| United Nations | A/50/16 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
30 June 1995
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH
Fiftieth session
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR PROGRAMME AND COORDINATION
ON THE WORK OF ITS THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION*
________________________
* The present document is a mimeographed version of the report of the
Committee for Programme and Coordination on the work of its thirty-fifth
session. The final report will be issued as Official Records of the
General Assembly, Fiftieth Session, Supplement No. 16 (A/50/16).
95-18538 (E) 140795/...
*9518538*
CONTENTS
Chapter Paragraphs Page
ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................5
Report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination on the
work of its thirty-fifth session, held at United Nations
Headquarters from 15 May to 9 June 1995
I. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION ..........................1 - 116
A. Agenda ...........................................2 - 36
B. Election of officers ............................. 46
C. Attendance .......................................5 - 96
D. Documentation .................................... 107
E. Adoption of the report of the Committee .......... 117
II. REVIEW OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND
FINANCIAL FUNCTIONING OF THE UNITED NATIONS ..........12 - 248
III. PROGRAMME QUESTIONS ..................................25 -26711
A. Proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997 ........................................25 - 24111
Section 1. Overall policy-making, direction and
coordination ........................48 - 5314
Section 2. Political affairs ...................54 - 6515
Section 3. Peace-keeping operations and special
missions ............................66 - 7117
Section 4. Outer space affairs .................72 - 7718
Section 6. Legal activities ....................78 - 8819
Section 7A. Department for Policy Coordination
and Sustainable Development .........89 - 9420
Section 7B. Africa: critical economic situation,
recovery and development ............95 - 10121
Section 8. Department for Economic and Social
Information and Policy Analysis .....102 - 11122
Section 9. Department for Development Support
and Management Services .............112 - 12223
Section 10A. United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development .....................123 - 13524
CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Paragraphs Page
Section 10B. International Trade Centre
UNCTAD/GATT .........................136 - 13826
Section 11. United Nations Environment Programme 139 -14126
Section 12. United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat) ...............142 - 14327
Section 13. Crime control .......................144 -15027
Section 14. International drug control ..........151 -15628
Section 15. Economic Commission for Africa ......157 -16229
Section 16. Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific ................163 - 16730
Section 17. Economic Commission for Europe ......168 -17430
Section 18. Economic Commission for Latin America
and the Caribbean ...................175 - 18431
Section 19. Economic and Social Commission for
Western Asia ........................185 - 19132
Section 20. Regular programme of technical
cooperation .........................192 - 19733
Section 21. Human rights ........................198 -21334
Section 22. Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees ...........214 - 21836
Section 23. United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East ...........................219 - 22237
Section 24. Department of Humanitarian Affairs ..223 -23237
Section 25. Public information ..................233 -24138
B. Evaluation .......................................242 -26740
1. In-depth evaluation of the programme on
environment ..................................242 - 24840
2. Final report on the in-depth evaluation of
peace-keeping operations: start-up phase ....249 - 26742
CONTENTS (continued)
Chapter Paragraphs Page
IV. COORDINATION QUESTIONS ...............................268 -28847
Report of the Administrative Committee on Coordination
and preparations for the Joint Meetings of the
Committee for Programme and Coordination and the
Administrative Committee on Coordination .............268 -28847
V. REPORTS OF THE JOINT INSPECTION UNIT .................289 -30451
A. Review and assessment of efforts to restructure
the regional dimension of United Nations economic
and social activities ............................289 -29851
B. Communication for development programmes in the
United Nations system ............................299 -30452
VI. CONSIDERATION OF THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE
THIRTY-SIXTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ................305 -30754
Annexes
I. Agenda for the thirty-fifth session of the Committee .............57
II. List of documents before the Committee at its thirty-fifth session58
ABBREVIATIONS
ACABQ Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions
ACC Administrative Committee on Coordination
CPC Committee for Programme and Coordination
ECA Economic Commission for Africa
ECE Economic Commission for Europe
ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
ITC International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/GATT)
JIU Joint Inspection Unit
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNRWAUnited Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East
I. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION
1. The Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) held an
organizational session (1st meeting) at United Nations Headquarters on 21
April 1995 and its thirty-fifth session at United Nations Headquarters from
15 May to 9 June 1995. It held 28 meetings (2nd to 29th meetings) and a
number of informal meetings.
A. Agenda
2. The agenda for the thirty-fifth session, adopted by the Committee at
its 1st meeting, is reproduced in annex I below.
3. In adopting the agenda, the Committee, in accordance with the decision
taken at its organizational session for 1995, decided to consider, at its
thirty-fifth session, the report of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU)
entitled "Review and assessment of efforts to restructure the regional
dimension of United Nations economic and social activities" (A/49/423). At
its 2nd meeting, on 15 May 1995, the Committee decided to consider also the
report of the Joint Inspection Unit entitled "Communication for development
programmes in the United Nations system" (A/50/126-E/1995/20), as well as
the comments of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) thereon
(A/50/126/Add.1E/1995/20/Add.1).
B. Election of officers
4. At its 1st meeting, on 21 April 1995, the Committee elected the
following officers by acclamation:
Chairman: Mr. Valeriu Tudor (Romania)
Vice-Chairmen: Mr. Jorge Osella (Argentina)
Mr. Mahmoud Barimani (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Mr. Wolfgang Stockl (Germany)
Rapporteur: Mr. Hisham Elzimaity (Egypt)
C. Attendance
5. The following States members of the Committee were represented:
Argentina
Bahamas
Belarus
Benin
Brazil
Cameroon
Canada
China
Congo
Cuba
Egypt
France
Germany
Ghana
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Japan
Kenya
Mexico
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Norway
Pakistan
Republic of Korea
Romania
Russian Federation
Senegal
Togo
Trinidad and TobagoUkraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
United States of America
6. The following States Members of the United Nations were represented by
observers:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Botswana
Bulgaria
Chile
Costa Rica
Finland
ItalyIreland
Kazakstan
Latvia
Mongolia
New Zealand
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Uruguay
7. The following non-member State was represented by an observer:
Switzerland.
8. The following specialized agencies were represented:
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
World Health Organization (WHO)
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
9. Also present at the session were senior officials of the United Nations
Secretariat. At the invitation of the Committee, Mr. Fatih Bouayad Agha,
President of the Joint Inspection Unit, also participated in its work.
D. Documentation
10. The list of documents before the Committee at its thirty-fifth session
is set forth in annex II below.
E. Adoption of the report of the Committee
11. At its 29th meeting, on 9 June 1995, the Committee adopted the draft
report on its thirty-fifth session (E/AC.51/1995/L.3 and Add.1-32).
II. REVIEW OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND
FINANCIAL FUNCTIONING OF THE UNITED NATIONS
12. At its 9th and 10th meetings, on 22 May 1995, the Committee considered
agenda item 3, entitled "Review of the efficiency of the administrative and
financial functioning of the United Nations". The Committee had before it
the report of the Secretary-General on the item (A/49/633). In accordance
with General Assembly decision 47/454 of 23 December 1992, the Committee
was requested to express its views on the roles and coverage of the
subsidiary bodies responsible for coordination, administrative questions
and budgetary matters, including the Advisory Committee on Administrative
and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), the United Nations Board of Auditors, JIU
and CPC, with a view to improving the effectiveness of their oversight and
coordination mechanisms.
Discussion
13. During the discussion, concerns were expressed that CPC needed to
consider how to apply its mandate, as set out in Economic and Social
Council resolution 2008 (LX) of 14 May 1976, more effectively and
efficiently in view of contemporary requirements and taking into account
the relevant rules and regulations.
14. Delegations noted that in order for CPC to fulfil its mandate in a
satisfactory manner, it required complete, timely and relevant
documentation. They expressed concern that those needs had not always been
met in the past. On the other hand, delegations stressed the need for CPC
to give clear indications as to its documentation requirements, in terms of
both substance and timeframes.
15. Delegations noted, for example, that the annual overview report for
1994 of ACC (E/1995/21), while providing valuable information on ACC
proceedings, did not focus sufficiently on the coordination issues that
were of primary concern to CPC. They also noted that CPC had previously
drawn attention to that problem, in paragraph 159 of its report on the
first part of the thirty-second session, 1/ where it stated:
"The report was considered too descriptive in nature. A more analytical
and forward-looking report was required in order to facilitate the tasks
and responsibilities regarding coordination of the respective organizations
that were members of ACC. The Committee emphasized that the purpose of the
report was to serve as an instrument to enable both Member States and ACC
to identify and overcome problems in system-wide coordination."
16. Delegations stressed the importance of joint meetings between CPC and
ACC as a unique forum for in-depth and concrete exchanges of views on
coordination issues. They therefore emphasized the need for such meetings
to concentrate on the coordination aspects of the subjects discussed at
them.
17. Some delegations offered possible roles for CPC to consider in
response to new emerging needs. In this context, the following proposals
were made:
(a) To develop criteria for evaluating results against prescribed
parameters;
(b) To state comparative advantages of agencies in addressing programme
activities;
(c) To provide a sense of what had been accomplished versus what was
expected;
(d) To consider zero-based analysis (value for money) and establishing
realistic performance measures.
18. Several other delegations indicated that in any possible role played
by CPC in examining new emerging needs, special consideration should be
given to the following:
(a) Follow-up of the established rules and regulations;
(b) Consideration of activities whose objectives had not been met and
identification of the obstacles that had been met in pursuance of those
objectives;
(c) Review of possible duplication or overlapping of activities within
the United Nations system;
(d) In any revision of the implementation of programmes, special
emphasis should be given to the achievements made as compared with the
difficulties encountered in achieving them, identifying their economic,
political or financial aspects.
19. Some delegations referred to other bodies responsible for oversight
and control as mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General and
commented on how to improve coordination with ACABQ, JIU and the United
Nations Board of Auditors, while taking care to avoid duplication of work.
In that regard some delegations supported a term of office of six years for
the members of the United Nations Board of Auditors.
Conclusions
20. The Committee considered that since it was the main subsidiary organ
of the Economic and Social Council, it should be informed of the views and
decisions of that body regarding reports that it had submitted in
accordance with its mandate. The need for an adequate follow-up by the
Council and its respective intergovernmental bodies was stressed.
21. The Committee recognized the need to pay more in-depth attention to
its coordinating role, which should be based on substantive issues. To
that end, the Committee considered that it required a more detailed insight
into the efforts of ACC and other relevant departments of the United
Nations in that respect.
22. The Committee considered that there should be careful preparation of
joint CPC/ACC meetings. The structure and content of the joint meetings
should therefore be determined in advance. The Committee also expressed
the need to encourage dialogue through in-depth discussions, as opposed to
orally delivered prepared statements.
23. The Committee stressed the need for the Secretariat to provide it
regularly with complete and relevant documentation, including the decisions
and resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social
Council on its reports and the memoranda on the implementation of
resolutions, prepared by the Secretariat, after each session of the
Assembly and the Council, in accordance with paragraph 2 (a) (iii) of the
annex to Council resolution 2008 (LX) on the terms of reference of the
Committee.
24. The Committee agreed to review regularly its working methods and
procedures.
III. PROGRAMME QUESTIONS
A. Proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997
25. The proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997 was
introduced by the Under-Secretary-General for Administration and Management
and by the Controller at the 10th meeting of the Committee for Programme
and Coordination on 23 May 1995.
26. The Committee was informed that the paramount consideration in
formulating the programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997 was to put
forward a proposal that responded fully and in the most cost-effective
manner to the mandates provided by Member States. The level of the
resources proposed, in comparable terms, was lower than that of the revised
appropriations for 1994-1995 and lower than that of the programme budget
outline for the biennium 1996-1997. A determined effort had been made by
programme managers to look for efficiency gains in the form of
rationalization of work programmes, improvement in productivity and
simplification of work procedures, and, as a result, there had been savings
without affecting delivery of mandated activities. The Committee was
informed that the Secretariat would continue to review overlapping and
duplication of work.
