United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Côte d’Ivoire ‘A Success Story’, Says Permanent Representative as Fifth Committee Examines Final Budget
The 13-year-old United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) had proven a true “success story” in the history of United Nations peacekeeping operations, delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) said today, as they considered a final budget request to withdraw Mission personnel and formally end its presence in the country by June 2017.
Bettina Tucci, Assistant Secretary-General and Controller, introducing the Secretary-General’s revised budget for the 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 period, (document A/71/599), said the revised figure of $178.9 million provided for the withdrawal and closure of the operation. It represented an additional $25.8 million to the $153.05 million authorized by the General Assembly for the 1 July to 31 December 2016 period, she said, noting that the Security Council, by resolution 2284 (2016) on 28 April, had extended the Mission’s mandate for a final time until 30 June 2017.
Babou Sene, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), introducing that entity’s corresponding recommendations (document A/71/676), said they would entail a $2.99 million reduction in the revised budget for UNOCI for 2016/2017, which related to resources requested under operational costs. He trusted that more detailed information on project governance and reporting would be provided.
Claude Bouah-Kamon (Côte d’Ivoire) said his Government and people were proud to be part of a genuine success story. The priorities going forward would include the transfer of UNOCI residual tasks to the Government and the United Nations country team, fostering national reconciliation and social cohesion, as well as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.
The successful reinsertion of local personnel through staff training and organization of job-related events should be ensured, he said, noting that environmental questions would take place in strict compliance with environmental norms and standards. Given the importance of those matters, the revised budget should enjoy the attention it deserved from the Fifth Committee. He regretted the late introduction of the agenda item just two days before the end of the Committee’s work, which did not foster in-depth consideration of the final budget.
Abdallah Bachar Bong (Chad), speaking for the African Group, said they would carefully examine the budget proposal as well as the ACABQ recommendations, with a view to ensuring that adequate resources would be made available to facilitate the proper closure of the Mission, including the settlement of outstanding claims, supporting national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, training, and the disposal of assets, among other activities.
He welcomed the ongoing training and capacity-building to enhance the professional competencies of staff, particularly national staff, to ensure that local personnel would be absorbed by other competent agencies. He asked about compliance with relevant regulations, including United Nations environmental and waste management policies and procedures, as requested by the General Assembly in resolution 70/286.
Fiona Grant, representing the European Union, said it was rare for the Committee to consider a final budget request for a peacekeeping operation. UNOCI had proven that peacekeeping operations could help countries successfully regain their footing after a conflict. She recalled that, at the time of the second resumed session from May to June 2016, the Secretariat was still reviewing the impact of resolution 2284 (2016) on the financing for UNOCI. Hence, the Assembly had granted $153 million in commitment authority for financing its activities between July and December.
She said the budget proposal respected the two milestones set out in resolution 2284 (2016): the end of all operational activities by 30 April 2017, and final closure by 30 June 2017, after a two-month period. The Union would scrutinize all aspects of the proposed budget, in line with the principle of strict budgetary discipline, to ensure resources were used effectively. She trusted that all steps would be taken to ensure UNOCI’s closure with full respect for the environment.
The Fifth Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m., on Thursday, 15 December, to hear a statement by the General Assembly President and to consider for 2016-2017 the programme budget of special political missions, programme budget implications of various resolutions, revised estimates due to resolutions and decisions adopted by the Human Rights Council, the consolidated statement of programme budget implications and revised estimates of the contingency fund, and the first performance report of the programme budget.