UNITED NATIONS REFORM MUST NOT COME AT EXPENSE OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, MONGOLIA TELLS FIFTH COMMITTEE, ON BEHALF OF LANDLOCKED STATES
Press Release
GA/AB/3184
UNITED NATIONS REFORM MUST NOT COME AT EXPENSE OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, MONGOLIA TELLS FIFTH COMMITTEE, ON BEHALF OF LANDLOCKED STATES
19971105 While land-locked developing countries welcomed reforms at the United Nations, they should not come at the expense of the developing world, Mongolia's representative said this morning, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) concluded its debate on Part IV, International cooperation for development, of the proposed $2.583 billion budget for the biennium 1998-1999.Speaking for 30 members of the Group of Land-locked Developing Countries, he said such nations risked extreme marginalization in the global economy. As such, they were surprised at the proposed reduction of a Director level (D-1) post in the office of the Special Coordinator for least developed, land-locked and island developing countries of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). That was the only post in the United Nations system dedicated to the land-locked countries, he said.
As the Committee discussed Part IV, some delegations also stressed the importance of UNCTAD as the United Nations focal point for integrating development with trade, finance, technology, investment and sustainable development.
For example, the representative of the Philippines, speaking for the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), stressed that UNCTAD helped developing countries integrate into the world economy. The proposed reductions in its budget should not adversely affect its ability to implement mandated activities.
Several delegations called also for the provision of adequate resources for the advancement of women, given the need to follow through on the recommendations and programmes of action of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing.
Also this morning, the Committee began its consideration of the sections in Part V, on Regional cooperation for development, hear statements by the representatives of Paraguay (for the Rio Group), the Philippines (for ASEAN) and Thailand.
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Statements on Part IV of the budget were also made by the representatives of Bolivia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Mali, Kenya, the United States, the Bahamas, India, Ghana and Zimbabwe. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the representative of Thailand, as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC), introduced the reports of those bodies on the budget. The United Nations Controller responded to questions.
Earlier this morning, the representative of Mexico introduced two draft resolutions on administrative and budgetary aspects of peacekeeping financing, on which action is to be taken this afternoon.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m today to take action on those draft texts. It is also expected to consider reports on the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) as well as the review of the United Nations administrative and financial efficiency, as well as to continue its discussion of Part V of the budget.
Committee Work Programme
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to take action on draft resolutions concerning the financing of peacekeeping operations. The texts concern death and disability benefits, temporal and financial limits on the Organization's liability to third parties. Action on both would fall under the agenda item on administrative and budgetary aspects of peacekeeping financing.
The Committee would also continue its section-by-section debate on the proposed $2.583 billion 1998-1999 budget. This morning, it was expected to begin the debate with Section 7, Policy coordination and sustainable development, and end with Section 15, International drug control. (For background on those sections, see Press Release GA/AB 3183 of 4 November.)
The Committee had before it a draft resolution on death and disability benefits (document A/C.5/52/L.4) that would have the General Assembly authorize the Secretary-General to implement without delay the administrative and payment procedures contained in his report on the question, for the payment of awards in cases of death and disability sustained by troops for incidents occurring after 30 June 1997. It would also ask him to settle such claims as soon as possible, and not later than three months after their submission.
In addition, the Secretary-General would be asked to continue to take into account the fact that such casualties which resulted from gross negligence or wilful misconduct by the injured or deceased peacekeeper would not be compensated. He would be asked to include that notion in the aide-mémoire for troop-contributing countries.
The draft resolution on temporal and financial limitations on liability to third parties (document A/C.5/52/L.7) would have the Assembly decide that temporal and financial limitations proposed by the Secretary-General shall apply to third-party claims against the Organization for loss or damage relating to activities by members of peacekeeping operations. It would thus decide that the Organization will not pay compensation for third-party claims submitted after six months from the time an injury or loss occurred or was discovered, or after one year from the termination of the mandate of the related peacekeeping operation.