27. The Committee was also informed that the distribution of resources had
been guided by the priority areas as identified in the medium-term plan for
the period 1992-1997, as revised, 2/ and also by those reflected in the
budget outline, namely, political affairs, international and regional
cooperation for development, human rights, humanitarian affairs and
internal oversight.
28. It was pointed out to the Committee that the new format of the budget
included a self-contained part one, which gave a comprehensive picture
without requiring reference to individual budget sections. New features
included summaries of each budget section, additional information on
expenditures for the biennium 1992-1993 and information on extrabudgetary
expenditures and projections by object of expenditure.
29. At its 10th to 13th meetings, on 23 and 24 May 1995, the Committee
considered part one of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-
1997.
Discussion
30. Some delegations expressed concern for the reduction in the number of
subprogrammes in the proposed programme budget and stressed the need for
indepth consideration of this issue during the fiftieth session of the
General Assembly.
31. A number of delegations welcomed the significant reduction in resource
levels in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997, which
was to be achieved through maximum efforts at efficiency. Several other
delegations recognized the increased demands being placed upon the
Organization and stressed that a reduction in the budget should not be
perceived as meaning a reduced role for the Organization and that such a
reduction must not affect the proper implementation of all mandated
programmes and activities. Those delegations expressed concern for the
possible negative impact that the reductions could have on the
implementation of programmes, in particular those in the economic area. A
number of delegations were of the view that it was the responsibility of
Member States to ensure that there were no discrepancies between mandates
and resources, and emphasized that once the budget was approved it was
essential for Member States to meet their financial obligations by paying
their assessments in full, on time and without conditions.
32. Several delegations stressed the importance of strictly adhering to
the priorities as set in the medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997, as
revised, in particular with regard to African economic recovery and
relevant programmes, mainly programme 45. Other delegations recalled that
the General Assembly, in annex I, paragraph 1 (b), of its resolution 41/213
of 19 December 1986, had required the Secretary-General, in preparing the
biennial budgets, to indicate priorities, reflecting general trends of a
broad sectoral nature, and were of the view that the priorities indicated
in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997 were
appropriate.
33. Some delegations questioned the appropriateness of including internal
oversight among the priorities of a broad sectoral nature, emphasizing that
it was not in itself a substantive activity of the Organization or a
priority agreed by the General Assembly, and stressed that they did not
approve of the proposed increase in the budget for the Office of Internal
Oversight Services at the expense of other mandated activities of the
Organization. One delegation questioned the excessive and disproportionate
increase in the budget for the Office, taking into account that this was
not a priority decided on by the Assembly. Many delegations regretted that
the Secretariat had not taken fully into consideration the views expressed
by Member States when they had considered the report of the Secretary-
General on the proposed budget outline for the biennium 1996-1997
(A/49/310) during the forty-ninth session, and expressed their views that
the Secretariat should strictly comply with decisions by Member States.
Other delegations emphasized their support for the strengthening of the
Office, which had an important role in all programmes and stressed the need
for additional resources for that Office as proposed in the budget
proposal.
34. Many delegations expressed concern at the proposed reduction in
resources for development, despite this being a priority, and stressed the
need to ensure adequate resources for development activities. Other
delegations underlined in particular their support for the designation of
human rights, humanitarian affairs, peacemaking, preventive diplomacy and
internal oversight as priorities. Some delegations felt that priorities
like human rights and humanitarian affairs should be allotted more
resources than had ben proposed. Other delegations questioned proposals
for the provision of additional resources for human rights and humanitarian
affairs. Some delegations stressed that the programme of work for 1996-
1997 should properly reflect all mandates of the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action, 3/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights,
particularly the right to development. Some delegations also emphasized
the need to ensure that the proposed budget for humanitarian affairs was in
accordance with General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991.
35. Some delegations regretted that the Secretary-General had proposed the
transfer of posts from the peace-keeping support account to the regular
budget without any legislative mandate. Those delegations emphasized the
importance of giving equal treatment regarding the transfer of resources to
all sections of the budget. Other delegations emphasized that the
Secretary-General was mandated to carry out back-stopping of peace-keeping
operations and that the proposed transfer of posts concerned only the
method of financing, and was therefore a legitimate part of the budget
proposal for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
36. Some delegations stressed that the Secretary-General did not have the
mandate to propose the establishment at Vienna of a unit for the support of
reconstruction and development in central and eastern Europe. They
questioned some of the proposed activities to be carried out by that unit.
Other delegations, however, emphasized that the Secretary-General had a
mandate for those activities and expressed support for the transfer of the
unit as a means to implement mandated activities in a more cost-effective
manner. Several delegations noted that the Secretary-General's proposal
had referred to the establishment of a new office, while the Committee was
informed by the representative of the Secretary-General that the intention
was to transfer the Unit now at Geneva to Vienna. Therefore it was also
stressed that clearer information was required. Some delegations
emphasized that the activities related to the reconstruction and
development of central and eastern Europe should continue to be undertaken
by the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).
37. With regard to the activities not carried over from the current
biennium to 1996-1997, amounting to $92.8 million, many delegations noted
that those resources were for activities related to the preparations for
and convening of the global conferences that were held during the biennium
1994-1995, the completion of special missions such as the United Nations
Observer Mission in South Africa (UNOMSA), completion of apartheid
activities and the completion of major construction in the Economic
Commission for Africa (ECA).
38. Many delegations stressed that the decrease in the level of resources
should not affect priority areas, the economic development of developing
countries and, in particular, African economic recovery. These delegations
stressed the need to increase the level of both regular budget and
extrabudgetary resources in section 7B, Africa: critical economic
situation, recovery and development, and emphasized the importance of fully
supporting programmes relating to Africa.
39. Many delegations stressed the importance of follow-up activities to
all major conferences and expressed the view that the Secretary-General
should make every effort to provide adequate resources for the follow-up to
those conferences. They noted that adequate resources for follow-up
activities to the World Summit for Social Development, the Ninth United
Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders
and the Fourth World Conference on Women would be considered in the light
of decisions by the General Assembly. Some delegations expressed concern
that the absence of budgetary provision for these and other expected
additional activities, such as ad hoc missions, gave a misleading picture
of the level of growth in the budget. Some delegations stressed the
importance of improving coordination between the Department for Development
Support and Management Services, the Department for Economic and Social
Information and Policy Analysis and the Department for Policy Coordination
and Sustainable Development, and indicated that the division of their
responsibilities should be in accordance with their respective mandates.
40. Many delegations expressed concern at the negative impact of the
restructuring process on the implementation of some programmes. Those
delegations also emphasized that in the search for efficiency a distinction
had to be made as to the nature of the different activities. Other
delegations welcomed the fact that the efficiency savings were the result
of rationalization of work programmes, improvement of productivity related
to investment in technological improvements, simplification of work
procedures and reductions in external printing, travel, consultants,
supplies, equipment and general operating expenses, and therefore would not
have a negative impact on mandated activities.
41. A number of delegations questioned the level of consultancy resources
and the necessity for outside expertise. They expressed concern in respect
of the heavy reliance on consultants instead of use of the services of
available staff and in-house expertise.
42. A number of delegations noted that as a result of recosting, Member
States would be assessed a higher nominal amount than for the biennium
1994-1995. Other delegations stated that this situation was totally
logical, taking into account the recosting methodology currently used. One
delegation stated that this would be unacceptable and urged that
significantly greater savings be achieved for 1996-1997. Several
delegations expressed their concern over the effect of the future recosting
and stated that every effort should continue to be made to achieve cost-
effectiveness with relation to additional activities that might emerge
towards the end of this year.
Conclusions and recommendations
43. The Committee expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the
SecretaryGeneral to present a programme budget on time and took note of the
new features in the format of the budget.
44. The Committee noted that the total amount of resources requested by
the Secretary-General was below the level determined in the programme
budget outline for the biennium 1996-1997, and noted also the Secretary-
General's assurances that such a reduction would in no way affect the
implementation of all mandated programmes and activities.
45. The Committee recommended that proposals for provision of resources in
the programme budget for 1996-1997 should be derived from the medium-term
plan for the period 1992-1997, as revised, and legislative mandates adopted
subsequent to the adoption of the medium-term plan or its last revisions.
46. The Committee took note of the methodology used to prepare the
proposed programme budget.
47. The Committee noted the refinements in the presentation of the budget
and recognized that the new format included additional features,
particularly the presentation of extrabudgetary resources and their linkage
with the regular budget, as requested previously by the Committee.
Section 1. Overall policy-making, direction and coordination
48. At its 28th meeting, on 6 June 1995, the Committee for Programme and
Coordination considered section 1, Overall policy-making, direction and
coordination, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
49. Many delegations endorsed the structure of the section. Some
delegations questioned the structure of that section and stressed that a
number of bodies listed, such as ACABQ and the Committee on Contributions,
should not be considered policy-making organs but rather expert bodies
rendering technical advice to the General Assembly and other main bodies.
50. Some delegations felt that proposed increases and decreases under the
General Assembly, the Committee on Contributions, the United Nations Joint
Staff Pension Fund and the United Nations Board of Auditors should have
been explained more fully in the proposal. One delegation felt that the
level of resources provided for CPC, including staff support, was not
commensurate to its tasks. Another delegation stressed the importance of
the functions of the President of the General Assembly and felt that
resources should be allocated to enable him or her to take part in major
events outside New York during his or her term in office.
51. With regard to the provisions proposed for ACABQ, some delegations
felt that the increase in the travel provision was excessive. A number of
delegations queried the cost of airfares for spouses of members of ACABQ
and stressed that the matter should be reviewed during the forthcoming
session of the General Assembly.
52. Some delegations questioned the proposed increase in extrabudgetary
posts, particularly since the staffing of the secretariat had already been
augmented in 1992-1993. One delegation supported the level of resources
for ACABQ and recalled the continued increase in the workload of CPC as a
result of reports requested by the General Assembly, in particular those
related to peace-keeping operations. Some delegations stressed that
additional posts for the ACABQ secretariat should be made available on a
temporary basis.
Conclusions and recommendations
53. The Committee took note of the narrative of section 1, Overall
policymaking, direction and coordination, of the proposed programme budget
for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 2. Political affairs
54. At its 25th meeting, on 5 June 1995, the Committee considered section
2, Political affairs, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997.
Discussion
55. Many delegations welcomed the efforts of the Secretary-General to
streamline the Department of Political Affairs. Some delegations welcomed
the overall substantial decrease in the resources proposed. Some
delegations expressed concern as to whether sufficient resources had been
proposed for activities relating to the Security Council.
56. Several delegations considered that resources allocated to the Special
Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples were excessive. Several other delegations expressed support for
the level of resources proposed.
57. Some delegations suggested that the Department of Political Affairs
review the narratives relating to subprogrammes 1, Special political
questions, and 2, Regional, political and security cooperation, of
programme 4, Special political questions, trusteeship and decolonization,
of the medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997, as revised, 2/ with a
view to further streamlining and coordinating those activities and avoiding
apparent overlap.
58. Some delegations supported the programme narrative of subprogramme 3,
Trusteeship and decolonization, of programme 4, whose legislative mandate
was based on General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and
subsequent resolutions of the Assembly on the item. Other delegations
regarded the programme as a low priority.
59. Many delegations emphasized that the proposed activities to be carried
out under subprogramme 4, Enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of
periodic and genuine elections, with respect to provision of electoral
assistance should in all cases be in the form of responses to requests made
by Governments. Several delegations expressed their strong support for the
role and activities of the Electoral Assistance Division.
60. With respect to programme 7, Disarmament, of the medium-term plan,
many delegations stressed that additional resources should have been
proposed for the regional centres in order to strengthen them. They
regretted that the actual state of the centres did not allow them to
undertake their activities in a satisfactory manner. Other delegations
emphasized that the proposed increase for the programme of activities of
the Conference on Disarmament was not adequate to carry out the mandated
activities.
