Fifty-sixth General Assembly

Plenary

92^nd Meeting (PM)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS $2.63 BILLION BUDGET FOR 2002-2003;

WINDS UP REGULAR SESSION

On the recommendations of its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), the General Assembly acted on a variety of important agenda items today, including the budget of the Organization for 2002-2003; financing of peacekeeping; safety and security of personnel; the Board of Auditors’ reports; management of buildings; the United Nations visitors’ experience; the use of private management consulting firms; the Development Account; information technology; and measures to improve the profitability of United Nations commercial activities.  All texts were approved without a vote.

The main outcome of the Fifth Committee’s work during the current session was the recommended United Nations budget for 2002-2003, which was adopted by the Assembly in the amount of some $2.63 billion gross.  The estimate for income (other than income derived from staff assessment) amounts to some $51.76 million, bringing the net expenditure for the biennium to an estimated $2.57 billion.  For the first time this year, the budget has been prepared on the basis of a results-oriented format, which was approved by the General Assembly a year ago.  The new approach shifts the budgetary process from a mainly quantitative focus on resources to a more qualitative one, based on expected accomplishments and measurement of the effectiveness of the Organization’s activities.

The budget reflects the priorities set out in the medium-term plan for 2002-2005, which constitutes the principal policy directive of the United Nations:  the maintenance of international peace and security; promotion of sustained economic growth and development; development of Africa; promotion of human rights; coordination of humanitarian assistance; promotion of justice and international law; disarmament; drug control activities, crime prevention and combating international terrorism.

Following a recent comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects, the Assembly approved a draft resolution by whose terms it appropriated an additional amount of some $1.58 million for the advancement of the United Nations peacekeeping activities and approved an additional 121 support account-funded posts with related post and non-post requirements in the amount of some $16.1 million gross for the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002.  Also requested, through the Office of Internal Oversight Service, was an evaluation of the impact of the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and an audit of policies and procedures of the Organization for recruiting staff for that Department.

By the terms of two draft resolutions on the financing of the Tribunals for 2002-2003, the Assembly expressed regret over the late submission of the budget proposals for the courts and decided to appropriate, on a provisional basis, the gross amounts of some $242.79 million for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia; and $192.31 million for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.  Those decisions are subject to further review at the resumed session in March next year.  Both Tribunals were requested to submit their financial and programme performance reports on an annual basis.

       The Assembly further noted with great concern the high vacancy rates in the Tribunals and decided to keep their staffing at the 2001 levels until appropriate requirements for 2002-2003 were determined at the resumed session.  In the meanwhile, without prejudice to the decisions adopted by the Assembly, the Tribunals were authorized to use the necessary general temporary assistance resources, with the understanding that their use was to ensure an accelerated schedule of trials. 

The Assembly also authorized financing of four peacekeeping missions for the period of 1 July 2001 through 30 June 2002, approving the budgets of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET); the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE); the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL); and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Also on the Fifth Committee’s recommendations, the Assembly adopted a draft resolution on safety and security of United Nations personnel, welcoming the new inter-agency cost-sharing arrangements and requesting that the apportionment of expenses for those purposes be updated in 2003.  Noting with concern the lack of an accountability mechanism in the area of field security, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report on the establishment of such a mechanism and to conduct an evaluation of the United Nations security system.

By the text on the Development Account, the Assembly urged more expeditious and effective implementation of the projects undertaken through that fund, which was established as a special multi-year account for supplementary development activities, financed in part from efficiency savings under various sections of the budget.  Pointing out that project proposals should contain all costs and relevant information, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to include in his next report more detailed information about all ongoing projects.  The Secretary-General was also requested to intensify efficiency measures to achieve sustainable savings, and monitor all projects in order to identify the under-performing ones.

Acting on the Secretary-General’s report containing a plan of action on information technology, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to resubmit the plan of action and develop specific measures to improve efficiency through the application of information technology; clearly define the responsibilities of various bodies involved in the application and integration of information technology; and improve decision-making in the field. 

Following its consideration of various aspects of United Nations oversight

(page 1b follows)

activities, the Assembly also approved three texts related to the functioning of the oversight system.  In particular, it approved a draft resolution on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), by the terms of which it took note of that body’s annual report, its programme of work, the report on the follow-up on the Unit’s recommendations, and the preliminary list of its future reports, inviting the Unit to make certain improvements in its presentation.  To provide the Assembly with action-oriented recommendations, the text stresses the need to place emphasis on well-defined priority items and identify concrete managerial, administrative and programming questions.  Executive heads of participating bodies would be requested to observe the time frame for submitting their comments and facilitate the follow-up in implementation of the JIU’s recommendations.  Welcoming the efforts to improve coordination between United Nations internal and external oversight bodies, the Assembly also decided to review the current state of coordination between them.

By the terms of the draft resolution on the Board of Auditors, the Assembly accepted the financial reports and audited financial statements of that body and the Board’s audit opinion on voluntary funds administered by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for 2000, also welcoming the reports of the Secretary-General and the Board on the implementation of its recommendations.

By the text on the third oversight body considered by the Fifth Committee during the session – the Office of Internal Oversight Service (OIOS) – the Assembly took note of that body’s latest reports and approved measures to improve implementation of its recommendations.

By the draft resolution on the management of buildings, the Assembly endorsed the JIU report on the matter and requested the Secretary-General to take account of its recommendations when elaborating the capital master plan.

Also related to the capital master plan was a draft resolution welcoming the initiatives of the United Nations Association of the United States –- the prospective donor – to mobilize resources in order to provide new facilities for the visitors’ experience at the United Nations.  Noting the desirability of expanding the number of potential contributors to the project, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to evaluate the donation in view of the Financial Rules and Regulations of the United Nations and the capital master plan; and to ensure that the project is fully integrated with that plan, including its security measures.

