RESOURCES FOR ECA SHOULD REFLECT ITS ROLE IN HELPING AFRICA, FIFTH COMMITTEE IS TOLD AS IT CONTINUES DISCUSSING 1998-1999 BUDGET SECTIONS
Press Release
GA/AB/3186
RESOURCES FOR ECA SHOULD REFLECT ITS ROLE IN HELPING AFRICA, FIFTH COMMITTEE IS TOLD AS IT CONTINUES DISCUSSING 1998-1999 BUDGET SECTIONS
19971106 Committee Begins Considering Human Resources Management, Report of Standing Committee of Joint Staff Pension BoardResources allocated to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) should reflect its important role in helping Africa cope with food insecurity, water shortages and tension between ethnic groups, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning.
The representative made his statement as the Committee continued its section-by-section consideration of the proposed budget for 1998-1999. It reopened the debate on Part IV, International cooperation for development, and Part V, Regional cooperation for development. The Secretary-General proposes about $302.3 million for Part IV and some $399.4 million for Part V.
Speaking on regional cooperation on behalf of the African Group, Ghana's representative said that ECA's resources should reflect the priority accorded Africa. But a close look at the allocations for that Commission showed that they mostly reflected increases in operational and administrative costs. More funds should be allocated for activities for the economic and social development of that continent.
The resources proposed for the section on crime control should ensure that all mandated activities were carried out, Egypt's representative said. She expressed concern that the section did not include activities related to combating all forms of terrorism, even though the issue was a priority in the medium-term plan for 1998-2001. She stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation with other institutions in the areas of transnational crime and international terrorism.
Crime prevention and control were basic elements for social stability, Belgium's representative said on behalf of the European Union and associated States. Although the struggle against drugs was a priority, the funds proposed for combating that scourge did not reflect the priority attributed to such activities by the General Assembly.
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Speaking as the Committee began considering human resources management, Romania's representative said the Secretariat should review plans to cut the number of entry-level Professional posts which provided young people from different Member States the opportunity to serve the Organization. Plans to reduce those posts as a result of reform proposals could hamper those same reforms and affect the United Nations medium- and long-term functioning.
Introducing the Secretary-General's report on the subject, the new Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, Rafiah Salim, said duplication between the work of the Office of Human Resources Management and the Executive Offices should be remedied.
Statements were made by the representatives of the United States, Syria, Cuba, Ethiopia, Côte d'Ivoire, Iran, Indonesia and Brazil.
Also this morning, the Committee took up the budget proposals of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board, introduced by the Chairman of the Board's Standing Committee, Dieter Goethel.
The Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), Conrad Mselle, introduced that body's views on the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund's estimates and on the sections of the proposed 1998-1999 budget, and answered Member States' questions.
The United Nations Controller, Jean-Pierre Halbwachs, also spoke.
The Committee is scheduled to meet again at 10 a.m., tomorrow, 7 November, to hold elections to fill vacancies for the following bodies: the ACABQ; Committee on Contributions; Board of Auditors; Investments Committee; Administrative Tribunal; International Civil Service Commission; and the Staff Pension Committee.
Committee Work Programme
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to take up human resources management, aspects of the 1996-1997 and 1998-1999 regular budgets and continue debating the sections of the proposed $2.583 billion budget. (For background on budget Sections 1 to 21, see Press Releases GA/AB/3181 of 31 October, GA/AB/3182 of 3 November, GA/AB/3183 of 4 November, and GA/AB/3184 of 5 November.) The Committee is scheduled to begin discussing Parts VI, Human rights and humanitarian affairs; VII, Public information; and VIII, Common support services.
The Secretary-General's initial budget proposals are contained in two volumes of programme narratives, numbers and tables (document A/52/6/Rev.1, Vols. I and II). The accompanying views of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) on individual sections of the initial proposals are contained in separate parts of Chapter II of its first report on the proposed 1998-1999 budget (document A/52/7, Chapter II, Parts I-XII). The comments of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) are contained in the report of its thirty-seventh session (document A/52/16).
Reports on Human Resources Management
The Committee had before it a report from the Secretary-General reviewing the first full year of implementation of the Performance Appraisal System (PAS) (documents A/C.5/51/55 and Corr.1). Despite an unwelcoming organizational environment and severe financial constraints, the report states, the majority of United Nations departments and offices had implemented the new System. Those which had not were continuing to use the performance evaluation report until the PAS was implemented in the course of 1997. Progress had been made in establishing the three monitoring bodies that had been agreed upon -- the departmental Management Review Committee; the Joint Monitoring Committees; and the Global Joint Monitoring Committee.
