SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES BUDGET, URGES RETURN TO CONSENSUS DECISION-MAKING

The following statement was issued on Saturday, 22 December, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General thanks the Members of the General Assembly for their efforts to reach a budget level for the United Nations sufficient to preserve efficiency and fiscal discipline, while maintaining the priorities of the Organization.

The Secretary-General welcomes the General Assembly adoption of the 2008-2009 budget at $4.17 billion, but regrets that the resolution was not adopted by consensus, marking a break with tradition after 20 years.

The Secretary-General urges all Member States to return to consensus decision-making and to demonstrate a greater sense of flexibility and compromise, beyond individual national interests and in the common cause of multilateralism for the good of humankind.

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