Sixty-first General Assembly

Fifth Committee

35^th Meeting (AM)

Fifth committee agrees on budget implications

 

of comprehensive governance, oversight review

 

Text on Financing Lebanon Force Also Introduced

In a short meeting this morning, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) agreed on the programme budget implications of its draft resolution on the comprehensive review of governance and oversight within the United Nations system and heard an introduction of a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The Committee adopted, without a vote, a draft decision, by the terms of which it would inform the Assembly that the adoption of its recommendations on the comprehensive review of governance and oversight within the United Nations and its funds, programmes and specialized agencies -- undertaken at a request by the 2005 World Summit by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) under the guidance of a Steering Committee of independent experts -- would lead to additional requirements in the amount of some $1.32 million gross for the 2006-2007 budget.  To the fullest extent possible, that amount would be accommodated from within existing appropriations.

The Secretary-General’s statement on programme budget implications of the draft (document A/C.5/61/17) was introduced by Sharon Van Buerle, Director of the Programme Planning and Budget Division, who noted that, by the text (document A/C.5/61/L.15), the Assembly would request several reports that the Fifth Committee would consider during the first resumed session next spring, including those on revised terms of reference for the proposed Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC), and strengthening of the Office of Internal Oversight Services.  During the second part of its resumed session, “if possible, but not later than by the end of its sixty-first session”, the Assembly would ask for reports on enterprise risk management and an internal control framework; results-based management; and an accountability framework.

According to the statement, preparation of the reports on the IAAC revised terms of reference and strengthening of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) would not entail additional resources.  However, in-house expertise would need to be augmented by, among others, expertise from within the United Nations system, the United Nations Chief Executives Board for Coordination machinery and consultancy in order to comprehensively address:  enterprise risk management; an internal control framework; results-based management; and an accountability framework.

Presenting an oral report by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), its Chairman, Rajat Saha, said that preliminary estimates for the report on enterprise risk management and an internal control framework amounted to $404,100; for the report on results-based management, $508,000; and for the accountability framework, $404,100.  As for the scope of the three reports requested in paragraph 4, they would encompass the elements specified in the draft and should also take into account relevant comments of the ACABQ.  The Advisory Committee noted that, to the fullest extent possible, the requirements for the studies would be accommodated from within the appropriations under relevant sections of the current budget and reflected, as necessary, in the second performance report.

Also this morning, the representative of South Africa, on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, introduced a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (document A/C.5/61/L.17).  By the text, the Assembly would authorize the Secretary-General to enter into commitments for the period from 1 July 2006 to 31 March 2007 for an amount not exceeding $257.34 million, inclusive of the $50 million previously authorized, and in addition to the $97.58 million already appropriated.  The request for commitment authority was presented pending submission of a fully revised budget, following the decision of the Security Council, in its resolution 1701 (2006) to enhance the mandate of force and increase its strength to a maximum of 15,000 troops.

The Assembly would also decide, without setting a precedent, to authorize the utilization of not more than $750,000 for temporary fuel assistance for the Force to assist the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon.  It would also stress, once again, that Israel pay $1.12 million resulting from the incident at Qana on 18 April 1996 and request the Secretary-General to ensure the full implementation of some 12 resolutions in that regard.

Nigeria’s representative informed the Committee that, during negotiations coordinated by her, no consensus on the text had been reached.

The Committee will hold its next formal meeting at a date to be announced.

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For information media • not an official record