Feedback on the first year's experience with the System had been requested and received from staff associations and from managers, who were asked to incorporate the views of their staff, the report states. In general, the feedback indicated support for its objectives, which include improving organizational and individual performance by increasing the participation and accountability of staff and managers. However, staff and managers reported that obstacles had been encountered related largely to financial constraints and the complexity of the processes involved.
Based on lessons learned, the Secretary-General in his report proposes modifications to simplify the system. These include reducing the steps in the process and simplifying the language of the forms and guidelines. Links between the System, staff development and career support are to be strengthened. The PAS
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planning cycle will be changed to coincide more closely with the budget cycle. The Secretary-General anticipates that systemic changes in the PAS, combined with increased training and efforts to effect attitudinal change, will advance the Organization towards a result-oriented culture of performance.
The ACABQ's first report on the proposed budget (document A/52/7) contains comments on the above-mentioned report. In response to its inquiry, the ACABQ had been advised that, since 1994, $1.3 million had been spent for PAS-related development and training. It was informed that, from 1998, maintenance costs for the System would be covered by normal provisions for staff administration.
In its report, the ACABQ points out that there are indirect costs associated with implementing the System. Such costs relate principally to the time required for implementing various phases of the system. Management review, which will include appeals of decisions, will also be time-consuming. The Advisory Committee urged continued efforts towards streamlining the PAS.
Twenty-two United Nations civilian personnel members lost their lives while performing their duties from 1 July 1996 through 30 June 1997, according to the Secretary-General's report on respect for the privileges and immunities of United Nations officials (document A/C.5/52/2). Forty-seven staff were held hostage. Staff members, in the performance of their functions, have been subjected to attack, injury, abuse, harassment and rape.
Presented on behalf of the members of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) and based on information from system bodies, offices and missions, the report emphasizes that host governments bear the primary responsibility for the security and protection of United Nations staff members, as well as their family members and property. In March 1997, the Security Council had issued a presidential statement saying that the host country and others concerned must take all appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and premises. United Nations staff are entitled to enjoy those privileges and immunities which are necessary for the fulfilment of its purposes, according to Article 105 of the Charter.
In an effort to improve security in the field, the United Nations Security Coordinator held an ad hoc inter-agency meeting on security from 6 to 8 May, the report states. In the report, the Secretary-General invites States to become party to the Conventions on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and of the Specialized Agencies, as well as the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.
Annex I of the report contains a consolidated list of staff under arrest and detention or missing. It includes their names, the agencies for which they worked, and the place and date of the incident. Annex II lists the names of those who have lost their lives since 1 July 1996, with their nationality,
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agencies for which they worked, place/date of incident and cause of death. Gunshot wounds were the cause of death for 18 staff members; two persons were killed during robberies; and two lost their lives during the Ethiopian Airlines hijacking and crash. Annex III provides information submitted by system organizations regarding the conditions in which they perform their duties, as well as reports of incidents. Annex IV lists those agencies from which information for the report was requested.
The Secretary-General's report on family leave was written in response to the Assembly's request that he develop a family leave programme without creating supplementary leave entitlements (document A/52/438). Family-related leave can be paid or unpaid; its purpose is to enable staff to balance their family and work responsibilities. In accordance with the recommendation of the Consultative Committee on Coordination, the United Nations has considered developing a family leave programme within the limits of uncertified sick leave entitlements. According to the report, the Staff-Management Coordination Committee, at its June 1997 session, recommended a proposal to implement a family leave programme within existing entitlements. The proposal, which was endorsed by the Secretary-General, includes provisions to allow eligible staff to use uncertified sick leave up to seven days to attend to family-related emergencies or for paternity leave; authorize partial conversion of maternity leave to paternity leave in cases where both parents work for the Secretariat; and authorize unpaid parental leave for up to two years, after the birth of a child, with guaranteed reabsorption. It also includes a provision for unpaid leave in the case of a family member's death or other family emergency.
Introduction of the family leave programme requires amendments to the Staff Rules, the report states, and an appropriate text will be submitted to the Assembly. The family leave programme would not apply to staff under the 200 Series who are not entitled to any uncertified sick leave.
Aspects of 1996-1997 and 1998-1999 Budgets
The Committee had before it a report of the Standing Committee of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (document A/52/278), on the Fund's 1996-1997 and 1998-1999 expenses.
