Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today sent the General Assembly a draft resolution that would deliver $3.52 million to the Secretary‑General to ease global food insecurity, while also urging each other to make timely payments to ease the Organization’s unpredictable financial outlook.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today considered the Secretary-General’s request for $767.1 million to fund 38 special political missions in 2023, with several delegations renewing calls for a separate budget to be established to address their requirements. Delegates also raised the issue of equitable geographic representation and highlighted the disconnect between decision-making and funding of the missions.
Outlining a brighter financial picture for the Organization than in recent years, the United Nations top management official told delegates of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today that structural changes approved in June at their second resumed session have eased the need for spending restrictions.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) of the General Assembly, in New York today:
The United Nations team in Cuba launched a $42 million Plan of Action to support authorities to address the needs of people impacted by Hurricane Ian. The plan is expected to benefit almost 800,000 people and includes $3.7 million repurposed from the team’s funding and an additional $7.8 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today began its line-by-line consideration of a proposed $3.22 billion regular budget for 2023, which includes funding for 10,122 posts and would likely swing upward to $3.4 billion after re-costing.
Concerned about the rise in global food insecurity and its humanitarian impact, delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today welcomed the Secretary-General’s efforts to coordinate a comprehensive global response and supported his request for $3.52 million to facilitate implementation of two key initiatives aimed at bringing agricultural commodities from Ukraine and Russian to world markets and countries in need.
The President of the General Assembly urged Fifth Committee delegates today to transcend politics and put aside their differences as they ensure the efficient management of the Organization’s resources and assess the long-term viability of an annual budget cycle.
Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today emphasized the need for both timely payments by Member States and budgetary discipline by Secretariat officials if the Organization is to effectively carry out the mandates laid out by the General Assembly.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) elected Philippe Kridelka (Belgium) Chair on 7 June.
