INCREASED MOVEMENT FROM SHORT-TERM TO PERMANENT CONTRACTS CALLED FOR IN FIFTH COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/AB/3265
INCREASED MOVEMENT FROM SHORT-TERM TO PERMANENT CONTRACTS CALLED FOR IN FIFTH COMMITTEE
19981116 Committee Continues Discussing Human Resources Management, Considers Aspects of 1998-1999 Programme BudgetThere should be more movement from short-term contracts to permanent contracts, as well as from the General Service category to the Professional category among United Nations staff, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) was told this afternoon as it continued discussing the wide array of topics that fall under the agenda item entitled human resources management.
Jamaica also looked forward to increased numbers of women at senior and policy-making levels, that country's representative said. Recruitment must be streamlined, but should also be transparent and reflect the need for geographical and gender balance. That was particularly important in light of the slew of retirements expected in the next few years.
The representative of Azerbaijan said that despite the General Assembly's pronouncements on the importance of equitable geographical distribution, no national of Azerbaijan had ever worked in the Secretariat. Only one National Competitive Examination had ever been held in Azerbaijan, and the successful candidates had gone to the private sector. Meanwhile, the number of staff from other countries in transition had increased.
Under the yoke of serious financial difficulties caused by transition, refugees and the occupation of part of the country, Azerbaijan had paid its contributions to the United Nations, he said. He asked for careful attention to his country's candidates and that a solution to the question of representation be found.
A number of delegations expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation for United Nations staff and humanitarian personnel in the field. Japan's representative said staff safety was of the highest importance. He welcomed the establishment of the Trust Fund for the Security of United Nations Personnel, and said his Government would contribute $1 million.
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The United States reserved the right to restrict private travel of certain United Nations staff for national security reasons, its representative said. However, the United States was committed to fulfilling its treaty obligations, and it did not and would not restrict travel for official United Nations business.
On human resources management, statements were also made by the representatives of Panama -- for the Rio Group -- Egypt, Philippines, Yemen and Syria.
As it considered aspects of the 1998-1999 programme budget, the Committee approved a draft decision proposed orally by its Chairman, Movses Abelian (Armenia), to approve a subvention of $213,000 for the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.
It also approved a decision by which the Assembly would take note of the sections of the report of the Economic and Social Council for 1998 that had been allocated to the Fifth Committee.
The Committee decided to take note of the report on financial implications of the decisions and recommendations of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), and postponed a decision on the financial implications of the recommendations of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.
Discussing the Development Account, several speakers said it should be used to promote development for the international community, including countries with economies in transition.
The Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Angela King, introducing the Secretary-General's report on the matter, called on Member States to approve the specific proposals for the Account soon, or it would be difficult to achieve the desired outcomes.
On the programme budget, the representatives of Austria (for the European Union), Romania, Cyprus, Japan, Russian Federation, Indonesia (for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China), Belarus, Ukraine, Cuba, Algeria, United States and Indonesia spoke.
Reports on the agenda item were introduced by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), C.S.M Mselle. The Director of Programme Planning and Budget Division of the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, Warren Sach, responded to requests for information.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 18 November, to continue discussing human resources management and the financial reports and reports of the Board of Auditors.
Fifth Committee Programme of Work
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this afternoon to continue discussing human resources management and aspects of the 1998-1999 programme budget and to take up the report of the Economic and Social Council.
(For background on human resources reports, see Press Release GA/AB/3251 of 28 October, GA/AB/3259 of 9 November and GA/AB/3263 of 13 November. Additional reports on the programme budget for 1998-1999 are summarized in the following Press Releases: GA/AB/3250 of 26 October, GA/AB/3252 of 29 October, GA/AB/3255 of 2 November, and GA/AB/3260 of 10 November.)