Also adopted today was a resolution on measures to improve the profitability of United Nations commercial activities, by the terms of which the Assembly – expressing satisfaction with the Secretary-General’s report on the matter and endorsing the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) thereon – noted the proposal to separate the management of commercial activities from the Organization’s other fields of action, and requested detailed information on its administrative and financial implications.  The Secretary-General was requested to elaborate on the specific commercial goals and the steps to achieve them.  Of particular interest in this respect would be the use of outsourcing and the optimum use of space within the United Nations buildings.

(page 1c follows)

By another draft resolution, the Assembly approved the draft biennial calendar of conferences and meetings of the United Nations for 2002-2003, as submitted by the Committee on Conferences (COC).  The draft also contains provisions on the utilization of conference-servicing resources and facilities, documentation- and publication-related matters, information technology, translation and interpretation.

Acting on a draft decision on estimates in respect of matters of which the Security Council is seized, the Assembly approved the charge of some $8 million for the period 1 January to 31 March 2002 for 15 special political missions dealing with Council matters.  Concurring with the observations and recommendations of the ACABQ, the Assembly decided to resume its consideration of the Secretary-General’s report on the matter in March 2002.  [In its report, the ACABQ expressed its concern at the late submission of the proposal, which totalled some $29 million.  Accordingly, it recommended that the matter be deferred pending a detailed review in February 2002 and subsequent action by the Assembly.]

Acting on another text, the Assembly reaffirmed the central role of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) in the regulation and coordination of the conditions of service of the United Nations common system and took note of that body’s 2001 report.  Approving several recommendations contained in that document, it also decided that, as of 1 January 2002, the euro should be used as the official currency for the salaries, the education grants and dependents’ allowances in the euro-zone countries.  It also looked at the margin between the net remuneration of United Nations staff in grades P-1 to D-2 in New York and that of officials in comparable positions in the United States federal civil service, which was 111.0 for 2001.  The Assembly also approved, effective 1 March 2002, the revised base salary scale for staff in the Professional and higher categories and asked for a timetable for the implementation of the review of measures to strengthen the international civil service.

In other action this morning, the Assembly made recommendations on such matters as the utilization of the provision for special political missions; the contingency fund; the request for subvention to the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research; the budget proposals for 2002-2003 of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO; the revised estimates of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at its 2001 session; policies and practices in the use of private management consulting firms by the United Nations; as well as draft decisions on the use of consultants and delegation of authority in the United Nations.

In other action, the Assembly acted on texts from other committees that had been outstanding due to programme budget implications, adopting all but one text without a vote.

By a recorded vote of 77 in favour to 20 against, with 20 abstentions, the Assembly adopted a resolution entitled "Use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination" (for details see annex).

By that text, the Assembly urged all States to take legislative measures to

(page 1d follows)

ensure that their nationals and territories under their control were not used for the recruitment, assembly, financing, training and transit of mercenaries.

The Assembly also adopted a resolution submitted by its President, Han Seung-soo (Republic of Korea), by which it decided to convene the special session on children from 8 to 10 May 2002. 

By other texts, the Assembly:

-- encouraged all Central American Governments to implement commitments to national regional or international agreements;

-- renewed the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), from 1 January to 31 December 2002;

-- called for the implementation of the programme of action from the United Nations Conference on  the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects; 

It also adopted texts concerning a comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations; the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, between 26 August and 4 September 2002; the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries; the report of the Office of the President Economic and Social Council; follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons: Second World Assembly on Ageing; the advancement of women; the Sub-regional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa; and the human rights situation in Myanmar.

Prior to taking action on Fifth Committee reports and drafts from other committees, the Assembly approved the report of the Credentials Committee concerning representatives to the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly.

Iran's representatives spoke in explanation of position following the adoption of the resolution on credentials.

Background

The Assembly met today to take up all resolutions contained in the report of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).  It would also take up its own resolutions, and those contained in the reports of all its Committees on which action had been deferred until programme budget implications were considered.  In addition, it would take up the report of the Credentials Committee.

That report, on credentials of representatives to the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly (document A/56/724) reviewed proceedings of the Committee's meeting on 18 December.  It noted that informal communications had been received from the Interim Authority of Afghanistan, stating that formal credentials for the representative of that country would be presented after the Interim Authority took office on 22 December.  In addition, formal credentials had been received from

119 States while 70 States had provided information about the appointment of their representatives to the fifty-sixth session of the General Assembly.  The Committee recommended that the Assembly approve the Credentials Committee report.

Also before the Assembly is a resolution submitted by the Assembly President on the special session of the General Assembly on children (document A/56/L.7).  By it, the Assembly would decide to convene the session from 8 to 10 May 2002.  It would also include an item on follow-up to the outcome of that session in its agenda for the fifty-seventh session.  Programme budget implications are contained in document A/56/743. 

The Assembly has before it a resolution on the situation in Central America (document A/56/L.42/Rev.1) by which it would request the Secretary-General, the United Nations system and the international community to continue supporting and verifying in Guatemala the implementation of all peace agreements.  It would ask them to consider the implementation of the Peace Agreements as the framework for their technical and financial assistance programmes.  It would encourage all Central American Governments to implement commitments of national, regional and international agreements.  Programme budget implications are contained in document A/56/749.

By a draft on the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (document A/56/750), the Assembly would call upon the Government to implement the recommendations of the Commission for Historical Clarification to promote national reconciliation.  The Assembly would also call on it to uphold the right to truth and provide redress for the victims of human rights abuses and violence committed during the 36-year conflict.  It would call for establishing the Commission for Peace and Harmony, urging the international community to support the strengthening of national capacities to ensure the consolidation of the peace process, stressing the Mission's key role.  Finally, the Assembly would decide to authorize renewal of the mandate for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2002, requesting the Secretary-General to report early at the Assembly's next session about continuing the peace-building phase after 31 December 2002.  If adopted, there would be programme budget implications and they are contained in document A/56/750.

The Assembly had before it one resolution in the report of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security).  That resolution concerns the illicit traffic in small arms (document A/56/749).  The programme budget implications are contained in document A/56/740.