By other terms of the text, the Assembly would decide that such third- party claims for personal injury, illness or death shall be limited to economic loss, such as medical and rehabilitation expenses, loss of earnings or financial support, transportation costs associated with the injury, illness or medical care, and burial expenses. No compensation shall be paid for non-economic loss, such as pain and suffering or moral anguish, or for punitive or moral damages. Compensation for injury, illness or death of any single individual shall not exceed $50,000, provided that within such limits,
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the actual sum will be determined by reference to local compensation standards.
The Assembly would further decide that compensation for third-party claims for property loss or damage based on non-consensual use of premises shall be calculated on the basis of fair rental value, based on the local market prices that prevailed before the deployment of a related peacekeeping mission. Alternatively, the amounts could be based on a maximum ceiling payable per square metre or hectare as established by a United Nations pre-mission technical survey. The Secretary-General would decide on the appropriate method for calculating compensation at the conclusion of that survey.
The draft would also have the Assembly decide that compensation for damage to personal property of third parties arising from the activities of a peacekeeping operation or in connection with the performance of official duties by its members would cover the reasonable costs of repair or replacement.
By other terms of the text, the Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to ensure that the terms of reference of local review boards that check claims include the temporal and financial limitations on the Organization's liability, as contained in the draft. He would be asked to ensure that those boards should base their recommendations for compensation on those limits.
The Committee also had before it the Secretary-General's note on the reform of procedures for determining reimbursements for contingent-owned equipment (document A/51/967 and Corr.1-2), which relays a revised model contribution agreement between the United Nations and States contributing to peacekeeping operations. Also before the Committee was a related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) (document A/52/410). (For background, see Press Release GA/AB 3166 of 6 October.)
Introduction of Peacekeeping Drafts
MARTHA PENA (Mexico) introduced the draft resolutions. She said that the word "principle" in operative paragraph 7 of the draft resolution on casualty benefits should be changed to "notion", as agreed to in informal consultations. Both that draft and the one on the United Nations third-party liability should be approved without a vote this afternoon. Action on contingent-owned equipment would be deferred to the resumed session. [Note: Operative paragraph 7 concerns the "notion" that there shall be no compensation for injury or death when caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the injured or deceased party.]
The Committee decided to take action on the drafts this afternoon.
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Budget Sections 7 to 15
C.S.M. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, introduced the views of the Advisory Committee as contained in Part IV of Chapter II of its report on the budget. He said it was time to appraise the impact on the United Nations budget of the large increase in the number of non-governmental organizations involved in the work of the Organization. Administration and cost implications would become more critical in the current financial atmosphere.
With respect to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), he said that while there was a 4.9 per cent cut in provisions for posts, provisions for general temporary assistance and overtime rose by 14 per cent, that for consultants rose by 7.2 per cent, and that for furniture and equipment rose by 44 per cent. Provisions for consultants and expert groups were $2.7 million in the regular budget and $22 million under extrabudgetary resources. There was a need to identify more clearly the work to be carried out by consultants, ad hoc expert groups and UNCTAD secretariat staff.
ANUSON CHINVANNO (Thailand), Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC), introduced that body's report. He said that some of the budget sections to be dealt with this morning would be affected by the Secretary-General's reform proposals. The CPC had looked at the financial and programmatic implications of those proposals, and its views would be submitted formally at a later date. He drew attention to an error in the CPC report, which states that further consideration would be based on issues raised in paragraph 35; it should read "paragraph 54". According to that paragraph, the CPC stated in June that it would decide at a resumed organizational session on its further consideration of the budget sections that will be affected by reform measures, after publication of the revised budget proposals. [The CPC held a resumed session in October.]
MARY-JO B. ARAGON (Philippines), speaking on behalf of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), reaffirmed the importance of UNCTAD as the Organization's focal point for integrating development with trade, finance, technology, investment and sustainable development. UNCTAD should continue to carry out its mandates through analysis and research to support policy dialogue and technical cooperation. It aided developing countries in the process of globalization and integration into the world economy.