Human Resources Management
In addition to reports on human resources previously introduced, the Committee had before it an addendum to the Secretary-General's report on employment of retirees (document A/53/526/Add.1) which provides statistical information for 1995 on retiree employment comparable with data contained in the original report (document A/53/526). The data shows that 351 engagements or reappointments for 227 retirees took place in 1995. Thirty-five per cent of engagements were under special service agreements, and 53 per cent of engagements were on a short term basis. Fifty per cent of engagements were for language service staff. Nationals of 46 countries were engaged as retirees, but 10 countries accounted for seventy-five per cent of engagements. United States nationals accounted for 23 per cent of engagements. The total cost of fees and salaries for retirees was $4.5 million, of which language services accounted for $3.1 million.
The report tables use of retirees by type and category of engagement, by department or office and by nationality and gender.
Report of Economic and Social Council
The Fifth Committee also had before it parts of the Council's report for 1998 (document A/53/3) that had been assigned to it by the General Assembly, which allocates the report's parts to the Main Committees according to their specializations.
Chapter I of the report contains summaries of matters calling for action by the Assembly. On the Development Account, the report says the Council looked forward to the outcome of consideration by relevant intergovernmental bodies of the Secretary-General's report on utilization of the development dividend. On the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and United Nations human rights activities, the Council approved the Commission's appeal for steps to secure regular budget resources for current and future biennia to permit the fulfilment of mandates.
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Section B of Chapter VIII reviews the Council's general segment on coordination, programme and other questions. Among other actions, it took note of the report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) on the first part of its thirty-eighth session and the report of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) for 1997. According to Section C of Chapter VIII, which reviews action regarding implementation of Assembly resolutions 50/227 and 52/12B, the Council adopted a decision on the Development Account and a resolution on restructuring United Nations activities in the economic, social and related fields. Chapter X covers action and proceedings on organizational matters.
Programme Budget for 1998-1999
According to the Secretary-General's report on revised estimates resulting from the Council's action at its substantive session of 1998 (document A/C.5/53/2), the resolutions and decisions adopted would result in a reduction of the requirements against the 1998-1999 appropriation in the amount of $152,900. Those reduced requirements would be reflected in the first performance report for the biennium 1998-1999.
The Council's decision to merge the Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and on Energy for Development and the Committee on Natural Resources into one body -- the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources -- would result in a reduction of requirements in section 7A of the budget (Economic and social affairs) amounting to $92,900, the report states. Restructuring of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development would result in reduced requirements under section 11A of the budget (Trade and development) of $60,000. Substantive requirements of $110,500 under section 22 (Human rights) would be met from within the appropriation approved by the Assembly for 1998-1999, as would conference-servicing requirements.
In his report on conditions of service and compensation for officials other than Secretariat officials: members of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) (document A/C.5/53/11), the Secretary-General recommends increasing the annual remuneration of members of the Court from $145,000 to $164,500. Ad hoc judges would continue to receive the daily equivalent of that amount for each day they exercise their functions. He also recommends increasing education grants under the same conditions that the Assembly approved for staff in Professional and higher categories from the school year in progress on 1 January 1998.
The Secretary-General recommends basing judges' retirement pension at half their annual salary, implemented in two stages, the report states. From 1 January 1999, the pension benefit would be increased from $50,000 to $66,125 and, effective 1 January 2000, the retirement pension would be set at 50 per cent of annual salary ($82,250).
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Should the Assembly approve these proposals, the programme budget implications are estimated at $726,400 for the biennium 1998-1999, as follows: salary increase would account for $292,500; emoluments of ad hoc judges, $38,500; education grant, $4,200; and pensions, $391,200, the report says. Costs for ad hoc judges would fall under the category of unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for 1998-1999, in Assembly resolution 52/223. The balance of the estimated requirements relate to inflation and should be treated outside the procedure related to the contingency fund.
The terms for judges of the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda are those of the International Court of Justice, and the report also indicates the financial implications for proposed resource requirements for 1999 for those two bodies. For the Rwanda Tribunal, the requirements would be an additional $193,300 ($175,500 for salary, $9,000 for relocation allowance, and $8,800 for pension). For the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the total would be $322,600: $273,000 for salary and $49,600 for pension costs.
