FIFTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF PROGRAMMES IN MEDIUM-TERM PLAN FOR 1998-2001
Press Release
GA/AB/3108
FIFTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERATION OF PROGRAMMES IN MEDIUM-TERM PLAN FOR 1998-2001
19961105 Crime Prevention, Drug Control, Regional Economic Commissions Discussed; Speakers Stress Value of Commissions, Reject Attempts to Undermine Their RoleThe importance of regional commissions in promoting social and economic development was emphasized this afternoon, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) continued discussing the programmes in the proposed medium-term plan for 1998-2001.
The Committee this afternoon discussed programmes: 12 (Crime prevention and criminal justice); 13 (International drug control); 14 (Economic and social development in Africa); 15 (Economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific); 16 (Economic development in Europe); 17 (Economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean); and 18 (Economic and social development in Western Asia).
The representative of Costa Rica, speaking for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said the Group would reject any attempt to undermine the role of the regional commissions. The commissions were capable of responding efficiently and effectively in their spheres of interest. They also had the responsibility to assist Member States in fulfilling the commitments made at recent United Nations international conferences.
Commenting on the programmes to be implemented by the regional commissions, the representative of Ireland, also speaking for the European Union, said the commissions should focus on areas in which they had comparative advantage. Operational activities should be left to the appropriate intergovernmental bodies.
Focussing on the role of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the representative of Jamaica called for more balance between the analytical and operational activities in the commissions, with greater emphasis on the latter. In addition, more resources should be directed towards subregional activities in the Caribbean.
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Committee members underscored the importance and interrelationship of programmes 12 (Crime prevention and criminal justice) and 13 (International drug control). The representative of Uganda said international drug control could be enhanced by strengthening crime prevention, particularly the role of regional institutions combating crime.
Statements on the various programmes were also made by the representatives of Ethiopia, Mexico, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Uruguay, Cuba, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela and Syria.
The Committee's Secretary also responded to Member States questions on the input expected from the Second (Economic and Financial), Third (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) and Sixth (Legal) Committees.
The Fifth Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Thursday, 7 November, to take up the administrative and budgetary aspects of financing peace-keeping operations and begin debating the financial statements and reports of the Board of Auditors on the various bodies of the United Nations system.
Committee Work Programme
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this afternoon to take up the following programmes of the proposed medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001: programme 12 (Crime prevention and criminal justice); programme 13 (International drug control); programme 14 (Economic and social development in Africa); programme 15 (Economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific); programme 16 (Economic development in Europe); programme 17 (Economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean); and programme 18 (Economic and social development in Western Asia). (For details of the 25 programmes of the medium-term plan, see Press Release GA/AB/3096 of 11 October.)
The proposed medium-term plan, which provides the framework for the biennial programme budgets, is the principal policy directive of the United Nations. It is prepared by the Secretariat for consideration by Member States.
For its consideration of the proposed medium-term plan, the Committee has before it a comprehensive document (document A/51/6) which includes two forward-looking policy documents -- the Perspective and the Note -- which provide analyses of persistent international problems, challenges and emerging trends that need to be addressed by the international community in the next four years, as well as the role and the priorities of the Organization. The proposed medium-term plan also includes the outlines of 25 programmes in the form of fascicles (document A/51/6-fascicles).
The Committee has also before it the report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) (document A/51/16-Part I) on the first part of its thirty-sixth session, which contains the outcome of the Committee's consideration of programme planning, coordination questions and reports of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU). Part II of the report contains the recommendations of the second part of the Committee's thirty-sixth session, held from 26 August to 6 September. The report reviews the 25 programmes of the proposed medium-term plan.
The programmes in the medium-term plan cover a period of four years and are presented along sectoral lines. Each programme consists of a short narrative which identifies the mandates that provide overall direction for the programme and which, therefore, govern the overall work of the responsible department/office. It describes the broad approach of the department/office in carrying out the work and the results that are expected to be achieved in pursuance of the mandates. Each programme contains subprogrammes which would cover an area of activity entrusted to a major organizational unit within a department or office. It identifies the objectives and expected results to be achieved at the end of four years.
