Sixty-second General Assembly

Fifth Committee

43^rd Meeting (AM)

SPEAKERS UNDERSCORE VALUE OF QUICK-IMPACT PROJECTS AS FIFTH COMMITTEE CONSIDERS

PROPOSED BUDGETS FOR PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS IN TIMOR-LESTE, LIBERIA

 

Delegates this morning stressed the importance of speedily implementing quick-impact projects in building confidence among local populations as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) took up the proposed budgets for the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste ($173.44 million) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia ($603.7 million).

However, some members disagreed with the assessment of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) that the structure of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) continued to be top-heavy and out of proportion to the Mission’s size, especially when compared to the structure of larger and more complex missions.  The Advisory Committee’s recommendations would entail a reduction of $597,800 in the proposed budget for UNMIT, essentially as a consequence of the non-approval of five international posts and one United Nations Volunteer.

The representative of Brazil, while supporting the provision of all resources necessary for the full implementation of quick-impact projects in order to establish and build confidence between missions and local populations, said he did not share the view that UNMIT’s structure was top-heavy, stressing that every Mission had its own mandate, complexities and operational requirements.  The General Assembly should not use templates or a “one-solution-fits-all” approach in peacekeeping matters.

Also disagreeing with ACABQ was the representative of Australia, who also spoke on behalf of Canada and New Zealand, contending that the structure of UNMIT matched its mandate and cooperation with international partners in Timor-Leste.  There was need for caution when planning for the future of UNMIT, including any possible drawdown of police personnel or other substantial changes, since the situation in Timor-Leste remained fragile.  Future planning must also take into account UNMIT’s entire mandate, including the range of capacity-building and humanitarian responsibilities.

As for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Algeria’s representative, speaking on behalf of the African Group, concurred with the recommended approval of a proposed $1 million for quick-impact projects in that Mission’s budget for 2008/09.  The African Group also welcomed the proposed conversion of international posts into national posts and commended UNMIL’s capacity-building efforts through projects aiming to assess and certify 120 staff in vocational skills and 60 administrative staff in professional administration.

Also addressing the Committee today were the representatives of Argentina and Liberia.

Introducing the reports before the Committee were the Officer-in-Charge of the Peacekeeping Financing Division in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee.

The Fifth Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 23 May, to discuss the United Nations Logistics Base.

Background

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to take up the budgets of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).  Before it were the Secretary-General’s performance reports and budget requests for the two Missions, as well as the related reports of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).

According to the performance report on the budget of UNMIT for the period from 25 August 2006 to 30 June 2007 (document A/62/645), the General Assembly needs to decide on the treatment of the unencumbered balance of some $37.97 million with respect to the period, and the treatment of other income/adjustments for the period amounting to $1.1 million from interest income ($1 million) and other/miscellaneous income ($77,100).

The budget request for UNMIT for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 (document A/62/753) amounts to some $173.44 million and provides for the deployment of 34 military liaison and staff officers, 1,045 United Nations police officers, 560 formed police unit personnel, 444 international staff, 973 national staff and 139 United Nations Volunteers.

A note by the Secretary-General on financing arrangements for UNMIT for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 (document A/62/796) states that recent developments and the prevailing security situation in the Mission area have necessitated adjustments in the operational requirements of UNMIT.  As a result, the planned drawdown of United Nations police personnel, on which the 2007/08 budget was predicated, has been postponed.  Accordingly, additional resources are required to support the continued deployment of United Nations police personnel until the end of the 2007/08 period.

The note states that additional requirements also arise from the accelerated recruitment of international staff and the retention of international staff to support the continued deployment of police personnel, as well as from the retention of temporary staff and United Nations Volunteers beyond 1 July 2007 owing to the postponement of parliamentary elections until 30 June 2007.  The projected additional expenditures under ground transportation are attributable to unforeseen requirements stemming from the retention of United Nations police personnel and a new fuel contract.  Additional requirements projected for the 2007/08 period are currently estimated at $25.87 million gross ($24.43 million net), of which $9.43 million gross will be accommodated from within the appropriation approved by the General Assembly for the 2007/08 period, resulting in additional requirements of $16.43 million gross ($14.99 million net).

According to the performance report on the budget of UNMIL for the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 (document A/62/648), the Assembly needs to decide on the treatment of the unencumbered balance of some $38.41 million with respect to the period, and the treatment of other income for the period amounting to some $46.09 million from interest income ($8.9 million), other/miscellaneous income ($4 million) and savings on or cancellation of prior-period obligations ($33.15 million), offset by prior-period adjustments ($8,400).

