Budget Committee Adopts Work Programme of Current Session, Considers Proposed Funding for New United Nations Mission to Fight Ebola Outbreak
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today adopted the work programme for its sixty-ninth session and began its examination of the Secretary-General’s budget proposal for the United Nations operation to fight the Ebola outbreak, the Organization’s first-ever emergency health mission.
Opening the session, Committee Chairperson František Ružička (Slovakia) called for efficiency, transparency and inclusiveness in its work and asked delegates to shorten their statements, noting that a loss of 15 minutes in each meeting would amount to a loss of 21 hours for the entire session. “In this time, almost 300,000 babies are born and 136,000 people die,” he said.
In the ensuing discussion, several representatives cautioned against closed-door consultations in small configurations, while others requested timely issuance of documents, particularly reports on budget items, as their late availability had been detrimental to making informed decisions.
The Committee then began its substantive work by taking up the issue of resource allocation for the newly established United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) and the Office of the Special Envoy on Ebola.
Presenting the Secretary-General’s preliminary funding proposal, Susana Malcorra, his Chef de Cabinet, requested approval of $49.9 million for the rest of the year. The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) endorsed that amount and recommended that the General Assembly approve it.
Several representatives argued, however, that the proposal must be revised to focus more on core activities of UNMEER, while others sought more detailed information on how the Mission would “deliver as one”.
Bolivia’s delegate, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said the Secretariat should provide a detailed budget and comprehensive information on the Mission’s structure and budgetary arrangements. He would carefully examine its resource requirements, particularly for staffing.
Togo’s delegate, speaking for the African Group, said that approval of the $49.9 million would in no way mean an endorsement of the Mission’s structure set forth in the Secretary-General's report. The current proposal must be revised to ensure an effective response to the situation on the ground, and to guarantee that resources were used for substantial activities and not top-heavy administrative structures.
A representative of the European Union Delegation stressed the need for all partners to coordinate their actions and expertise, and to avoid duplication. The Union looked forward to receiving more comprehensive information on the concept of the Mission, its relationship with other United Nations entities, operational targets and the timeline, as well as its funding requirements, structure and organization, within the context of the detailed budget to be submitted by the Secretary-General in November.
Also speaking today were the representatives of Singapore (on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Costa Rica (on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), Japan, United States, Russian Federation and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 7 October, to consider its agenda items on the scale of assessments for the apportionment of expenses of the United Nations and on programme planning.
Organization of Work
SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOLÍZ (Bolivia), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, said that the Group intended to carefully examine several items of the agenda, including the proposed programme budget outline for the biennium 2016-2017, the Capital Master Plan, the revised estimates and programme budget implications for the 2014-2015 budget cycle, the independent recosting study, the first performance report on the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015, the scale of assessments, human resources management, and the United Nations common system. Noting his Group's concern over the late issuance of several important reports and other documentation, he added that that affected deliberations. The Group accepted the programme of work on the understanding that it would be reviewed and amended after the first week, as needed.
KAREN TAN (Singapore), speaking on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said that the regional bloc would pay close attention to such agenda items as the special political missions, human resources management, and the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015. ASEAN would attach great importance to the discussions on the funding and backstopping of special political missions, including the creation of a separate account. She called for timely issuance of reports, citing the Committee's heavy and complex agenda.
PAULA COTO-RAMÍREZ (Costa Rica), speaking on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), said that the Community would pay close attention to the proposals on the agenda that were of interest to its region. She was referring in particular to the funding and backstopping of special political missions, the first performance report of the programme budget for the biennium 2014-2015, the proposed programme budget outline for the biennium 2016-2017, the Report on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), human resources management, the United Nations common system and the independent study on recosting.
The funding and backstopping of the special political missions of the Community's region were of importance, particularly discussions on the Organization’s "inadequate" funding mechanisms, she said. Measures to improve those had been recommended by the Secretariat and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) in 2011. The Community supported the establishment of a separate account that would be budgeted, funded and reported upon on an annual basis with a financial period of 1 July to 30 June. Holistic reform of the special political missions was needed. It was important to have the complete official documentation for the Committee’s consideration available in a timely manner.
KODJOVI DOSSEH (Togo), speaking on behalf of the African Group and associating himself with the Group of 77 and China, expressed concern about the delayed issuance of documents, which had become detrimental to making informed decisions. He called for the timely issuance of reports so they could be effectively considered. The Group looked forward to discussions, particularly on the financing of peacekeeping operations and special political missions, including the possibility of establishing a separate account for special political missions, which was "long over due". It was also interested in deliberations on the management of facilities, including those of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the United Nations Office in Nairobi, and the newly established United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). He urged for open and inclusive debates and warned against closed-door negotiations in small configurations.
