporting periodicity. In our view, the only concrete example provided regarding reports on major construction projects considered by the Fifth Committee does not sufficiently demonstrate the type of efficiencies envisaged. We would instead welcome the identification of reporting areas where genuine overlaps or duplications exist and where consolidation could therefore reduce reporting burdens, rather than simply combining related reports into a single document.

All these information's are in our view crucial for Member States to better understand the proposals and engage constructively in identifying opportunities to achieve these efficiencies.

We encourage the Secretariat to continue developing standardized reporting templates across reports mandated by intergovernmental resolutions. Greater consistency in structure and presentation facilitates comparison across reporting cycles, improves readability and supports more informed decision-making by Member States.

Allow me also to recall the European Union's broader position on the review process. As we have stated previously, we continue to see two complementary strands of work. The first concerns the criteria that should guide future decisions on creating or renewing mandates. The second concerns the modalities for reviewing the existing stock of mandates. Both strands should be guided by clear, objective and evidence-based criteria.

Finally, regarding the interaction between this Working Group and the Main Committees, we continue to believe that the Ad Hoc Working Group has an important role to play as a coordinating and escalation mechanism. While the substantive review of mandates should naturally take place within the competent Main Committees and other intergovernmental bodies, this Working Group should provide a forum to take stock of progress, assess how reviews have been conducted across the system, identify cross-cutting lessons, promote coherence and transparency, and consider any issues that may require further collective reflection.

We look forward to continuing this constructive work together.

I thank you.