Sixty-eighth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

46^th Meeting* (AM)

Fifth Committee Considers Funding for Third International Conference

 

on Financing for Development, Set for July 2015

 

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) began its consideration today of the modalities of the upcoming Third International Conference on Financing for Development and the funding required to prepare for and hold the event.

Introducing the draft resolution on the matter (document A/68/L.49), Johannes Huisman, Director of the Department of Management’s Programme Planning and Budget Division, said its adoption would add $1.81 million to the 2014-2015 programme budget, including $1.73 million under section 2, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council affairs and conference management; $18,200 under section 12, Trade and development; and $63,000 under section 28, Public information.  The funds, subject to the Assembly’s approval, would be charged against the contingency fund.

By the terms of the draft, the Assembly would decide to hold the high-level Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 13 to 16 July 2015, and that all negotiations on its outcome document would take place at New York Headquarters. 

In its corresponding report (document A/68/7/Add.29), the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) questioned whether the draft’s call for an extra 60 meetings for consultations and drafting, based on the experience of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, was realistic given the significantly shorter timeframe for planned consultations and questions.  With that in mind, the Advisory Committee recommended reducing the budget for the conference and its related activities by $228,000.

Dayana Angela Rios Requena (Bolivia), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, stressed the importance of the Conference and its vital role in formulating a comprehensive approach for strengthening international cooperation for development.  She noted the nearly $2 million cost and assured the Committee of the Group’s commitment to provide the resources needed to prepare for and hold the Conference. 

In other matters, China’s representative took note of the efforts of the Committee Chair to advance negotiations on pending matters, but expressed concern over the delay, saying there would be “no winners” if that continued.

The Committee will meet again on Monday, 30 July, to consider all outstanding matters and conclude its session.

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*     The 45^th Meeting was covered in Press Release GA/11525 of 18 June 2014.

For information media • not an official record