She said that ASEAN supported the conclusions and recommendations of the CPC on the budget section on UNCTAD. The proposed amount of $107.4 million before recosting reflected a reduction of $2.7 million and a staff decrease of 53 regular budget posts compared to the current biennium. She asked for assurances that those reductions were attributable to UNCTAD's restructuring, undertaken during its ninth session, held in South Africa in April 1996. With its reformed structure and the support of Member States, UNCTAD should focus on the implementation of its mandated activities. The proposed reductions should not adversely affect its ability to do so.
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SANDAGDORJ ERDENEBILEG (Mongolia), speaking for 30 members of the Group of Land-locked Developing Countries, said that land-locked countries faced particular handicaps in the achievement of their development goals and risked extreme marginalization in the global economy. In the light of those realities, it was surprising to note that in the proposed programme budget for 1998-1999, a Director level (D-1) post in the office of UNCTAD's Special Coordinator for least developed, land-locked and island developing countries was being cut. That post was the only such position in the entire United Nations system responsible for activities relating to land-locked countries. Its elimination would make it impossible for UNCTAD to implement its mandate regarding those countries.
While land-locked developing countries welcomed measures to improve the Organization's cost-effectiveness, such measures should not be undertaken at the expense of developing countries, he said. He urged the Fifth Committee to heed the request of the Group of Land-locked Developing Countries and maintain the D-1 post.
MARTHA MONTANO-DURAN (Bolivia) reaffirmed the importance of UNCTAD as the Organization's coordinating centre for trade, finance, technology and sustainable development. The resources proposed for UNCTAD were to decrease some 1.4 per cent in comparison to the current biennium. That decrease could endanger its work.
Bolivia disagreed with the proposal to abolish one the D-1 post whose functions were specifically linked with land-locked countries, she continued. Her country attached great importance to the programme for least developed and land-locked countries, which should continue to have high priority in UNCTAD's work.
HUMAYUN KABIR (Bangladesh) said that UNCTAD played a very useful role in helping the developing countries, particularly the least developed among them. He asked whether the Secretariat had conducted an evaluation on an initiative it was proposing. Bangladesh supported the view of the ACABQ that the Secretariat on an urgent basis, should permanently fill the P-4 post established for the follow-up to the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.
There was a need to identify more clearly the work to be carried out by consultants, ad hoc expert groups and UNCTAD staff, he said. His country agreed that the post of the Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD be reclassified from the D-2 to Assistant Secretary-General level, in view of the position's increased responsibility. Some budgetary allocations should be reviewed.
EVA SILOT BRAVO (Cuba) asked the Secretariat to explain the impact that the cuts in 1996-1997 budget would have on implementation of the mandated work of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development. How would the Secretary-General, in 1998-1999, handle those outputs that were
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deferred, postponed or curtailed in 1996-1997. The mandated activities for the advancement of women had been curtailed, and in a number of areas the scope of work in 1998-1999 would be at the 1996-1997 level. The effects of some built-in inefficiencies should also be clarified. The effect of the reduction of gratis personnel, especially under Section 7 on Policy coordinations and sustainable development, should be explained.
Addressing the report of the Secretary-General on the impact of mandated savings on the implementation of programmes, she said that so far the quality of work in such areas as the advancement of women had been affected. The high vacancy rates caused concern; the functions of the vacated posts should be clarified. The Secretariat should identify the total amount of resources relating to non-governmental organizations and confirm whether the references to non-governmental organizations concerned only those in consultative status with the Organization. She called attention to some duplications in the section and sought justification for the Secretariat's proposal to eliminate three posts under the subprogramme on the advancement of women.
MAHAMANE MAIGA (Mali) associated himself with the statement made by Mongolia on behalf of the land-locked States. Special attention must be paid to land-locked countries, in light of their particular geographical difficulties. The related D-1 post in UNCTAD should be restored. He emphasized the importance of UNCTAD's work on land-locked and other developing nations and said that implementation of action programmes relating to island developing countries should also be supported. It was a matter of concern that the proposed Professional level post (P-4) associated with island developing countries had not yet been filled.
In the context of increasing globalization, developing countries, and particularly the least developed countries, deserved particular attention, he said. Adequate resources should be allocated to UNCTAD for its work in those areas. He welcomed the increase in regular budget resources for Africa, and stressed the importance of granting priority to implementing the medium-term plan.
