Fifth Committee Examines Budget Proposals for Cyprus, Darfur Peacekeeping Operations, Plus Final Funding Outlays of Five Closed Missions
Recent developments on the ground necessitated additional budgetary resources for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) heard today, as it took up resources proposals for a pair of active peacekeeping operations, as well as the final budget performance of several closed missions.
Maria Costa, Director of Peacekeeping Financing Division, introducing the Secretary-General’s reports on the 2014/15 budget performance of and proposed 2016/17 resources for UNFICYP — documents A/70/580 and A/70/717, respectively — said the Mission would need $55.5 million from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, an increase of 5.6 per cent over the 2015/16 fiscal period.
In response to the new political climate due to the resumption of intercommunal talks since May 2015, UNFICYP would open additional crossing points and set up a new mine action programme, among other additional confidence-building measures, she said. The Secretary-General’s 2016/17 proposed budget reflected the increase in authorized strength of 28 military personnel and the proposed establishment of eight posts. Further, UNFICYP would restructure its Mission Support Division to align the structure of the Force with other peacekeeping missions with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of support functions.
Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ABACQ) presented that body’s corresponding report on UNFICYP, document A/70/742/Add.7, recommending a $642,000 reduction to the Secretary-General’s proposal for the upcoming 2016/17 period. The Advisory Committee believed that developments on the ground in Cyprus justified the establishment of five new civilian posts, but that a staffing review of UNFICYP should be completed prior to the next budget submission for the 2017/18 period, and that the Mission should not purchase replacement vehicles until it updated its cost-benefit analysis comparing the cost of leasing and purchasing vehicles.
Introducing the Secretary-General’s budget reports on the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), documents A/70/583 and A/70/730*, Ms. Costa said the Operation’s proposed resources for 2016/17 totalled $1.1095 billion, down 0.3 per cent from the previous period. The decrease was primarily due to the proposed abolishment of 53 international posts and proposed conversion of nine international posts to national General Service posts. That would be partially offset by increased requirements for military contingents due to the application of a lower vacancy factor.
The protection of civilians would remain UNAMID’s core mission mandate, she stressed. In that regard, the Operation would continue to work jointly on the implementation and operationalization of the revised protection of civilians’ strategy with particular focus on coordination, information-sharing and associated early warning.
Mr. Ruiz Massieu introduced with the Advisory Committee’s related report, document A/70/742/Add.6, which endorsed the Secretary-General’s funding proposals, with a few exceptions. Namely, the Advisory Committee recommended abolishing 12 long-vacant posts, reducing funds under official travel by 10 per cent and cutting the travel costs of expert panels for roster-based recruitment for field-related positions by $100,000. Further, resources for petrol, oil and lubricants under ground transportation should be maintained at last year’s levels to reflect the reduction of UNAMID’s vehicle holdings over the past financial periods.
Ms. Costa next presented the Secretary-General’s reports on the budget performance through 30 June 2015 of three closed missions: United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), document A/70/559; United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), document A/70/560; and the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic (UNSMIS), document A/70/564.
Based on updated information on cash assets, liabilities and fund balance as of 30 April 2016, the Secretary-General had proposed that the available cash balances of $35.05 million in the special account of MINURCAT, $9.07 million in the special account of UNMIT and $1.82 million in the special account of UNSMIS be credited to Member States, Ms. Costa concluded.
Mr. Ruiz Massieu, introducing the Advisory’s related reports — on MINURCAT, document A/70/856; UNMIT, document A/70/857; and UNSMIS, document A/70/858 - backed the Secretary-General’s recommendation.
Also today, the Fifth Committee recommended the General Assembly appoint Simon Hough of the United Kingdom to serve on the Committee on Contributions, following the resignation of Kunal Khatri, also of the United Kingdom.
The Fifth Committee will reconvene on Monday, 9 May, at 10 a.m. to discuss financial and Board of Auditors’ reports, cross-cutting peacekeeping issues, the support account for peacekeeping operations, budget performance of and proposals for several peacekeeping missions, and revised estimates related to implementation of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations’ recommendations.