Sixty-first General Assembly

Second Committee

29^th Meeting (AM)

Second Committee in agreement on need for more financial, Moral support

for United Nations University, Institute for Training and Research

Delegates Conclude Discussion on Groups of Countries in Special Situations

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) agreed, during today’s discussion on training and research, that the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and United Nations University (UNU) had achieved commendable success during the latest review period, despite their modest budgets, and deserved further financial and moral support from the United Nations community.

Marcel A. Boisard, Executive Director of UNITAR, who was on hand to introduce the Institute’s latest report, told the Committee that the large increase in the number of training programmes offered by the Institute at the time of the last biennial review was remarkable considering its small staff of around 100 people, who worked with a relatively small budget of $20 million.  In the current biennium, UNITAR -- with offices both in New York, and Hiroshima -- hoped to increase its funds by 15 per cent to $25 million, much of it coming from voluntary contributions by Member States.  Core funding, meanwhile, had reached $2.4 million in the last reporting period, and was expected to hit $4 million in the current period.

He said that, in the future, UNITAR hoped to offer courses on diplomacy, negotiations, conflict resolution and international law.  Delegates taking those courses would also learn how to implement legal instruments, while local government officials would be taught how to implement and apply the Millennium Development Goals at the grassroots level.  UNITAR also hoped to study the relationship linking research and training with strengthened institutional capacity, in order to achieve the genuine integration of research and training into all United Nations programmes.

Mr. Boisard was quick to respond to a statement by Turkey’s representative that materials used in a correspondence course on peacekeeping contained “inaccurate, one-sided and un-substantiated allegations”, by saying the Institute had made all the requested corrections, and a new text was now available.

Nigeria’s representative, meanwhile, stressed that the unresolved issue of the rental and maintenance costs of premises used by UNITAR in New York and Geneva remained a matter of concern.  “Considering the services of UNITAR to Member States, it is only fair that those issues be addressed, and that the Institute be given the international community’s collective moral and financial support,” he said.

In a question-and-answer session with the UNITAR chief, Estonia’s delegate asked how the Institute’s training activities were linked with other United Nations activities in developing countries, to which Mr. Boisard replied that 12 centres were being established worldwide to conduct “decentralized programmes” focusing on training in new techniques.

Also present was Hans van Ginkel, Rector of the Tokyo-headquartered United Nations University, who introduced a report in which that institution’s Council outlining its latest achievements.

He said 700 experts worldwide had benefited from UNU’s Peace and Governance Programme in 2005.  New institutes had been established in Belgium and Germany in collaboration with the Department of Political Affairs, United Nations regional commissions and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.  By the end of 2006, the University hoped to promote education for sustainable development through “Regional Centres of Expertise”, involving 30 schools as well as media, non-governmental organizations and companies throughout the world.

Iceland’s delegate pointed out that the University received no funds from the regular United Nations budget, and his country had been pleased to contribute by hosting two important programmes -- one on geothermal energy and the other on fisheries –- participants in which had come from around the world.  Iceland planned to increase the core funding to the UNU geothermal training programme by around 30 per cent and to the fisheries programme by 40 per cent in the coming year.

In a brief discussion with Mr. van Ginkel, Kenya’s delegate asked whether UNU would consider an institutional presence in either Vienna or Nairobi, to which the Rector explained that the University planned to enhance its cooperation in Nairobi with the United Nations Environmental Programme.  It also maintained a presence in Addis Ababa through a link with the Institute for Livestock.

Japan’s representative paid tribute to Mr. van Ginkel, whose term is set to end soon, expressing the hope that his successor would build on his accomplishments.

Earlier this morning, the Committee concluded its discussion on groups of countries in special situations, in which speakers stressed the need to enhance the level and effectiveness of official development assistance (ODA) and the importance of securing the permanent exit from external debt for least developed countries (LDCs).  Several delegates also focused on the plight of landlocked developing countries.