61. Many delegations welcomed the fact that the Committee on the Exercise
of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People would remain until a
just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine had
been achieved, expressed concern at the proposed decrease in resources for
programme 5, Question of Palestine, and urged the Secretary-General to
review the narrative of the programme with a view to reinstating the two
posts proposed for suppression. Many other delegations expressed their
support for the Secretary-General's proposed reduction on the understanding
that it would not affect the quality of delivery of mandated activities.
62. One delegation supported the Secretary-General's proposal that
activities related to the Office of the Coordinator of United Nations
Assistance for the Reconstruction and Development of Lebanon (UNARDOL)
should continue to be carried out and emphasized that this should be done
by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA) rather than by the resident coordinator of the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
63. Several delegations did not agree to the level of resources proposed
for consultants and travel.
Conclusions and recommendations
64. The Committee recommended deletion of the phrase "the front-line
States" in paragraph 2.48.1 (a) (iii) and the phrase "but not in Africa" in
paragraph 2.104.3 (b).
65. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 2, Political affairs, as amended, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 3. Peace-keeping operations and special missions
66. At its 26th and 27th meetings, on 5 June 1995, the Committee
considered section 3, Peace-keeping operations and special missions, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
67. Many delegations welcomed the reorganization of the Department of
Peacekeeping Operations and considered that it should improve the
Department's capacity to meet the challenges facing it. Many delegations
welcomed the streamlining of the support units for peace-keeping under the
Field Administration and Logistics Division and stressed the importance of
further improving the quality of services provided to troop-contributing
countries, mainly in the areas of logistics and personnel. Many
delegations stressed the difficulties encountered by troop-contributing
countries, especially with regard to deaths and disability claims, troop
reimbursement costs and related matters. Some delegations further
emphasized the importance of mitigating, if not completely eliminating, the
problems of troop- and equipment-contributing countries, as well as the
problems relating to death and disability claims.
68. Many delegations emphasized the importance of effective public
information support activities as a component of peace-keeping operations
and felt that a mission information unit to back-stop such field activities
should have been included in the Department of Peace-keeping Operations.
Many other delegations said that no legislative mandate existed for the
establishment of a mission information unit within the Department and
underlined their support for the decision of the Secretary-General not to
include a mission information unit in the budget proposal for the
Department.
69. Many delegations supported the Secretary-General's proposal to
transfer posts from the support account for peace-keeping operations to the
regular budget as an appropriate reflection of the increase in the
Department's core activities. Many other delegations regretted the
Secretary-General's proposed transfer of posts, despite the debate on the
matter in the General Assembly, and expressed opposition to the proposal as
there was no specific legislative mandate in this respect. One delegation
hoped there would be a clear decision on this issue at the next resumed
session of the Assembly. Another delegation suggested that the issue could
be resolved during the Assembly's consideration of the proposed programme
budget.
70. Some delegations felt that the Secretary-General should have included
financial provision in the proposed programme budget for unforeseen ad hoc
missions, at a level commensurate with the requirements for such missions
in the recent past. The representative of the Secretary-General recalled
in this connection that, in his report on the proposed programme budget
outline for the biennium 1994-1995 (A/47/358), the Secretary-General had
included such a financial provision. In its related report (A/47/7/Add.9),
ACABQ had recommended against the proposal, since, by their very nature,
those activities were generally unpredictable and the experience gained in
one biennium was not necessarily an indication of what would be encountered
in the next. Furthermore, the Advisory Committee believed that the General
Assembly, in its resolution 46/187 of 20 December 1991 on unforeseen and
extraordinary expenses, had adequately provided for any unexpected
activity. The Assembly had accepted this recommendation. It was on that
basis that the Secretary-General had not included a similar proposal in the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Conclusions and recommendations
71. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 3, Peace-keeping operations and special
missions, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 4. Outer space affairs
72. At its 25th meeting, on 5 June 1995, the Committee considered section
4, Outer space affairs, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997.
Discussion
73. Several delegations queried the level of resources proposed for the
section and expressed the view that additional information could have been
provided with respect to the activities to be carried out and the level of
resources proposed since, unlike other sections of the budget, no
reductions or efficiency gains had been proposed. Other delegations
expressed their support for the proposals since the activities were devoted
to priority questions of the Organization, as outlined in paragraph 4.2 of
the programme narrative for the section. Several delegations stressed the
important role of the activities in reducing the gap between the rich and
the poor, and the technology gap between the developed and developing
nations. Some delegations appreciated the work performed so far in that
direction.
74. Some delegations questioned the need for consultations and experts,
while others queried the projected decrease in extrabudgetary resources for
the programme and how the decrease would affect its capacity to assist
developing countries. Some delegations stressed the need to provide more
resources for consultants and experts, especially in such a technical
field.
75. Some delegations referred to the establishment and strengthening of
regional centres of excellence for promoting cooperation in space
technology and its peaceful application.
76. Some delegations questioned the increase of 2.3 per cent in budgetary
allocations in the absence of clear objectives. Other delegations
emphasized that more resources should be provided for the programmes and
activities, which had a great potential for promoting growth and
sustainable development.
Conclusions and recommendations
77. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 4, Outer space affairs, of the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 6. Legal activities
78. At its 27th meeting, on 6 June 1995, the Committee considered section
6, Legal activities, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997.
Discussion
79. Some delegations welcomed the significant reduction in the level of
resources proposed for legal activities. Others felt that the reduction
was more related to the completion of a number of activities than to
increased efficiency.
80. A number of delegations considered that the proposed reduction in
resources should not adversely affect the effectiveness of the Office of
Legal Affairs. Other delegations emphasized that additional tasks assigned
to the Office resulting from peace-keeping activities should be taken into
account in that context.
81. One delegation expressed disappointment that efforts to convert the
United Nations Treaty Information System (UNTIS) database to compact disc
read-only memory (CD-ROM) had been unsuccessful. Further efforts to
complete the computerization of the system during 1996-1997 were supported
by a number of delegations, who anticipated that it would prove cost-
effective and produce significant savings in the future.
82. One delegation suggested that consideration be given within the
programme of work of the Office to providing assistance on legal issues
related to peacekeeping operations to Member States with limited experience
in the area.
83. Some delegations expressed concern about the excessive orientation of
the workload towards peace-keeping activities, given that the Office had a
very important role to play in other areas of United Nations activities.
84. The same delegations emphasized the importance of effective
coordination between the Office of Legal Affairs and other departments and
offices, and expressed concern that the reduction for external printing
might adversely affect the availability of important publications,
including the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs.
85. Several delegations emphasized the importance of programme 2, Law of
the sea and ocean affairs, with the entry into force of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea 4/ in 1994, and expressed concern as to
whether the proposed level of resources would be sufficient to provide for
the activities under the programme.
86. One delegation expressed support for completion of the draft code of
crimes against peace and the security of mankind during 1996-1997.
87. One delegation questioned the use of the term "reform States" in
paragraph 6.62.1 (a).
Conclusions and recommendations
88. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 6, Legal activities, of the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 7A. Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development
89. At its 14th and 15th meetings, on 25 May 1995, the Committee
considered section 7A, Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
Development, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
90. A number of delegations expressed concern that the proposed level of
resources was not adequate to ensure the full and timely implementation of
mandated activities as well as the follow-up activities that had emerged
from the World Summit for Social Development and could be expected from the
Fourth World Conference on Women. They noted the statement made by the
Controller that proposed programme budget section 7A did not include
provision of resources for possible future mandated programmes and
activities arising out of legislative decisions relating to the World
Summit for Social Development or the Fourth World Conference on Women, and
that if significant additional activities were subsequently mandated,
additional resources would need to be provided for their implementation.
Other delegations welcomed the efforts to achieve efficiency savings as
well as internal redeployment of resources to allow greater focus on
priority programmes such as sustainable development.
91. Some delegations stressed the special importance they attached to the
programme on eradication of poverty, in particular in the light of the
outcome of the World Summit for Social Development and the objectives of
the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty (1996).
92. A number of delegations expressed their support for the proposals
concerning the follow-up activities related to the Global Conference on the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and to Agenda 21.
5/
93. Some delegations noted that adequate provision should be provided to
the Department to ensure maximum outreach and contact with
intergovernmental bodies on policy matters.
Conclusions and recommendations
94. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 7A, Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997, on the understanding that, should the Assembly adopt any new
legislative mandates that established new programmes and activities,
adequate resource provision would be proposed to the Assembly for its
consideration at the time of its examining and approving the budget.
Section 7B. Africa: critical economic situation, recovery
and development
95. At its 15th meeting, on 25 May 1995, the Committee considered section
7B, Africa: critical economic situation, recovery and development, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
96. A number of delegations welcomed the submission by the Secretary-
General of a separate section on Africa: critical economic situation,
recovery and development as requested by the General Assembly. Other
delegations recalled their reservation on the question. Some delegations
stressed that section 7B should comprise all the activities of the
Secretariat included within the framework of the United Nations New Agenda
for the Development of Africa in the 1990s, 6/ the financing of which was
to be covered by the regular budget. Other delegations expressed concern
that creation of a separate section 7B might diminish flexibility in,
adequate accountability with respect to, and control over the
implementation of mandated activities, and supported the SecretaryGeneral's
view that a separate budget section was not desirable.
97. Many delegations stressed the importance of adhering strictly to the
priorities set in the medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997, as
revised, 2/ in particular, with regard to African economic recovery and
relevant programmes, mainly programme 45. They emphasized that the
proposed resources under section 7B did not adequately address the needs of
Africa and felt that the resources allocated to the Secretariat units
responsible for the implementation of programme 45 of the medium-term plan
and for the contribution of the United Nations system to the implementation
of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s
were not sufficient and should be increased. They underlined, in that
connection, the important role of the Secretary-General in the
implementation of subprogramme 1, Mobilization of resources, and in
ensuring that the organizations of the United Nations system integrated
Africa as a priority into their programmes of activity.
98. Some delegations stressed that Member States were faced with
increasing difficulty in providing incremental resources and that
consequently resources for priority activities would have to be found
through internal reallocation and efficiency gains.
99. Some delegations stated that there was a discrepancy between the
titles of the subprogrammes and the description of the activities
thereunder. They considered, for example, that the proposed scope of
activities and resources under subprogramme 3 was insufficient to have an
impact in raising awareness about African economic problems.
100. Some delegations considered that the allocation of resources between
subprogrammes did not fully reflect priorities within programme 45 and that
increased resources should have been allocated to subprogramme 2.
Conclusions and recommendations
101. While welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General to rationalize
the activities of the Organization, the Committee reaffirmed that priority
should continue to be given to Africa: critical economic situation,
recovery and development. The Committee therefore recommended to the
General Assembly that it review the level of resources devoted to the
implementation of activities related to Africa: critical economic
situation, recovery and development, in accordance with General Assembly
resolutions 46/151 of 18 December 1991 and 49/142 of 23 December 1994, and
taking into account the enormous needs of Africa.
Section 8. Department for Economic and Social Information
and Policy Analysis
102. At its 13th meeting, on 24 May 1995, the Committee considered section
8, Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis, of
the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
103. A number of delegations expressed support for the objectives and the
scope of the activities proposed for the Department under section 8.
104. Several delegations supported the efforts made for the reorganization
and rationalization of the activities and for the redeployment of resources
to priority areas. Other delegations considered that the allocation of
resources within the section did not adequately reflect the priorities
established in the medium-term plan and subsequent resolutions of the
General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. One delegation
doubted that the rapid growth in resources devoted to microeconomic
analysis was justified. Some delegations expressed reservations about the
need for creating a new Microeconomic and Social Policy Analysis Division
within the Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy
Analysis, and felt that mandated programmes and activities could be fully
implemented within the existing organizational structure of the Department.
