Global Policy Forum

1. On March 10 (Fri) (Japan time) (US Eastern time: March 9 (Thu)), Japan submitted to the 5th Committee of the UN General Assembly (in charge of administrative and budgetary matters) its proposal on the methodology for the UN scale of assessments for the next three year term (2007-09).

2. In the review process of the methodology for the UN scale of assessments to be concluded by the end of this year, the Government of Japan intends to continue proactive participation in the negotiation on the scale to make it more equitable and fair, by reflecting the actual economic situation of a UN Member State and duly taking into account its status and responsibilities in the UN.

3. Japan's proposal on the methodology is expected to be forwarded, together with other possible proposals to be submitted, to the UN Committee on Contributions to be held in June this year, and the results of the application of these proposals prepared by the Committee are to be reported to the 5th Committee of the UN General Assembly. Referring to the report of the Committee on Contributions, the 5th Committee will determine the scale of assessments for the next three year term (2007-09) in the period from this autumn to the end of this year.

4. Concrete contents of the Japanese proposal is as follows

5. (note) It is anticipated that the economic data to be used in determining the next scale of assessments will be up to 2004.