Speaking on that topic were the representatives of Togo, Kuwait, Nepal, Cape Verde, Qatar, Ethiopia, Uganda, Turkey, Eritrea and Guinea.

In other business, the Committee heard the representatives of South Africa -- on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China -- and Japan introduce a total of four draft resolutions.

The Second Committee will meet again on the afternoon of Friday, 17 November to take action on several draft resolutions.

Background

Meeting this morning to take up training and research, the Committee also heard the introduction of draft resolutions relating to landlocked developing countries, least developed countries, the United Nations University (UNU) and the eradication of poverty.  It was also expected to conclude its general discussion on groups of countries in special situations (for background, please see Press Release GA/EF/3166 of 8 November).

Before the Committee was the Report of the Council of the United Nations University (document A/61/31), which presents an overview of that institution’s work in 2005 in the thematic areas of peace and security; good governance; development and poverty reduction; environment and sustainability; and science, technology and society.

The report notes that the UNU receives no funds from the regular United Nations budget and is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from Governments, agencies, international organizations, private companies and foundations.  In 2005, it received investment income from its Endowment Fund in addition to operating and specific programme contributions from 14 Governments and 75 other sources.  UNU also benefited from counterpart and cost-sharing support for fellowships and other activities.  Its expenditures for academic activities, personnel and general costs in 2005 amounted to approximately $38.6 million.

As of year’s end, the University had a personnel component of about 290, of which more than 160 were professional staff, the report states.  In accordance with the institution’s mandated role as an international community of scholars, the staff included nationals of more than 50 countries, while the University’s cooperating network associates represented more than 100 countries.

Also before the Committee was the Report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Supplement No. 14), which highlights that institution’s ongoing training and capacity-building programmes.

The report (document A/61/14) says the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has continued to provide diplomats with orientation training as well as training in negotiation and mediation skills, and has familiarized the Organization’s civilian peacekeeping staff with the needs and rights of women and children during and after armed conflict.

According to the report, other areas of study offered include sustainable development and environment; decentralized cooperation and local authorities; a debt and financial management training programme; and information and communication technology.  The Institute also provides distance learning courses in 18 aspects of peacekeeping.  Over the last two years, 13,200 participants benefited from UNITAR workshops, seminars, fellowships and field-based capacity-building activities, and close to 44,000 followed the Institute’s distance learning and e-learning programmes.

The Committee began its meeting by hearing the remaining speakers on the topic of “Groups of countries in special situations”.

Statements

KOUMÉALO BALLI (Togo), aligning herself with the “Group of 77” developing countries and China as well as the Group of Least Developed Countries, said LDCs were often unable to design effective programmes to mobilize and manage external and domestic resources.  Their extreme poverty and the structural weakness of their economies further hampered their efforts to achieve socio-economic development.  Those countries required assistance under the principle of shared responsibility, and through the shared implementation of measures laid out in the Brussels Programme of Action.  Togo called on LDCs and their development partners to step up their efforts.

She said her country had encountered tremendous difficulties, especially since financial and technical assistance had lapsed.  Nevertheless, the Government had begun drafting a long-term development strategy that would involve improving productivity, building infrastructure, and instilling good governance.  Also, a general political agreement had been launched to usher the country on to the road to peace following recent tensions.  All development partners were urged to continue providing assistance.

KHALID AL-AZMI (Kuwait), noting Wednesday’s statement on behalf of the Group of 77, said broad agreement had been reached at the 2001 Brussels Summit while the Secretary-General’s report demonstrated that LDCs had made efforts to promote good governance, enhance legal systems, end corruption and promote the private sector.  However, challenges to ending poverty and promoting the education and status of women and children remained, including high rates of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Despite some economic and social development progress, LDCs faced difficult circumstances imposed by their geography, he said.  They needed partnership, and Kuwait called on advanced countries to honour their promises to assist them, especially regarding technical, financial and environmental support.  Developed countries were also urged to adopt strategies adopted by LDCs, including the Brussels Programme.