One delegation suggested that an in-depth evaluation of the activities of
the Department be undertaken in the near future. Some delegations indicated
that improved coordination between the Department and other
departments/offices of the Secretariat was still required.
105. A number of delegations stated that certain activities under
programme 12, Global development issues and policies, of the medium-term
plan seemed to duplicate and overlap with each other and that a number of
subprogrammes of programme 12 could be merged.
106. Several delegations stressed the need to ensure adequate resources
for strengthening activities under programme 12 pertaining to the
continuing economic and social transformation in countries with economies
in transition and the reporting to the General Assembly and to the Security
Council on the implementation of multilateral economic sanctions on the
effects of unilateral economic coercive measures. In this connection, some
delegations supported the creation of the Microeconomic and Social Policy
Analysis Division within the Department.
107. Some delegations felt that the level of resources allocated for the
implementation of the follow-up to the International Conference on
Population and Development was not sufficient and should be increased.
Some delegations considered that the Department should endeavour to
strengthen its interaction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
108. A number of delegations indicated that the activities envisaged in
paragraph 8.42 of section 8 relating to socio-economic aspects of post-
conflict peace-building were not based on the medium-term plan or any
subsequent mandate. They felt that subprogramme 2, Problems and prospects
of integrated development, of programme 12 should be reformulated in the
light of those observations and that the related resources should be
redeployed to priority areas. Other delegations supported the activities
proposed in that paragraph.
109. A number of delegations stressed that the programme narrative
included in subprogramme 5, Microeconomic issues and policies, of programme
12 did not have legislative mandate and that the subprogramme should be
reformulated. However, other delegations stressed that there were duly
adopted mandates for these activities.
110. Most delegations supported approval of the programme narrative of the
section.
Conclusions and recommendations
111. The Committee was unable to reach agreement on the programme
narrative of section 8. It therefore recommended that the General
Assembly, when considering the proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997, review the programme narrative of section 8, paying due
attention to the observations in the discussion portion above.
Section 9. Department for Development Support and
Management Services
112. At its 14th meeting, on 25 May 1995, the Committee considered section
9, Department for Development Support and Management Services, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
113. A number of delegations supported the proposed programme of work
while some delegations felt that the resources provided to the Department
were not commensurate with the importance of the activities provided by it
to developing countries.
114. A number of delegations felt that the potential of the Department in
technical cooperation activities should be fully realized and emphasized
the importance of the coordination of its activities with those of UNDP and
other organizations of the United Nations system. Other delegations
underlined the need to avoid duplication in the Department's work with
respect to that of other United Nations organizations.
115. Several delegations noted the reduction of extrabudgetary resources
projected for 1996-1997 and considered that the level of regular budget
resources should also have been reduced proportionally. Other delegations
stated that the reduction of extrabudgetary resources should have been
compensated by an increase in the regular budget resources. One delegation
noted that it expected the Department to be affected by the changes
mandated by the General Assembly under its resolutions on operational
activity, which should lead to a decrease in its recruitment, project
management and procurement work, and was surprised there was no reference
to this in the budget. Some delegations requested the Secretariat to
present a table illustrative of those activities of the programme that had
been suppressed.
116. Several delegations questioned the legislative basis for the transfer
of the Department's technical cooperation functions from Geneva to Vienna
and the establishment of a Reconstruction and Development Unit at Vienna.
Some delegations stressed that the transfer of the Unit to Vienna was
justified by its proximity to the countries with economies in transition
and by the savings that would be generated. Some delegations felt that the
proximity factor was not important. Some delegations considered that the
activities of the Unit could duplicate technical cooperation functions of
the ECE and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD), and sought assurances that duplication and overlap would be
avoided. Some delegations suggested a review of the United Nations
activities in the context of countries with economies in transition and the
activities of other organizations in the same area in order to avoid
duplication of work.
117. Some delegations felt that under the Public administration and
finance programme not enough attention was given to private sector and
entrepreneurship development. Other delegations considered that the
programme was well-balanced.
118. Some delegations underlined that in the narrative of the Global
development issues and policies programme some important issues of the
medium-term plan such as rural development, and science and technology for
development, had been ignored.
119. Some delegations considered that the Natural resources and Energy
programmes should have been presented separately in the fascicle, as they
were in the medium-term plan.
120. Some delegations recommended that paragraph 9.34 should be
implemented in accordance with relevant paragraphs of the medium-term plan
as revised by the General Assembly in its resolution 47/214 of 23 December
1992. The same delegations stressed that the references to sustainable
human development should be replaced by sustainable development in
accordance with the relevant decisions of the Assembly. The same
delegations expressed the view that the activities in this section should
be carried out at the request of the Governments and on the basis of their
interests and national priorities.
121. Some delegations considered that more emphasis should have been
placed on the follow-up of the World Summit for Social Development.
Conclusions and recommendations
122. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that, when
considering the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997, it
review the programme narrative of section 9, Department for Development
Support and Management Services.
Section 10A. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
123. At its 17th meeting, on 26 May 1995, the Committee considered section
10A, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, of the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
124. Several delegations reaffirmed the role of UNCTAD as focal point
within the United Nations for integrated treatment of development and
interrelated issues in areas of trade, investment, science and technology
and environment, finance and sustainable development, as laid down in
General Assembly resolution 49/99 of 19 December 1994. Several delegations
also reiterated the complementarity between the World Trade Organization,
which was a rule-making body, and UNCTAD, which was the trade-oriented
policy forum.
125. A number of delegations expressed strong support for the integrated
global approach of the programme and were concerned that the proposed level
of resources might not be adequate to ensure full implementation of the
mandated activities programmed. They noted the assurance given by the
representative of the Secretary-General that a reduction would not curtail
the mandated programmes and activities of UNCTAD. They reaffirmed their
support for the important role of UNCTAD in providing research and policy
analysis for the developing countries, especially in meeting the new
opportunities and in responding to challenges derived from the conclusion
and full implementation of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade
negotiations. Several delegations stressed that measures that might weaken
or undermine the contribution of UNCTAD to the development process of
developing countries should be prevented.
126. Some delegations welcomed the proposed reduction of resources and
felt that some activities could be phased out, with further streamlining
required under programme 13, Trade and development. They expressed regret
that UNCTAD had failed to seize the opportunity to rationalize and better
prioritize its work.
127. Some delegations welcomed the increased resources allocated for
subprogramme 4, Poverty alleviation, of programme 13, but continued to be
concerned at the relatively small share in the overall resource allocation
for programme 13 despite the importance of the subprogramme. One
delegation questioned the increase of resources in poverty eradication,
which it believed was not a priority activity of UNCTAD.
128. A number of delegations emphasized the importance of effective
follow-up of the outcome of the mid-term global review of implementation of
the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s 7/
as expressed in General Assembly resolution 49/98 of 19 December 1994, and
were concerned that adequate resources might not be provided under
programme 15 for that purpose.
129. A number of delegations stressed the importance of implementation of
the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States 8/ and questioned whether adequate resources had been
proposed for related activities.
130. Several delegations expressed support for activities related to land-
locked countries, and the need for ensuring that the special problems faced
by those countries were addressed and necessary resources appropriated.
131. Several delegations expressed concern at the increase of 15 per cent
in resources allocated to subprogramme 8, Privatization, entrepreneurship
and competitiveness, and regretted that, in relation to resources, equal
treatment was not given to other subprogrammes at the same level of
priorities. Some delegations welcomed the increased resources in the
section.
132. In response to queries raised by some delegations regarding possible
overlapping of the activities of UNCTAD and the World Trade Organization,
the Secretariat explained their respective mandates and working
relationship, which reflected the complementarity between the two bodies,
which were mutually supporting and required for responding to the rapid
changes in the world economy. However, some delegations remained of the
view that there was potential for duplication and urged that the issue be
kept under close review.
133. One delegation recommended that paragraph 10A.56 be amended as
follows:
(a) In line 3, the words "entrepreneurship and the strengthening of the
private sector" should read "entrepreneurship, including through
privatization, and the strengthening of the public and private sectors";
(b) The last sentence of the paragraph should be deleted since there
was no legislative mandate for those functions.
Conclusions and recommendations
134. The Committee recommended approval by the General Assembly of the
programme narrative of section 10A of the proposed programme budget for the
biennium 1996-1997, on the basis of assurances from representatives of the
Secretariat that the proposed reduction in the level of resources for 1996-
1997 would in no way lead to curtailment of any mandated programmes and
activities.
135. The Committee also recommended that in considering the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997, the General Assembly should
give due attention to the opinions expressed by Member States as reflected
in the discussion portion above.
Section 10B. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/GATT
136. At its 17th meeting, on 26 May 1995, the Committee considered section
10B, International Trade Centre UNCTAD/General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT), of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
137. Support for the programme, as well as for the strengthening of
activities following the conclusion of the Uruguay Round agreements, was
expressed.
Conclusions and recommendations
138. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 10B, International Trade Centre UNCTAD/GATT,
of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 11. United Nations Environment Programme
139. At its 16th meeting, on 26 May 1995, the Committee considered section
11, United Nations Environment Programme, of the proposed programme budget
for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
140. Several delegations noted that the Governing Council of the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was currently in session and that it
was reviewing the programme of work of UNEP for the biennium 1996-1997.
Some were of the view that the Committee should postpone its review of
section 11 to a later date when it could consider it in the light of the
outcome of the Council's deliberations and decisions. Others felt that the
results of the Council's deliberations could be examined by the General
Assembly.
Conclusions and recommendations
141. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 11, United Nations Environment Programme, of
the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 12. United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)
142. At its 16th meeting, on 26 May 1995, the Committee considered section
12, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), of the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Conclusions and recommendations
143. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 12, United Nations Centre for Human
Settlements (Habitat), of the proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997.
Section 13. Crime control
144. At its 16th meeting, on 26 May 1995, the Committee considered section
13, Crime control, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-
1997.
Discussion
145. A number of delegations expressed support for the objectives and the
scope of activities proposed under section 13.
146. Several delegations considered that allocation of resources within
the programme did not fully meet the priorities established by the General
Assembly and the Economic and Social Council and that subprogrammes 1 and 2
should receive priority attention.
147. Some delegations felt that the proposal for upgrading the Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch into a division and for the
strengthening of staff resources was not justified by the scope of the
activities envisaged for the biennium. One delegation indicated that the
resources under the programme
should be strengthened through internal redeployment. Other delegations
supported the proposals of the Secretary-General. One delegation noted
that it did not believe seeking ways and means for the treatment of
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-affected prisoners was
appropriate work for the Branch.
148. Some delegations rejected the link between the assistance given to
Member States to combat all forms of organized transnational crime and the
promotion of the fundamental principles of the maintenance of the rule of
law, sound public administration and good governance (para. 13.13 (d)).
149. Some delegations noted the absence of reference to the illegal
traffic in children, prostitution and child pornography as new forms of
transnational crime and the means that should be taken to prevent, combat
and eliminate their causes.
Conclusions and recommendations
150. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly, when considering
the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997, review the
programmatic narrative of section 13, Crime control.
Section 14. International drug control
151. At its 16th meeting, on 26 May 1995, the Committee considered section
14, International drug control, of the proposed programme budget for the
biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
152. Several delegations expressed their support for the programme of
activities under the section.
153. Some delegations considered that within the overall level of
resources proposed for the section, increased resources should have been
allocated to subprogrammes 3, 6 and 7, in view of their importance for the
control of drug abuse. They also questioned the need for the resources for
consultants.
154. Some delegations stressed that it was necessary to introduce more
balance between the resources allocated to field activities and those
allocated to administrative activities.
155. Some delegations emphasized the importance for the developing
countries of easy access to the information available in the United Nations
International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), in order for them to
strengthen their capacity to control drug abuse and traffic in narcotics.