The Fund was set up in 1949 by the Assembly to provide retirement, death, disability and other benefits for staff of the United Nations and other organizations that might join it, according to the report. It is run by the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board, consisting of 33 members, a staff pension committee for each member organization, and a secretariat to the Board and to each committee. The Board reports to the Assembly on the Fund's operations and investments. Expenses -- mainly the cost of its central secretariat in New York and Geneva and of managing investments -- are met by the Fund.
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Acting on the 1996-1997 budget in 1995, the Assembly approved expenses, chargeable to the Fund, totalling about $40.2 million for administration, the report. But the Standing Committee proposes that the sum be revised to $45.4 million by the Assembly.
For the 1998-1999 budget, the Standing Committee proposes some $50.9 million for the Fund, comprising $16.4 million for administration, $33.9 million for investment costs and about $579,300 for audits. A total of 106 posts (34 Professional and 72 General Service) are sought for the administrative area of the Fund secretariat.
By the end of 1996, the Fund had 67,997 participants, 43,896 of whom, or 64.6 per cent, worked for the United Nations and its programmes such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
In its related report on the Fund (document A/52/519), the ACABQ recommends that the appropriations for administrative expenses be approved. The sums are $45.4 million for 1996-1997 and some $50.1 million for 1998-1999. The amount for 1998-1999 takes into account a cut of $741,600 for mainframe computer services and of $108,600 for external audit.
Section 22 -- Human Rights
Programme 19, Human rights, of the medium-term plan for 1998 to 2001, implemented by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, aims to emphasize the importance of human rights on the international and national agendas. It will seek the adoption of a multidimensional strategy for the right to development, a significant rise in support for that right from United Nations bodies, and a significant increase in recognition of economic, social and cultural rights. The Secretary-General requests $46.5 million.
The Office's restructuring in 1996-1997 has enabled the Secretary-General to propose a cut of 16 regular budget posts (two at the Principal Officer level of D-1, five at the Professional level of P-4, three P-3, one P-2/1 and five General Service). He requests more money for general temporary assistance and travel, mainly to implement work mandated by the Economic and Social Council and to enhance the Centre's capacity in information technology.
On Section 22, human Rights, in its budget report (document A/52/7, Chap. II, Part VI), the ACABQ comments on the Secretary-General's request for 143 posts, 16 fewer than the 159 (142 established and 17 temporary) posts for 1996-1997. Since they were vacant as of 1 May, the ACABQ says it is not clear whether the reduction is only because they are vacant or whether the action can be justified.
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Commenting on the number of posts (one D-1, two P-4, one P-3 and three General Service) in the New York Liaison Office, the ACABQ recommends a review of the Office's size.
Section 23 -- Protection of and Assistance to Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) implements Programme 21, Protection of and assistance to refugees, of the medium-term plan. And under the terms of UNHCR's statutes, none of its expenditures, apart from those for administration, are borne by the regular budget. Since all others are funded from voluntary contributions, the sums proposed for the agency represent about 2.2 per cent of all resources the UNHCR anticipates in 1998-1999. In the initial estimates, the Secretary- General proposes to cut 24 regular budget posts, but seeks more money for general temporary assistance. About $50.6 million is requested overall.
Section 24 -- Palestine Refugees The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) handles Programme 22, Palestine refugees, of the medium-term plan. Based on an Assembly decision, the emoluments of UNRWA's international staff would be paid from the regular budget for the duration of the Agency's mandate, which lasts until June 1999, even though the programme is due to be retained through 1999. The Secretary-General seeks $19.4 million.
The Secretary-General's initial estimates propose a reduction of eight posts out of a total of 92.
The ACABQ says that the proposal to cut one post each at the P-5, P-4, General Service levels, and five P-3, has not been explained.
Section 25 -- Humanitarian Assistance
According to the Secretary-General's initial budget proposal, the Department for Humanitarian Affairs is responsible for Programme 20, Humanitarian affairs, of the medium-term plan, which is largely funded from extrabudgetary resources. The initial budget does not propose a net change in the 75 regular budget posts under the Section. The Secretary-General initially requests $22.3 million.
Section 26 -- Public Information
The Department of Public Information (DPI) caters for Programme 23, Public information, of the medium-term plan, according to the initial budget proposal. The proposal says the Department will be consolidated and will expand its worldwide outreach to its core audiences, particularly those who shape policy and opinion. It will cut 82 posts. The Secretary-General initially seeks $140.3 million.