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Programme 12 -- Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
Programme 12 consists of one subprogramme, 12.1 -- Crime prevention and criminal justice. The programme's general orientation is to promote more effective international cooperation in crime prevention and criminal justice by devising strategies to deal with global problems and by assisting governments in their national and multilateral efforts to respond to changing crime trends. It will also create the necessary instruments and institutions for a more accountable, transparent and effective crime prevention and control system. The programme will also endeavour to transfer expertise in the effective and humane handling of offences, offenders and victims. The Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division will be responsible for the implementation of that programme.
The CPC recommended that the General Assembly approve programme 12 with a few modifications.
Programme 13 -- International Drug Control
Programme 13 consists of the following three subprogrammes: 13.1 -- Coordination and promotion of international drug control; 13.2 -- International drug control monitoring and policy-making; and 13.3 -- Prevention and reduction of drug abuse, elimination of illicit crops and suppression of illicit drug trafficking.
Concerted international action is anchored in the consensus in the international community, which is embodied in the drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and its Protocol of 1972, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
The CPC recommended that the Assembly approve programme 13 with a few modifications.
Programme 14 -- Economic and Social Development in Africa
Programme 14 comprises the following five subprogrammes: 14.1 -- Facilitating economic and social policy analysis; 14.2 -- Enhancing food security and sustainable development; 14.3 -- Strengthening development management; 14.4 -- Harnessing information for development; and 14.5 -- Promoting regional cooperation and integration.
The programme's overall orientation is to promote economic and social development in Africa. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which is responsible for the programme's implementation, will seek to achieve the
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objective mainly through advocacy for policy measures and actions for adoption by African countries, as well as the international community.
The CPC recommended that the Assembly approve programme 14 with the following modification, taking into account the results of the process of internal restructuring currently under way in ECA: in paragraph 14.7 (d), the words "by indicating what is and is not working" should be replaced with "by analysing the causes of success and failures noted".
Programme 15 -- Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific
Programme 15 consists of the following 10 subprogrammes: 15.1 -- Regional economic cooperation: trade and investment; 15.2 -- Regional economic cooperation: research and policy analysis; 15.3 -- Regional economic cooperation: industry and technology; 15.4 -- Environment and sustainable development; 15.5 -- Poverty alleviation: social development; 15.6 -- Poverty alleviation: rural and urban development; 15.7 -- Poverty alleviation: population and development; 15.8 -- Transport and communications; 15.9 -- Statistics; and 15.10 -- Least developed, landlocked and island developing countries.
The CPC recommended that the Assembly approve programme 15, taking into account the results of the process of internal restructuring currently under way in the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Programme 16 -- Economic Development in Europe
Programme 16 comprises the following 10 subprogrammes: 16.1 -- Environment; 16.2 -- Transport; 16.3 -- Statistics; 16.4 -- Trade facilitation; 16.5 -- Economic analysis; 16.6 -- Energy; 16.7 -- Development of international trade; 16.8 -- Industry and technology; 16.9 -- Agriculture and timber; and 16.10 -- Human settlements.
The programme's overall orientation, which is under the responsibility of the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), is to strengthen the economic relations of the European countries, among themselves and with other countries. In that context, the ECE must now exercise its advocacy role to maintain free trade, investment flows, cooperation, exchange of experience and the free flow of information and technology between the countries of the ECE region and the rest of the world. Furtherance of the integration efforts of countries in transition into the European and global economies is a priority.
The programme also gives renewed attention to cooperation with neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean region, where economic and social development is essential to underpin the peace process in the Middle East and future cooperation between European and North African States in that area. Renewed attention is also given to the reconstruction of war-torn areas.
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The CPC recommended that the Assembly approve programme 16 with a number of modifications and taking into account the results of the process of internal restructuring currently under way in the ECE. Among the changes proposed is the replacement of paragraph 16.6 (a) with text on providing policy direction for the ECE region. The Committee takes note of the fact that the priorities of the ECE in the proposed medium-term plan are transport, environment, statistics, economic analysis and trade facilitation.