Noting that his country understood the importance of trade liberalization in promoting sustainable development, he said the Government of Kuwait had revised its trade legislation to promote development and foreign direct investment.  Developing countries must improve their trade status and take part in the Doha Round of trade talks to promote their access to international markets.  Kuwait would promote all possible means to fulfil its commitments to development in the South.  The country’s development fund had assisted many States, and had already spent some $2.5 billion, which far exceeded the assistance given internationally.  Kuwait had also given humanitarian assistance to countries affected by natural disasters.

MADHU RAMAN ACHARYA (Nepal), aligning himself with the Group of 77, the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries and the Group of Least Developed Countries, said the seven commitments of the Brussels Programme should be effectively implemented if all LDCs were to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in a timely manner.  The global community must also ensure the effective implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action with a view to strengthening trade, as well as transit and transport links, between landlocked countries and their transit neighbours.  That would reduce the burden of additional transaction costs, ensure policy coordination, promote efficient transport systems and simplify customs procedures.

The Comprehensive Midterm Review of the Almaty Programme should aim to strengthen constructive partnerships and the process of implementation, he said, noting that landlocked developing countries were hurt by the geographic disadvantages and isolation that constrained their socio-economic progress.  As shown by the Secretary-General’s report, their trade made them subject to land transportation costs that were five to seven times greater than the cost of sea transportation.

International trade was the key to development, he pointed out, stressing the need to advance the development dimension of the Doha Work Programme and the necessity of an early resumption of the related trade negotiations.  Nepal also stressed the importance of the “Aid for Trade” initiative, of effective implementation of the Sâo Paolo consensus, and of strengthening the role of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in trade-related technical cooperation and capacity building.

MARIA DE FATIMA LIMA DA VEIGA (Cape Verde), aligning herself with the Group of 77 and the Group of Least Developed Countries, said the degree of implementation of the Brussels Programme varied by country and region, with results being weakest in LDCs.  Their efforts, as pointed out repeatedly by Committee members, were constrained by several factors, among which limited resources and institutional capacity were the biggest obstacles.  Developed countries that had not done so should fulfil their commitment to allocate 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of their gross national product (GNP) as official development assistance (ODA) to LDCs.  Also, LDCs would appreciate improved access to the markets of developed-world World Trade Organization members, since trade was one of the engines of development.

Given the rise in oil revenues, she said, major oil-producing countries should contribute 10 cents per barrel produced to LDCs, particularly for infrastructure developments in the next 10 years.  In terms of the last triennial review of the Status of Least Developed Countries, there was scope for further methodological refinements in the design and application of the criteria for the inclusion and graduation of LDCs.

The Committee for Development Policy should look into making the Economic Vulnerability Index a condition for graduation, she said.  Cape Verde had started preparing its transition to leave the Group of Least Developed Countries in 2005.  In May, the Government had established a “Smooth Transition Support Group” to define a framework of partnership for the period after graduation, and it would meet again in March 2007.  Indeed, it was precisely after graduation that support from the international community was most needed.

KHALIFA HAMAD AL-MANNAI ( Qatar), subscribing to the Group of 77 statement, said today’s debate formed part of the overall review of progress achieved in alleviating poverty in LDCs.  Commitments had been made at the Millennium Summit to cut poverty in half by 2015 and make globalization more equitable.  Developing countries should no longer be marginalized.  Customs duties and non-tariff barriers remained obstacles to their access to world markets, and it was to be hoped that their goods would be freed from those barriers starting in 2008.  Political will was important in ensuring access to international markets.

Although developing countries had held great hopes for the June 2006 Doha negotiations to establish more equitable trading measures, the consensus that had emerged was disappointing, he said.  Qatar deplored the failure of the Doha talks and called for their resumption as soon as possible.  Their conclusion by 2007 was of paramount importance in the fight to eradicate poverty.

