FIFTH COMMITTEE CONCLUDES GENERAL DEBATE ON BUDGET, DISCUSSIONS ON MEDIUM-TERM PLAN AND PATTERN OF CONFERENCES
Press Release
GA/AB/3026
FIFTH COMMITTEE CONCLUDES GENERAL DEBATE ON BUDGET, DISCUSSIONS ON MEDIUM-TERM PLAN AND PATTERN OF CONFERENCES
19951027 The General Assembly would authorize the Secretary-General to begin preparing and submit to its next session the proposed medium-term plan for the period after 1997, if it adopts an oral draft decision approved this afternoon by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).The text was read out by Committee Chairman Erich Vilchez Asher (Nicaragua) as the Committee concluded its general discussion on the plan and on the pattern of conferences. Today's meeting also concluded the general debate on the proposed 1996-1997 budget of the United Nations.
According to the draft decision, the Secretary-General would base his medium-term plan proposals on recommendations from the thirty-fourth session of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). He would also consider the views expressed in the Fifth Committee.
[According to a report of the Secretary-General, the new format for the plan will contain a perspective and a programme framework. The perspective, covering four years beginning 1998, would be a concise forward-looking policy document, indicating broad policy areas for the Organization's work. The programme framework would list major programmes and subprogrammes, and provide guidelines against which the implementation of United Nations budgets would be assessed.]
Japan said that a four-year cycle would be too short, given the interest in making the plan a strategic document. The Assembly should approve a new format quickly and request the Secretariat to present proposals to enable the Fifth Committee to consider its priority areas.
Member States should be given more details on the proposed prototype of a new format for the medium-term plan to guide their deliberations, Cuba said. The proposed consolidation of subprogrammes suggested in the new format should take account of relevant Assembly mandates.
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Speaking on the proposed $2.69 billion adjusted budget for 1996 and 1997, United Nations Controller, Yukio Takasu, said its programmatic aspects had been based on the medium-term plan for 1992-1997, its revisions and
subsequent resolutions. The budget would provide for all legislated mandates despite the fact that it was below the approved budget outline and the current 1994-1995 appropriations.
The "Group of 77" developing countries and China, speaking through the Philippines, said they would carefully review the budget proposals when they began examining it section by section.
Tunisia and Uganda also spoke on the proposed budget.
Speaking on pattern of conferences, Cuba said the quality of interpretation must be assured by the use of the most qualified staff, who should be hired without sacrificing the principle of equitable geographical representation.
Egypt and Kenya also spoke on the agenda item.
The Chairman of the Committee on Conferences, Fernando Varela of Chile, and a Director in the Office of Conference and Support Services, Federico Riesco, also addressed the Committee.
The programme budget implications on a draft resolution on the procedures for establishing a firm and lasting peace and progress in Central America was introduced. Action on it was postponed, however, at the behest of member States who asked for more time to consider it.
The representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Cuba and Barbados spoke on the matter.
The Chairman of the ACABQ, C.S.M. Mselle, orally introduced his Committee's report on the programme budget implications.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m., Monday, 30 October, to continue discussing that subject and start a section-by-section review of the proposed budget for 1996-1997.
Committee Work Programme
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this afternoon to conclude the general debate on the proposed United Nations budget for 1996 and 1997; and to discuss the prototype of a new format of the medium-term plan, under the agenda item on programme planning, as well as the pattern of conferences.
The Committee would also take up some aspects of the 1994-1995 and 1996- 1997 budgets. In doing so, it would consider the programme budget implications of a draft resolution on the procedures for establishing a firm and lasting peace and progress in Central America.