In a related report by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) (document A/53/7/Add.6) the Advisory Committee recommends that the annual salary of members of the Court be set at $160,000 effective 1 January 1999. The financial implications of this would be $225,000 for 1999. Any change in the remuneration of the judges would impact on the remuneration of ad hoc judges. The additional requirements related to these salaries are estimated at $30,000.
On changes to the pension scheme of Judges, the ACABQ agrees with the Secretary-General's proposals except that it does not recommend a proportionate increase in pension for Judges serving more than nine years, but does suggest a proportionate reduction for those serving less, according to the report. It also recommends implementation of the change in three stages, rather than the Secretary-Generals' proposed two stages. It recommends that pensions in payment be automatically revised by the same percentage and at the same date as salary adjustments, instead of as pension entitlements as currently applied, and recommends a revision of the regulations to that effect.
The ACABQ recommendations, if adopted, would also impact on salary and conditions of the judges of the International Tribunals, according to the report.
A note by the Secretary-General transmits the request of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research for a $213,000 subvention for 1999 from the regular budget (document A/C.5/53/29). The report says that if the request is approved by the Assembly, no additional appropriation would be needed under section 2B (Disarmament) of the programme budget.
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Reporting on the Institute's finances in accordance with an Assembly resolution, the Secretary-General says that $289,600 was available at the beginning of 1998. Total income expected for 1998 is $1.5 million, mainly from voluntary contributions and the subvention. Total estimated expenditure for 1998 is $1.2 million. Requirements for 1999 are estimated at $860,200, while available funds at the end of 1998 are estimated at $528,000. Income expected from voluntary contributions for 1999 is $287,600.
The Committee had before it a letter from the Permanent Representative of Indonesia, on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, dated 11 November and addressed to the Chairman of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) (document A/53/664). In it, the Group asks the Secretary-General to prepare another report, not later than March 1999, on the utilization of the Development Account for the biennium 1998-1999. The report should take into account the views expressed in the letter, which include that the highest amount of resources appropriated under section 34 of the current budget (Development Account) should be used to fund new projects clearly related to development priorities in the medium-term plan for 1998-2001.
Formulation of new projects should be guided by certain criteria, according to the letter. Projects should have a multiplier effect and promote capacity-building only for developing countries, in response to their needs and priorities. Projects should promote regional and interregional economic and technical cooperation among developing countries. Also, these should complement and not substitute for existing programme activities, relate to activities not already mandated under the programme budget and not involve transfer of resources from the regular budget to extrabudgetary activities. Resources under section 34 should also be used for financing new activities in South-South cooperation to be carried out within the regular budget of the United Nations and include the participation of institutions active in South- South cooperation.
Also before the Committee was another letter on the development account addressed to the Fifth Committee Chairman from the Chairman of the Second Committee (document A/C.5/53/30). Annexed to it are sections of the summary records of the Second Committee on meetings on utilization of the Account.
Statements on Human Resources Management
JUDITH MARIA CARDOZE (Panama) speaking for the Rio Group, said she would have preferred that the Committee have before it the report of the ACABQ on the Secretary-General's report on human resources management reform. The Group noted progress made by the Secretary-General to ensure that the proportion of permanent appointments to posts subject to geographical distribution reached 70 per cent. The Group reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the principle of geographical distribution and increasing the number of persons from the Latin American and Caribbean group of States at
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senior-level positions. She hoped that there would be a speedy solution to the lack of geographical distribution at high levels in peacekeeping operations.
She expressed concern about the slow progress in increasing women's participation in the United Nations, and recalled statements made by the ACC regarding gender equity and equality. The ACC had stressed the importance of including gender issues in the work of the United Nations, system-wide. She encouraged the Secretary-General and the Office of Human Resources Management to attain those goals and said the Rio Group was committed to achieving them.
Turning to human resources management reform, she said accountability was an essential element in any organization committed to efficiency and transparency in the performance of its functions. The existence of clear rules on accountability were of central importance. The recruitment and placement of staff must take into account qualifications, geographical distribution, and the gender perspective. A recruitment system that took 461 days obviously required radical revision. Greater responsibility should be given to programme managers, provided that accountability and parameters were clearly established.
