Delegates urged greater application of United Nations policies to crack down on fraud and corruption and results-based management, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today examined progress in establishing an accountability system in the United Nations Secretariat.
Speakers commended the substantial savings rendered in constructing a new facility at the Arusha premises of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, but expressed concern over delays in implementing the $8.8 million project, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) examined the sixth progress reports on the subject.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) opened the first part of its resumed seventy-first session today with a review of its 2017 provisional work programme, the 2016-2017 programme budget for special political missions concerning Syria and the status of implementing the Organization’s information and communications technology (ICT) strategy, among other matters.
As it managed the first year of the current 2016-2017 budget cycle and zeroed in on ways to make the Organization run more efficiently in a world facing fiscal constraints, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today approved 14 resolutions and two decisions on a wide range of management and fiscal issues.
Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today examined the 2016-2017 programme budget for special political missions, with many expressing high hopes for the new mission in Colombia charged with implementing the November peace accord, and others requesting more clarity on support provided by the Office of Special Adviser for Conflict Prevention, including in Burundi.
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.
Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today gave mixed reviews of the Secretary-General’s plans to consolidate the United Nations fragmented administrative services, which if properly implemented, would improve its ability to serve global duty stations and field offices through a leaner, more effective and cost-efficient structure.
Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today shared their views on the United Nations efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse in its ranks, stressing the need for a more cohesive approach to eradicating the problem that included adherence to its zero-tolerance policy and training for peacekeepers, both before deployment and in the field.
Delegates supported the restructuring of the body charged with enhancing the Organization’s partnership with the African Union on peace and security matters, but asked for more details on staffing and operations as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today examined the Secretary-General’s proposal on the matter.
Speakers highlighted both the successes and serious issues related to implementation as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today examined progress over the past year in rolling out Umoja, the United Nations ambitious business management project.