It had before it a statement from the Secretary-General on the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/50/7/Rev.1 on the situation in Central America (document A/C.5/50/14). By the terms of the draft resolution A/50/L.7/Rev.1, the General Assembly would approve his proposal to extend the Mission of the United Nations in El Salvador (MINUSAL) for six more months, with a gradual cut in its strength and costs. Should the Assembly adopt the draft, the needs for extending the mandate from 1 November 1995 through 30 April 1996 would cost some $1.4 million ($452,500 for 1995 and $913,700 for 1996). The costs include 10 Professionals (one D-2, one P-5 and eight P-4s), one General Service, 15 local-level staff and four civilian police. [para 4]
The Secretary-General states that an additional appropriation of $382,500 would be needed under the 1994-1995 budget section for activities from 1 November to 31 December 1995. For the biennium 1996-1997, an additional appropriation of $913,700 would be required under the budget section for peace-keeping and special missions for the period 1 January to 30 April 1996. [paras 10, 12]
Separately, the Committee has been considering the Secretary-General's proposal for a 1996-1997 budget of $2.69 billion, after adjustment for inflation and currency fluctuations. The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), after considering the proposals, has trimmed them to an adjusted $2.67 billion. (For background, see Press Release GA/AB/3017 of 4 October.)
On pattern of conferences, the Committee is considering recommendations on matters relating to the calendar of conferences, control of documentation, and a review of conference services in the 1996-1997 budget, scheduled special conferences for 1996 and the provision of written records to the Assembly's subsidiary organs. (For background on pattern of conferences, see Press Release GA/AB/3019 of 10 October.)
Regarding programme planning, the Committee had before it proposals that included a prototype of a new format of the medium-term plan. (For background on the prototype, see Press Release GA/AB/3019 of 10 October.)
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Statements on proposed budget for 1996-1997
YUKIO TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said the proposed budget was an effort to be more cost-effective, with maximum productivity. The budget was below the approved outline and the current 1994-1995 appropriation because the Secretariat was trying to do more with less. Despite that, the proposed budget would meet all legislated mandates. However, additional mandates would require more resources. The budget had been formulated according to programmatic requirements mandated by Member States. Also, the basis of the programmatic aspects of the budget was the medium-term plan for 1992-1997, its revisions and subsequent resolutions. Where the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) could not agree on the proposed revisions to the medium- term plan -- such as in the areas of human rights and public administration -- the Secretariat had formulated the budget on the basis of the structure approved earlier by the Assembly.
The net decrease in resources for the economic and social areas represented significant one-time expenditures approved in 1994-1995 for the major conferences that had taken place in the current biennium, he continued. The Secretary-General's proposals included measures to strengthen the programmes dealing with sustainable development, micro-economic and social policy analysis, drug control and the United Nations New Agenda for Development of Africa. The budget had proposals for follow-up on conferences of the United Nations. For the World Conference on Women, proposals on its follow-up would be submitted later.
Regarding the issue of a "bloated bureaucracy", he said that the number of regular budget staff for 1996-1997 would be cut by a net of 109 posts to 10,006. The number of such posts had changed very little in 20 years. Moreover, 10 years ago, there were 1,400 more regular budget staff than today. During the last 20 years, the scope and volume of United Nations work had increased and 40 new Member States had joined the Organization. The General Assembly had set up numerous inter-governmental and treaty bodies, for which the Secretariat was required to provide substantial and conference services. Priority areas such as the economic, social and humanitarian areas had received, in 20 years, an increase of staff from 3,714 to 4,052, for instance. Regarding the question of General Service staff, he said they provided essential services. The majority of them were not secretarial staff. The 1996-1997 budget proposed to cut 151 General Service posts. The Secretary- General would conduct a broad review to determine where there was duplication or overlap of activities in order to ensure more cost-effectiveness, and present recommendations to the Assembly. The staff list of the Secretariat would be available early next week.
DAVID ETUKET (Uganda) said that Member States should be given a picture of the impact of cuts on every section of the budget. On the global conferences, Uganda would like to see how the Secretariat would address the
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issue of follow-up action, some of which had taken place after the budget was prepared. He had in mind the Beijing, Copenhagen and Cairo conferences. There should be more information on the impact of the deployment of personnel between various departments. The legislative authority for such transfers should also be presented to Member States. There should be information on the role of extrabudgetary resources on the budget, bearing in mind the priority areas. More explanations should be given on the review of the use of contingency funds.