Partnerships must be strengthened to achieve the goals of the Brussels Conference, he said.  LDCs must be encouraged to establish appropriate frameworks to mobilize resources, especially in Africa, and a solution to over-indebtedness must be found.  LDCs must also shoulder their own responsibility for creating development strategies.  However, true partners in civil society and the private sector were of great importance.  For its own part, Qatar had hosted the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in 2004, and had tried to be a full-fledged partner in achieving development.

AZANAW T. ABREHA (Ethiopia), aligning himself with the Group of 77, the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries and the Group of Least Developed Countries, said lack of infrastructure had been one of the major bottlenecks in the development of LDCs, exacerbating supply-side constraints that left them unable to fully benefit from improved market access, which, in turn, made “Aid for Trade” all the more necessary.  Also, there was a need for LDCs to focus more on agriculture and rural development, as was the case in Ethiopia.  Indeed, upon the successful completion of its five-year development plan, the country’s gross domestic product had risen by an annual rate of 9.5 per cent.

He said his country had tried to overcome its food security problem by designing a comprehensive programme involving direct food interventions, a production safety net and voluntary resettlement.  Ethiopia had also achieved positive results in the health sector, where efforts were being made to increase basic health service coverage from the current 64 per cent to 100 per cent in the next five years.  Progress had also been made in decentralization, democratic governance and justice reform.  Meanwhile, a public sector capacity-building programme was being implemented at the federal and regional levels to improve human and institutional capacities.  As a result of those programmes, the World Bank’s Africa Development Indicators 2006 placed Ethiopia in the top category for policies of social inclusion, equity, economic management, structural policies and public sector management.

The progress achieved by LDCs should be reason enough for them and their development partners to intensify their efforts to achieve the goals and targets agreed in Brussels, he said.  However, technical assistance was badly needed by landlocked developing countries, especially those whose remoteness from world markets, coupled with prohibitive transit costs, made them vulnerable to serious constraints in earnings and resource mobilization.  Maximum effort was needed to implement the Almaty Declaration.

FRANCIS BUTAGIRA (Uganda), aligning himself with the Group of 77, the Group of Least Developed Countries and the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries, said that it was needless to repeat the fact that enhancing the level and effectiveness of ODA, and securing a permanent exit from external debts, was vital for LDCs.  Trade liberalization, too, would not be beneficial on its own; LDCs must also develop comparative and competitive advantages, diversify away from volatile commodity markets, add value to their exports, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and be able to attract the right kind of foreign investment.  To create those necessary conditions, LDCs needed additional resources as well as help to cope with the costs of adjustment to market openness and globalization.  For that, the Doha Round should be revived and its development promise realized quickly and urgently.  Development partners must appreciate the position of LDCs on fundamental issues affecting the implementation of the Brussels Programme.

Turning to the Almaty Programme, he said prohibitive transit costs were a big hindrance in efforts to promote trade and build competitiveness in the international market.  Uganda was currently taking part in regional efforts to establish a transit regime for the Great Lakes region, which extended from Kenya to Rwanda and Burundi, as well as the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and southern Sudan.  Since 1996, major policy reforms were undertaken to increase the efficiency of transit operations between Rwanda and Uganda, as well as between Kenya and Uganda, through an improved railway system that had cut the travel period to the Mombasa seaport from three weeks to one.  Further efforts were being made to establish a second access route to the sea through the port of Dar-es-Salaam, in the United Republic of Tanzania.  For the success of such projects, Uganda appealed for increased support from others, including through South-South cooperation.

DAMLA SAY (Turkey), aligning herself with the European Union statement, said her country considered the High-Level Meeting on the Midterm Comprehensive Global Review of the Brussels Programme a significant achievement and was fully committed to its implementation.  Significant progress had been achieved since its initiation, and Turkey commended LDCs on their efforts to achieve economic progress through structural reform, trade liberalization and privatization.

