Dear Beneficiaries, Participants and Staff,

Many of you may have seen the petition in change.org requesting the SG to replace the UNJSPF CEO, Mr. Sergio Arvizu, a sincere and hardworking diplomat from Mexico. And very few of them have signed it due to the fact that you endorse his work style and ethics in getting the payments processed in a record period. We, the staff of the Fund, would like to stand by him to support him and acknowledge him as our only leader. And would like to comment on the allegations publicly in the same forum to put a lid on the rumours created by the malicious staff unions.

We would also like to remind one and all that we have written several explanations to all the stakeholders, committees and board members, who the CEO is answerable to and the CEO is thankful to all of them who pledged their outright support. They acknowledged in private with the CEO there are no substantial delays in processing the payments and the client servicing is in the best hands. They also condemned the staff unions for spreading the false rumours that the retirees and beneficiaries wait more than six months to get paid and creating a unhealthy and panic environment in the community.

On behalf of the CEO, would like to also comment that we have dispelled the rumours via media channels that challenged our work. We have so many retirees and beneficiaries write thank you notes for processing their payments ahead of time by a few weeks. Despite the technical issues with the UN's new ERP system and the other member organizations as well as the newly installed technology platform called IPAS, we have taken every effort to reduce the backlog and now effectively processing the last few payments to become current.

With that said, we would like to brief you once again on the progress and the management style of the CEO, which is reflected in the public domain as a cause of worry. The Fund's governance is extremely healthy, due to the most respected CEO, Mr, Arvizu. But it is also our belief that the Fund would be in a better position to service its clients within itself, without any external influence or intrusion. The CEO has been reiterating of the need to make the Fund independent of the UN machinery for staff rules and regulations and other financial frameworks.

We would like to outline the following and request the staff and all the other stakeholders to support the effort by counter signing the petition:

- The Fund's staff morale is in all-time high since the establishment of the Fund and it is proved in many interviews conducted by the ethics and audit offices.
- The CEO's proven people skills and open door policy is a known factor for improving the staff work ethics and uplifting culture.
- The rumours that the CEO is a puppet in the hands of someone is totally rubbish. HE totally stands by himself and is capable of managing the senior managers as well as the internal front office staff.
- The CEO would like to reiterate the goal for independence is not to abuse the power but to strengthen the governance from public perception such as this and to avoid future trials by public opinion.
- There were no procurement or hiring rules bent or circumvented as published by the so-called staff unions, who do not represent the UN staff legally. It is a well known fact that the Executive Office functions independently of any influence from the CEO.
- We have requested the Ethics Office and the OIOS to limit the unlawful Staff Unions from using the UN property to publicise negative rumours and further damaging the respectful image of the CEO.
- The Pension Board and the Chairman reassured the CEO of his position and stands firm by his side.
- This is frustrating to say the least the CEO could not pursue his career outside due to the negative narrative and atmosphere created in the public domain.

It is our firm belief that the UN Pension Fund is a distinct entity by itself and the UN or the SG does not have authority to take any action. As the Secretary of the Pension Board, the CEO has the power and authority to remain in the position until the end of contract or retirement. No one has moral power to strip him off his basic duties he performs with pride.

We would like to sincerely request all, including his friends and supporters to sign the petition, so the SG will hear the true story. We would like to reiterate it is an obligation of the staff of the Pension Fund to sign the petition to retain our beloved CEO, Mr. Sergio Arvizu.

Yours faithfully,
UNJSPF Staff