Programme 17 -- Economic and Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean
Programme 17 consists of 11 subprogrammes: 17.1 -- Linkages with the global economy, competitiveness and production specialization; 17.2 -- Integration, open regionalism and regional cooperation; 17.3 -- Productive, technological and entrepreneurial development; 17.4 -- Macroeconomic equilibria, investment and financing; 17.5 -- Social development and social equity; 17.6 -- Strategic administration and State reform; 17.7 -- Environmental and land resource sustainability; 17.8 -- Population and development; 17.9 -- Statistics and economic projections; 17.10 -- Subregional activities in Mexico and Central America; and 17.11 -- Subregional activities in the Caribbean.
The programme, under the responsibility of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), focuses its analytical work on designing public policies. It facilitates the implementation of such policies by concentrating operational services in the areas of specialized information, advisory assistance, training and support for regional and international cooperation.
The CPC recommended that the Assembly approve programme 17 with a number of modifications and taking into account the result of the process of restructuring currently under way in ECLAC. A new subparagraph, 17.9 (b), is proposed on the objective of formulating international and regional strategies to solve the problems stemming from indebtedness.
Programme 18 -- Economic and Social Development in Western Asia
Programme 18 consists of the following five subprogrammes: 18.1 -- Management of natural resources and environment; 18.2 -- Improvement of the quality of life; 18.3 -- Economic development and global changes; 18.4 -- Coordination of policies and harmonization of norms and regulations for sectoral development; and 18.5 -- Development, coordination and harmonization of statistics and information.
The programme's overall orientation is to enhance sustainable development in the region, promote regional cooperation and policy coordination and increase awareness of the economic, social, cultural,
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technological and environmental dimensions of development. The secretariat of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is responsible for the programme's implementation.
The CPC recommended that the assembly approve programme 18, taking into account the results of the process of internal restructuring currently under way in ESCWA.
Statements on Programmes in Medium-Term Plan -- Programme 14 (Economic and Social Development in Africa)
PATRICK KELLEY (Ireland), also speaking for the European Union, addressed programmes 14 to 18, which concern the regional commissions for economic and social development. He welcomed the internal reforms in the commissions and took note of the soon-to-be-conducted review of ESCAP. The commissions should focus on areas in which they enjoyed comparative advantage and avoid duplicating the work of other appropriate intergovernmental institutions. Operational activities should be left to the appropriate bodies. The follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the recent global conferences should be a priority for all the regional commissions, and that follow-up should be integrated. He welcomed the streamlining efforts in ECA. The durations and frequency of meetings in the commissions should be subject to reform.
TERUNEH ZENNA (Ethiopia) welcomed the efforts to make ECA cost effective and flexible. The promotion of regional cooperation, facilitating social policy analysis and other functions of the Commission had been recently approved by African ministers recently. The ECA should be given an early opportunity to improve its service to Africa. The ministers had also appreciated the fact that the Commission would play significant roles in the implementation of the United Nations Special Initiative for Africa and the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s. The outcomes of the recent global conferences also gave additional roles to the commissions. He supported highlighting the role of the commissions in the medium-term plan and rejected attempts to belittle their roles.
M.E. CABRERA (Mexico) endorsed the recommendations of the CPC on the programme.
AMMAR AMARI (Tunisia) stressed the importance of the reform process being undertaken by ECA. He, therefore, endorsed the CPC's recommendations on programme 14 on economic and social development in Africa.
NAZARETH INCERA (Costa Rica), speaking for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, asked if the Fifth Committee Chairman had received a letter from the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) on the areas within their competence within the medium-term plan. Regarding the regional
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commissions, she said the Group attached great importance to their role, since they incorporated the regional dimension of development into the United Nations system. They were capable of responding efficiently and effectively in their spheres interest. They also had the responsibility to assist Member States in fulfilling the commitments made at the recent international conferences. The Group would reject any attempt to undermine the role of the regional commissions.
Under programme 14 on economic and social development in Africa, ECA had special tasks relating to African development at the regional level. She stressed the importance of support for intergovernmental processes, as well as regional cooperation in transportation and commodities.
DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria) expressed particular interest in programme 14 and the work of ECA. That Commission had begun an important reform process, which demonstrated its ability to renew itself and take responsibility for development in that region. The Commission's role should not be tampered with, and he expressed full support for the programme.
MOHAMMED FATTAH (Eygpt) said the regional commissions provided important and much-needed support for their regions. He fully supported programme 14 on economic and social development in Africa, due to the importance of ECA's role in the face of Africa's increasing marginalization.
Statements on Programme 15 (Economic and Social Development in Asia and Pacific)
Mr. KELLEY (Ireland), also speaking for the European Union, said that some parts of subprogrammes 15.1 -- Regional economic cooperation: trade and investment; and 15.3 -- Regional economic cooperation: industry and technology -- duplicated some of the work of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He wondered if it was necessary for the commissions to continue work on technology under subprogramme 15.3.
Ms. CABRERA (Mexico) endorsed the conclusions and recommendations of the CPC on the programme.
The Acting Chairman of the Fifth Committee, KLAUS STEIN (Germany), said that the letter of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) on the issue had not been received.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica), also speaking for the Group of 77 and China, said that the programmes proposed were consistent with the legislative mandates for ESCAP. However, the subprogrammes should be refined to better reflect recent mandates, such as those emanating from the recent United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II).
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Also, she continued, adequate emphasis should be placed on subprogrammes 15.1 -- Regional economic cooperation: trade and investment; 15.2 -- Regional economic cooperation: research and policy analysis; and 15.3 -- Regional economic cooperation: industry and technology. South-South cooperation, including triangular cooperation, should be stressed. She proposed the rewording of some of the language in the subprogrammes. Access to technology should be emphasized and the results of Habitat II reflected. Developing countries should be helped in acquiring appropriate technology.
MARY JO ARAGON (Philippines) supported the statement of Costa Rica. She added that subprogramme 15.3 -- Regional economic cooperation: industry and technology -- should not be deleted.
BUSADEE SANTIPITAKS (Thailand) attached importance to the work under the programme and of ESCAP.
PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia) reiterated the importance of the programme and of ESCAP, which should be supported.
Statements on Programme 16 (Economic Development in Europe)
Mr. KELLEY (Ireland), also speaking for the European Union, said the Union's members had supported and taken part in the reforms in the ECE. In participating in those reforms, the Union would seek the streamlining of the programmes and greater focus on activities in which the ECE had the required expertise and competence. The ECE should be flexible enough to react to changes.
Ms. CABRERA (Mexico) endorsed the recommendations and conclusions of the CPC on programme 16 on economic development in Europe.
NIKOLAI V. LOZINSKY (Russian Federation) fully supported programme 16 and agreed with the CPC's recommendations on the programme.
Statements on Programme 17 (Economic and Social Development in Latin America and Caribbean)
Mr. STEIN (Germany), Acting Chairman, said the CPC had recommended approval of the programme.
Ms. CABRERA (Mexico) supported all the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on the programme. She said her delegation attached great importance to economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica) drew attention to the reform undertaken in ECLAC.
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BERNARDO GREIVER (Uruguay) said programme 17 was of utmost importance to his country and expressed strong support for ECLAC. Programme 17 should reflect the real situation in the Latin America and Caribbean region, and the ECLAC mandate should continue to enhance the economic and social development of that region. It should also promote South-South cooperation within the region, and of that region with other geographical regions. The countries of the region were in the middle and lower categories of countries. Therefore, the Commission should be maintained and strengthened in order to promote their growth and development.
The objectives of subprogramme 17.2 -- Integration, open regionalism and regional cooperation -- should also contribute to the achievement of cooperation among States in promoting progress and growth in the region, in addition to diagnosing the situation. Emphasis should be placed on such areas as the flow of trade and disaster mitigation. The programme did not include all the development processes that could be taken advantage of during a time of peace in Latin America.
DULCE MARIA BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) stressed the importance of the work of the regional commissions, given the importance of economic and social development to all the countries. She reiterated her country's full support for ECLAC's work and expressed total support for the CPC's recommendations on programme 17.