Despite those efforts, much work remained, especially in reducing extreme poverty, as life expectancy in LDCs continued to decline, she said.  Promotion of economic growth, sustainable development as well as human and institutional capacities was essential to improving conditions for more than 600 million people in 50 LDCs.  As a donor to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Turkey was strongly committed to helping LDCs, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.  Its humanitarian assistance had grown in 2005 and the first half of 2006, mainly through its involvement with the World Food Programme.  Turkey was a major donor in efforts to resolve the food crisis in Africa.

Noting that international trade was vital for development, she said her country attached importance to the development of bilateral commercial relations with developing countries and was ready to cooperate in the areas of agriculture, health, environment and good governance.  Promoting Turkish investment in developing countries was also a major component of Government policy.

TESFA ALEM SEYOUM (Eritrea), aligning himself with the Group of 77 and the Group of Least Developed Countries, said he had spoken repeatedly of the need for the full implementation of the Brussels Programme at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Board meetings, where his country was a member.  By the end of today’s meeting, the African continent, where 34 out of 50 LDCs were to be found, would have buried at least 5,500 people -- the number dying every day from HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.  The continent would have 40 million AIDS orphans by 2010 if no action was taken to stop that killer disease.

Another 24,000 people died every day from hunger, three quarters of them children under the age of five years, she said.  At least one child would die every 15 seconds from water-related illnesses.  In September 2000, the United Nations had promised to the world’s poor that their poverty would be cut by half, and that the death rate of children under five would be reduced.  Those promises should remain the international community’s priority and to enjoy true commitment rather than mere “involvement”.

Committed to doing its best to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by investing millions of dollars in infrastructure and food security, Eritrea looked forward to graduating from the Group of Least Developed Countries, he said.  For rich and middle-income countries, doing their best required such sacrifices as changing consumption patterns –- eating and drinking less while cutting excess, and sharing wealth with the poor.  For poor nations, it could mean good governance, effective use of aid funds, fighting corruption and accountability, among other things.  In pursuing those endeavours, rich and poor countries should work together, rather than being divided by politics.

MOHAMED CHERIF DIALLO ( Guinea), aligning himself with the Group of 77 and the Group of Least Developed Countries, said LDCs had achieved progress in economic and social indicators, particularly governance, as they strove to implement the Brussels Programme.  Despite their efforts, though, and those of their development partners to reduce indebtedness, the current economic results could not conceal the existence of poverty.  Given recent trends, attaining their development goals remained a wish for most developing countries.  Guinea called for a redoubling of efforts to consolidate gains and reverse their unenviable situation.

Calling on developed countries to shoulder their burden in achieving the Brussels Programme’s objectives, he said official development assistance could help remove the obstacles inhibiting developing-country exports, as those countries had suffered most from the present impasse in the Doha Trade Round.  In emphasizing the severity of that situation, Guinea called on LDCs either to reverse it, or risk being pushed to the fringe.  Guinea also underscored the importance of the Cotonou Strategy.

He recalled that, in 2002, his country had adopted a poverty reduction strategy that singled out priority actions.  The Government of Guinea was increasingly taking the Brussels Programme’s goals into account, particularly those that focused on equity and governance, and reinforcement of human and institutional capacities.  Implementing the Brussels targets was within reach and development partners must be guided by the will to comply fully with their commitments.

Introduction of Draft Resolutions

Upon conclusion of that topic, the representative of South Africa introduced two related draft resolutions, beginning with one on the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (document A/C.2/61/L.37), by which the Assembly would urge LDCs to strengthen the implementation of the Brussels Programme, and call on development partners to increase their financial and technical support for its implementation.

He also introduced a draft on Groups of countries in special situations:  specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of landlocked developing countries: outcome of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation (document A/C.2/61/L.35).  By that text, the Assembly would urge donor countries, financial and development institutions to provide landlocked and transit developing countries with appropriate technical and financial assistance to implement the priorities outlined in the Almaty Programme of Action.

The Committee then took up “Training and Research”, beginning its consideration of the report of the Council of the United Nations University.