IOANNIS VRAILAS, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation, said the Committee's long and heavy agenda included many important and complex topics such as human resources management, various construction issues and property management, as well as numerous budgetary items. The Union looked forward to a constructive dialogue on all the proposed agenda items and it would carefully examine the proposals from the Secretary-General on those matters and the corresponding ACABQ reports. For the Committee to complete its programme of work by 12 December, negotiations had to be conducted in an efficient and constructive spirit, and documentation had to be available in a timely manner, particularly reports related to budget items.
HIROSHI MINAMI (Japan) recalled that the peacekeeping budget was adopted on 3 July, after the official date of completion of the Committee’s work. Timely submission of required documentation would help the Committee meet its session’s end date. In consideration of performance reports of the 2014-2015 budget and the 2016-2017 budget outline, any potential additional requirements would be carefully scrutinized by Japan. The contingency fund limit was not properly observed in the previous budget; it should be adhered to strictly. The budget outline assessment report’s call for a fresh look at needs was timely, and discussions on budgetary reform would continue. Human resources management issues would have a great impact on the Organization. With the General Assembly Hall renovation complete and discussions on how to deal with the Capital Master Plan’s $155 million funding shortfall set to begin, the Organization’s long-term accommodation needs required deep consideration. Noting the Strategic Heritage Plan project team’s request for more resources, he said alternative funding mechanisms such as public-private partnerships could reduce increased overall project costs. The peacekeeping budget would exceed its historical high of $8 billion, while implementation of Umoja and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) was vital.
CHERITH A. NORMAN CHALET (United States) said that issues discussed at the session, a "human resources year", would be some of the most critical to the success of the Organization. She reiterated her delegation's support for the new mobility policy and looked forward to discussing its progress. Strong performance management was needed in the Organization, and the United States would judge the new proposal on whether it allowed managers to measure, reward and sanction performance. Her Government was further committed to enhancing the United Nations internal justice system, and expected the Secretary-General's proposed assessment evaluating that system to determine whether its objectives were being met.
She expressed hope that the International Civil Service Commission's comprehensive review of compensation would result in a new package that would fairly and sustainably compensate staff. Strengthening and protecting the OIOS mandate as well as reaffirming its operational independence was her delegation's goal when considering that Office's mandate. Internal audit reports must be publicly disclosed. Financing various proposals as well as promoting reform of the budget process would be considered, and a budget planning figure for the 2016-2017 biennium must be decided. On the important issue of long-term accommodations for the Organization in New York, the United States endorsed the "DC-5" option.
SERGEY V. KHALIZOV (Russian Federation) stressed the importance of a balanced approach to the regular budget and the peacekeeping budget, and urged the Secretariat to enhance the effectiveness of its existing resources in a manner that would not negatively impact the delivery of mandates. UNMEER had required an urgent decision, but the Secretary-General should present more comprehensive information regarding the structure of the Mission and its specific tasks to justify his budget request. On the Organization's staff mobility initiative, he said there were still many open issues, urging the Secretary-General to present exhaustive answers so that the Committee could fine tune it. As for human resources management, the Secretary-General's bulletin on benefits, issued a few months ago, altered the legal basis set by the General Assembly in its fifty-eighth session. The Committee needed to further look into that case.
United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response
SUSANA MALCORRA, Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, introduced a report on the resource requirements for UNMEER and the Office of the Special Envoy on Ebola (document A/69/404). The preliminary resource requirements through the end of 2014 amounted to $49.9 million, which should be funded through a commitment authority. The Mission was already operating in the affected region, with more than 50 UNMEER staff deployed. The Mission would be guided by the Global Strategic Response Plan developed by the Special Envoy on Ebola in consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Anthony Banbury, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the Mission, had arrived in Accra, Ghana, on 29 September, she said. Following two days of consultations in Liberia with national authorities and other partners, Mr. Banbury went to Sierra Leone for a similar round of consultations before travelling to Guinea. Those consultations informed the detailed planning on how best to enhance the existing capacities of the United Nations and the contributions of other partners. The planning process would also inform the detailed budget proposal to be submitted to the Assembly later this year. The pace at which the Ebola virus had been spreading required a significantly increased collective effort to support the national authorities and the peoples of the affected countries, she said, calling for support for the preliminary proposal.