She then emphasized the importance of staff training, and said that resources for that must be increased. Proposals for assigned management, a more flexible post structure, and a system of incentives were positive steps. A more flexible post structure should not be interpreted as distorting responsibility and workload. Career prospects should be dealt with more thoroughly, and administrative careers must permit professional development. The system of providing awards for performance should be studied further. It must not replace fair remuneration or opportunities for advancement.
COLEMAN J. NEE (United States) said it had been widely recognized that, after 50 years, the way the United Nations did its work needed revitalization. The United States was pleased that human resources were a central element in the Secretary-General's reform initiatives. In his statement on human resources reform, the Secretary-General had outlined the fundamental principles that must be adhered to in establishing a new human resources system. Abiding by those principle was the best guarantee of success in empowering staff in an enlightened regime of performance assessment and accountability. In that connection, the United States was gratified by the steady progress in implementing the Performance Appraisal System. It also commended the Secretary-General for the step-by-step approach taken to introducing an awards and bonuses system. It was necessary that the Performance Appraisal System was up and running before such an awards system would be beneficial.
It was clear that delegation of authority was a keystone of the new human resources management system, he said. Within the scope of designated
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responsibilities, the United States wanted staff to be able to take action and exercise initiative. It understood that the first step was the devolution of responsibility for some entitlements, and supported such steps as part of the streamlining process, but it sought assurances that there would be no loss of internal control.
Responding to the Secretary-General's statement on official and private travel of the Secretariat in the United States, he said the United States was committed to its treaty obligations. It did not and would not restrict travel to promote official United Nations business, but reserved the right to restrict private travel of certain staff for national security reasons.
The United States shared the concern over the time taken for recruitment of staff, he said. Obstacles must be removed. He was reassured by the statement of the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resource Management, Rafiah Salim, that reforms were in progress. The Secretariat should move quickly, as the experience with the removal of gratis personnel had proved that it could. The situation of security of staff was also of concern. Even one incident must be considered intolerable.
Plans for organizational change that took place in a vacuum could lead to uncertainty, he said. The United States commended the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General Salim for their dialogue with staff. It had concerns about some proposed amendments to staff rules, but would seek clarification in informal consultations. The United States shared the Secretary-General's vision for the future. He, and Assistant Secretary- General Salim, had full United States support. The important tasks the United Nations would be called upon to perform in the future required a training, recruitment and career-development framework equal to the best public or private organizations.
AHMED DARWISH (Egypt) supported the Secretary-General's efforts at human resource management reform, through which he aimed at a simplified structure and at empowering staff to create a leaner and more efficient Secretariat. Egypt agreed to the major elements of his strategy for achieving such reform. Regarding delegation of authority, Egypt believed that accountability mechanisms should be identified so that managers could be accountable. It was also important that the Office of Human Resources Management take action through accountability mechanisms.
The internal justice system should be improved as a major accountability tool, he said. There should be links between internal justice and human resources, in order to identify problems resulting from delegation of authority, and so that corrective measures could be taken.
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On the use of consultants, he noted with concern the number of examples of non-compliance with controls. There should be strict compliance. It was also important to take equitable geographic distribution into account.
Egypt attached great importance to the privileges and immunities of United Nations staff, he said, particularly for those staff engaged in humanitarian work. Despite efforts to address security and safety, he noted with concern the number of incidents. Egypt paid tribute to the Secretary- General's efforts to improve the security of staff -- a challenge that required a full partnership between Member States and the United Nations. He noted the number of resolutions that would come before the General Assembly on the matter, and suggested one resolution would be sufficient. He also reaffirmed the competence of the Fifth Committee to deal with matters of security and safety of staff, as well as their immunities and privileges, under its agenda item on human resources. Egypt also supported efforts to increase mobility and to share experience among the various headquarters and field offices.
KOJI F.X. YAMAGIWA (Japan) said the safety of civilian staff members engaged in peacekeeping, humanitarian and development activities in the field was a matter of highest priority. Among recent incidents of concern, staff members of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) had been brutally murdered, including a Japanese civil affairs officer. He appealed to those States that had not yet done so to join the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. Japan welcomed the establishment of the Trust Fund for the Security of United Nations Personnel, and would contribute $1 million to support security measures for personnel in the field.