The Assembly had before two reports based on the report of its Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).  The first was a comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects (document A/55/572/Add.1).  It focuses on budgetary aspects of peacekeeping and says that programme budget implications (A/56/740) would entail a provision of $499,000 for the biennium 2002-2003, charged against the contingency fund.

The second report was on questions relating to information (document A/56/552).  It contains a draft resolution entitled United Nations public information policies and activities by which the Assembly would emphasize that, through its reorientation, the Department of Public Information (DPI) should improve its activities in the areas of special interest to developing and other countries with special needs, including those in transition.  Such reorientation should contribute to bridging the gap between the developing and developed countries in public information and communications.

Also by the text, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General, until a decision had been taken on proposals for multilingual enrichment of the Web site, to ensure the equitable distribution of financial and human resources within the DPI allocated to the Web site among all official languages on a continuous basis.  It would also emphasize the importance of ensuring the full equitable treatment of all the official languages in all DPI activities.  By further terms, the Assembly would welcome the Secretary-General's progress report and the final report on implementation of the pilot project for the development of an international radio broadcasting capacity for the United Nations.

According to the programme budget report (document A/56/744), adoption of the resolution would entail an additional appropriation of some $2.7 million for the biennium 2002-2003, as follows:  $2.4 million under section 26, public information; and $308,000 under section 32, staff assessment (to be offset by an equivalent amount under income from staff assessment).

The Assembly then turned to three reports of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial).  One of those concerned the environment and sustainable development.  Specifically, it was on implementation of Agenda 21 and the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 (document A/56/561/Add.1).  By its terms, the Assembly would decide to take note of the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development, acting as the preparatory committee for the Summit, on its organizational session.  It would further decide that the Summit will be held in Johannesburg, South African, between 26 August and 4 September 2002, with the participation of heads of State and government from 2-4 September.  Programme budget implications are contained in document A/56/751.

A draft resolution was contained in the Committee's report on the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (A/56/569).  It would have the Assembly decide to establish the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.  Further, the Assembly would call on the Secretary-General to enhance the operational capacity of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) as well as that of other United Nations organizations and bodies in their activities aimed at supporting, in particular LDCs, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.   Programme budget implications are contained in document A/A/56/752.

 A decision in the report of the Economic and Social Council (document A/56/571) outlines the impact of proposed changes in the office of the General Assembly President.  If arrangements for the Economic and Social Council President were modelled on those accorded the General Assembly President, a provision would be required to cover the cost of his official travel, members of the Bureau would have to act on his or her behalf and hospitality would be required for official functions.  An estimated $125,000 annually would be required.  Should arrangements for the Security Council President be adopted as a model, there would be no direct financial implications, as requirements for the Council President were met through ad hoc arrangements as they arose.

The Assembly would next consider five resolutions contained in the reports of its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).  The first was a draft resolution on follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons:  Second World Assembly on Ageing (document A/56/573).  By it, the Assembly would invite all relevant United Nations agencies to better coordinate their response to the global ageing of populations and to integrate within their respective mandates their programmes and activities related to the elderly.  Programme budget implications are contained in document A/56/741.

The report on advancement of women (document A/56/576) contains a resolution by which the Assembly would urge States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women to make every possible effort to submit their reports on its implementation and to cooperate fully with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in the presentation of their reports.  Programme budget implications are outlined in document A/56/742.

Another report (document A/56/582) contains a draft on the right of peoples to self-determination, with programme budget implications (document A/56/745).  By that, the Assembly would urge all States to ensure that their territories and nationals are not used for the recruitment, assembly, financing, training and transit of mercenaries for the planning of activities to destabilize or overthrow the Government of any State or to dismember or impair the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign and independent States.

The report on human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms (document A/56/583/Add.2) contains a draft resolution by which the General Assembly would welcome the creation of the Sub-regional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa at Yaounde.  It would invite the High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide appropriate assistance to ensure its smooth functioning.  The adoption of that text would give rise to additional requirements of some $1 million under section 22, human rights, of the proposed programme budget (document A/56/746).  As it was not currently possible to identify activities within section 22 that could be terminated or deferred during the current biennium, an additional provision of $1 million would be required over and above the resources proposed.  Such provision would constitute a charge against the contingency fund and would require an increase in appropriations for 2002-2003.

Finally, the report on human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives (document A/56/583/Add.3), which contains a draft resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar.  By its terms, the Assembly would strongly urge the Government of Myanmar to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, restore the independence of the judiciary and due process and bring to justice any perpetrators of human rights violations, including members of the military.

Some $277,900 would be required for the period 1 January to 31 December 2002 for the good offices of the Secretary-General to facilitate dialogue and national reconciliation in Myanmar, according to the report on programme budget implications (document A/56/748).  Those requirements would be charged against the provision of $93.7 million for special political missions under section 3, political affairs, of the 2002-2003 proposed programme budget.

Action on Draft Resolutions

The Assembly took up the recommendation contained in the Credentials Committee report.  The Assembly then approved the report.

In explanation of vote after the vote, the representative of Iran said he would object to any part of the resolution that could be taken as recognition of Israel.

Next, the Assembly took up the draft on follow-up to the outcome of the special session on children and the report on the programme budget implications of adopting the resolution.  Before the vote, it was announced that the children's forum would be held on Monday and Tuesday, 6 and 7 May 2002, prior to the special session on children to be held from 8 to 10 May.  

The draft was then adopted without a vote.

Next to be taken up was the situation in Central America:  procedures for establishing a firm and lasting peace and progress in fashioning a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development.  The draft on the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala, along with the report on budget implications of its adoption, was taken up and adopted without a vote.  Also adopted without a vote was a draft on the generic draft resolution on that item.

The Assembly then turned its consideration to the report of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) containing a draft resolution with programme budget implications on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects. 

The resolution was adopted without a vote.    

Next, the two resolutions with programme budget implications in the report of the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) were taken up. 

The resolution on the comprehensive review of the whole question of peace-keeping operations in all their aspects was adopted without a vote.  Also adopted without a vote was the resolution on questions relating to information.

