Statement by Ambassador Joseph M. Torsella, U.S. Representative for Management and Reform to the United Nations, on the Appointment of the Directors of the Investigations Division and Inspection and Evaluation Division in the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services

Ambassador Joseph M Torsella
U.S. Representative for UN Management and Reform 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

May 3, 2011

AS DELIVERED

The United States welcomes the appointment of new directors of the Investigations Division and the Inspection and Evaluation Division in OIOS. These two critical appointments are important signs of progress in the effort to nurture a culture of efficiency, ethics and excellence at the UN.   With Carman Lapointe at the helm of OIOS and these two high-level positions – vacant for so long – now filled, OIOS is poised to become the strong and independent watchdog it was intended to be. OIOS is indispensible to the United Nations in rooting out fraud, waste and mismanagement and advancing a culture of accountability and transparency. Both the Investigation Division and the Inspection and Evaluation Division play crucial roles in this effort.

The United States had previously raised concerns about the performance of the Investigations Division in particular, and we had urged it to more vigorously pursue fraud and misconduct. We are pleased that this division will now have a permanent director, and that Ms. Lapointe has shown strong leadership in bringing about much-needed changes.

As the largest contributor to the United Nations, the United States has consistently and aggressively supported OIOS so that taxpayer money is spent wisely, and the vital work of the UN – resolving conflicts, responding to disasters, defusing transnational threats, addressing poverty, and preventing disease – is carried out effectively.

We applaud this step forward, and will continue to push for a fully-resourced, fully-staffed, and fully independent OIOS.

###