Turning to the issue of employment of retirees, he said that, taking into account the Assembly's concern about the potential adverse effects of using retirees on recruitment and promotion in the Secretariat, Japan was of the view that the maximum period of six months per calendar year should be applicable to the employment of any retiree, regardless of receipt of pension benefits. The latter element should rather be taken into account when setting maximum emoluments per calendar year. His delegation noted irregularities in the employment of retirees, relating particularly to the amount of payment.
On a system of performance awards, he said that personalized and immediate recognition of subordinates' performance by supervisors was a powerful incentive. Other forms of awards, including the use of step increases, deserved consideration. However, the system would be rendered meaningless if it were not implemented appropriately. Should the system be mismanaged by supervisors, the Desired performance-oriented culture being sought would never develop. The Secretary-General should spare no effort to ensure proper implementation of performance appraisal throughout the United Nations system.
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On geographical imbalances resulting from promotions through the "G to P" (General Services to Professional level) examination, he asked for a breakdown, by year and nationality, of the 136 persons that had been promoted. Regarding career development, the idea of linking grades should be examined carefully. While there was need for increased staff training, the effectiveness of training programmes should also be stressed. He opposed proposals to further reduce the rate of permanent appointments to posts subject to geographical distribution.
MARYJO B. ARAGON (Philippines) said the Organization could not be managed effectively if it was constantly in a state of financial uncertainty. All Member States, particularly those with large outstanding dues, should pay up promptly and without conditions. The efforts of the Secretary-General to put in place a human resources strategy to develop staff through career growth, mobility and training was encouraging. Changes to the management culture must be based on the principles enshrined in the Charter, and she welcomed efforts aimed at developing a stronger, more flexible, skilled international civil service.
Noting efforts to streamline recruitment, she said those efforts must ensure fair and transparent recruitment procedures. Prior to delegating authority to programme managers, effective monitoring and control mechanisms to ensure accountability must be in place. Programme managers should also be trained in that area.
Her delegation attached particular importance to the development of a comprehensive career development system, she said, and was pleased with the emphasis on training and mobility which would provide staff with opportunities to acquire competence. She noted the freeze on the granting of permanent appointments in order to achieve the 70 per cent level of permanent appointments in posts subject to geographical distribution. Had that freeze had any adverse effect on the implementation of a career development strategy in the Secretariat? she asked.
Had the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), on which the Organization had spent millions of dollars, contributed to enhancing the planning capacity of the Office of Human Resources Management? she asked. The performance appraisal system should enhance constructive dialogue between staff and supervisors. Staff with supervisory functions should be appraised by their subordinates. That was of particular importance in light of the Secretary-General's intention to delegate authority on human and financial resources to managers.
NAGIBA AL-NADARI (Yemen) stressed the importance of developing sound human resources policies so that the United Nations would be able to carry out its functions in the best possible manner. The strategic change in human resources management, and the efforts to renew professional excellence,
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required steps in a number of areas, including recruitment, secondment, and human resources planning.
Recommendations in the report of the Secretary-General on reform of human resources management should be implemented, she said. Basic principles, including transparency, fair treatment, geographical and gender balance must be adhered to. It was necessary to put an end to abuse of authority in implementing recruitment processes. Accountability was needed to enforce oversight responsibilities.
She said her delegation was concerned about recruitment practices in the Secretariat, the specialized agencies and in regional organizations, as reflected in the report of the Oversight Office. She was concerned about the absence of record keeping in recruitment, among other matters. She congratulated the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, Karl Th. Paschke, on the recommendations contained in that body's report. There should be transparency and fair treatment in recruitment.
The process of human resources management required consultation between the Organization and Member States, she said. Through such consultation, points of imbalance could be evaluated and the Secretary-General's recommendations could be translated into action.