MICHAEL OKOTH OYUGI (Kenya) noted with concern that contributions for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) were dwindling. Resources proposed for the upcoming biennium indicated amounts that were far too low to enable UNEP to fulfil its mandated programmes. The Organization's other offices were financed by the regular budget; such was not the case with its Nairobi office. The Secretary-General must take measures to secure its funding from the regular budget.
He expressed concern about the proliferation of regional environmental offices, which had resulted in donor funds being directed to regional offices. Decentralization should not adversely affect UNEP's ability to fulfil its mandated programmes. The United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) was also facing severe financial difficulties. He asked for
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assurances that cuts in regular budget posts would not affect implementation of the Habitat agenda.
THOMAS A. REPASCH (United States) said there had been some overall improvements in UNCTAD's spending habits. Nevertheless, its resource requirements remained excessive. Staff costs accounted for 80 per cent of its budget, making it among the most top-heavy bodies in the United Nations system. The United States did not support the proposed establishment of an Assistant Secretary-General post. The ACABQ had not provided recommendations to the Fifth Committee on how to resolve UNCTAD's top-heavy structure. He asked for more information on the ACABQ's finding that requests for consultants had been excessive.
The International Trade Centre's focus on practical programmes to help developing countries was welcome, he said. Turning to UNEP, he said he placed high priority on UNEP's reform, and asked for an update on that body's reform actions. Why had resources for general operating expenses been increased? What had been done to correct deficiencies found by audits of UNEP's office for the Caribbean region? The Office of Internal Oversight Services audit on international trade in endangered species had found improvement in that area; it was hoped that other UNEP activities would follow suit. He asked for details on the large pay increase recently granted to local employees in Nairobi. How would it be paid, what was the total cost, and where in the budget was that increase reflected?
He asked for information on measures to improve Habitat's financial and administrative organization. Clarification was needed regarding requests for resources for overtime and travel. What controls had been placed on travel, an area in which significant waste had been discovered? Equipment had been requested, but the related expenditures had been overstated. There should be a freeze on expenditures for equipment, in view of Habitat's precarious financial situation. Far too many Director level posts had been requested.
SHARON BRENNEN-HAYLOCK (Bahamas), speaking on Section 7, Policy coordination and sustainable development, expressed concern that the mandated activities on the advancement of women were being significantly curtailed and that, in a number of areas, the scope of work in 1998-1999 would be at the 1996-1997 level. Such a plan was unacceptable, given the progress made at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. What had happened to a D-2 post that once existed in the Division for the Advancement of Women? Information was required as to why the position of focal point for the advancement of women was no longer funded from the regular budget.
On Section 14, Crime control, she said that the principle of equitable geographical representation was not being applied in the secretariat of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division. Since crime control had been accorded priority by the Assembly, it should be allocated the resources it deserved.
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RAJAT SAHA (India) sought clarification on Section 11B, concerning the International Trade Centre (ITC) of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. He asked whether it was appropriate for the Assembly to deal with the budget section on ITC without getting the views of the other governing bodies that helped run the Centre.
HENRY HANSON-HALL (Ghana) speaking on Section 8, New agenda for Africa's development, said the CPC had recommended that concerns expressed regarding imbalances in the distribution of resources between subprogrammes in sections should be considered. He asked whether the resources allocated for the section would be adequate and whether its programme could be implemented fully and on time, despite the amounts proposed for the budget section.
LOVEMORE MAZEMO (Zimbabwe) said the D-1 post devoted to the land-locked countries in UNCTAD should be retained. He expressed concern about the implications of the intended cuts relating to economic and social information and policy analysis. He supported Mali's view that the Office of the Special Coordinator for Africa would not be adequately equipped to give the Secretary- General the support and advice he required. The post charged with carrying out activities relating to desertification was not visible, even though such activities had been approved by the Assembly.