AMMAR AMARI (Tunisia) said he agreed that there should be efficiency and rationalization. Mr. Takasu's comments should have been limited to a comparison of the current and the proposed budgets. He was glad that the Committee would have an organigramme before it and asked that its Members would be told what the legislative mandates were for the transfers of various posts. Those were needed to allow the Committee to consider the budget properly.
MARY JO ARAGON (Philippines), also speaking for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said they would carefully review the budget proposals when the section by section consideration started. The organigrammes to be given to the Committee should include the definition of the tasks of each unit of the Secretariat.
Mr. TAKASU said that the Secretariat would provide information on each unit as the Committee discussed the budget. On the global conferences, it had been possible to reflect some of them in the budget. As for the Beijing conference, a report would be submitted containing measures to follow up on its recommendations. The Cairo and the crime conferences had been reflected in the current proposals. Staffing information would also be provided to the Committee.
Statements and Action on Medium-Term Plan
FUMIAKI TOYA (Japan) noted that the Secretary-General had proposed that the new mid-term plan beginning in 1998 should cover four years. Japan agreed with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) that a four-year cycle would be too short, given the interest in making the plan truly forward-looking and strategic. However, it would be flexible on that point. He called for the related regulations and rules to be revised in due course, based on the proposal of the Secretary-General and the decision of the General Assembly.
He noted that, according to the proposed schedule for preparation and review of the next mid-term plan, the ACABQ and the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) were scheduled to review it in May and June next year. It was necessary for the Assembly to approve the new format as soon as possible and request the Secretariat to present proposals so the Committee
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could start deliberations on priority areas. The plan would then be submitted to the Assembly for its approval in a timely manner.
ANA RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said the Assembly had not been able to take decisions on the many aspects of programme planning. The negotiating process on programme planning had shown a lack of political will to reach agreement. A solution should be found. The usefulness of the medium-term plan had been called into question, even though it should be the basis of the budgets of the United Nations. Member States should be given more information and details on the proposed prototype of a new format for the medium-term plan. The consolidations or reduction of subprogrammes as suggested in the new plan should take into account relevant mandates of the Assembly. The rationale for such consolidation should also be explained.
The Chairman introduced the following draft decision:
"The Committee decides to authorize the Secretary-General to begin preparation of the proposed medium-term plan for the period after 1997, on the basis of the recommendations of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) at its thirty-fourth session and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). The Secretary-General should take into account views expressed by Member States in the Fifth Committee and submit the new medium-term plan to the General Assembly at its fifty-first session through the CPC."
The Committee approved the draft decision, without a vote.
Statements on Pattern of Conferences
DULCE BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she agreed with the recommendations and conclusions in the report of the Committee on Conferences. Expressing concern that the Security Council was not considered in the report, she said any serious study must take account of that body in the rationalization of the use of conference services. The Council must also be taken into account in any resolution on the matter. The quality of interpretation services was important and must be assured by the use of the highest qualified staff. However, geographical representation must not be sacrificed in the hiring of such personnel. She also expressed support for the ideas expressed by Member States on multilingualism.
Referring to the control and limitation of documentation, she said she noted that a number of subsidiary bodies wished to retain their verbatim records. There was need for an evaluation of the changes in meeting records proposed by other bodies. This year was not the year for consideration of the item on documentation. Regarding biennial meetings of various bodies, she said the number of bodies requesting biennial meeting was growing, and that
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the views of all bodies should be given careful consideration. A request for annual meetings should be based on substantive reasons.
MOHAMED FATTAH (Egypt) endorsed the 1996-1997 draft calendar of conferences and said he was prepared to adopt it. He stressed the need for equal treatment of the six official languages, irrespective of any emergency measures that had to be taken in the Secretariat. He would co-sponsor the draft resolution on multilingualism. He hoped that a consensus resolution would be adopted on that issue during the current session.