Three resolutions contained in the report of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) were taken up.  All three were adopted without a vote.  Those were texts on implementation of Agenda 21, concerning the environment and the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, and the report of the Economic and Social Council in relation to the Office of the Council President.

Finally, five resolutions in the report of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) were taken up, along with their programme budget implications.  Adopted without a vote was a resolution on follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons:  Second World Assembly on Ageing.  Also adopted without a vote was a resolution on the advancement of women. 

Next to be adopted without a vote was a resolution on human rights questions, including alternative approaches to improving their enjoyment.  That draft concerned the Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa.

The two drafts on human rights questions were then taken up.  The first concerned the situation of human rights in Myanmar.  It was adopted without a vote. 

The second was a draft on the use of mercenaries to violate human rights and impede the exercise of the right to self-determination.  It was adopted by a recorded vote of 77 in favour to 20 against, with 20 abstentions (see annex).

Reports of Fifth Committee

SANTIAGO WINS (Uruguay), Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, introduced the  reports.

Financial reports and audited financial statements

The report of the Committee on "financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors" is contained in document A/56/651.

The draft resolution on financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors would have the Assembly accept the financial report and audited financial statements and the Board's report and audit opinion on voluntary funds administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for 1 January to 31 December 2000.  Endorsing the recommendations of the Board and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the Assembly would welcome the reports of the Secretary-General and the Board on the implementation of recommendations.

The draft resolution was adopted without a vote. 

Review of Efficiency of Administrative and Financial Functioning of the United Nations

The report of the Committee on "review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations" is contained in document A/56/734.

By draft decision I, the Assembly would approve the biennial programme of work of the Fifth Committee for 2002-2003, as annexed to the decision. 

By draft decision II, on action taken on certain items, the Assembly would decide that the Fifth Committee should continue its consideration of the following agenda items at its resumed fifty-sixth session -- 120-124, 126, 129-158 and 169.

Both texts were adopted without a vote.

Review of Efficiency of Joint Inspection Unit

The report of the Committee on "review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU)” is contained in document A/56/652.

According to draft resolution I, on the management of buildings:  practices of selected United Nations system organizations relevant to the renovation of the United Nations Headquarters, the Assembly would endorse the JIU's report on that issue and request the Secretary-General to take account of its recommendations when elaborating the capital master plan.  The Assembly would also decide to revert to consideration of the report when it considers the Secretary-General's report on the capital master plan.

The Assembly approved the text without a vote.

Draft resolution II is on the JIU's report on policies and practices in the use of the services of private management consulting firms in the organizations of the United Nations system.  It would have the Assembly endorse elements contained in paragraphs (b) and (d) of recommendation 1 and recommendations 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the report.  Also, it would invite the Secretary-General and participating organs to take account of the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolutions 55/232 and 55/247 when addressing issues raised in paragraphs (a) and (c) of recommendation 1 and recommendations 6, 7 and 8.

The Inspectors’ recommendations address the issues of policy framework, monitoring and control, follow-up actions, inter-organization coordination, conflicts of interest, regionally based firms, rotation policy, and language and country of publication of advertisements for international biddings.

Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted that text.

Review of Efficiency of Functioning of OIS Office

The Committee's report on the "review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations; report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS)” is contained in document A/56/727.

By the draft decision on the report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the audit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) operations in Albania, the Assembly would take note of the report of the Oversight Office and look forward to the full and expeditious implementation of the recommendations contained in the report within the context of the annual report of the Office on its fifty-seventh session.

The text was approved without a vote.

Programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001

The report of the Committee on "programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001" is contained in document A/56/653 and A/56/735.

The Assembly first took up the four draft resolutions contained in A/56/653.

Draft resolution I is on enhancing the United Nations experience for visitors.  It would have the Assembly welcome the initiatives of the United Nations Association of the United States –- the prospective donor -– to mobilize resources in order to provide new facilities for the visitors’ experience in the form of an in-kind donation to the Organization.  Endorsing the observations of the Advisory Committee, the Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to ensure that the development of the project is fully integrated with the capital master plan, including security measures.  A decision on the question should take place in the light of any further decision on the capital master plan.

Further by the terms of the text, the Secretary-General would be authorized to invite the United Nations Association of the United States to proceed with the preparation of a schematic design for the new visitors’ experience, taking into account the conditions set out in the related report of the Secretary-General and highlighted by the ACABQ.  Noting the desirability of expanding the number of potential contributors to the project, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to evaluate the proposed financial and fiscal aspects of the donation in view of the Financial Rules and Regulations of the United Nations and the capital master plan.  The Secretary-General would also be requested to submit, when practicable, a comprehensive report on various aspects of the project, including the options for its final scale; projected revenues; and the cost of maintaining the new visitors’ experience.

By draft resolution II, on the Development Account, the Assembly would express concern at the low rate of implementation of the projects undertaken through the Account and urge their more expeditious and effective implementation.  Pointing out that project proposals should contain all costs, including support costs, as well as information on whether they are to be financed from the Development Account, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to include in his next report the date of commencement, the implementing agency and the anticipated dates of completion of all ongoing projects, and provide explanations for any schedule changes in the completion of the projects.  To augment the Development Account, he would also be requested to intensify efficiency measures that might result in sustainable savings.

The Assembly would further welcome the fact that the projects financed from the Development Account have a positive impact on the development of countries, are cost-effective, and are jointly designed and implemented by several entities of the United Nations.  The Secretary-General would be requested to monitor the projects, with a view to identifying the under-performing ones, identify the causes, and present proposals to correct the situation or re-deploy funds to the projects delivering results.