Introduction of Reports

HANS VAN GINKEL, Rector, United Nations University, introduced the report, saying that coordinated, but individual, reporting by the research and training institutions was an effective means to enhance cooperation and strengthen the United Nations research and training system.  Since 2000, UNU had been jointly organizing the Geneva Research and Policy Dialogue with the United Nations Office there, a process that had enhanced coordination between UNU’s Peace and Governance Programme and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, among other organizations.  Further, the appointment of a new director for the United Nations Staff College had enhanced cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.  However, it was crucial to acknowledge differences in governance and financing among the different institutions, as well as the differences in mission, target groups and activities.

Over the last nine years, the relevance, quality and impact of UNU’s work had expanded, he said, noting that in 2005, seven members of the Peace and Governance Programme had worked with 700 experts worldwide.  In addition, an external evaluation, to be conducted in 2007, would build on reports from UNU’s regular five-year evaluation.  In the period under review, new institutes in Belgium and Germany had been established in collaboration with the Department of Political Affairs, the regional commissions and the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.  Further success had been seen in the promotion of Education for Sustainable Development, through regional centres of expertise, comprising schools, media, non-governmental organizations and companies.  Some 30 centres would be located throughout the world by the end of 2006.

He said UNU contributions to the United Nations system included the Millennium Eco-System Assessment, which had involved 1,300 scientists and provided a comprehensive study of ecosystems.  The Assessment had been one of the first studies to link environment and poverty.  The UNU-Online Learning Initiative had presented the University’s open education and distance-learning resources, and in the area of peacekeeping, UNU’s 2004 conference had analysed the relevance of recent operations and discussed possible implications for Indian and Japanese peacekeeping policies.

MARCEL A. BOISARD, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), introduced the report on that institution (document A/61/14), saying there had been a large increase in the number of training programmes offered by the Institute at the time of the last biennial review.  That was remarkable, considering its small staff of around 100 people, who worked with a relatively small budget of about $20 million.  In the current biennium, UNITAR hoped to increase its budget by 15 per cent, to $25 million.  That upward trend was due to a modest increase in voluntary contributions from Member States, coupled with a noticeable increase in revenues generated by programme overheads.  Core funding during the last biennium had reached $2.4 million and was expected to hit $4 million in the current period.

UNITAR’s success was due to the introduction of innovative training methodologies, he said, citing the example of South Africa, where the Institute had cooperated with a local university to analyse practical lessons from public participation in environmental decision-making.  Following that, the Government had then charged UNITAR with helping it develop fresh laws on the management of air quality.  That example showed how research activities and capacity building could feed off each other.  In a similar fashion, UNITAR had been asked by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to take a census on work conducted by the United Nations system on the environment, and present its findings in a report.

The Institute had also been successful in its remote learning -- or e-learning -- programme, he said.  In the last five years, it had improved its e-portal, which was used as a model by training institutes in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, as well as by academic institutions.  Indeed, such partnerships, which were instrumental to UNITAR’s overall success, also included the private-sector, civil society and the centres of excellence.  Sometimes, multi-institutional partnerships were supplemented by regional network centres (12 such networks had been established by UNITAR), in the spirit of General Assembly resolutions that pointed to the relevance of training to regional organizations.

He said UNITAR had abandoned theoretical research in favour of training in the 1990s, leading it to establish a staff college in 1996.  In the future, the Institute hoped to offer programmes to the staff of Member States, in addition to those offered to United Nations staff, on diplomacy, negotiations, conflict resolution and international law.  Such courses would teach individuals how to implement legal instruments and train local government officials to implement and apply the Millennium Development Goals at their level.  UNITAR also hoped to study the link between research training and strengthened institutional capacity, which it hoped would lead to the genuine integration of research and training in all United Nations programmes.

Questions and Answers

The representative of Estonia, noting that UNITAR had developed an expertise in developing partnerships with local actors, asked how its training activities were linked with other United Nations activities in developing countries.