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Commenting on this section (document A/52/7, Chapter II, Part VII), the ACABQ points out that the $140.3 million does not represent the total resources allotted to public information in the Organization. The ACABQ learnt that additional regular budget resources of some $6 million have been requested for public information in the budget sections under economic and social development in Asia, Latin America, and Western Asia; under Africa: New Agenda for Development; and under policy coordination and sustainable development. It recommends that the Secretary-General review how the various departments' public information needs could be coordinated under the Department, including the redeployment to DPI of public information resources under other sections. He should do so in the context of implementing approved recommendations of the Task Force on the Reorientation of United Nations Public Information Activities.
Section 27 -- Administrative Services
The Department of Management will lead the transformation of management at the United Nations and implement Programme 24, Administrative services, of the medium-term plan.
Overall, the Secretary-General's initial estimates propose to cut or transfer elsewhere 586 posts, leaving 3,347. He initially requests $904.2 million.
Commenting on Part VIII, Common services, which takes up about 35 per cent of the budget, the ACABQ discusses the proposals for the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Management; Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts; Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM); support services; conference services; and administration at Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi (document A/52/7, Chapter II, Part VIII).
On Part VIII generally, the ACABQ says that the total number of proposed regular budget posts shows a net cut of 578 posts, of which 131 are in the Professional and higher categories, 402 in the General Service and 45 in other categories. But the budget proposals do not include details on how the Secretary-General would cut administrative costs from 38 per cent to 25 per cent. Similarly, proposals on the improvement of management and the role of such bodies as the Management Reform Group in relation to other Secretariat units are unclear.
On the intention to reduce administrative costs, the ACABQ says it was informed by the Secretariat that, by the year 2001, $274 million is expected to be available for transfer to economic and social activities. The ACABQ trusts that all resources appropriated will be allotted fully to programme managers in accordance with existing practice. It also recalls an Assembly decision that changes to the established budgetary procedures should not be implemented without prior approval of the Assembly, through the ACABQ.
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The ACABQ then comments on the respective sections dedicated to common services. On Section 27A, Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Management, it notes that a total of 70 regular budget posts are proposed, with a decrease of nine posts from the 1996-1997 provisions. Of eight regular posts to be abolished, five were vacant last July.
On Section 27B, Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, the ACABQ notes that a total of 112 regular budget posts are proposed for 1998-1999, down by 13 from 1996-1997. Of the 13 to be abolished, eight were vacant in July. The ACABQ questions the wisdom of cutting posts in light of the heavy workload and pressure on the Office of the Controller and other sections to meet deadlines for delivering reports and other requested information. It trusts the Under-Secretary-General and the Controller to review the situation.
On Section 27C, Office of Human Resources Management, the ACABQ says 165 regular budget posts are proposed, representing a decrease of 17 compared with the 182 posts for 1996-1997. However, it notes that the abolition of two P-3, one P-2 and three General Service regular budget posts is proposed effective 1 January 1999, not at the start of 1998. Of the other posts to be abolished, 12 were vacant in July.
Section 27D, Support services, would be provided with a total of 629 regular budget posts, with a decrease of 11 posts from 1996-1997. The five gratis personnel in the section should be phased out, as requested by the Assembly. Noting the proposal to convert 29 posts from general temporary assistance to established ones, the ACABQ says they have not been subject to geographical distribution. It does not recommend the proposal. The ACABQ questions the rationale for abolishing five security services posts when the Organization continues to be faced with increased threat levels. Its notes the request for $2.8 million for overtime for security services, pointing out that it is not always cost-effective to have security officers working for extended overtime periods.
Referring to the provisions for procurement under the same section, the ACABQ says the use of gratis personnel should be avoided. There is little justification for abolishing established posts while continuing to use gratis personnel. Informed that procurement services had to contribute to the overall post reduction exercise, the ACABQ says that is arbitrary.
Section 27E, Conferences services, has provisions for 1,799 regular budget posts in New York, Geneva and Vienna, the ACABQ states. Noting a reduction of 379 posts from that of 1996-1997, the ACABQ says 90 would be cut in Geneva, 80 in New York, 13 transferred out of section 27E in New York and, 196 transferred in Vienna from the United Nations. Several were vacant as of July.
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The ACABQ notes the provision of $2 million for conference services at the International Seabed Authority. Further, estimates of $43.2 million for staff costs under conference services, generally, includes an unadjusted $35.3 million for general temporary assistance for meetings. New York accounts for $19.9 million, and Geneva, about $16 million. Another $4 million is proposed for contractual translation in New York, which, the ACABQ says, is believed to be the most economical mode of translation.
In its report (document A/52/16), the CPC recommends the approval of the narratives of some of the sections.