Draft resolution III, on proposed measures to improve the profitability of the commercial activities of the United Nations, would have the Assembly note with satisfaction the reports of the Secretary-General and the ACABQ on the matter.  In particular, it would note the proposal to separate the management of the commercial activities from the Organization's other fields of action, and request detailed information on its administrative and financial implications.  The Secretary-General would be requested to elaborate on the proposal as far as its specific commercial goals and the steps to achieve them are concerned.  Of particular interest in this respect would be the use of outsourcing and the optimum use of space within the United Nations buildings.  The Secretary-General would also be asked to make proposals to streamline and simplify the administration and management structure underpinning those activities.

By draft resolution IV, on information technology, the Assembly would take note of the Secretary-General's report containing a plan of action on the matter, and would endorse the Advisory Committee's recommendations.  The Secretary-General would be requested to resubmit the plan of action and develop specific measures to improve efficiency through the application of information technology in the Secretariat. 

The Assembly would further request the Secretary-General to define clearly the responsibilities of different bodies involved in the application and integration of information technology within the Organization, improve coordination and reduce duplication.  He would also be asked to develop a cost-benefit analysis to identify information technology priorities and develop an implementation plan for those priorities.  A single report containing information requested by the draft would be submitted to the fifty-seventh session of the Assembly.

The Assembly adopted the four resolutions without a vote.

Next, the Assembly turned to the draft resolution contained in A/56/735, on programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.  The text contains final budget appropriations for 2000-2001 totaling some $2.53 billion appropriated under resolution 55/239a, to be augmented by a commitment authority of some $28.45 million for various sections of the budget.  In addition to those amounts, $250,000 are to be appropriated for each year of the biennium from the accumulated income of the Library Endowment Fund for the purchase of books, periodicals, maps and library equipment.  Also, the $380.82 million estimates of income will provisionally be decreased by some $1.15 million.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would decide, in the light of the critical financial situation of the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), to retain in the programme budget for 2000-2001 $650,000 of the original $800,000 provision, and request the Secretary-General to disburse the provision in December 2001 as a subvention to be credited to the Trust Fund for the Institute, so as to ensure continuation of its operations in 2002.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted that resolution.

Programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001, peacekeeping

The Committee's report on the "programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001: administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations" is contained in document A/56/738.

By the terms of the draft resolution on comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects, the Assembly would appropriate an additional amount of some $1.58 million for the advancement of United Nations peacekeeping activities and approve an additional 121 support account-funded posts with related post and non-post requirements in the amount of some $16.1 million gross for the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002.  The Assembly would also request an evaluation, through the OIOS, of the impact of the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and an audit of policies and procedures of the Organization for recruiting staff for that Department.

Among several provisions directed against duplication, the text contains a paragraph by which the Secretary-General would be requested to prevent duplication or work between the (DPKO) and the Department of Political Affairs and to further clarify the relationships and interactions between the DPKO and other offices in the Department of Management, particularly those dealing with personnel, financial administration and control management of procurement activities and monitoring of delegated authority.

Expressing concern over the delay in recruitment and staffing of the

93 support account posts approved on an urgent basis in December 2000, the Assembly would also express concern over the imbalance in the geographical representation of Member States in the DPKO and urge the Secretary-General to take immediate measures to improve the representation of under-represented and unrepresented countries in future recruitment.  It would welcome the emphasis on training, planning and establishment of rosters, which would provide the capacity to manage and monitor personnel actions in the DPKO and the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM).

Also by the text, the Assembly would regret the inordinate delay in the certification of write-off claims from some liquidated peacekeeping operations and request the Secretary-General to finalize the certification of those claims by

30 June 2002.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the text.

Pattern of Conferences

The report of the Committee on the "pattern of conferences" is contained in document A/56/737.

The draft resolution on pattern of conferences would have the Assembly approve the draft biennial calendar of conferences and meetings of the United Nations for 2002-2003, as submitted by the Committee on Conferences (COC).  The COC would be authorized to make any adjustments to that calendar in accordance with possible future decisions of the General Assembly.  When planning events, the COC would also be requested to avoid simultaneous peak periods at the various duty stations and avoid scheduling meetings of related intergovernmental bodies too closely together. 

The draft also contains provisions on the utilization of conference-servicing resources and facilities, documentation- and publication-related matters, information technology, translation and interpretation.  In particular, by the terms of the text, the Assembly would look at the mechanisms for addressing the concerns of Member States about the efficiency, quality and delivery of conference services, including information about the way in which the concerns of Member States are recorded and reported.  It would welcome the establishment of a permanent interpretation service at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), note with appreciation the increase in the number of multilingual meetings there and encourage the Secretary-General to intensify efforts of UNON to attract more meetings to its facilities. 

The Assembly would also stress the need to ensure availability of documentation in accordance with the six-week rule, in the six official languages of the United Nations.  It would request the Secretary-General to develop an effective accountability and responsibility system within the Secretariat to ensure timely submission of documents for processing and to report thereon to the fifty-seventh session.  Noting with concern the delay in the issuance of verbatim and summary records, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to take appropriate measures to ameliorate the situation.  The Secretary-General would be also requested, inter alia, to study the possibility of enhanced cooperation between the production of press releases by the Department of Public Information (DPI) and the preparation of summary records by the Conference Service department, bearing in mind the different nature of those materials.

For an initial period of one year, the Assembly would approve the training initiative for interpreters who scored higher than 55 per cent on the competitive examination and possess rare language combinations.  It would also decide to conduct a comprehensive review of the current norms and standards of productivity in the language services and the impact of technological innovations on their work.  The Secretary-General would be requested to improve the quality control of language services at all duty stations.  To improve the quality of translation of documents issued in the six official languages, it is also necessary to ensure continuous dialogue between translation and interpretation staff at various duty stations and translation divisions and Member States with regard to standardization of the terminology.

The text was adopted without a vote.

Scale of Assessments

The report of the Committee on "scale of assessments for the appointment of the expenses of the United Nations" is contained in document A/56/728.

The draft resolution onthe scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations would have the Assembly recall its resolution 55/5A of October last year on the measures to encourage timely, full and unconditional payment of assessed contributions by Member States, taking into account the incentives and sanctions used by various international and regional organizations.