M. PATRICIA DURRANT (Jamaica) said that in order to fulfil the aims and objectives of the Charter, Member States relied on the Secretary-General and his staff to provide support and guidance in an impartial manner. Without that support, the United Nations would be unable to function. Jamaica welcomed human resources management improvements that had been made so far. She noted the work the Office of Human Resources management continued to do to advance reform of the United Nations. Now that the reform process was under way, it was necessary to turn to its implementation, which must be undertaken with great care and must be balanced with the views and needs of staff. The dedication and commitment of staff must be cultivated and maintained. Full participation of staff at all levels of decision making was vital to success.
The implementation of the Performance Appraisal System would ensure greater accountability from staff at all levels, as well as provide for a system of recognition and rewards. Adequate safeguards must be included, as must reviews of procedures. Jamaica looked forward to receiving more details on accountability. It was not convinced that a reduction in the role of the Office of Human Resources Management would impact positively on such management. Further clarification was required.
She noted action for the implementation of the plan to achieve 50/50 gender parity within the Secretariat. However, despite improvements, progress had been slow. At higher levels, progress was also slow. Jamaica looked forward to increased representation of women at senior and policy-making
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levels. She would like to be kept advised regarding the introduction of a probationary period for staff promoted following the General Service to Professional examination, as well as on proposals to hold the National Competitive Recruitment Examination in all official languages. Streamlining of the recruitment process was important, however the process must also be transparent and take into account the need for geographical and gender balance. In light of the impending retirements, it was important to address that.
Regarding career development, responsibility was shared, but the proper environment must be created, she said. Jamaica would like to see more movement from short-term contracts to permanent contracts, as well as from the General Service category to the Professional category. Training would ensure the maintenance of highest level of staff. It was important that training be system-wide, not just within the Secretariat. With training, staff would be equipped for changes that would come. Consultation was important in developing the career needs of staff. The administration of internal justice needed serious attention, and the need for improvement of staff-management relations must also be addressed.
Jamaica welcomed the new guidelines on the use of consultants, and hoped they would ensure that core functions were carried out by the Secretariat, she said.
ELDAR KOULIEV (Azerbaijan) said the Secretary-General had submitted a number of important reports to the General Assembly on the subject at hand. Azerbaijan attached great importance to personnel matters, as the human factor was fundamental to every activity. It was particularly important that the United Nations Staff must be highly effective and represent all States.
The General Assembly had stressed the importance of equitable geographical representation, and had requested that the Secretary-General take all efforts to achieve equitable distribution, he said. Azerbaijan, however, had never had a single staff member in the Secretariat. The matter had been addressed by the President of Azerbaijan in July 1997, and had also been raised by the Foreign Minister.
Despite serious financial difficulties caused by transition, refugees and the occupation of part of the country, Azerbaijan had been paying its contributions in a timely manner, he said. The number of representatives of other countries in transition had increased. Only one National Competitive Examination had been held in Azerbaijan, and subsequently the successful candidates had found employment in the private sector. The earliest solution to the question of representation was needed and he asked that careful attention be paid to Aerbaijani candidates.
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TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) said he wanted to support the proposal made by Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Ralph Zacklin, that one uniform resolution on safety and security of staff be made. Only one should be adopted. He asked the Chairman to write to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) to point out that the issue pertained to the fifth Committee. Member States should come to a common understanding that the question of security and safety of staff fell within the Fifth Committee agenda item on human resources management, and the President of the General Assembly should be so informed.
Statements on 1998-1999 Programme Budget
ANGELA KING, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, introduced the Secretary-General's report on the development dividend. She said that project objectives had been clarified, proposals now contained references to the relevant elements of the medium-term plan and they also included what was expected to be achieved by the projects. While the concept required full and serious discussion, further delays in approving the proposals would result in serious difficulties in implementing them, she stressed.
C.S.M. MSELLE, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), said that in future, such information should be presented in the context of the budget proposal. The ACABQ recommended that the term "complement" not apply to extrabudgetary funded activities and programmes. Performance indicators should be refined, and future estimates should provide full cost of projects. In the present estimates, staff and maintenance costs had not been estimated.
THOMAS SCHLESINGER (Austria) said the European Union had spoken on utilization of the development dividend in the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) this morning. Copies of that statement were available in the back of the conference room.