Mr. BOISARD responded by saying the Institute had established 12 centres worldwide that conducted “decentralized programmes” focusing on training in new techniques.  Estonia was very advanced in the area of information communication technology, and UNITAR thanked the Estonian Government for its support.

While public-private partnership activities had seen a positive response from international corporations, UNITAR had drafted guidelines to prevent it from being drawn into commercial activities, he said.  Those guidelines had been welcomed by the United Nations Global Compact Office and would be circulated in its next newsletter.  The Compact had asked the United Nations system to examine the guidelines for potential application in other negotiations with the private sector.

He said UNITAR intended to make its training centres available to the United Nations system.  Just this week, the UNDP and another agency had co-organized a seminar held in Atlanta.  UNITAR had also created, with the World Bank, a centre for water management training.

The representative of Kenya, taking note of UNU’s threat assessment that the Institute lacked sufficient coordination with other entities, said the Secretary-General’s report on system-wide coherence could address that question.

He then asked whether UNU had considered an institutional presence in either Vienna or Nairobi, as it sought a stronger presence in New York, Paris and Bonn.  In which Nairobi-based programmes was UNITAR involved?  Kenya wished to strike up a vibrant relationship involving itself, the Institute and the East African region.

Mr. VAN GINKEL said the analysis of threats to UNU had been undertaken three years ago and it was now clear that charting the University’s strategic plan would be addressed in closer cooperation within the United Nations research and training system.

On representation, he said the University would enhance its system by taking into account its existing relationships.  An increased presence in New York, Paris, Tokyo and Bonn was likely, and UNU was in talks with the Slovak Government to establish a presence in Bratislava, which was close to Vienna.  Cooperation in Nairobi with UNEP could be enhanced, and UNU also maintained its presence in Addis Ababa through a link with the Institute for Livestock.

MR. BOISARD said UNITAR had conducted training courses for United Nations-accredited diplomats for eight years, one such course having been held in Nairobi just a few days ago, as that city was a United Nations centre.  Following several Committee resolutions asking the Institute to develop seminars for multilateral organizations in other places, UNITAR had organized training programmes this year at the Beirut headquarters of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).  It would also hold two sessions apiece in Santiago and Bangkok, one in Addis Ababa and one in another African location.

Responding to the representative of Kenya, he said more than 900 Kenyan nationals had participated in UNITAR training activities, including e-learning programmes in finance and foreign debt management.  Distance learning was available for nationals of those countries that contributed troops to peacekeeping operations.  Those courses, which cost between $40 and $60 each, and also gave academic credit, had been extremely successful.

Norway and Canada had established a fund whereby UNITAR could provide free courses to participants from troop-contributing countries, he said.  In that context, there had been an increasing number of South African nationals participating in UNITAR courses.  It was important to ensure that, those who were most in need, benefited most from those subsidies.

HJALMAR W. HANNESSON ( Iceland) pointed out that the UNU received no funds from the regular United Nations budget, and that his country had been very proud to contribute to that institution by hosting two important programmes, one on geothermal energy, and the others on fisheries.  Indeed, one of the four pillars of Iceland’s policy on development cooperation was sustainable development, with an aim to increase its focus on the sustainable use of natural resources.

Since the geothermal training programme was founded in 1979, 359 scientists and engineers from 40 countries had completed its annual six-month courses, he said.  Of those, 44 per cent had come from Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Latin America.  In 2000, a Master of Science programme had been started in cooperation with the University of Iceland.  Meanwhile, in 2006, 21 UNU Fellows from 12 countries had completed the traditional six-month specialized courses.  They hailed from Azerbaijan, China, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Philippines, Turkey, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.  Nine former UNU Fellows had undertaken Master of Science studies under an agreement with the University of Iceland.

He said a workshop held in Kenya last November had involved participants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.  A second workshop would be held in Kenya later this month.  In the budget proposals for 2007, Iceland planned to increase the core funding to the UNU-Geothermal Training Programme by around 30 per cent.  As for the fisheries programme, so far 103 Fellows from 20 countries had completed it, including 36 women.  Almost half had come from Africa, and one third from Asia.  Finances from the Icelandic Government had increased by 40 per cent from the period 2004-2005, and would increase further in the coming financial year.