Statements on Human Resources Management
RAFIAH SALIM, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, said that since assuming her new position several weeks ago, she had listened to the concerns of her colleagues in the Office. Duplication between the work of the Office of Human Resources Management and the Executive Offices needed to be remedied. She had also begun a series of meetings with heads of departments and offices, as well as with staff representatives. Their comments had not always been pretty.
She then introduced the Secretary-General's reports on human resources management. Starting with the report on the Performance Appraisal System, she said it was one element in the overall efforts to develop an organizational culture in which all staff could contribute to their maximum potential. Performance management required the full participation of supervisors and managers. The proposed OHRM budget for the upcoming biennium, therefore, emphasized management development. At the end of the first year of the System's implementation, many managers and staff representatives had said the process was unduly complex, not always applicable and contained too much jargon. The System was now being revised to reflect those comments.
The report on the system of performance awards and bonuses (document A/52/439) stresses that the PAS should be the only mechanism by which performance was evaluated, she said. It acknowledged, however, that the System was not sufficiently established to support a monetary award system. Therefore, it suggests consideration of non-monetary recognition of awards. Consideration would be given to the possibility of introducing cash awards or bonuses as a second stage. The report stressed that staff performance should be addressed in a more proactive manner. Unsatisfactory performance should result in appropriate sanctions. The report also states that the system of awards and bonuses should not be used to substitute for competitive compensation.
Introducing the Secretary-General's report on a family leave programme, she said demographic changes in the work force had encouraged employers in both the public and private sectors to develop special family leave practices.
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The family leave programme presented in the report fell strictly within the parameters of current entitlements. It simply allowed staff to use their current uncertified sick leave entitlements in a more flexible manner.
She next presented the report on respect for the privileges and immunities of United Nations officials, on behalf of United Nations Security Coordinator Benon Sevan. Despite efforts to ensure staff security, 22 fatalities had occurred during the reporting period. That was more than double the number reported last year. In addition, since the preparation of the report, four staff members -- from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP); and UNICEF -- had lost their lives. Since 1 January, 14 staff had been taken hostage. While all had been safely released, it seemed to reflect an increasing trend. Despite the serious attention given to security, more efforts were needed. Member States must actively participate in that endeavour, since the primary responsibility for the security of staff members and their family rested with host governments.
EUGEN MIHUT (Romania) said that, as a country that was below the mid- point of its desirable range for representation in the Secretariat, Romania strongly supported the General Assembly's adoption this year of resolution 51/226, on the recruitment process, and the holding of national competitive examinations for posts at the P-1/P-2 and P-3 levels to be carried out at the beginning of 1998. Such a method of recruitment matched the Secretary- General's intentions to rejuvenate the Organization.
Under those circumstances, he said, he was concerned about the cuts in the number of posts, mainly those below the P-4 level, as a result of the reform proposals. That could not only hamper the process of reforms, but could also affect the proper functioning of the United Nations in the medium and long run. Therefore, the Secretariat must review its policy towards the P-1/P-2 and P-3 posts so as to give young people from different Member States opportunities to serve the Organization. The P-3 posts must be used only for competitive examinations and for career development of those presently hired at the P-1/P-2 levels.
PETER MADDENS (Belgium) congratulated the Assistant Secretary-General on her appointment and thanked her predecessor, Denis Halliday, for his contributions to United Nations human resources management.
Statements on Joint Staff Pension Fund
DIETER GOETHEL, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board, introduced that Committee's report. On the 1996-1997 biennium, he said the Standing Committee had approved for submission to the Assembly revised estimates of some $45.4 million, which represented an increase of about $4 million over what was approved by the Assembly in 1996. About $395,000 of the total was connected to contingency provisions for office space.
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Although the United Nations had been providing office space without charge since the Fund's inception, there had been no information on whether, when and how the Fund's needs for additional space might be accommodated, he said. However, the Fund had been advised that, pending agreement on long-term cost- sharing, the current arrangements for the provision of space should continue through 1998, on condition that additional costs of office space would be borne by the Fund. Such an action would present a major departure from the current arrangements. There was a strong view in the Standing Committee that the United Nations, as host Organization, should continue providing space for the Fund's secretariat. It stressed that the additional resources requested in the revised estimates for the 1996-1997 biennium should be used exclusively for reconstruction and redesign of existing or new office space, and not for renting additional space. He welcomed the recommendation of the ACABQ that the United Nations should provide free office space to the Fund.
