Sixty-seventh General Assembly

Fifth Committee

34^th Meeting (AM)

Funds Critical for Start-up Operations of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated

Stabilization Mission in Mali, Senior Official Tells Fifth Committee

 

A senior Secretariat official asked the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today to meet the start-up requirements of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) by approving $454.43 million in financing for the 25 April to 31 December 2013 period.

David Curry, Director, Peacekeeping Financing Division, underscored that those funds, which include nearly $84 million already approved by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), were critical for the Mission’s operation.

Introducing the Secretary-General’s note on the financing arrangements for MINUSMA for the period from 1 July to 31 December 2013 (document A/67/863), Mr. Curry added that the Mission’s budget for the 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 period would be sent to the General Assembly during the main part of its sixty-eighth session.

MINUSMA was established by Security Council resolution 2100 (2013) of 25 April to take over the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) as of 1 July 2013, as well as the United Nations Office in that country.  The Mission aims to work with Mali’s transitional authorities for an initial 12‑month period to stabilize the country’s populated areas and re-establish State authority throughout the country.  The funds would meet the Mission’s most immediate start-up requirements, including deployment of troops and staff.

Weighing in with the ACABQ report (document A/67/877), Chair Carlos Ruiz Massieu said the Advisory Committee supported the Secretary-General’s proposal to commit the $454.43 million, but recommended a 10 per cent cut in the assessment of the commitment authority to Member States.  One reason for this reduction was that the Secretariat’s request for 23 backstopping positions at Headquarters should show up in the support account proposal, rather than the commitment authority request.

He went on to say that the need for those 23 positions was questionable since additional positions should develop at Headquarters with the closure of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT).  In addition, the Advisory Committee viewed the large number of construction projects envisioned by the Secretariat for the period as unrealistic and it had considered the low expenditure pattern of the existing $83.69 million already committed.

In his report, the Secretary-General said the $83.69 million would be assessed from 25 April to 30 June 2013 and the balance of $370.74 million would be assessed from 1 July to 31 December 2013.  More than half of the funds ‑ $189.17 million ‑ would pay for operational costs; another $133.86 million for military and police personnel; and $47.7 million for civilian personnel.  By 31 December 2013, the Mission expected to deploy 10,309 military and police personnel.  The peacekeepers would support the implementation of the transitional road map, protect civilians and help ensure their human rights, and support humanitarian aid and justice.

The Committee will reconvene at 3 p.m. Friday, 31 May, to conclude the current session.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record