Ms. SILOT BRAVO (Cuba) said the Secretariat should explain the increase in the hiring of consultants and experts under Section 9, Economic and social information and policy analysis, and elaborate the criteria used to recruit them. On Section 10, Development support and management services, the proposals made regarding some of its subprogrammes should be reviewed, as her delegation was not familiar with them. On Section 11, Trade and development, explanations were requested regarding the provisions for UNCTAD, the posts to be eliminated in that section, and why more resources were being sought for administration and management despite the diminution of the work programme. The Secretariat should explain how it had decided to postpone the implementation of some programmes in Section 13, Human settlements.
ERNESTO HERRERA (Mexico) said he endorsed the recommendations made by the ACABQ and the CPC on the budget sections under consideration. He reserved the right to speak on sections 14 and 15 when they were to be analyzed in the reform context.
MS. ARAGON (Philippines) said she shared the concerns expressed by the representative of the Bahamas. Her country attached particular importance to the issue of migration. The Secretariat should have better explained the rationale for the reclassification of a post under the population subprogramme.
JEAN-PIERRE HALBWACHS, United Nations Controller, said that the Organization's programme of work, within the reduced level of resources recommended by the Fifth Committee and approved by the Assembly, was now
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before the Committee, and the programme performance report would be issued next spring. Changes in UNCTAD's budget were indeed a result of that body's reform, and its budget structure had followed the medium-term plan approved by the Committee.
On the abolishment of a post for land-locked and least developed countries, he said the concerns of that subprogramme involved cross-cutting themes. The work concerning land-locked countries was not restricted to one particular subprogramme; related work was being undertaken in several organizational areas. Active recruitment measures were being undertaken to fill the post concerned with small island States. Documentation on the ITC's budget would be submitted next week. Complications in presenting that budget had to do with the fact that the United Nations had a biennial budget in United States dollars, while the World Trade Organization -- which co- sponsored the ITC -- had an annual budget expressed in Swiss francs.
He said the Convention on Desertification would be entering into force at the end of 1998. At that time, the Organization would no longer be funding that secretariat. Trust funds for desertification would no longer be reflected in the Organization's budget after 1998, but would be transferred to the Convention's secretariat.
The United Nations office in Nairobi was not entirely financed under the budget of UNEP, he said. There were some funds in the regular budget for that office. Habitat's bureau had adopted a new programme of work, which did not impact on the level of the budget itself. Habitat's financial crisis, which pertained primarily to extrabudgetary resources, was not a reason to freeze its regular budget resources. Overtime in the office of its Executive Director was for support staff. Habitat needed equipment, and the Organization's replacement schedule was being followed. The Executive Director's proposed travel expenses were not inordinate. Significant amounts had been allocated for travel for Habitat in the past, relating to the Habitat II conference in Istanbul. The programmatic work of UNEP was largely funded from the Environment Fund.
With respect to consultancy services, he said the Commission on Population and Development had asked the Secretariat for information on demographics. Since the Secretariat lacked expertise in that area and would not require it in the long term, it had employed consultants. Details on activities which had been curtailed in 1996-1997 were contained in an earlier report. Other questions raised would be addressed in informal consultations.
C.S.M. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, responded to the question by the United States on why the Advisory Committee had highlighted the top-heaviness in the staffing of some United Nations entities without recommending corrective action. Since its views had not been fully stated, the ACABQ would submit more concrete recommendations on the overall resources proposed for the budget sections when it commented on the Secretary-General's report on the financial
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implications of his proposed reforms (document A/52/303). While that did not mean the ACABQ would recommend cuts in resources, it might suggest some guidelines that could be used in staffing United Nations entities. When the work programme of an entity exceeded the resources allotted to it, the ACABQ might suggest that they be made more adequate, so as to ensure the implementation of assignments. If funds proved inadequate for servicing meetings, for example, the ACABQ would ask the Secretariat to report back on its experience.
Mr. REPASCH (United States) asked the United Nations Controller to repeat his explanation on the question of an Under-Secretary-General for Habitat. He also expressed the hope that the Advisory Committee would come up with a list of all of its recommendations, with the attendant costs of its proposals for increases or cuts. The Fifth Committee needed help in finding solutions rather than in just identifying problems. In future, when the ACABQ highlighted problems, it should also recommend solutions and their costs.