Other delegations questioned the absence of resources from the regular
budget for subprogramme 4, Technical cooperation, and expressed concern
that the foreseen activities would not be properly endorsed during the
biennium under this subprogramme.
Conclusions and recommendations
156. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 14, International drug control, of the
proposed programme budget for the 1996-1997 biennium.
Section 15. Economic Commission for Africa
157. At its 18th meeting, on 30 May 1995, the Committee considered section
15, Economic Commission for Africa, of the proposed programme budget for
the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
158. Several delegations expressed concern at the continued decline in
resources, in particular extrabudgetary resources, and the negative impact
this could have on programme delivery, especially on the implementation of
mandated activities, as well as technical cooperation projects.
159. Several delegations expressed the hope that within the proposed level
of resources the secretariat of ECA would be able to implement its
programmed activities, as contained in the proposed programme budget. They
welcomed the reorganization of the secretariat which, with renewed efforts,
they hoped would facilitate implementation of the Commission's mandates.
They expected the secretariat to compensate for the decline in
extrabudgetary resources by increasing the level of resources proposed from
the regular budget. They stressed that, in the face of the magnitude of
Africa's problems and the enormous efforts the countries of the region were
making, the United Nations and the international community should do more
to assist Africa. Other delegations said that not enough was being done to
streamline existing subprogrammes and to prioritize the use of resources.
They could not therefore support the introduction of more posts to be
funded from the regular budget. New requirements must be met within
existing resources, including through the curtailment of redundant or
ineffective programmes. Some delegations sought assurances that the
decline in resources would not affect the quality of programme delivery,
the Commission's capacity for coordination and activities related to
regional cooperation.
160. Some delegations called on the secretariat of ECA, taking advantage
of its unique position to contribute to the development of Africa, to
endeavour further to develop a new African strategy for development,
promote intraregional trade and strengthen and improve its database. They
also pointed to the need for ECA to evaluate its work from time to time
and, among other things, to continue to implement the relevant
recommendations of the Office of Internal Oversight Services contained in
the report on the programme and administrative practices of the
secretariats of the regional commissions (A/49/891, annex).
161. Some delegations expressed their preference for the activities of the
African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) to be funded
through the regular budget so as to ascertain its viability and continuity.
Conclusions and recommendations
162. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 15, Economic Commission for Africa, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 16. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
the Pacific
163. At its 19th meeting, on 30 May 1995, the Committee considered section
16, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
164. Several delegations expressed satisfaction with the increased level
of resources proposed, while other delegations felt that there was a need
for strengthening further the priority areas of work. Some delegations,
while welcoming the priority attached to programmes on poverty alleviation
and for least developed countries, felt that they could have been
strengthened further.
165. Some delegations highlighted the need to avoid duplication of work
with respect to other bodies of the United Nations system and stated that
the efficiency and effectiveness of the Commission's work practices must be
improved before additional resources or authority were devolved to it.
166. Some delegations welcomed the initiative of the Commission to
increase the use of its conference facilities and streamline its meetings
schedule.
Conclusions and recommendations
167. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 16, Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-
1997.
Section 17. Economic Commission for Europe
168. At its 19th meeting, on 30 May 1995, the Committee considered section
17, Economic Commission for Europe, of the proposed programme budget for
the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
169. A number of delegations emphasized the importance of the activities
proposed under section 17 and supported the programme of work and the level
of resources.
170. Some delegations stressed the importance of coordinating activities
with other United Nations entities, and in particular with regional
organizations, in order to avoid duplication of work.
171. Some delegations felt that there was a need for further streamlining
of resources in non-priority areas and their redeployment to designated
highpriority areas. They also considered that the activities of some ECE
bodies should be reviewed. Other delegations stressed the need to ensure
adequate resources for all mandated activities of ECE, in particular for
the development of cooperation in the field of industry and technology.
172. Many delegations expressed support for the proposal under section 9,
Department for Development Support and Management Services, to establish a
Unit at Vienna. In this connection, other delegations regretted that the
SecretaryGeneral had proposed an activity at Vienna to support the
reconstruction and development of the central and eastern European
countries, without any legislative mandate. They emphasized that such
functions could be developed under the activities of ECE. Some delegations
regretted that the Secretariat had not given precise and sufficient
information to Member States in order to enable them to identify the gains
related to effectiveness and productivity that would arise from the
transferring of those functions from Geneva to Vienna.
173. Many delegations emphasized the importance of further orientation and
development of the activities of ECE for the purposes of economic and
social transformation in the countries with economies in transition.
Conclusions and recommendations
174. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 17, Economic Commission for Europe, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 18. Economic Commission for Latin America
and the Caribbean
175. At its 20th meeting, on 31 May 1995, the Committee considered section
18, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
176. Several delegations supported the programme of work and the proposed
level of resources, while expressing concern at the decrease in the level
of extrabudgetary resources. Some delegations were concerned about the
limited resources assigned to some subprogrammes, in particular
subprogramme 14, Regional integration and cooperation. Other delegations
expressed their belief that the Economic Commission for Latin America and
the Caribbean (ECLAC) needed restructuring to ensure a more cost-effective
and targeted work programme. More attention needed to be paid by the
Commission to the changes in the economic environment of the region and to
strengthening links with the private sector.
177. Many delegations considered that increased resources should have been
proposed for the programme. Other delegations argued that no additional
resources or responsibilities should be devolved to ECLAC until it could
demonstrate that it was making efficient and effective use of existing
resources.
178. A number of delegations requested an explanation about the parameters
used for the recosting, which appeared to be too high in comparison with
the level of recosting in other regional commissions.
179. A number of delegations welcomed the efforts by the Secretary-General
to reduce the rental cost for the premises of the office at Mexico City.
180. Several delegations stressed the need to ensure coordination of the
ECLAC programme of work with that of other organizations within the United
Nations system in order to avoid duplication.
181. Some delegations expressed concern regarding the timing of submission
of ECLAC documentation in all the official languages of the Commission.
182. One delegation expressed concern at the inclusion of concepts such as
governability, capacity for government, decentralization and local
government (para. 18.28) without properly defining the role of government
in this connection.
Conclusions and recommendations
183. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 18, Economic Commission for Latin America
and the Caribbean, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-
1997.
184. The Committee also recommended that, when implementing paragraph
18.28, the Secretariat develop the activities mentioned therein upon the
request of interested Governments on the basis of the interests and
national priorities of Member States.
Section 19. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
185. At its 20th meeting, on 31 May 1995, the Committee considered section
19, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, of the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
186. Many delegations expressed their support for the programme activities
and welcomed the new thematic approach adopted by the Economic and Social
Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the reorganization of its
secretariat. Some delegations expressed the hope that the reorganization
would lead to a more effective use of ESCWA resources, with greater
attention being paid to priority activities.
187. Some delegations considered that subprogramme 2, Improvement of the
quality of life, should be designated high priority and that ESCWA should
avoid duplication of work with other organizations in the region.
188. Some delegations requested information about the timing and resource
implications of the transfer of ESCWA headquarters to Beirut.
189. Some delegations asked whether the reorganization of the ESCWA
secretariat had been completed. Other delegations welcomed the assurances
by the Secretariat that the reorganization was in compliance with the
recommendations of the Office of Internal Oversight Services contained in
the report on the programme and administrative practices of the
secretariats of the regional commissions (A/49/891, annex).
190. Some delegations rejected the inclusion in paragraph 19.14 of "(c) to
regionalize human development concepts and indices" as an objective. They
considered that those concepts and indices had no mandates, since the
General Assembly in its resolution 49/123 of 19 December 1994 had stated
clearly that the Human Development Report was not an official document of
the United Nations.
Conclusions and recommendations
191. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 19, Economic and Social Commission for
Western Asia, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 20. Regular programme of technical cooperation
192. At its 21st meeting, on 31 May 1995, the Committee considered section
20, Regular programme of technical cooperation, of the proposed programme
budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
193. A number of delegations expressed their support for the proposals
under this section. They stressed that the proposed activities and
resources should be considered complementary to the activities and
resources under other related budget sections.
194. Some delegations noted the difficulty in identifying activities in
the section and felt that more detailed information should be provided in
that respect. In particular, they sought assurances that the bulk of the
money spent under this programme would be devoted to the least developed
and poorest countries. Other delegations recognized that the activities
under this section were by nature difficult to programme.
195. Some delegations underlined that activities related to technical
cooperation should be financed by extrabudgetary resources. Other
delegations considered that the activities under section 20 contributed to
the development of developing countries and expressed their support for the
financing of these activities through the regular budget in order to ensure
that they were placed on a sound and assured financial basis.
196. Some delegations queried the relationship of the activities under
this section with similar activities carried out by other United Nations
programmes and sought assurance that there would be no overlapping or
duplication of efforts in this regard. Some delegations advocated this
programme's being fundamentally reviewed and modified in order to respond
more fully to the current requirements for technical cooperation. Other
delegations stressed that this section was useful and provided the
necessary flexibility to satisfy the emerging priorities of developing
countries.
Conclusions and recommendations
197. The Committee recommended that the General Assembly approve the
programme narrative of section 20, Regular programme of technical
cooperation, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 21. Human rights
198. At its 22nd and 23rd meetings, on 1 June 1995, the Committee
considered section 21, Human rights, of the proposed programme budget for
the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
199. Many delegations supported the proposed programme of work and the
proposed increases in resources. Many other delegations felt that the
increase proposed was inadequate and more resources were needed in general
in this important field and in order to reflect the expansion of activities
following the World Conference on Human Rights. Many delegations regretted
that priority areas in the economic and social sectors had not received
similar proposals for increases, while recognizing the importance of the
activities in the field of human rights, and expressed their concern at the
increase in resources proposed for this sector. Other delegations
expressed their concern that technical advisory assistance operations might
not be adequately funded.
200. A number of delegations questioned the legislative basis for the
budget proposal as contained in section 21, since the revisions to
programme 35 and section 21 of the revised budget estimates of the 1994-
1995 programme budget had not been approved by the General Assembly. Other
delegations pointed out that the legislative mandate for the budget
proposal was derived from resolutions and decisions adopted by the
Assembly.
201. Some delegations questioned the proposed level of resources under
subprogrammes 2 and 4, and felt that the resources should be more equally
distributed among subprogrammes. Some delegations expressed concern about
the lower level of resources allocated to subprogramme 2 from the regular
budget in relation to the higher level from extrabudgetary resources and
underlined, in particular, that insufficient resources had been allocated
to implement the goals and objectives of the Third Decade to Combat Racism
and Racial Discrimination in accordance with General Assembly resolution
48/228 of 23 December 1993. Other delegations welcomed the emphasis on
subprogramme 1, which had been designated high priority by the Assembly,
and expressed the hope that the activities envisaged under subprogramme 4
would draw fully on expertise existing elsewhere, including outside the
United Nations system.
202. Many delegations considered that the programme of work regarding the
integration of human rights concerns into economic and social development
activities was not legislatively mandated. Many delegations expressed the
view that the programme had been mandated by the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action, 3/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights.
203. Many delegations noted that, despite having been emphasized in the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the activities regarding the
right to development were not adequately reflected in the proposed
programme of work and that the right to development should, in accordance
with General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993, be addressed
in a separate subprogramme. In that context, they insisted that programme
35 of the medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997, as revised, 2/ should
be redrafted to provide an effective programmatic follow-up of the
implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development 9/ as part of
the efforts to implement the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
Many other delegations felt that the issue had been adequately addressed
under the relevant subprogrammes, in the same manner as for other
individual human rights, none of which could or should be confined to a
single subprogramme.
204. Many delegations felt that the responsibilities of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights and those of the Assistant Secretary-
General for Human Rights were well defined and mutually reinforcing. Some
delegations opined that the respective responsibilities and mandates of the
two senior officials should be further reviewed and clarified.