Requesting the Secretary-General to update the information contained in his report on the application of Article 19 of the Charter, the Assembly would recognize that multi-year payment plans, subject to careful formulation, could be helpful in allowing Member States to demonstrate their commitment to paying their arrears.  The Secretary-General would be requested to propose guidelines for such plans through the Committee on Contributions.  The Assembly would also encourage Member States in a position to do so to provide the Secretariat with information regarding their schedule of payments or intentions to clear their accumulated arrears.

[Under Article 19, a Member State in arrears in the payment of its dues, in an amount that equals or exceeds its contributions for the two preceding years, can lose its vote in the Assembly.]

Further by the text, the Assembly would urge all Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full, on time and without imposing conditions, in order to avoid difficulties being experienced by the Organization, and request the Secretary-General to propose or consider further measures to encourage Member States in arrears to reduce and eventually pay their dues.

That text was adopted without a vote.

Human Resources Management

The Committee's report on "human resources management" is contained in document A/56/654.

Draft decision I, on the use of consultants in the United Nations, would have the Assembly endorse the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) and the observations of the ACABQ on the matter, and request the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the decision at its fifty-seventh session.

Draft decision II, on delegation of authority, would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General, in the implementation of the recommendations of the JIU as endorsed in decision 55/481 of 14 June 2001, to also take fully into account the observations of the ACABQ, as indicated in the relevant section of its report on the proposed budget for 2002-2003.

Draft decision III, on young professionals in selected organizations of the United Nations system:  recruitment, management and retention, would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to submit a progress report on the matter in the context of his report on human resources management to be submitted at the fifty-seventh session, taking into account the observations of the Advisory Committee.

The Assembly adopted the three decisions without a vote.

United Nations common system

The report of the Committee on the "United Nations common system" is contained in document A/56/729.

By the terms of the draft resolution on the United Nations common system: report of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the Assembly, reaffirming the Commission's central role in the regulation and coordination of the conditions of service of the United Nations common system, would take note of the 2001 ICSC report.

Also according to the text, the Assembly would approve the recommendation of the Commission that, as of 1 January 2002, the euro should be used as the official currency for those emoluments which are currently set in the national currencies of the 12 euro-zone countries, and that the national currency amounts would be converted by applying the respective fixed conversion rates and then rounded up or down to the nearest euro.  It would approve the recommendation that the converted values of the education grant for nine currency areas, as well as children's and secondary dependants’ allowances for nine locations, change over to the euro as of 1 January 2002.  The Assembly would also invite organizations to officially convert General Service salary scales and allowances, where applicable, into euros, as of the same date. 

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would note that the margin between the net remuneration of United Nations staff in grades P-1 to D-2 in New York and that of officials in comparable positions in the United States federal civil service for 2001 is 111.0.  The Assembly would also note that the United Nations/United States remuneration ratios range from 117.1 at the P-2 level to 104.4 at the D-2 level, and consider that this imbalance should be addressed in the context of the overall margin considerations established by the Assembly.

Regarding the base/floor salary scale, the Assembly would approve, effective 1 March 2002, the revised base scale of gross and net salaries for staff in the Professional and higher categories.  On strengthening the international civil service, the Assembly would request the Secretary-General, in consultation with the ICSC Chairman, to present a timetable for the implementation of the review of the strengthening of the international civil service at the main part of the Assembly's fifty-seventh session.

The Assembly adopted the text without a vote.

Joint Inspection Unit

The report of the Committee on the "Joint Inspection Unit" is contained in document A/56/655.

The draft resolution on the Joint Inspection Unit would have the Assembly take note of the JIU's annual report, the 2001 programme of work, the report on the JIU follow-up system and the preliminary list of reports for 2002 and beyond.  Taking note of the tentative nature of the list of potential reports, the Assembly would invite the Unit to improve the presentation of the list by providing information on the source, including legislative basis, objectives and problems to be addressed and the duration and expected date of completion.  Such information should be presented before the final quarter of each year. 

By further terms of the draft, executive heads would be requested to observe the time frame for submitting comments.  The Assembly would also stress the need for the JIU to emphasize well-defined items of high priority, identifying concrete managerial, administrative and programming questions aimed at producing action-oriented recommendations.  The Chairman of the JIU would be requested to ensure compliance by the Unit with the provisions of its statute, as well as the internal standards, guidelines and procedures approved by the Unit.  The Secretary-General and executive heads would be requested to ensure that the JIU is provided with the information requested by it in due time. 

Also according to the text, the Assembly would welcome initial steps by the JIU and other oversight bodies to develop coordination to enhance the impact of oversight activities and avoid duplication.  It would request executive heads to take necessary steps to facilitate action on the follow-up system and would request the Unit to submit additional recommendations to the Assembly at its next session on its experience with the follow-up system, focusing on legislative actions and implementation of approved recommendations.  The Assembly would decide to review the current state of coordination among United Nations oversight bodies to improve the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations.  It would request the JIU to emphasize the evaluation aspect of its work, as underlined in the JIU's statute, and stress the need for the Unit to prepare more evaluation-oriented reports.

The Assembly adopted the text without a vote.

Secretary-General's Report on Office of Internal Oversight Services

The Committee's report, entitled "report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services", is contained in document A/56/739.

The draft resolution on the report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services would have the Assembly take note of that body's reports for the periods 1 July 1999 -- 30 June 2000 and

1 July 2000 -- 30 June 2001 and express its appreciation for its work.  The OIOS would be requested to include in its next report information about the reorganization of its work, and the Secretary-General would be requested to ensure that future OIOS reports include information about implementation of its recommendations for three preceding reporting periods. 

Welcoming the initiative of including qualitative assessments of the implementation, the Assembly would invite the Secretary-General to entrust the OIOS with refining the criteria for such assessments.  The draft also includes requests for updates regarding the implementation of particular recommendations of the OIOS contained in its reports, including those on the new mission subsistence allowance, and on mission liquidation activities, in particular with regard to write-offs.  An update would also be requested on the oversight activities referred to in the most recent annual reports.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the text.