MS. BRENNEN-HAYLOCK (Bahamas) said that, having chaired the Commission on the Status of Women, she could not recall any changes in the work of the related department. Nevertheless, she would check on that again to be certain. The office of the focal point used to be financed from the regular budget. The post of Assistant Secretary-General for the advancement of women came from the Office of the Secretary-General, following the Beijing Conference's call for such a high-level position. She did not believe that post was enough to handle the expanded work of the Division for the Advancement of Women, which still required the D-2 post that seemed to have disappeared.
The Fifth Committee then concluded its debate on Sections 7 to 15, with the proviso that the European Union and Egypt would be allowed to come back and comment on some of those sections at a later date. It then decided to proceed to take up Sections 16 to 21.
Section 16 -- ECA
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is supposed to implement Programme 14 of the medium-term plan 1998 to 2001: Economic and social development in Africa. With some of those countries seeing a modest resumption of economic growth, the main focus of ECA work in the biennium will be to help them sustain the momentum of reforms and accelerate their rate of growth, so as to reduce poverty in the region. The proposed budget would fund 15 regular budget Professional and 40 local level posts, but significantly increase resources for consultants and computer equipment. Additional amounts are also sought for maintaining the ECA conference facilities that were recently completed. Three posts will be redeployed from the UNCTAD/ECA Joint Unit on Transnational Corporations. The overall number of posts would fall from 6 14 to 562.
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Section 17 -- ESCAP
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) implements Programme 15 of the medium-term plan: Economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific. It will continue facilitating the sharing of experiences among States and maximizing its role as a centre for policy analysis and information for its members. Greater emphasis will be placed on improving the capacities of least developed, land-locked and island developing countries and of States with economies in transition, to be integrated more closely into the region's development.
The Secretary-General proposes the abolition of 18 Professional, 30 General Service and 2 Field Service posts. Three posts would be redeployed from the UNCTAD/ESCAP Joint Unit on Transnational Corporations. The overall number of regular budget posts would fall from 515 to 468. However, increases of 8.1 per cent for consultants and experts, 37.7 per cent for other staff costs and 13.5 per cent for travel, are also proposed.
Section 18 -- ECE
The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) handles Programme 16, Economic development in Europe, and will continue producing statistics, information and analyses on all the region's countries and on their increasing interdependence. In so doing, it will pay particular attention to countries that are less advanced in their transition to a market economy or whose economies have been affected by conflict. Comprehensive reform and the rationalization of its work have enabled a reduction of 4 Professional and 12 General Service posts, reducing the total to 195.
Section 19 -- ECLAC
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) implements Programme 17, Economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean, by collaborating with member Governments in analyzing development processes and by providing operational services. Its analytical work concentrates on designing public policies and facilitating their implementation, while its operational services focus on specialized information and support for international cooperation.
Additional funds are sought for general temporary assistance, consultants, contractual services and data-processing equipment and services. However, a cut of 14 Professional and 30 local posts is envisaged, while 2 Professional and 1 local post will be redeployed from the UNCTAD/ECLAC Joint Unit on Transnational Corporations. The Total number of posts would drop from 532 to 491.
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Section 20 -- ESCWA
The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) deals with Programme 18, Economic and social development in Western Asia. It aims to enhance the sustainable development of ESCWA member States and to promote regional cooperation among them. For the proposed 1998-1999 regular budget, the Secretary-General proposes a net reduction of 27 posts, bringing the total to 266. The resources proposed reflect the costs of operating in Beirut, its new headquarters.
Section 21 -- Regular programme of technical cooperation
The United Nations regular programme of technical cooperation comprises work in human rights, the environment and social development, human settlements, poverty alleviation, energy, economic development, international trade and development finance, population, crime prevention, international drug control and emergency assistance. The programme, which complements aid to developing countries provided under other budget sections, involves three main types of activities: short-term advisory services, field projects and training.
For 1998-1999, the Secretary-General proposes raising the programme funds from $37.4 million to $45.9 million, consistent with plans to increase resources in the economic and social fields.
