ASSEMBLY DECIDES TO CONTINUE CONSIDERATION OF REFORM PROPOSALS DURING OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS
Press Release
GA/9328
ASSEMBLY DECIDES TO CONTINUE CONSIDERATION OF REFORM PROPOSALS DURING OPEN-ENDED INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS
19971008 The General Assembly this afternoon decided to continue its consideration of United Nations reform proposals during open-ended informal consultations. The proposals were first presented to the Assembly's fifty-first session on 16 July by the Secretary-General in his report entitled, "United Nations reform: measures and proposals".Assembly President Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine) said he had conducted extensive consultations with Member States over the past three weeks on procedures to consider the Secretary-General's proposals. The informal consultations, which will be chaired by Mr. Udovenko, are to begin this afternoon.
In his report, the Secretary-General said he would create an office for development financing to raise funds, and proposed a "development dividend" to shift resources from administration to economic and social activities. He projected that at least $200 million would be available to that end by the year 2002.
To enhance the Organization's ability in the field of development, he said United Nations funds and programmes would be clustered into a United Nations development group, so as to foster cooperation among them without compromising their distinctiveness. The idea would also be carried to the field, where all entities in a country would work in a single "United Nations House".
The Secretary-General also recommended the creation of a post of Deputy- Secretary-General, to spearhead efforts to raise funds for development and to represent the Secretary-General in his absence from Headquarters. The Deputy- Secretary-General would also ensure the coherence of the Organization's cross- sectoral activities. The Secretary-General also proposed the creation of a revolving credit fund, initially capitalized at up to $1 billion, to end the United Nations persistent state of near-bankruptcy. The fund could be paid for through voluntary contributions and other means.
Other reforms related to the restructuring of the Organization include: a new emergency relief coordination office in place of the Department of
General Assembly Plenary - 2 - Press Release GA/9328 29th Meeting (PM) 8 October 1997
Humanitarian Affairs; a senior management group to function like a cabinet; a strategic planning unit in the Secretary-General's office to identify and analyse emerging global issues; and four executive committees to guide the Organization's work.
The Secretary-General also proposed that Member States enact "sunset provisions" -- specific time-limits with respect to initiatives involving new organizational structures or major commitments of funds. They were also asked to consider adopting a new "results-based budgeting" system and establishing a commission to study fundamental change in the United Nations specialized agencies.
Also this afternoon, the Assembly President announced that Equatorial Guinea had made the necessary payments to reduce its arrears below the point which would have resulted in the suspension of its voting rights.
The General Assembly will meet again at a date to be announced.
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