FERNANDO VARELA (Chile) said that programme 17 would make a valuable contribution to the development of the region and expressed support for the conclusions of the CPC.
SHEILA SEALY MONTEITH (Jamaica) said ECLAC played a valuable role, as the Commission helped set priorities for the region. She supported the conclusions and recommendations of the CPC. There should be more balance between the analytical and operational activities of the commissions, and greater emphasis should be placed on operational activities. More resources should be directed towards subprogramme 17.11 -- Subregional activities in the Caribbean. She endorsed the CPC's recommendations on the wording of the programme.
MARCIO FARGUNDES DO NASCIMENTO (Brazil) said ECLAC played a crucially important role in social and economic developments in the region. The restructuring of the Commission should help ensure the optimal use of resources. He agreed with previous speakers on the promotion of development by ECLAC and supported the conclusions of the CPC.
ROSANNA FIGUERA (Venezuela) reiterated firm support for ECLAC's work and supported the conclusions of the CPC.
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Mr. FATTAH (Egypt) supported preceding speakers who had stressed the importance of ECLAC.
FABIAN PALIZ (Ecuador) expressed support for the views expressed by the Rio Group, the Group of 77 and the CPC on ECLAC.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica) reiterated the importance of ECLAC and supported the CPC's recommendations.
Statements on Programme 18 (Economic and Social Development in Western Asia)
The Acting Chairman, Mr. STEIN (Germany), said that the CPC had recommended approval of the programme, with some modifications.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica), also speaking for the Group of 77 and China, said that the programmes reflected the relevant mandates of ESCWA. The Group emphasized that the Commission's restructuring was the direct responsibility of its member States.
TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) reaffirmed the need for member States to respond positively to Costa Rica's suggestions. He recalled a meeting of environment ministers last May that had called for extensive efforts to be made at the forthcoming special session of the General Assembly to fully review Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). He would make further statements on the programme during informal consultations. The Commission was very important to the States in the region.
Ms. CABRERA (Mexico) fully supported the CPC, which recommended the Assembly's approval of programme 18, taking into account the results of the process of internal restructuring currently under way in ESCWA.
Mr. FATTAH (Egypt) said he supported programme 18 which was of special importance to his delegation.
Statements on Programme 12 (Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice)
Mr. STEIN (Germany), Acting Chairman, said the CPC had recommended that the Assembly approve programme 12 with a number of modifications.
Ms. CABRERA (Mexico) said she fully supported the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on the programme.
Mr. KELLY (Ireland), speaking for the European Union, said programme 12 on crime prevention and criminal justice and programme 13 on international drug control were complementary, and he would speak on them at the next meeting on programme planning.
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Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said the Fifth Committee should await the replies from the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) on its areas of competence in the medium-term plan. It should also await the responses of other Committees.
JOSEPH ACAKPO-SATCHIVI, Fifth Committee Secretary, said the Fifth Committee Chairman had received a letter from the Chairman of the Third Committee, which was a compilation of statements from that Committees' delegates on the medium-term plan. The bureau of the Fifth Committee would have to discuss the letter before it was circulated. The Fifth Committee Chairman had sent reminders to the Chairmen of the Second and the Sixth Committees. He was awaiting replies.
Mr. STEIN (Germany), Acting Chairman, said the item on programme 12 would remain open for discussion.
Statements on Programme 13 (International Drug Control)
Mr. STEIN (Germany), Acting Chairman, said the CPC had recommended approval of the programme, subject to a number of modifications.
Ms. CABRERA (Mexico), stressing the importance of programme 13, said she supported the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on it.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) stressed the importance of the programme. The comments made on programme 13 were also valid for programme 12.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica) stressed the importance of programmes 12 and 13. She supported all the CPC's conclusions and recommendations on it.
NESTER ODAGA JALOMAYO (Uganda), stressing the importance of programmes 12 and 13, said they were interrelated. The best way to strengthen programme 13 was to strengthen programme 12, by enhancing the role of regional institutions in working in the area of crime.
Mr. STEIN (Germany) said the discussion on programme 13 would be kept open.
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