EUGEN MIHUT (Romania) said his delegation associated itself with the statement made for the Union in the Second Committee. He understood that in drawing up the list of proposed projects, the Secretariat had to take into account the scarce resources at its disposal for the time being. Romania acknowledged the importance of all the projects intended to strengthen the capacity of beneficiary countries. However, bearing in mind that the Development Account was to finance activities in the economic and social realms consistent with the programmes and subprogrammes of the medium-term plan, he hoped that for the next biennium, the Secretariat would include among its projects those related to Programme 16: Economic development in Europe.
DEMETRIS THEOPHYLACTOU (Cyprus) said his delegation had aligned itself with the position of the Union expressed in the Second Committee. It shared
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the view of the ACABQ that proposed projects must be regional or interregional, funded as mandated activities and evaluated using relevant indictors once implemented. Special attention should be given to least developed countries, particulary in Africa.
Development projects at any level could only be effective if they incorporated technological innovations, especially in the realm of information. The "networking for development" concept could be better implemented in a regional context as a first step, then applied more broadly. Cyprus was ready to offer its services in implementing proposals.
KAZUO WATANABE (Japan) said a great deal of time had passed since the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs had promised to submit the document, and Japan deeply regretted the delay. The $13 million already allocated for the Account must be utilized early. It was time to agree to utilization of the dividend and start implementing projects. The first half of the biennium was almost over. The development dividend should be used for projects directly benefitting developing countries, and appropriate publicity should be given to those projects. However, it seemed that proposed projects were oriented towards various secretariats of the United Nations system rather than developing countries. The views of those States should be fully taken into account.
His delegation had earlier suggested using the dividend for an integrated project to create global networking for development, to put all development agencies and all Member States on a computer network to share information on development.
VLADIMIR V. KUZNETSOV (Russian Federation) said his delegation's position had been expressed in the Second Committee this morning. Approaches to the preparation of a resource basis and expenditure of the funds should be in line with resolution 52/12B. He was opposed to new obligations being imposed on Member States within the framework of the regular budget.
The Account should be used as a complementary instrument to address the needs of developing countries, he said. Projects outlined in the Secretary- General's report could help developing countries, as well as others, such as those with economies in transition. There was no extra value in proposals for a new report to be submitted by March 1999. The material already prepared was sufficient.
PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia), speaking for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said the Group's views had been expressed in the Second Committee. It would elaborate on its position in the Fifth Committee at a later stage. He understood that the Chairman of the Second Committee was transmitting, in a letter to the Fifth Committee Chairman, the views expressed in the Second Committee. He then asked that the Secretary-General's report on
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the use of the development account (document A/52/1009) be considered in another informal meeting.
ULADZIMIR VANTSEVICH (Belarus) said the issue was complex and could be solved only when consensus was reached on the essential elements, such as the concept of the Development Account itself and utilization of the dividend. The concept should not be changed, nor should the source of financing for it. The utilization of the dividend should remain as proposed in the reports. It was a complementary source for developing countries and the rest of the international community, including countries with economies in transition.
OLEKSI IVACHENKO (Ukraine) reiterated his delegation's position stated during the recent informal consultations on the matter. The concept of development should not be limited to the needs of developing countries. Resources should be used to finance worldwide development needs through concrete projects, including those with economies in transition. Priority areas of the account should be discussed and defined substantially in the Second Committee. He supported the statement made on the issue by the representative of the Russian Federation.
Revised Estimates Arising from Resolutions Adopted by Economic and Social Council
Mr. MSELLE, chairman of the ACABQ, orally presented the ACABQ's views on the financial effect of the resolutions adopted in the Economic and Social Council. The actions would result in reductions of the budget, and there would be no additional requirements as a result of those decisions.
DULCE MARIA BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she had wanted further information from the Secretariat. Among other requests for information, she said the Secretariat should provide a breakdown on the $110,500 mentioned in the report, specifying the expenditures corresponding to each of the special rapporteurs.