As for the 1998-1999 biennium, he said, the estimates proposed for the Fund included provisions for the use of the International Computing Centre in Geneva, as the United Nations had decided to charge the full costs of such use to the Fund. That decision was a significant departure from long-standing practice. The Fund had to include provisions for mainframe computer costs in its proposals for 1998-1999. After extensive debate, the Standing Committee decided to propose provisions corresponding to 50 per cent of the mainframe computer costs, or about $1.5 million, for the Fund's 1998-1999 budget.
Since Article 15 of the Regulations of the Fund envisaged cost-sharing arrangements between the Fund and its member organizations, he said it was essential for any changes to the current arrangements take into account the interests of all affected parties. If it was decided by the Pension Board and/or the Assembly that the Fund should develop its own personnel, office accommodations and procurement, that should be carried out gradually. A fundamental change in current arrangements would lead to substantial increases in the administrative expenses charged to the Fund, which would be reflected in its actuarial valuations.
CONRAD MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introducing the report of the Advisory Committee, said it did not expect further proposals to increase the provisions for the Fund's budget. Any changes in the cost-sharing agreements between the Fund and member organizations should be introduced gradually and not unilaterally. Gradual changes would come to the benefit of all Member States, since they would ultimately bear any costs of the Fund.
LINDA SHENWICK (United States) said she was concerned about the reference to the provision of furniture on a contingency basis, in the Fund's report. What was the meaning of purchasing furniture on a contingency basis? Within the last six years, the Pension Fund had undergone three consecutive furniture replacement programmes. Why was more furniture needed when the level of staff had remained consistent? Perhaps the Fund was hiring additional staff for peak periods through
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general temporary assistance funds, yet, that would not merit the purchase of additional furniture.
She said she was concerned about the financial arrangements between the Secretariat and the Fund. If the discussions between them indicated that the Secretariat should pay a larger share for the activities, that cost would have to be absorbed within the existing resources for that area.
Statements on Budget Sections
Mr. MADDENS (Belgium) spoke for the European Union and the following associated States: Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Norway and Cyprus. He welcomed the fact that the ACABQ's report had addressed the three sections on economic and social affairs together. The Secretary-General's consolidation of the related departments into one Department of Economic and Social Affairs would enable the Secretariat to better focus its activities on priority actions, contribute to the effective functioning of the Economic and Social Council, and enable better follow-up of conferences. He had noted that the work programme of the former departments, as had been determined in the medium-term plan, were fully reflected in the work programme of the new department.
He said he was concerned about the complexity of the ACC. He asked for an organizational chart on the ACC's structure and that of its subsidiary bodies, as well as information on its use of resources. Another concern was the reduction of activities mandated for the promotion of women. The status of women overall must be improved, and that included within the Secretariat. The preparation for the review of the Platform of Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women was a priority.
Expressing support for the ACABQ's comments regarding publications, he said duplication with the publications of other bodies in the system must be avoided. He agreed with the Secretary-General's proposals on environment, and shared the ACABQ's concern that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) were facing decreasing resources in light of administrative deficiencies.
Crime control and international drug control required better coordination, he said. He, therefore, welcomed the Secretary-General's increased clustering of such activities. At the same time, the multi-disciplinary nature of the drug control programme should be maintained. Crime prevention and control were basic elements for social stability. The Assembly had deemed those activities a priority for the upcoming biennium. The Union considered the struggle against drugs a priority. The funds related to combating drugs did not reflect the priority accorded such activities.
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AMANY FAHMY (Egypt), speaking in the re-opened discussion on Part IV, International cooperation for development, said that the section on policy coordination and sustainable development did not draw adequately from the outcome of the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994. She asked for explanations on the Secretariat's plans for the subprogramme on the advancement of women. It should also clarify how it would go about implementing the strategic plan of action to improve the status of women in the United Nations. There was no need to seek outside experts to work on the advancement of women, in view of the resources available in the Secretariat and of the provisions of the Fourth World Conference on Women. The programme of work of the various subprogrammes should be submitted to the relevant intergovernmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Sustainable Development. The Secretariat should explain how far those bodies were following up on the cuts made to the budget and the resultant non-implementation of some activities.
Speaking on the section on Africa: New Agenda for Development, she expressed support for the related views of the CPC, adding that she would like to see more resources devoted to that section. The Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis deserved support. The Secretariat should explain why it had reclassified a P-5 level post to P-4. Did the functions of the post change to an extent that would justify such a reclassification? she asked.
Provisions for the section on trade and development showed increases for consultants and expert groups, which should be clarified, she said. Some of the functions of those outsiders could be carried out by the staff of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The provisions for UNEP seemed to have been reduced from previous levels. The Secretariat should say to what extent it had implemented proposals that the UNEP secretariat be evaluated. She wondered why there was a continued marginalization of important programmes such as those for the section on human settlements.