205. A number of delegations considered that the ongoing restructuring of
the programme and the reorganization of the Centre for Human Rights were
useful and effective, and were in line with the recommendations of the
Office of Internal Oversight Services, as reflected in the report on the
programme and administrative practices of the Centre submitted by a team of
the Office (A/49/892, annex). Other delegations felt that those actions
were not sufficient and that much remained to be done to increase
efficiency and to eliminate any duplication or overlapping of activities.
They further emphasized the need for the expeditious implementation of the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference
on Human Rights.
206. Many delegations emphasized that the activities in the field of human
rights, including the right to development, should be for the well-being of
all humankind and that an integrated approach should be developed to
guarantee balanced attention to all human rights, on the basis of the
principles of objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity, as set out in
section I, paragraph 32, of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
They emphasized that the programme narrative did not refer to all the
relevant mandates and omitted a number of important issues contained in the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, in particular in the area of
economic and social rights. They stressed that the different proposals and
ideas reflected in section 21, particularly in paragraphs 21.2, 21.6, 21.23
and 21.27 (b) and (c), should be redrafted to reflect the mandates, letter
and spirit of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
207. Other delegations insisted that the budget proposals correctly sought
to implement the whole Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and all
other mandates. They disagreed with attempts to pick and choose between
mandates and were of the opinion that the budget proposals should therefore
be approved in their entirety.
208. Some delegations reiterated their strong support for the
establishment of a comprehensive programme in order to help Member States
in strengthening the institutions of the rule of law as contained in the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and General Assembly resolutions
48/132 of 20 December 1993 and 49/194 of 23 December 1994. Those
delegations emphasized that adequate resources should be allocated for the
programme.
209. Delegations welcomed the inclusion in the programme of work of the
legislative mandates approved since 1992. Several delegations expressed
regret that the revisions proposed in 1994 to programme 35 of the medium-
term plan for the period 1992-1997 were still under review by the General
Assembly and could not provide the framework for section 21.
210. Many delegations supported the proposed conversion of posts, noting
that for the most part they did not amount to additional human resources
and that the regularization of the posts would have a beneficial impact on
morale and efficiency at the Centre for Human Rights. Many other
delegations felt that the 21 new posts approved as temporary by the General
Assembly in section III of its resolution 49/219 of 23 December 1994 should
not be proposed for conversion into established posts until ACABQ had
commented further.
211. Many delegations stressed that the resources for the Committee on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their
Families should have been redeployed to the Committee on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights instead of being surrendered. Some delegations
expressed concern about the lack of clarity on the resources that should be
allocated to the promotion of the International Convention on the
Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their
Families, 10/ as requested by the General Assembly in its resolution 49/175
of 23 December 1994.
212. Some delegations emphasized the need to improve the coordination of
activities in the field of human rights undertaken by different entities of
the Organization.
Conclusions and recommendations
213. The Committee was unable to reach agreement on a recommendation to
the General Assembly that it approve the programme narrative of section 21,
Human rights. It therefore recommended to the Assembly that, when
considering the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997, it
review the programme narrative of section 21, paying due attention to the
observations in paragraphs 199-212 above.
Section 22. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees
214. At its 23rd meeting, on 1 June 1995, the Committee considered section
22, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, of the
proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
215. General support was expressed for the programme of work of the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Some delegations
considered that the primary mandate of the Office was the protection of
refugees and that activities undertaken in the context of the continuum
from rehabilitation to development should not be considered part of the
permanent functions of the Office. Other delegations sought information on
the prevention activities undertaken by the Office.
216. Some delegations requested clarification as regards the discrepancy
in the level of the total resources projected to be available for the next
biennium indicated in the fascicle and that reported to the Executive
Committee.
217. Several delegations expressed their concern as regards the decline in
the level of extrabudgetary resources projected for the biennium 1996-1997.
At the same time, they questioned the rationale for the increase in the
number of extrabudgetary posts.
Conclusions and recommendations
218. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 22, Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, of the proposed programme budget for the
biennium 1996-1997.
Section 23. United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
219. At its 23rd meeting, on 1 June 1995, the Committee considered section
23, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
220. Many delegations endorsed the move of UNRWA headquarters from Vienna
to the Gaza Strip. One delegation indicated its opposition to financing
the move from programme resources.
221. Many delegations noted that, following the signing of the Declaration
of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed by the
Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization
in Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993, 11/ and in preparation for the
extension of the self-governing Palestinian Authority to the West Bank and
Gaza Strip, and pending the completion of the Middle East peace process,
UNRWA would continue to undertake its Peace Implementation Programme and to
play an active role in the region. Some delegations looked forward to a
broader sharing of the costs of the Agency during the period.
Conclusions and recommendations
222. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 23, United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, of the proposed programme budget
for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 24. Department of Humanitarian Affairs
223. At its 28th meeting, on 6 June 1995, the Committee considered section
24, Department of Humanitarian Affairs, of the proposed programme budget
for the biennium 1996-1997.
Discussion
224. Many delegations recalled the objectives enshrined in General
Assembly resolutions 46/182 of 19 December 1991, 49/22 A of 2 December 1994
and 49/22 B of 20 December 1994 and expressed the hope that the Department
of Humanitarian Affairs would enhance its efforts to meet the purposes for
which it had been established.
225. Delegations expressed strong support for the programme on emergency
humanitarian assistance, and the importance of providing adequate regular
budget resources for its implementation.
226. Many delegations expressed concern with the decline in the level of
extrabudgetary resources projected to be available in 1996-1997. They
considered that the Department's activities should be funded on a more
secure and predictable basis. Some delegations emphasized the need to
secure continuous funding for important activities such as the early
warning systems.
227. Some delegations regretted the use of new terms in the programme
narrative, such as "humanitarian diplomacy" and "humanitarian advocate".
One delegation welcomed the use of new terms like "humanitarian diplomacy",
which was understood to mean diplomacy in the service of humanitarian
assistance. Some delegations regretted the use of the word "intervencion"
in the Spanish text and requested an accurate translation of the word used
in the English and French texts. Some delegations questioned the
Department's mandate for demining activities.
228. Some delegations welcomed the inclusion of the "White Helmets"
initiative in the activities to be performed in subprogramme 1, Policy
planning and development, and its legislative mandate based on General
Assembly resolution 49/139 B of 20 December 1994. In that regard, it was
mentioned that additional operative guidelines should be established by the
Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995 (July 1995).
Other delegations expressed their concern about the usefulness of the
initiative in complex emergency situations.
229. A number of delegations suggested that the respective
responsibilities of the New York and Geneva offices should be more clearly
defined.
230. Some delegations emphasized the interrelationship between natural
disaster reduction and development and stressed that natural disaster
reduction strategies should cover the continuum from relief to development.
231. Some delegations stressed the importance of information component in
natural disaster measures and requested that information related to natural
disaster prevention should be easily accessible for all countries.
Conclusions and recommendations
232. The Committee recommended approval by the General Assembly of the
programme narrative of section 24, Department of Humanitarian Affairs, of
the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
Section 25. Public information
233. At its 24th meeting, on 2 June 1995, the Committee considered section
25, Public information, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium
1996-1997.
Discussion
234. Several delegations expressed satisfaction with the proposed
reductions in the budget of the Department of Public Information. Some
delegations stressed that further reductions could have been achieved
through greater economy measures and improved productivity. Many
delegations stated that budget reductions should not be seen as an end in
themselves and emphasized concern that such reductions could have a
negative impact on the programme of work of the Department. They sought
clear assurances from the Secretariat in that regard.
235. Many delegations stressed the need for adequate resources to be
allocated to provide back-stopping for public information activities of
peace-keeping
missions and made reference to the recommendations contained in the report
on the evaluation of peace-keeping operations (E/AC.51/1995/2 and Corr.1).
They expressed concern that no separate unit, either in the Department of
Public Information or the Department of Peace-keeping Operations, had been
identified to provide such support. Many other delegations emphasized
their support for the Secretary-General's decision to assign responsibility
for the information component of the peace-keeping operations to the
Department of Public Information. One delegation emphasized that any
increase for that purpose should be achieved through internal redeployment
of resources.
236. Several delegations emphasized the importance of the role of
information in raising public awareness of issues facing the Organization
and its members. Many delegations suggested that while a significant level
of resources were assigned to cover issues of peace and security, more
emphasis should be placed on coverage of economic and social concerns,
including issues of debt, trade and poverty, and urged the Department to
strive for a balance between activities relating to peace-keeping and those
relating to development. Other delegations felt that insufficient
resources were being devoted to information on peace and security-related
activities given their impact on public perceptions of the Organization.
237. Several delegations emphasized the importance of the work of the
United Nations information centres and services in promoting a greater
understanding of the issues facing the Organization and of its activities.
Several delegations queried the growth proposed in the resources of the
Information Service at Geneva and emphasized the importance of a clearer
division of responsibility between the Information Services at Geneva and
Vienna.
238. Many delegations commended the Department on its efforts in utilizing
electronic media as an efficient and cost-effective method of implementing
its work programme and felt that greater economies could be achieved
through a greater concentration on such electronic media. Many other
delegations emphasized the importance of responding to the needs of
developing countries in that context, since access to such media was
relatively limited. They stressed the importance of giving continuing
attention to radio and print media.
239. Some delegations emphasized the need for a periodic review of the
Department's publications programme with a view to identifying obsolete
publications. Some other delegations stressed that any revision to the
mandated programme of work of the Department would have to be endorsed by
the General Assembly.
240. Many delegations emphasized the importance of achieving parity in the
production of outputs in the working languages of the Organization and
emphasized the importance of the use of all United Nations languages. Some
delegations stressed that, to reach as large an audience as possible, more
items and material should be produced, as far as possible, in local
languages.
Conclusions and recommendations
241. The Committee recommended to the General Assembly that it approve the
programme narrative of section 25, Public information, of the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997.
B. Evaluation
1. In-depth evaluation of the programme on environment
242. At its 2nd and 3rd meetings, held on 15 and 16 May 1995, the
Committee considered the report of the Office of Internal Oversight
Services on the in-depth evaluation of the programme on environment,
transmitted to it under cover of a note by the Secretary-General
(E/AC.51/1995/3).
Discussion
243. Several delegations noted that the Governing Council of UNEP was in
session simultaneously with CPC, considering the policy and operational
functions of UNEP, and stressed that the report before CPC should be
examined by the Governing Council of UNEP.