The budget request for UNMIL for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 (document A/62/764) amounts to some $603.7 million, exclusive of budgeted voluntary contributions in kind in the amount of $52,800.  It provides for the deployment of 215 military observers, 11,602 military-contingent personnel, 582 United Nations police officers, 605 formed police units personnel, 549 international staff, 1,049 national staff, inclusive of 57 national officers, and 251 United Nations Volunteers.  The international and national staffing establishment includes two international and two national positions funded under general temporary assistance.

Introduction of Reports

JAYANTILAL KARIA, Officer-in-Charge, Peacekeeping Financing Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, introduced the reports of the Secretary-General.

SUSAN MCLURG, Chairperson of ACABQ, introduced that body’s report on UNMIT (document A/62/781/Add.11), saying that its recommendations would entail a reduction of $597,800 in the proposed budget, essentially as a consequence of the non-approval of five international posts and one United Nations Volunteer.

She noted that for 2006/07, the period during which UNMIT had been established, the performance report had shown an underexpenditure of some 20 per cent, mainly due to delayed recruitment of civilian staff and delays in the establishment of UNMIT in 65 subdistricts.  In short, a number of difficulties had been experienced in the process of planning the Mission, due in part to the volatile nature of the environment in its area of operation.

ACABQ had once again commented on the Mission’s organizational structure, which continued to be top-heavy and out of proportion to its size, especially when compared to the structure of larger and more complex operations, she said.  However, the Advisory Committee had not yet recommended changes, since it understood that the Secretary-General would be submitting a report to the Security Council before 1 August 2008, including recommendations for possible adjustment in UNMIT’s mandate and strength.

She said ACABQ had also noted that, in the first quarter of 2008, an expert mission had conducted a thorough assessment of the requirements of the national police and possible adjustments to UNMIT’s police skill sets.  The Advisory Committee was, therefore, recommending that the Secretary-General review the Mission’s management structure on the basis of the results of the Security Council’s consideration of his forthcoming report, and reflect any changes in the proposed budget for 2009/10.  ACABQ had also remarked on the vacancy situation, which continued to pose serious challenges to the Mission, particularly at the senior management and professional levels.  It had requested the Mission to work closely with Headquarters and report on progress made on the arrangement of its vacancies in the context of the next budget submission.

Introducing ACABQ’s report on UNMIL (document A/62/781/Add.10), she said the Advisory Committee had recommended the approval of the Secretary-General’s budget proposal for the Mission in 2008/09.  The Advisory Committee welcomed the Secretary-General’s initiatives to phase out the practice of hiring individual contractors for functions of a continuing nature, as well as the conversion of international posts into national posts, which contributed to the building of national capacity.

On the proposed provision of $1 million for quick-impact projects, she said that while ACABQ recognized that the Mission was in a drawdown phase, it, nevertheless, saw merit in the implementation of such projects.  The Advisory Committee, therefore, recommended approval of the $1 million for 2008/09.  With regard to the Mission’s drawdown and eventual withdrawal, ACABQ emphasized the importance of the roles and responsibilities of the United Nations country team in progressively taking over tasks performed by UNMIL in order to ensure a successful transition from recovery to development.

Statements

EDWINA STEVENS (Australia), speaking also on behalf of Canada and New Zealand, said they were strong supporters of UNMIT and its significant work in Timor-Leste, which was at an important juncture and continued to need long-term international support.  The group was heartened by the Timorese Government’s response to the events of 11 February, the recent return home of President José Ramos-Horta and the lifting of the state of emergency -- important moments in the country’s recovery.

She said UNMIT had played a crucial role in the pursuit of the Security Council’s highly complex and demanding mandate in Timor-Leste.  The Mission had helped the Government and national institutions consolidate the country’s democracy and further national reconciliation.  A key partner in security sector reform and in cementing a culture of respect for human rights and the rule of law, it also played an integral role in helping improve humanitarian conditions in the country.

Welcoming the Secretary-General’s prudent approach with regard to UNMIT’s 2008/09 budget, she said the recommendation for the Mission’s staffing structure reflected a review of human resources requirements and validated its current staffing structure.  A report on the Mission, based in part on the comprehensive analysis of an expert mission led by the United Nations Police Adviser, would be presented to the Security Council by 1 August.  UNMIT’s role, particularly in providing security and supporting the durable reform and rebuilding of the Timorese police force, was ongoing.  However, there remained a great deal of work ahead, in which UNMIT would play a key role.  In that regard, caution was needed when planning for the Mission’s future, including any possible drawdown of police personnel or other substantial changes, as the situation in Timor-Leste remained fragile.  Future planning must also take into account UNMIT’s entire mandate, including the range of capacity-building and humanitarian responsibilities.