The programmes under the section on crime control emanated from relevant United Nations conferences, and the Secretariat should ensure that the resources proposed would cover all mandated activities, she said. She expressed concern that the programme of work did not include activities relating to combating terrorism in all its forms even though that issue had been considered a priority in the medium-term plan for 1998-2001. She stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation with other institutions in the areas of transnational crime, drug trafficking and international terrorism.
TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) said the activities of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) were of great importance in the promotion of economic and social development. He supported the priorities contained in the medium-term plan relating to the amelioration of the living conditions in that region. While increased resources had been allocated to ESCWA in the
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proposed programme budget, he was concerned about the proposed abolition of three Professional level posts and 26 local posts. Any proposed reduction must be accompanied by an explanation, just as any increase was supported by justification. He would be making further comments in informal consultations.
Mr. MADDENS (Belgium) said that Latvia had been associated with his statement as well. He had called for "mainstreaming the gender perspective", in a phrase that might not have been interpreted properly. Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said that a question had been raised regarding the ACABQ's observation in its report of a trend towards increasing resources for experts and consultants for the regional commissions. Another question raised had been on the Advisory Committee's observation that funds for travel had been increased. He recalled that he had earlier informed the Committee that the ACABQ had not yet submitted its overall view of the budget. The Advisory Committee would make its overall comments when it considered the Secretary-General's report on the financial implications of his reform package.
DULCE BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba), speaking on the budget section, regarding economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean, questioned the legislative mandate for the involvement of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in activities related to the Summit of the Americas in Miami. She would not support paying for any activities that excluded some Member States. Further clarifications should be provided on other matters.
HENRY HANSON-HALL (Ghana), speaking for the African Group of States on the budget section on economic and social development in Africa, expressed support for the work of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), which played crucial roles in the continent's development. The resources allocated to the Commission should reflect the priority accorded that region. A close look at the fund provided showed that they mostly reflected increases in operational and administrative costs. More funds should be allocated for activities for the economic and social development of Africa, a point that the States he represented would press in informal consultations. The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning and the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders were important to the region and should be fully funded. The Secretariat should indicate why it was seeking money for contractual editing while proposing to abolish some posts in ECA.
ZERIHUN RETTA (Ethiopia) associated himself with the statement made by the representative of Ghana on behalf of the African Group. The ECA provided a neutral forum in which its members could express their positions. The Commission had initiated a new programme structure. Recent reform had resulted in reductions in the number of subprogrammes and the clustering of related ones. Those strategies had been endorsed by its members.
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The Commission's reforms were also directed towards reducing meetings, eliminating overlapping, and promoting coordination with other intergovernmental organizations, he said. The reforms, which had strengthened the Commission's work and improved its efficiency, must be supported by adequate resources. Organizations which focused on addressing the continent's problems needed adequate support, in light of the priority accorded Africa in the medium-term plan. However, the budget allocated in the upcoming biennium did not tally with the Commission's needs. Consequently, it would have to look elsewhere to find sufficient resources for its programmes. NARCISSE MANLAN AHOUNOU (Côte d'Ivoire) said he supported the statement made on behalf of the African Group. Developing countries, particularly those in Africa, were facing increasingly complex problems. Africa required greater objectivity in approaching its problems. He appreciated the systematic reform undertaken by ECA, which would better adapt it to the continent's real needs. He also welcomed the Commission's efforts to become more efficient.
Savings, achieved through the streamlining of the Commission, should strengthen its decentralization process, he said. Savings from abolishing posts should be used for consultancies and meetings of experts. He did not agree with the view that consistent use of experts provided a "back-door" method for persons to enter the United Nations system.
Africa was a priority of the Organization, yet a comparison between the budget for the present biennium and that proposed for the upcoming biennium gave cause for pessimism, he said. Africa had been allocated almost the same amount as the other regions. That did not reflect the Organization's commitment to viewing the development of Africa as a priority. How had such numbers been determined? he asked. It was unfortunate that resources allocated to Africa fell far below expectations, while funds for programmes of little importance were increased.
The Organization's mission to achieve global peace and security must include social and economic dimensions, he said. As long as the international community did not consider the alleviation of poverty as a main concern, Member States would not be able to maintain peace. Peace could not be maintained through peacekeeping operations alone.