244. In the course of the debate, delegations noted that the Secretary-
General was in agreement with the recommendations in the report and made
observations on the following recommendations:
(a) Recommendations 1, 2 and 3. Delegations supported the broad goals
of these recommendations, which were for UNEP to (i) reinforce its
catalytic role, (ii) enhance its environmental coordinating activities
within the United Nations system; and (iii) facilitate its capacity to
address emerging environmental issues. Several delegations recommended
that UNEP should strengthen its support to the Commission on Sustainable
Development and its secretariat. Other delegations also considered that
UNEP should concentrate on the environmental aspects of sustainable
development;
(b) Recommendations 4 through 9. Several delegations commented that
UNEP should continue and enhance its role as the environmental conscience
of the world through its assessment and Earthwatch coordinating activities
by providing credible scientific information on the state of the
environment. The need to develop the capacity of developing countries to
assess the environment was stressed. Several delegations noted the need to
coordinate the development of agreed environmental indicators with the
Commission on Sustainable Development and other organizations working on
the subject. Delegations agreed that the title of recommendation 9 should
read "An internationally agreed set of indicators";
(c) Recommendations 10 through 13. Several delegations stressed the
importance of environmental law. They also noted the need to coordinate
and provide adequate managerial support to the secretariats of the
conventions;
(d) Recommendations 14 and 15. Several delegations supported UNEP's
role in capacity-building and welcomed the efforts to strengthen the
cooperation and coordination between UNEP and UNDP in this field. Some
delegations emphasized that this role in particular was of special
importance for developing countries and countries with economies in
transition. Several delegations considered that UNEP's regional offices
could play a useful role in helping developing countries to strengthen
their capacity to implement Agenda 21. 5/ Some delegations stressed that
the role of UNEP in providing information on sustainable development should
be concentrated on environmental aspects of such development and that such
information should be prepared upon the request of Governments. Delegations
agreed that the implementation of the proposals of recommendation 15 should
be carried out in close consultation with Governments and in accordance
with General Assembly resolution 47/199 of 22 December 1992;
(e) Recommendation 16. A number of delegations commented on the need
for new and additional resources for the training of personnel in
developing countries; they felt that UNEP expertise could be drawn upon
more extensively. One delegation considered that additional resources would
be required for the implementation of environmental programmes or
recommendations; such resources were frequently not available to those
countries;
(f) Recommendations 17 through 19. Some delegations commented on the
need for UNEP to target its information activities towards specific
audiences;
(g) Recommendation 20. Delegations stressed that the current location
of UNEP headquarters should be maintained and that there was a need to
improve communication facilities at UNEP headquarters. Several delegations
commented on the need to strengthen the UNEP regional presence, without
weakening its headquarters. Some delegations expressed support for the
outposting of certain headquarters units to regional offices as
recommended;
(h) Recommendation 21. Delegations commented on the need for UNEP to
work more closely with non-governmental organizations. Some delegations
observed that this should not entail creating new organizational
structures;
(i) Recommendation 22. Many delegations agreed that there was a need
for a more effective fund-raising strategy, utilizing existing financial
mechanisms;
(j) Recommendation 23. This recommendation was widely supported. One
delegation commented that the proposed report by the Office of Internal
Oversight Services on UNEP management could provide a useful background for
the special session of the General Assembly on the overall review and
appraisal of Agenda 21 scheduled for 1997.
Conclusions and recommendations
245. The Committee expressed appreciation for the quality and
comprehensive nature of the report.
246. The Committee was in general agreement with the main thrust of the
report, which was to refocus UNEP activities by strengthening its
partnership with other organizations within and outside the United Nations
system, with due regard to its role as a global environment programme.
Subject to the different views expressed by the delegations during the
discussion, and subject to the subsequent views of the Governing Council of
UNEP, the Committee endorsed the recommendations contained in the report.
247. The report on the study to be carried out by the Office of Internal
Oversight Services on the effects of the reorganization of UNEP, proposed
in recommendation 23, should be submitted to CPC for its consideration at
its thirty-seventh session in 1997.
248. The Committee decided that the report, together with the
conclusions and recommendations of CPC thereon, should be transmitted to
the Governing Council of UNEP at its eighteenth session for consideration
and appropriate action.
2. Final report on the in-depth evaluation of peace-keeping
operations: start-up phase
249. At its 2nd and 4th meetings, on 15 and 16 May 1995, the Committee
considered the final report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on
the in-depth evaluation of peace-keeping operations: start-up phase,
transmitted by the Secretary-General (E/AC.51/1995/2 and Corr.1).
Discussion
250. Some delegations stressed that in accordance with paragraph 2 of
General Assembly resolution 49/37 of 9 December 1994, the principles of
sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and
non-intervention in matters that were essentially within domestic
jurisdiction of any State should be strictly respected in all aspects of
peace-keeping operations.
251. Some delegations observed that the Committee's request at the first
part of its thirty-fourth session on the progress report on the in-depth
evaluation of peace-keeping operations: start-up phase (E/AC.51/1994/3 and
Corr.1) to the effect that the General Assembly should be given a statement
of programme budget implications to permit it to review the recommendations
of the progress report during the Assembly's forty-ninth session had not
yet been complied with.
252. In that connection, the representative of the Secretary-General
recalled that statements of programme budget implications were provided to
intergovernmental bodies only when they were considering draft resolutions
or decisions whose adoption would have such implications. Statements had
never been prepared in respect of reports emanating from the Secretariat,
nor had they been presented to CPC. In the past, when approval of
recommendations of the Committee had had programme budget implications, a
statement of programme budget implications would have been presented with
the report of the Committee for consideration by the General Assembly.
253. The representative of the Secretary-General also recalled that the
programme planning regulations and rules provided that the findings of
intergovernmental review of evaluations should be reflected in subsequent
programme design, delivery and policy directives. In preparing their
proposals for the proposed programme budget for 1996-1997, programme
managers were aware of the results of the current and earlier evaluation
studies. Non-core activities related to peace-keeping could also be
financed by the support account for peace-keeping activities or by the
budgets of peace-keeping operations, but these would not, in any case, be
included in the statement of programme budget implications.
254. Delegations welcomed the clarification and understood from the
statement that the matter should not hinder the Committee in reviewing and
making recommendations with respect to the evaluation. In that regard some
delegations expressed the opinion that recommendations 1-24 of the progress
report (E/AC.51/1994/3 and Corr.1) could not be implemented owing to the
lack of a decision of the General Assembly thereon.
255. Several members, in commenting on the factors to be taken into
consideration in the establishment of new peace-keeping operations cited in
the final report (E/AC.51/1995/2 and Corr.1, para. 12), stated that the
existence of regional capacities should not detract from the obligation of
the international community to actively support such operations. They also
reaffirmed the central responsibility of the United Nations, particularly
the Security Council, for the maintenance of international peace and
security as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
256. A number of delegations stressed the intergovernmental nature of
peacekeeping and the need for strengthening mechanisms and modalities for
consultation with troop-contributing countries, ensuring financial
viability of operations before their start-up, uniformity of command and
control and improving reimbursement procedures to troop-contributing
countries. One delegation noted that a distinction should be made on the
issue of command and control: that command of a troop-contributing
country's military contingent was a prerogative of its head of State, and
that the United Nations had responsibility for the chain of operational
control of every aspect of peacekeeping missions. Some other delegations,
while noting the responsibility of Member States for the readiness and
effectiveness of troops provided to peacekeeping operations, emphasized the
importance of enhancing the effectiveness of peace-keeping operations, in
particular the time-lag between authorization and deployment. In that
context a number of suggestions were made. These included the provision of
command modules or specialized units, the establishment of guidelines for
minimal training standards and stockpiles of standard equipment to be made
available to peace-keeping forces prior to deployment.
257. Many delegations noted that the consent of the parties concerned,
impartiality and the non-use of force, except in self-defence, which the
Secretary-General had identified in his supplement to "An Agenda for
Peace": position paper of the Secretary-General on the occasion of the
fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations (A/50/60-S/1995/1), were
critical to the success of peace-keeping operations. Some delegations
noted that complete and continuous support and cooperation with peace-
keeping operations by all the concerned parties was also an important
prerequisite of their success. Some delegations also noted that a peace-
keeping operation could only be commenced or terminated through an express
decision of the Security Council.
258. Several delegations expressed concern that the evaluation report
assumed that the Electoral Assistance Division had been moved from the
Department of Political Affairs to the Department of Peace-keeping
Operations on the basis of the report of the Secretary-General on the
restructuring of the United Nations Secretariat (A/49/336). While noting
that the shift was not reflected in the Secretary-General's budget
proposals for 1996-1997, the delegations stressed their opposition to any
such move which would, in their view, be in violation of the existing
legislative mandate approved by the General Assembly, and regretted that
the Office of Internal Oversight Services had not called the attention of
the Secretariat to that violation, in line with its responsibilities as
enunciated in Assembly resolution 48/218 B of 29 July 1994. Other
delegations expressed the view that a shift of the Electoral Assistance
Division to the Department of Peace-keeping Operations could improve its
effectiveness.
259. Several members noted that there was no legislative basis for the
listing of components of complex missions in the report contained in
document E/AC.51/1995/2 and Corr.1 and considered that certain
recommendations were beyond the competence of CPC. Others noted the
statement in paragraph 22 that the listing of the six substantive
components of peace-keeping missions in the report was for the purposes of
reviewing the Secretariat's ready capacity to act. The representative of
the Secretariat explained that such a listing did not imply that all of
those components would be part of all missions. Many delegations expressed
the view that only the mandate as defined by the Security Council provided
the basis for specific components to be included in a particular peace-
keeping operation.
260. Delegations noted that the report had been reviewed by the relevant
departments and offices. Many delegations expressed their support for the
report and its recommendations which if implemented would improve the
effectiveness of peace-keeping operations. Many other delegations
expressed reservations with regard to some recommendations.
261. Delegations made observations on the following recommendations:
(a) Recommendation 1. Responsibility for learning from experience in
peace-keeping. Delegations stated that the process proposed in the
recommendation would greatly help in improving peace-keeping operations on
an ongoing basis and should be expeditiously put in place;
(b) Recommendation 2. Allocation of responsibilities for support
functions for peace-keeping. Commenting on the text leading to
recommendation 2, several delegations expressed an interest in the
forthcoming consolidated official statement on the allocation of functions
and responsibilities for the support of peace-keeping operations between
the Department of Peace-keeping Operations and the Department of
Administration and Management;
(c) Recommendation 3. Responsibility for the coordination of a ready
capacity to act for peace-keeping operations. Several delegates stated
that the responsibilities for the various substantive and support functions
should be clearly allocated so that coordination could then be facilitated;
(d) Recommendation 4. The information component of peace-keeping
missions. The Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services
informed the Committee that the Secretary-General was not in favour of the
recommendation and had assigned responsibility for the information
component to the Department of Public Information. He added that he
intended to take the matter up again with the Secretary-General. Many
delegations stated that, given the crucial role to be played by public
information in peace-keeping operations, it was necessary to develop a
capacity within the Secretariat to back-stop the information component of
such operations. Several delegations supported the proposal that such a
unit should be established within the Department of Peacekeeping
Operations. Several other delegations considered that the Department of
Public Information should undertake such functions; they expressed surprise
that after having informed the Committee that the Secretary-General did not
agree with the recommendation and had made a decision on the matter, the
UnderSecretary-General for Internal Oversight Services had maintained his
position. Other delegations considered the expression of an independent
opinion by the Office of Internal Oversight Services to be entirely
appropriate. Some delegations observed that a possible solution would be
to have a joint unit for that purpose. One delegation pointed out that the
Committee on Information had before it a paper containing a review of the
Secretariat's policy on dissemination of information related to peace-
keeping; from that paper it appeared that the professional expertise and
existing infrastructure in the Department of Public Information remained
largely untapped and its involvement in conceptualizing, planning,
implementing and coordinating the information programmes of field
operations had so far been minimal. Other delegations noted that the key
was for the job to be done; if, despite the apparent expertise of the
Department of Public Information, it was not being done, then it was
legitimate to suggest that other avenues be explored;
(e) Recommendation 5. Human rights component. Several delegations
stressed that human rights was not one of the components of any peace-
keeping operation unless it was specifically mandated by the relevant
legislative bodies and felt that that recommendation should be deliberated
upon by the competent intergovernmental bodies. Several other delegations
considered that the Department of Peace-keeping Operations should be the
responsibility centre, with the Centre for Human Rights acting in an
advisory capacity. Several delegations supported the designation of the
Centre for Human Rights as the responsibility centre for that component of
peace-keeping operations;
(f) Recommendation 8. Planning for stand-by arrangements and
recommendation 14. Plan for rapid reaction capacity. One delegation
welcomed recommendations 8 and 14 and underlined the linkage and the
complementarity of both issues;
(g) Recommendation 9. Review of United Nations early warning activities
and Recommendation 10. Early warning focal point in the Executive Office
of the Secretary-General. Several delegations expressed the view that
activities of the Secretariat in the field of early warning should be
streamlined and "extra" layers of coordination avoided. They also noted
that those activities should be based on existing mechanisms with due
regard to the role of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs in that
matter. At the same time they deemed it necessary to refer recommendations
9 and 10 to relevant intergovernmental bodies. Several delegations stated
that coordination in the Organization with respect to the early warning
system should be enhanced for its effective operation. Delegations
underscored that the United Nations should do more to narrow down the
origin of conflicts and to attempt to avoid them by integrating in a
coherent system all the early warning activities of the United Nations;
(h) Recommendation 16. Analytical system for budgeting peace-keeping
operations. Several delegations supported the approach proposed and looked
forward to reviewing the prototype recommended;
(i) Recommendation 17. Security of personnel. Delegations stressed the
importance of the security of personnel in the context of peace-keeping
operations, for both regular United Nations personnel and personnel on
secondment from national authorities and from non-governmental
organizations;
(j) Recommendation 18. Standard operating procedures for logistics and
procurement and recommendation 19. Office of Internal Oversight Services
review of compliance in logistics and procurement. Many delegations stated
that logistics and procurement were support areas where improvements were
needed, and noted that the General Assembly would receive reports on those
areas by the Office of Internal Oversight Services in response to section
IX of Assembly resolution 49/233 of 23 December 1994 and by the Secretary-
General in response to paragraph 3 of Assembly resolution 49/216 C of 23
December 1994. Delegations were of the opinion that the relevant decisions
of the Assembly on the forthcoming reports should be incorporated into any
review and revision of existing procedures;
(k) Recommendation 20. Training guidelines and recommendation 21.