CARLOS G. RUIZ MASSIEU, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), introduced his body’s report on the same subject (document A/69/408). The Advisory Committee recommended that the Assembly authorize the Secretary-General to enter into commitments in an amount not exceeding $49.9 million for the period from 19 September to 31 December 2014. ACABQ would follow up on a number of issues for consideration by the Fifth Committee of the detailed budget for the Mission.
SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOLÍZ (Bolivia), speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said the international community had to take urgent measures to prevent the regional and global spread of Ebola. The epidemic was a public health emergency of international concern, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), requiring emergency plans of action to halt transmissions and care for the sick. UNMEER was the first United Nations emergency health mission and needed adequate resources to ensure mandate delivery. Implementation of its five strategic priorities was vital, especially those relating to curbing the spread of the disease.
The Group would carefully examine the Mission’s resource requirements, focusing on staffing, he said. Resources should focus on core activities, not administrative structures. The Secretariat should provide a detailed budget and comprehensive information on the Mission’s structure and budgetary arrangements. The operation of the multi-partner trust fund needed to be clarified, particularly the link between the fund’s resources and those of the Mission. ACABQ was correct on the need to clarify the specific functions and tasks of UNMEER and other partners, together with lines of accountability and responsibility. Long-term solutions were needed, including the rebuilding of health systems and alleviation of the epidemic’s economic impact.
KODJOVI DOSSEH (Togo), speaking on behalf of the African Group and aligning with the statement by Bolivia on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said that public health issues only attracted global attention when things had gotten out of hand. The outbreak of Ebola in West Africa continued to threaten to spread to other parts of the world. The African Group was concerned that the situation might be worse than reported, and emphasized the importance of a coordinated and urgent response by the international community. The African Group further endorsed the approval of a commitment of $49.9 million for UNMEER, but noted that approval of the commitment was in no way approving the structure set forth in the Secretary-General's report. The current proposal had to be revised to ensure an effective response to the situation on the ground. The African Group emphasized the need for the revised proposal to ensure that resources were directed to substantial and not top-heavy administrative structures.
IOANNIS VRAILAS, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation, expressed his deep concern about the Ebola outbreak crisis. The Union was playing an important role in delivering assistance to the most affected areas, and had joined national and international efforts to tackle the disease as swiftly and efficiently as possible. All partners must coordinate their actions. UNMEER should work in a coordinated way to bring together the various actors, capabilities and competencies, without replacing or duplicating their actions.
He said the Union appreciated that the Secretary-General was not in a position at the time to provide accurate information on the way forward or detailed budget proposals for the Mission. In that regard, he shared the Advisory Committee’s concerns, and fully endorsed and supported all its recommendations. The Union looked forward to receiving more comprehensive information on the concept of the Mission, its relationship with other United Nations entities, operational targets, and the timeline, as well as funding requirements, structure and organization, all in the context of the detailed budget submission expected from the Secretary-General in November. The Union would thoroughly review and scrutinize the proposed budget in due course.
JUSTIN KISOKA (United Republic of Tanzania), aligning himself with the statements of the African Group and of the Group of 77 and China, took note of the Secretary-General’s report. He supported the view of the Advisory Committee that the proposed structure of UNMEER be revised and re-submitted for consideration and approval in the coming weeks. The Mission must take into account the existing leadership structures in the United Nations system to ensure that resources were dedicated to core activities, including the training of medical personnel, provision of medical facilities and medications, and logistics to combat and eliminate Ebola. He also called for clear leadership, reporting lines and accountability in responding to the crisis.
CHERITH A. NORMAN CHALET (United States) expressed her delegation's appreciation and strong support for the quick response by the United Nations to the Ebola outbreak, and sought more details on how the Mission would coordinate activities.
HIROSHI MINAMI (Japan) said that the Ebola outbreak was not only a global health concern but also an issue with regard to stability in the region. His delegation was grateful for the efforts of the Secretary-General and supportive of the Mission. Prime Minister Abe had last week announced Japan’s contribution of $40 million dollars to the effort to combat Ebola. He endorsed ACABQ’s report on the proposed budget for UNMEER. Japan looked forward to discussions on the issue, and to the Secretariat giving comprehensive, detailed and revised information on it.
Ms. MALCORRA stressed that the Mission’s establishment was an “incredibly fast-track proposal”. It was proposed on Sunday, 14 September, and was approved by the Assembly on Friday, 19 September. It was done with “unprecedented” speed. Initial resource requirements presented to ACABQ were preliminary and needed further assessment. Member States’ concern about the duplication of resources was understood, but given the size of the Ebola response, the Mission actually ran the greater risk of being short of resources. Quoting the Special Envoy on Ebola, she said there must be a 20-fold increase in funds for the response.