WARREN SACH, Director of the Programme Planning and Budget Division of the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, said in response to queries from Cuba concerning amounts relating to mandates from the Commission on Human Rights, that those related to decision numbers 24, 25, 33 and 60 taken on 17 April.
On the report requested under the General Assembly's budget resolution 52/220, he said that report had been made earlier this year. To the best of his knowledge, no action had been taken. The resolution called for a report on perennial activities and their funding in relation to the mandates of special rapporteurs. On the question regarding mandates, a written answer had been given to a similar question from the ACABQ. All activities undertaken under that section of the budget had been mandated by the Economic and Social
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Council. There were no unmandated activities by the rapporteurs being undertaken under that section.
Ms. BUERGO-RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) thanked Mr. Sach for the clarifications, and requested his answers be submitted in writing to the Cuban delegation. She would also like the specific information on the four decisions he had referred to in writing. It was important for the Committee to have a general discussion on that issue. It was regrettable that a decision by the General Assembly had not been taken on that because it was not on the Committee's agenda. She proposed that no decision be taken by the Fifth Committee until she had received written information on the breakdown as requested.
DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria) also thanked Mr. Sach for the preliminary information, and said he would like the information in writing.
The Committee then decided to delay its decision on the matter, pending written responses to the questions Member States had raised.
Financial Implication of Decisions and Recommendations of the ICSC.
Mr. Mselle, Chairman of the ACABQ, said the Secretary-General had reported that the ICSC decisions and recommendations had implications of $9.8 million. For the United Nations itself, the implication was some $2.4 million. The Secretary-General had indicated that that amount would be taken into account in the consideration of the first performance report for the biennium 1998-1999, and the ACABQ concurred with that approach.
Ms. BUERGO-RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) asked whether that was the established procedure for years in which a budget had already been adopted.
Mr. SACH said that ICSC recommendations nearly always meant additional costs. For about 20 years, the Fifth Committee had taken the approach that those should be considered in the first performance report. That was normal procedure.
The Committee then decided to take note of the report.
Conditions of Service of Officials of the International Court of Justice
Mr. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, introduced the report of the Advisory Committee on remuneration and related matters for members of the International Court of Justice and for Judges of the two International Criminal Tribunals.
JAMES BOND (United States) said the United States found information on the residents' criteria in the reports confusing. Also, statements on other benefits and allowances were incomplete. It noted the disparity between ACABQ
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recommendations and the Secretary-General's recommendations on the salary of members, and would seek information in the informal consultations.
Request for a Subvention to the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
Mr. MSELLE said the Advisory Committee recommended that the subvention of $213,000 requested be approved. He noted the amount had already been included in the budget for 1998-1999.
THOMAS REPASCH (United States) acknowledged that the amounts had been included in the budget, but wanted to record United States opposition to subsidies and subventions to institutes that were not part of the United Nations. Some time ago, the Secretary-General had said that activities funded by the regular budget should be carried out by the Secretariat. The United States agreed with that.
PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia) said Indonesia had no difficulty in approving the requested amount.
MOVSES ABELIAN (Armenia), Fifth Committee Chairman, then read out the following draft decision:
"The General Assembly,
"Approves the recommendation of a subvention of 213,000 US dollars from the regular budget of the United Nations for 1999, on the understanding that no additional appropriation would be required under section 2b (Disarmament) of the programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999".
The Committee approved the draft without a vote.
Financial Implications of Recommendations of United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund
Mr. MSELLE introduced the ACABQ recommendations on the financial implications of the Pension Fund Board recommendations contained in paragraph 21 of the Advisory Committee's report. He said the ACABQ accepted the Secretary-General's proposals.
The CHAIRMAN proposed a decision on the matter be taken when the Committee considered the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. There being no objections, it was so decided.
The CHAIRMAN proposed that the Committee consider and take action on the administrative and financial implications arising from the report of the
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United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board in the context of its consultations on that report.
The Committee agreed to do so.
Report of Economic and Social Council
The CHAIRMAN proposed that the Fifth Committee recommend that the General Assembly take note of the relevant chapters that had been allocated to the Committee.
The Committee decided to do so.
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