Parties to United Nations Convention

to Combat Desertification

1^st & 2^nd Meetings (AM, PM & Night)

CONFERENCE OF PARTIES, IN FIRST EXTRAORDINARY SESSION, APPROVES 2008-2009 BUDGET

FOR UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION

 

During its first extraordinary session, the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification approved the Convention’s programme and budget for the 2008-2009 period.

The core budget of €14.9 million would pay the staff-related costs for the secretariat of the Convention, formally known as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa.  Those costs included travel, the hiring of consultants and experts, general operating expenses, the Convention’s Global Mechanism, as well as overhead and working capital reserve.

A contingency budget of €1.9 million for conferencing services was also approved in the event that the General Assembly decided not to approve resources for such services from the United Nations regular budget for 2008-2009.  The Conference of the Parties also took note of the €14.4 million funding estimate for the Supplementary Fund.  Further, it took note of the €2.4 million estimate for the Special Fund for 2008-2009 and for the seventh session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention.

The Conference of the Parties also requested that the Convention’s Executive Secretary introduce results-based management to help implement the Convention’s 2008-2018 Strategy.  That would be achieved by optimizing expenditures, improving efficiency, reallocating resources to strengthen key capacities, ensuringtransparency and clarity in accounting, and increasing support for the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies.

Opening the session, Executive Secretary Luc Gnacadja said the true challenge was not merely juggling financial adjustments through budget restrictions, but implementing a wise and accurate structural and financial reorganization of the secretariat to successfully undertake the 10-year strategic plan.  So far, the secretariat had shown commitment through relentless efforts in undertaking the “highly demanding road map” set before them.  “If we consider the multifaceted links between desertification and climate change, the whole world has a vested interest in making the Convention a tool with full capacity to contribute in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  Let our actions match what we mean in our political statements.”

In further actions the Conference of the Parties adopted its agenda and organization of work, and agreed to accredit as observers several intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including the Central American Integration System.  It also approved the report of its Bureau on the credentials of delegations.

As delegates expressed their views on the budget, the Gambia’s representative, speaking on behalf of the African Group, expressed concern over a lack of consideration of currency fluctuations, inflation and United Nations staff salary increases since 2004.

Japan’s delegate stressed that expenditures must be justified and the secretariat must make prudent financial decisions.  Japan looked forward to increased transparency and stressed the importance of full payment by parties to end the current regrettable 20 per cent non-payment level.

Portugal’s representative, speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the 10-year strategy should be implemented to explore the Convention’s full potential.

Pakistan’s delegate, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, noted the threat posed by desertification and land degradation to the ability of those countries to realize the Millennium Development Goals.

Argentina’s representative pointed out that the regular budget for desertification was much lower than the budgets for climate change or biodiversity, adding that the session should be an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to those issues.

The representatives of Nigeria, Switzerland, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Republic of Korea commented on the proposed 5 per cent budget increase.

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For information media • not an official record