DOBE-MBALANGA (Democratic Republic of the Congo) said he supported the statement made for the African Group. While some countries in Africa had shown great economic growth in recent years, overall poverty in the region had not been reduced. The continent continued to be marked by food insecurity, water shortages and tensions between ethnic groups. The ECA had a very important role to play in meeting the needs of the continent. However, resources were not adequate to meet the needs of ECA, and must be increased.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo had just undergone political change, following a war of liberation, he said. Economic infrastructures had been
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destroyed; large number of refugees flooded the region. The international community should provide resources to enable reconstruction. Prior to the war, his country had received assistance for the parks located in its eastern region. The mountain gorilla, white rhinoceros and other threatened species still existed in his country. He urgently called for assistance for their preservation.
THOMAS REPASCH (United States) said it would be helpful for the Fifth Committee and his delegation for the ACABQ to provide a listing of all the observations it made on the initial proposed budget and those it would make on the Secretary-General's report on the financial implications of his reform proposals (document A/52/303). Such a list of observations should be accompanied by their costs, whether they would go up or down.
SYED MORTEZA MIRMOHAMMAD (Iran) expressed support for the role of ESCWA. Its work in operational activities should be strengthened.
JEAN-PIERRE HALBWACHS, United Nations Controller, said, in response to Cuba's representative, that he would seek the costs of the Miami Summit from ECLAC's Executive Secretary. The Secretariat proposed to abolish some P-3 level posts for translators because they had not been filled for a long time and posts were sought for elimination to bring the budget in line with mandated ceilings. Despite the vacancy of those posts, translation work had been carried.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) asked for further clarification on the Americas Summit, with a breakdown of whatever was proposed in the 1998-1999 budget for similar related activities.
Mr. HALBWACHS, United Nations Controller, said that, while he was not sure whether such activities were proposed for 1998 and 1999, he would contact ECLAC to confirm the actual situation.
Mr. REPASCH (United States) asked the ACABQ Chairman to indicate when he would submit the compilation he had requested.
Mr. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, said he would seek his Committee's guidance on how to proceed on the United States request. The ACABQ would soon submit its views on the Secretary-General's report on the financial implications of his reform proposals (document A/52/303). That report would also contain information on other matters, such as how to make budget adjustments for such factors as inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.
Mr. REPASCH (United States) said the ACABQ should compile a list of its observations on the Secretary-General's initial budget proposals, separate from what it would say on the revised estimates contained in document A/52/303.
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Mr. MSELLE, the ACABQ Chairman, said that, since the Committee would go into informal consultations on the budget next week, it might not have time to wait for the compilation proposed by the United States. But the Fifth Committee could tell the ACABQ how to proceed.
Mr. REPASCH (United States) said that, since the ACABQ had published its observations, all that might be needed would be for its secretariat to help produce the list. Mr. MSELLE, the ACABQ Chairman, said he did not want to engage in a dialogue with the United States' representative without a meeting of the ACABQ. When he presented the ACABQ views on the initial budget proposals, he had informed the Fifth Committee that his Committee had been working under special circumstances this year. In addition to the initial budget proposals, the ACABQ later had to discuss the proposals the Secretary-General presented in document A/52/303, which changed the estimates of several budget sections. The Advisory Committee would submit its final numbers after submitting a report on the Secretary-General's revised proposals contained in document A/52/303.
PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia) said that, with the ACABQ Chairman's response, there was need for the Committee to keep debating the issue further.
JOSE ANTONIO MARCONDES DE CARVALHO (Brazil) said it was not the right time to present the listing proposed by the United States. He appealed to that delegation not to press the issue in the current meeting. Mr. REPASCH (United States) said there appeared to have been a misunderstanding of what he was seeking from the ACABQ. He was not asking it to pronounce itself on the budget's overall level, but simply to compile a listing of the observations it had already made on the estimates. Since they were already there, they should be consolidated, along with cost increases or reductions. He could not understand why the ACABQ could not make a compilation of recommendations and observations it had already made. The United States delegation needed such a list, which should be provided before informal consultations on the budget sections started.
Mr. MARCONDES DE CARVALHO (Brazil) said he thought that the United States delegations might be going a little too far, because the ACABQ had already submitted its views in fascicle form. It seemed that the United States was asking the ACABQ to come back with further comments on the comments it had already made. It would not be right to ask the ACABQ to do what various delegations could do on their own. The reports were clear and it was up to individual delegations to read them and do the compilations on the various observations on their own.
ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Chairman of the Fifth Committee, said the ACABQ Chairman should be allowed to consult with the members of the ACABQ and speak to the Fifth Committee later. What the United States was requesting seemed to be secretarial work.
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