Financing of Yugoslav Tribunal

The report of the Committee on the financing of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia is contained in document A/56/730.

By the draft resolution on the financing of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the Assembly would deeply regret the late submission of the reports of the Secretary-General on the financing of the Tribunal.  It would also note with great concern the high vacancy rate in the International Tribunal and the absence of a firm exit strategy for the completion of the Tribunal's work.  The Assembly would decide that the staffing table for the Tribunal remain at levels approved for 2001 until the Assembly determines appropriate levels for 2002-2003 at its March 2002 resumed session. 

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would authorize the Tribunal to use the necessary general temporary assistance resources to provide the equivalent of up to 90 new posts recommended by the ACABQ, with the understanding that the use of general temporary assistance is to ensure an accelerated schedule of trials and would be without prejudice to the decisions adopted by the Assembly at its resumed session.

Also according to the text, the Assembly would decide to appropriate, on a provisional basis, to the Special Account for the Tribunal, a total of some $242.79 million gross (about $218.22 million net) for 2002-2003.  It would request the Tribunal to submit annually a financial and programme performance report to the Assembly.  The Assembly would decide that the financing of the appropriation for 2002-2003 under the Special Account shall take into account the unspent unencumbered balance of some $5.68 million gross (about $6.38 million net) for 2000, interest and miscellaneous income of some $3.56 million for 2000-2001, estimated additional requirements of some $4.85 million gross ($3.57 million net) for 2001, and the estimated income of $154,400 for 2002-2003, to be set off against the aggregate amount of the appropriation.

By further terms of the text, the Assembly would decide to apportion for 2002 some $60.18 million gross (about $53.52 million net) among Member States in accordance with the scale of assessments applicable to the regular budget for 2002-2003.  It would further decide to apportion for 2002 the same amount among Member States in accordance with the rates of assessment applicable to peacekeeping operations for 2002.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the text.

Financing of Rwanda Tribunal

The report of the Committee on the financing of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is contained in document A/56/731.

By the terms of the draft resolution on the financing of the Rwanda Tribunal, the Assembly would deeply regret the delay in submission of the Secretary-General's reports on the issue.  It would also note with great concern that the high vacancy rate, particularly at the administrative level, affects the Tribunal's activities.  The Assembly would decide that the staffing table remain at levels approved for 2001 until the Assembly determines, at its resumed 2002 March session, appropriate levels for 2002-2003.  The Assembly would authorize the Tribunal to use the necessary general temporary assistance resources to provide the equivalent of up to 80 new posts recommended by the Advisory Committee, with the understanding that it would ensure an accelerated schedule of trials and would be without prejudice to decisions adopted by the Assembly on an authorized staffing table for 2002-2003 at its resumed session.

Also according to the text, the Assembly would decide to provisionally appropriate to the Special Account for the Tribunal a total of some $192.31 million gross ($173.61 million net) for 2002-2003.  It would decide also that the financing of the appropriation take into account the actual unencumbered balance of some $4.24 million gross (about $3.85 million net) as of the end of 2000, the estimated unencumbered balance of some $3.01 million gross (about $2.35 million net), which was taken into account in resolution 55/226, and some $2.16 million in interest and other miscellaneous income recorded for 2000-2001, to be set off against the aggregate amount of the appropriation.

Requesting the Tribunal to annually submit a financial and programme performance report to the Assembly, the Assembly would also note the proposed maintenance costs for prisoners and request the Secretary-General to include this item in the report on the long-term financial implications of the Tribunal at the resumed fifty-sixth session.  It would decide to apportion for 2002 some $47.84 million gross ($43.24 million net) among Member States according to the scale of assessments applicable to the regular budget for 2002-2003, and the same amount according to the scale of assessments for peacekeeping operations.

The text was adopted without a vote.

Financing of United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor

The report of the Committee on "financing of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor" is contained in document A/56/715.

By the draft resolution on financing of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, the Assembly would decide to appropriate some $458 million gross for the operation of the Transitional Administration for the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002.  The total would include some $3 million gross for the peacekeeping support account, some $10.27 million gross already appropriated for the support account, some $1.78 million gross already appropriated for the Brindisi Logistics Base and $282 million gross authorized by the Assembly in its resolution 55/228 B.

Also according to the draft, the Assembly would decide, taking into account the amount of $282 million gross already apportioned for 1 July to 31 December 2001 and some $18.8 million gross already apportioned for 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002, to apportion among Member States some $23 million gross for 1 to 31 January 2002 in accordance with Assembly resolutions and taking into account the 2002 scale of assessments.

The text was adopted without a vote.

Financing of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea

The report of the Committee on "financing of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea" is contained in document A/56/714.

By the terms of the draft resolution on financing of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Assembly would appropriate $200.28 million gross for the maintenance of the Mission for the period from 1 July 2001 to

30 June 2002, inclusive of the amount of $1.88 million gross for the support account for peacekeeping operations, in addition to some $5.44 million gross already appropriated for the support account and $568,706 gross appropriated for the Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy.  The total would also include some $90 million gross for the period 1 July to 31 December 2001 and some $6.01 gross for the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2001, which were authorized by the Assembly in its resolution 55/252 B.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the text.

Financing of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

The Committee's report on the "financing of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone" is contained in document A/56/712.

The draft resolution on financing of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone would have the Assembly decide to appropriate some $699.23 million grossfor the maintenance of the Mission from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002, including some $7.23 milliongross for the support account for peacekeeping operations.  The total would also include some $16.63 million gross already appropriated for the support account, some $1.73 million gross already appropriated for the United Nations Logistics Base and some $275 million gross already authorized by the Assembly in its resolution 55/251 B.

The Assembly adopted the text without a vote.

Financing of United Nations Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo

The report of the Committee on the "financing of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo" is contained in document A/56/713.