O. A. OWOAJE ( Nigeria), aligning himself with the Group of 77, said training and research was a key element in the growth and development of all nations, and for that reason, Nigeria was a strong partner of UNITAR.  The content and growing diversification of the Institute’s training services and activities had even been tailored, in some cases, to suit the needs of recipient countries.  Notably, UNITAR had extended its curricula for training civilian personnel in peacekeeping operations to include the special needs of women and children in conflict.  Hopefully, such training would help raise the awareness required among peacekeepers and stem the incidence of sexual abuse and exploitation of women and children.

He said his country appreciated the partnership approach taken by UNITAR when seeking the involvement and commitment of national and regional institutions to tailor its programmes to their specific priorities.  Indeed, the Secretary-General’s report clearly underlined the Institute’s policy of designing its programmes in collaboration with beneficiary Governments to ensure national ownership.

Meanwhile, the unresolved issue of rental and maintenance costs of UNITAR’s premises in New York and Geneva remained a matter of concern to Nigeria, he said.  The Secretariat should quickly find a way to relieve the Institute of that unacceptable burden, as was done with similar United Nations entities.  Considering UNITAR’s services to Member States, it was only fair that those issues be addressed and that the Institute be given the international community’s collective moral and financial support.

JIRO KODERA (Japan) said the UNU had a key role to play in today’s world, as the World Summit Outcome last year declared the issues of peace and security, good governance, development, environment and sustainability to be of major importance.  At the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis, UNU had held parallel events on open educational resources, e-government and the impact of communication technologies on economic development.  Japan called for more activities of that kind.  It was essential that UNU identify areas where research and capacity development were needed, and disseminate its outputs more broadly.  It was also essential that the University identify areas where research and capacity development were needed by working closely with the Secretariat, as well as United Nations agencies, funds and programmes.

In order to evolve, UNU must continue its reform efforts, especially at its Japan headquarters, he said.  The timely creation of activities, intensified public relations efforts, streamlining of management and development of diverse budgetary resources were key elements in that endeavour.  In that context, the Government of Japan had crafted a draft resolution with UNU which would be introduced shortly.  Japan appreciated Rector van Ginkel’s tenure and hoped his successor would build on his accomplishments while hewing to a clear vision of the University’s future.

Ms. SAY ( Turkey) welcomed UNITAR’s training activities, which had increased significantly during the last two years.  It was encouraging that more than 57,000 participants had benefited from the Institute’s activities through workshops, seminars, fellowships and field-based capacity building.  The number of participants had also increased considerably for its distance learning and e-learning programmes, and Turkey welcomed the fact that all of them were self-funded.

She also commended UNITAR’s Programme of Correspondence Instruction for continuing to work closely with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in providing self-paced distance courses on 18 peacekeeping topics.  However, Turkey was concerned that, after the adoption of the resolution on UNITAR last year, the course materials still contained irrelevant texts based on inaccurate, one-sided and un-substantiated allegations.  Since no action had been taken by the Institute to make the necessary corrections, Turkey was obliged once again to underline the urgent need for better screening of course materials.

Mr. BOISARD, responding immediately, said he had received remarks from Turkey’s representative in Geneva and in the following weeks, UNITAR had made all the requested corrections.  The new text was now available.

Introduction of Draft Resolutions

Concluding its discussion, the Committee then turned its attention to the resolution on the United Nations University (document A/C.2/61/L.36), introduced by the representative of Japan, which would have the General Assembly welcome the diversification of the University’s budgetary resources while encouraging the international community to provide voluntary contributions.

The representative of South Africa then introduced a draft resolution on the Implementation of first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006) (document A/C.2/61/L.22), by which the Assembly would proclaim the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty.

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For information media • not an official record