He added that Egypt had proposed a resolution to improve the quality of Arabic translation and interpretation. The Secretary-General should set up an ad hoc team on the use and quality of the official languages to ensure an improvement of their quality, including that of Arabic. He supported the technological developments which increased the availability of documents, including the access of the Permanent Missions to the use of such technology. However, he questioned whether many developing countries had the capability to use such technology. Its use should ensure that there was no unfair discrimination of those Member States.
PHILIP R.O. OWADE (Kenya) said that despite the efforts by the Secretariat to check demand for documentation, there was room for improvements. Many documents were thrown away after they had been produced at high cost. There should be restraint in the demand for documentation. He was concerned about the question of utilization of conference services, because some of the bodies used resources at rates that were below the benchmark. Efforts should be made to correct that situation. There should also be efforts to make economical use of the Organization's resources and to avoid waste. The use of conferences facilities should be rationalized. The use of facilities could be enhanced by distributing meetings from overly busy centres to under-utilized ones.
The representative said that some of the United Nations centres were inactive and under-utilized. In particular, there was no meeting planned in the centre at Nairobi. The Kenyan Government had offered to host the conference on biodiversity in order to use the resources available at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
FERNANDO VARELA, of Chile, Chairman of the Committee on Conferences, said he was glad that the Members of the Fifth Committee shared his committee's concerns about the volume of documentation and the growing number of meetings, all of which had strained resources. He was gratified that they had expressed support for the recommendations of the Committee on Conferences, also.
FEDERICO RIESCO, Director of Conference Services, Office of Conference and Support Services, said the Committee's suggestions had been noted, with
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some of them being implemented, such as the dovetailing of some short meetings that could be serviced as blocks, the development of a more accurate cost- accounting system for conference services and the development of comparative costs for meetings held at different locations. Actions would also be taken to improve the quality of translation.
Programme Budget Implication on Situation in Central America.
C.S.M. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, introducing his Committee's report on MINUSAL, said the Advisory Committee believed that additional requirements for 1995 should not exceed $437,400. Such additional appropriation as might be necessary for the 1994-1995 period should be considered in the context of the second performance report for the biennium 1994-1995, which would be considered by the Assembly during its fiftieth session. For the additional requirements of MINUSAL in 1996, the Committee recommended that the Fifth Committee inform the Assembly that adoption of the draft resolution entailed an additional requirement of up to $886,900 under section 4 of the proposed 1996-1997 programme budget. Such additional appropriation would be considered by the Assembly in the context of its approval of the proposed programme for 1996-1997.
The Chairman then read the draft decision:
"The Fifth Committee decides to inform the General Assembly that, should it adopt the resolution on the situation in Central America, additional requirements not exceeding $382,500 would be required under section 4 of the 1994-1995 programme budget. Any additional appropriation will be dealt with in the context of the 1994-1995 biennium performance report. An additional appropriation of $913,700 would be required under section 3 of the proposed 1996-1997 programme budget for the period 1 January to 30 April 1996, to be dealt with outside the procedures related to the Contingency Fund."
LINDA SHENWICK (United States) asked for the draft to take account of recommendations of the Chairman of the Advisory Committee.
PATRICIA HOLLAND (United Kingdom) asked for clarification of amounts in the latter part of the decision.
The CHAIRMAN, reading the draft decision, as orally amended, stated that the amount stated in the first part of the decision was changed to read $367,400 instead of $382,500. The amount in the latter part of the decision was changed to $886,900 instead of $913,700. The change was recommended in the ACABQ's report.
DENISE ALMAO (New Zealand) asked for clarification of the timing of the approval of the draft decision.
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Mr. MSELLE, the ACABQ Chairman, said he had been told that the Assembly President intended to take a decision on the draft next Monday.
Ms. ALMAO said the programme budget implications should be given to the Committee in sufficient time so that the documentation could be properly examined.
Ms. DULCE BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba), supporting New Zealand's statement, said she was surprised at the haste with which the decision was being taken since the documentation had only been received by Committee members today. She requested a postponement of the approval of the decision until Monday morning.
DAVID BLACKMAN (Barbados) asked for further clarification on the latter part of the draft.
The Committee decided to postpone its approval of the draft text.
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