Having reviewed ACABQ’s comments on the levels of selected positions in the Mission, she said the structure matched UNMIT’s mandate and cooperation with international partners in Timor-Leste, she said.  However, concern remained about the continued high vacancy rate, and an update from the Secretariat on the staffing situation, which was not unique to UNMIT, would be appreciated.  The situation underlined the importance of addressing human resources management reform across the United Nations and it was to be hoped that substantive progress would be made during the General Assembly’s next session.  She also noted the information on UNMIT’s additional requirements for the 2007/08 period resulting from unforeseen, continued deployment of United Nations police.  The Secretary-General should be able to absorb $9.5 million of that amount within the 2007/08 appropriation, and she requested an additional assessment and appropriation of $16.4 million.  She was satisfied with arguments for the additional requirements.

ABDELATIF DEBABECHE ( Algeria), speaking on behalf of the African Group, noted the consolidation of peace and security in Liberia and the resulting drawdown of the Mission there.  The African Group welcomed the Secretary-General’s proposed budget for UNMIL in the amount of $603.71 million.  The expected accomplishment of UNMIL was to deliver key outputs within the frameworks of the security sector, peace consolidation, rule of law and support.  On 14 April, Ellen Margrethe Løj, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the Mission, had briefed the Security Council on the situation in Liberia, describing the country as “a place of hope”, but cautioning that the hope was tempered by a “tenuous and fragile peace”.

Noting that the drawdown phase of UNMIL took into account developments in Liberia and its immediate subregion, he said the plan should provide the time and space needed for Liberia to build up its own police and military forces, and progressively assume full responsibility for national security.  It was imperative that the Fifth Committee take a decision that would provide the Mission with the necessary resources to meet its mandate and ensure lasting peace in Liberia.

Welcoming the proposed conversion of international posts into national posts, he commended UNMIL’s capacity-building efforts through projects aimed at assessing and certifying 120 staff in vocational skills, and certifying 60 administrative staff in professional administration.  The African Group also attached great importance to the implementation of quick-impact projects, sharing the view of the Advisory Committee, which saw merit in their implementation at the current drawdown stage of the Mission.  The Group concurred with the recommended approval of the $1 million proposed for the Mission’s quick-impact projects in 2008/09.

To ensure a successful transition from recovery to development, it was imperative to define clearly the role and responsibility of the country team in progressively taking over the Mission’s functions, he said.  The Group welcomed the Advisory Committee’s recommendations and stood ready to consider them further during informal consultations.  Hopefully, the Secretariat would provide the Committee with a detailed explanation of the potential impact that any proposed resource reduction might have on the Mission’s work.

PAULO ROBERTO CAMPOS TARRISSE DA FONTOURA ( Brazil) said UNMIT must have all the resources it needed to help Timor-Leste strengthen its institutions and foster socio-economic development.  The Mission should be able to help the Government and people of Timor-Leste consolidate democracy and further national reconciliation through its good offices and promotion of long-term stability-enhancing measures.  It should also help the country design and implement poverty eradication and economic growth policies.  Brazil welcomed UNMIT’s work in assisting the Government in the areas of good governance, electoral assistance and administration of justice, and called on relevant United Nations departments, such as the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, to support and work with the Mission.

Recalling the February attempts on the lives of President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, he condemned the violence and called on all forces in Timor-Leste to renew their efforts to maintain order and solve political issues through understanding and peaceful dialogue.  Recent events and the prevailing security situation on the ground required adjustments in the operational requirements of UNMIT.  As a result, the planned drawdown of police personnel on which the 2007/08 budget had been predicated had been postponed.  Therefore, Brazil supported the additional resources requested by the Secretary-General to address the security situation, including faster recruitment of international staff, and urged him to increase his efforts to reduce vacancy rates in the Mission as a matter of urgency.

While agreeing with the Advisory Committee that quick-impact projects were very important for establishing and building confidence between the Mission and local populations, he said, however that he did not share ACABQ’s view that the Mission’s structure was top-heavy.  UNMIT could not be compared with other missions, each of which had its own mandate, complexities and operational requirements.  The General Assembly should not use templates or a “one-solution-fits-all” approach in matters of peacekeeping.  In any event, Brazil was pleased that ACABQ had not recommended changes at the present time, in view of the Security Council’s forthcoming consideration of the report on Timor-Leste.  Brazil supported a sovereign, stable, democratic and developed Timor-Leste, and by adopting the budget for UNMIT, all Member States were helping the country become a success story.

ALEJANDRO TORRES LEPORI ( Argentina) expressed his support for the comments expressed by the previous speakers, particularly Brazil’s statement on UNMIT, saying that his country was concerned about the delayed implementation of quick-impact projects in Timor-Leste.  Argentina had always supported the speedy implementation of such projects and, as such, needed an explanation for delays in implementing them.  Argentina also understood that ACABQ had cut some posts in the Mission and would be carrying out consultations in that regard during informal discussions.

JEFF GONGOER DOWANA SR. ( Liberia), supporting the statement by Algeria’s representative on behalf of African Group, thanked the international community for its hard work in his country.

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For information media • not an official record