By the draft resolution on financing of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Assembly would decide to appropriate some $196.59 million gross for the maintenance of the Mission for the nine-month period from 1 July 2001 to 31 March 2002, inclusive of some

$3.35 million gross for the support account for peacekeeping operations and some $8.26 million gross already appropriated for the support account for peacekeeping operations.  The total would also include some $862,915 gross for the Brindisi Logistics Base and some $200 million gross for the maintenance of the Mission for 1 July to 31 December 2001 appropriated and assessed by the Assembly in its resolution 55/275.

The Assembly, acting without a vote, adopted the text.

Report of the Economic and Social Council

The report of the Committee on the "report of the Economic and Social Council" is contained in A/56/676.

By the draft decision on the report of the Economic and Social Council, the Assembly would take note of chapters I, VII (sections B and C) and IX of the report.

The text was adopted without a vote.

Proposed programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003

The report of the Committee on the "proposed programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003" (document A/56/736) was for the time being contained in documents A/C.5/56/L.28 (Parts I and II).

The Assembly turned to the five draft resolutions, which for the time being, were contained in Part II, Section IV of L.28.

Draft resolution I is on questions relating to the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003.  It contains the proposed budget, in the amount of some $2.63 billion gross.  The estimate for income (other than that from staff assessment) amounts to some $51.76 million, bringing the net expenditure for the biennium to an estimated $2.57 billion.  The draft resolution on the budget shows a reduction of the resources proposed by the Secretary-General for travel of staff (some $2.8 million); contractual services (some $6.4 million); general operating expenses (some $19.7 million); supplies and materials (some $1.4 million); and furniture and equipment ($7.2 million).

Secretary-General's proposed budget by budget part

Part	Title		Approved 2002-2003 $ million
1.	Overall policy-making, direction and coordination		499.14
2.	Political affairs		248.09
3.	International justice and law		59.10
4.	International cooperation for development		273.14
5.	Regional cooperation for development		335.18
6.	Human rights and humanitarian affairs		132.46
7.	Public information		144.72
8.	Common support services		428.53
9.	Internal oversight		20.30
10.	Jointly financed administrative expenses and special activities		77.78
11.	Capital expenditures		45.42
12.	Staff assessment		348.25
13.	Development account		13.06
	TOTAL		2,625.17

Draft resolution II, entitled “programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003”, contains budget appropriations for 2002-2003 (see table in draft resolution A/C.5/56/L.29).  It also provides estimates of income other than assessments on Member States totalling some $51.76 million and covers issues of financing of appropriations for 2002.

Draft resolution III is on special subjects relating to the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003.  Among other things, it would have the Assembly approve the recommendation of a subvention of $213,000 from the regular budget for 2002, on the understanding that no additional appropriation would be required under section 4, disarmament, of the proposed programme budget for 2002-2003.  Also, it would approve the gross budget for the JIU in the amount of some $7.55 million, as well as the gross budget for the ICSC in the amount of some $12.81 million.

In addition, the Assembly would approve expenses, chargeable directly to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, totalling some $74.32 million net for 2002-2003, and a decrease of some $3.1 million net for 2002-2001.  The Joint Staff Pension Board would be authorized to supplement voluntary contributions to the Emergency Fund for 2002-2003 by an amount not exceeding $200,000.  The Assembly would approve the budget proposals for 2002-2003 of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO in the amount of some $18.02 million. 

With regard to safety and security of United Nations personnel, the Assembly would welcome the agreed inter-agency cost-sharing arrangement and request that the apportionment of expenses be updated in 2003.  Noting with concern the lack of an accountability and responsibility mechanism in the area of field security, it would request the Secretary-General to submit to its next session a comprehensive report on the establishment of such a mechanism, including provisions on its scope, depth, common standards and methods of enforcement.  The Secretary-General would be requested to conduct an evaluation of the United Nations security system, including the new security arrangements and the relationship between the DPKO and the United Nations Security Coordinator.

Also, the Assembly would appropriate an additional amount of some

$1.56 million for the implementation of the recommendations flowing out of the comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects, under the following sections of the proposed budget: $376,000 under section 3, political affairs; $888,800 under section 22, human rights; $127,900 under section 27, management and central support services; and $182,000 under section 32, staff assessment, to be offset by a corresponding amount under income section 1, income from staff assessment.

Draft resolution IV, on unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for the biennium 2002-2003, contains information about estimates of income other than assessments on Member States totalling some $51.76 million.  By the text, the Assembly would authorize the Secretary-General to enter into commitments to meet such expenses arising either during or subsequent to the biennium.  An amount not exceeding a total of $8 million would be designated for the maintenance of peace and security.

For the International Court of Justice, such expenses would include an amount not exceeding $330,000 for ad hoc judges; $50,000 for the calling of witnesses and the appointment of witnesses; $40,000 for the completion of cases of judges who have not been re-elected.  Commitments not exceeding a total of $500,000 would be authorized, should they be required for inter-organizational security measures.  If a decision of the Security Council results in the need for the Secretary-General to enter into commitments relating to the maintenance of peace and security in an amount exceeding $10 million in respect of the decision, that matter would be brought before the Assembly.

Draft resolution V is on “Working Capital Fund for the biennium 2002-2003”, which, according to the text, should be established in the amount of $100 million.  Should those provisions prove inadequate, the Secretary-General would be authorized to utilize cash from special funds and accounts in his custody, or the proceeds of loans authorized by the Assembly.

All five texts were adopted without a vote.

Programme of Work of General Assembly

The Assembly decided that the following agenda items would remain for consideration during its fifty-sixth session: 10-12, 17, 18, 20, 22-24, 26, 29, 32, 37, 40-44, 46, 47, 49, 58-63, 89, 96, 98, 102, 107, 109, 110, 112, 119-158, 166, 169 and 175.

(annex follows)

ANNEX

Vote on Draft resolution on Use of Mercenaries as a Means of Violating Human Rights

The draft resolution on use of mercenaries (document A/56/582) was adopted by a recorded vote of 77 in favour to 20 against, with 20 abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia.

Against:  Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.

Abstaining:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Yugoslavia.

Absent:  Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Swaziland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

* *** *