In commenting on regional cooperation for development in the second chapter of its first report on the budget (document A/52/7, Chap. II, Part V), the ACABQ points to a lack of uniformity in the presentation of programmes of the regional commissions. The format for presenting the regional commissions' programmes of work should delineate more clearly substantive activities vis-à-vis programme support and to harmonize budget presentation.
The commissions' submissions should more clearly show the extent of review of their work by intergovernmental organs, the ACABQ states. It notes the trend towards significant increases in resources for consultants and experts, which amount to 47.7 per cent for the ECA, 44.5 per cent for ECLAC, 12.7 per cent for the ECE, 16.8 per cent for ESCWA, and 8.1 per cent for ESCAP. Future requests for consultants should meet the guidelines on their use which the Assembly might establish. Further, information on all types of gratis personnel should be readily available in the context of the budget review.
The ACABQ also calls attention to the number of vacant posts in the commissions, as of 30 April. For instance, there were 80 vacancies in the ECA, 69 at ESCAP; 27 in the ECE; 71 at ECLAC; and 43 at ESCWA.
Commenting on Section 20, Economic and social development in Western Asia, the ACABQ says it has no objection to the staffing structure of the
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United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). That agency is supposed to be operating from its permanent headquarters in Beirut as of September.
According to the ACABQ, the 17.7 per cent resource growth in Section 21, Regular programme of technical cooperation, shows an attempt to partially ameliorate the unsatisfactory situation that arose from the cut of about $7.4 million from the initial 1996-1997 appropriation of $44.8 million. It transmits the estimates for that section for action by the Assembly.
Statement Budget Sections 16 to 21
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced his Committee's report and observations on Sections 16 to 21.
Mr. CHINVANNO (Thailand), Vice-Chairman of the CPC, introduced that body's views.
BERNARDINO HUGO SAGUIER CABALLERO (Paraguay) spoke on behalf of the Rio Group -- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Honduras (for Central America) and Guyana (for the Caribbean). He reaffirmed the importance of ECLAC's activities for States' social and economic development. International financial agencies classified the States of Latin America and the Caribbean as low- or medium-income countries. It was, therefore, essential to reinforce those regional institutions which supported the region's reform and evolution. The Rio Group generally supported the Secretary-General's proposals and the recommendations of the CPC regarding resources for ECLAC.
He said the Rio Group was concerned about information that in the current biennium, budgetary constraints had resulted in the cancellation of reports on development programmes in different areas, including environment and human settlements. Other activities, such as analysis of issues important to the region, had also been adversely affected. Had such activities been included in the proposed budget? Budget resources allotted for ECLAC's personnel were fully justified.
Ms. ARAGON (Philippines), speaking for ASEAN, reaffirmed her support for ESCAP as the only intergovernmental forum in the region for the exchange of national economic and social development experiences. There was urgent need to strengthen the role of the regional commissions in operational activities, technical assistance and advisory services. Resources should be decentralized from departments at Headquarters to regional commissions, to enable the implementation of programmes of action adopted at various global conferences - - particularly those concerning women and social development.
She welcomed the initiative of ESCAP's secretariat to reorganize, as well as its efforts to enhance the United Nations approach to regional
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development through the Regional Inter-Agency Committee for Asia and the Pacific and its subcommittees. ASEAN supported the overall level of resources proposed by the Secretary-General, as well as the related recommendations of the CPC.
Mr. CHINVANNO (Thailand) said he supported the statement made by the representative of the Philippines for ASEAN countries. ESCAP had served the diverse needs of its more than 60 countries during the 50 years of its existence. The Commission covered 60 per cent of the world's population, a large geographical area with economies of different sizes and levels. Its advisory activities should be enhanced.
Despite the Asian and Pacific region's economic growth, a number of countries remained marginalized from the global economy, he said. ESCAP's work on poverty eradication, environmental protection and improving technological and human resources should all be enhanced so as to narrow the region's gap in development.
The Commission's reformed conference structure could lead to greater participation and improve the efficacy of its work, he said. It had already endorsed its programme of work for the upcoming biennium, in conformity with the Organization's medium-term plan. He welcomed the proposed increase in resources for the Commission's work and reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region.
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