Training plan. Several delegations reiterated the importance of training
and agreed that the primary responsibility for training personnel assigned
to peacekeeping duties rested with Governments. They also stated that the
United Nations should contribute to such training by establishing
guidelines and standards and training trainers. One delegation expressed
reservations concerning the role of the United Nations in establishing such
guidelines and training plans for the training of personnel from
intergovernmental bodies, non-governmental organizations and other
organizations contributing personnel to United Nations peace-keeping
operations, since there had been no decisions on that issue by the General
Assembly.
Conclusions and recommendations
262. The Committee commended the report, which it found to be
comprehensive and informative.
263. The Committee endorsed recommendations 1-3, 6-8 and 13-19.
264. The Committee concluded that recommendations 5 and 9-12 needed to be
examined further by the relevant intergovernmental bodies.
265. The Committee endorsed recommendations 20 and 21 in so far as the
training guidelines and the peace-keeping training plan were to be drawn up
by the Secretariat for military and civilian personnel from the
Secretariat. The Committee felt that the need for the Secretariat to draw
up similar guidelines in respect of personnel contributed by cooperating
intergovernmental bodies, non-governmental organizations and other
organizations contributing personnel to United Nations peace-keeping
operations required further examination by the Special Committee on Peace-
keeping Operations.
266. With respect to recommendation 4, the Committee recognized the
importance of information in peace-keeping operations and recommended that
the SecretaryGeneral take all necessary measures to provide adequate
support to that area.
267. The Committee recalled General Assembly resolution 49/37, in
particular paragraph 8, and suggested that, in the context of the
comprehensive review of the whole question of peace-keeping operations in
all its aspects, the issue regarding possible components of peace-keeping
operations should, among others, continue to be discussed by the Assembly.
IV. COORDINATION QUESTIONS
Report of the Administrative Committee on Coordination
and preparations for the Joint Meetings of the
Committee for Programme and Coordination and the
Administrative Committee on Coordination
268. At its 5th and 6th meetings, on 17 May 1995, the Committee considered
the annual overview report of ACC for 1994 (E/1995/21) and the report of
the twentyeighth series of Joint Meetings of CPC and ACC, held on 27
October 1994 (E/1995/4).
Discussion
269. Delegations emphasized the importance of CPC as a main organ of the
General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council devoted to
coordination matters. They consequently argued that enhanced coordination
should lead to a need for fewer resources. Other members questioned
whether the Committee had any added value to offer in the role of
coordination given the expanded role of the Council. A number of other
delegations expressed the view that the objective of coordination should be
to improve programme delivery, enhance cooperation and avoid duplication,
and any cost savings should only be seen as a by-product of the process.
Other members indicated that an enhanced level of coordination should be
followed by an increase in resources, as improved coordination by itself
could not meet the growing demands being placed on the system.
270. Many delegations considered the report as a good basis for discussion
on coordination within the United Nations system. Some members considered
that the report was too descriptive in nature and not critical enough of
some of the difficult challenges facing some of the organizations of the
system. In the context of its discussion under the item entitled "Review
of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the
United Nations", a number of members expressed the view that the
documentation under the coordination items should have a better focus on
the coordination issues of primary concern to CPC.
271. Some members expressed the opinion that the General Assembly should
remain the central forum for developing cooperation and coordination. Some
members expressed the view that the role of the regional commissions should
be strengthened, particularly on issues that called for collaborative
actions at the subregional and regional levels. Other members said that
the regional commissions must undergo further reforms before additional
resources or authority could be devolved to them.
272. With respect to the issue of division of labour and access to
resources, some members cited the fact that there was a world-wide trend of
reduction of resources at the national level, thereby leaving fewer
resources available for the provision of assistance. Other delegations,
however, believed that more resources were required to address development
issues more effectively.
273. With reference to African economic recovery and development, several
members emphasized the need for concrete actions in support of African
development. Some members noted the decline in official development
assistance (ODA) flows to Africa and the need for the fulfilment of
financial commitments and pledges to African countries. Regarding the
issue of debt, some members suggested that a comprehensive strategy should
be developed. Some members pointed out that the issues of development of
human resources and the promotion of agriculture should be assigned high
priority within the context of achieving economic recovery and development
in Africa.
274. Several members expressed the need for a coordinated follow-up on the
implementation of the declarations and conclusions of major conferences
such as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the
International Conference on Population and Development and the World Summit
for Social Development. They welcomed the initiative of setting up a
framework for the follow-up to these conferences and requested information
on an outline of such a framework.
275. Some delegations expressed their concern that the contents of
paragraph 60, subparagraphs (a), (c) and (e), of the annual overview report
(E/1995/21) dealing with the question of human rights might not be based on
the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action 3/ and might involve
conditionality. It was clarified by the Secretariat that these provisions
were based on the mandate emanating from the Vienna Conference and did not
imply any conditionality.
276. With respect to the preparations for the forthcoming Fourth World
Conference on Women, some delegations requested information on the status
of the ad hoc inter-agency meeting on women, and inquired about
arrangements for regularizing that body. The Secretariat clarified that
this matter would be addressed after the Beijing Conference.
277. Several members commended the information contained in the annual
overview report (E/1995/21, paras. 71-80) on assistance to countries
invoking Article 50 of the Charter of the United Nations. Some delegations
expressed the view that the problems of third countries arising from the
impact of economic sanctions needed to be covered fully in future overview
reports.
278. Several members expressed their concern regarding the delay in the
completion of the study by the International Civil Service Commission
(ICSC) of the application of the Noblemaire principle. They stated that
ICSC should complete the report as soon as possible. Other members
expressed concern about the comments made under the section dealing with
the application of the Noblemaire principle and said that they could not
endorse them. A number of delegations also welcomed the development of a
prototype appraisal system and urged that it be used by all organizations
of the system since it would very likely enhance the competitiveness of the
staff. Some representatives welcomed the initiative of ACC on the status
of women in the secretariats of the United Nations system. They also took
note of the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated
Personnel (General Assembly resolution 49/59, annex).
279. Several members expressed their concern about the financial situation
of the organizations of the United Nations system and stated the importance
for Member States of fulfilling their financial and budgetary commitments
in a timely manner. Some delegations requested information on the
statement included in paragraph 96 of the annual overview report
(E/1995/21), dealing with standards for the harmonization of financial
statements.
280. On the need for identification of the theme for the next series of
Joint Meetings of CPC and ACC of 1995, several delegations supported the
proposal to have a substantive discussion on the means of improving system-
wide collaboration in the field of drug control, particularly since the
issue had been the subject of discussion at the first regular session of
ACC of 1995, and would also be discussed in the coordination segment of the
substantive session of 1995 of the Economic and Social Council in June-July
1995, and therefore provided an opportunity for having a dialogue between
CPC and ACC. Other delegations suggested the theme of the eradication of
poverty. A few delegations proposed the theme of the role of the United
Nations in the development of Africa. One delegation proposed the
consideration of the oversight functions within the United Nations system.
Some delegations made a number of suggestions to improve the working
arrangements for the joint meetings with a view to promoting genuine
dialogue among participants, as reflected in the recommendation part of the
item entitled "Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial
functioning of the United Nations".
Conclusions and recommendations
281. The Committee took note of the annual overview report of ACC
(E/1995/21) and the report of the Joint Meetings of CPC and ACC (E/1995/4).
While welcoming the emphasis placed by ACC on policy issues pertaining to
system-wide coordination and encouraging it to continue its efforts to
promote greater coherence in the development work of the system, it
stressed the need for the documentation to focus better on coordination
issues of primary concern to CPC.
282. The Committee, while recognizing the merits of an approach to
coordination that was based on a division of labour among the different
organizations and agencies of the United Nations system, emphasized that
the General Assembly was the central policy-making forum within the United
Nations system. The Committee emphasized that enhanced coordination should
lead to greater cost effectiveness and improved programme delivery.
283. The Committee agreed that the conclusions and declarations of recent
major conferences and international events should be followed up in a
coordinated manner within the context of an integrated approach, and
welcomed the initiatives taken by the Secretary-General and ACC in that
regard.
284. The Committee agreed to propose that the theme for the next series of
joint meetings of CPC and ACC should be "Coordination of the activities of
the United Nations system for the eradication of poverty". The Committee
stressed that working arrangements for the joint meetings should be
designed to promote a dialogue, and that written statements should be
discouraged.
285. The Committee stressed the importance of continued attention of the
Secretary-General, including in his capacity as Chairman of ACC, to efforts
of assistance to countries invoking Article 50 of the Charter of the United
Nations. The Committee requested that the ACC overview report should
continue to provide detailed information on assistance by the United
Nations system to countries invoking Article 50 of the Charter.
286. The Committee stressed the need for concrete actions in support of
African development. It was emphasized that the decline in ODA flows to
many African countries should be reversed, and Member States were urged to
fulfil their financial commitments and pledges. The Committee further
urged that the freeze on the growth of the budgetary expenditures of the
United Nations should not affect adversely the development projects for
Africa.
287. The Committee urged that the study being undertaken by ICSC of the
application of the Noblemaire principle should be completed in time for its
consideration by the General Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
288. The Committee stressed that there was an imperative need to place
the organizations of the system on a more assured financial basis, and
suggested that Member States should recommit themselves to paying their
assessments in full, on time and without conditions.
V. REPORTS OF THE JOINT INSPECTION UNIT
A. Review and assessment of efforts to restructure the
regional dimension of United Nations economic and
social activities
289. At its 7th and 8th meetings, on 18 May 1995, the Committee considered
the report of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) entitled "Review and
assessment of efforts to restructure the regional dimension of United
Nations economic and social activities" (A/49/423).
Discussion
290. Delegations expressed their thanks to JIU and many of them qualified
the report as a clear, succinct and high-quality analytical document as
well as a valuable contribution to the current restructuring of the United
Nations Secretariat. They shared most of the conclusions and
recommendations of JIU, but some delegations expressed their reservations
with regard to recommendations 2 and 3 and requested clarifications as to
whether implementation of these recommendations would have financial
implications and lead to the creating of additional posts in the
Secretariat. One delegation queried what the legislative mandate was for
strengthening the regional commissions. Some delegations expressed the
view that the regional commissions must undergo further reform before
additional resources or remits could be considered.
291. Recommendation 1. Commenting on this recommendation, several
delegations referred to a number of reasons explaining the slowing down of
the current restructuring exercise, in particular, objective difficulties
as well as an apparent lack of interest of Member States with regard to
restructuring - a kind of restructuring fatigue. Some delegations, while
mentioning that restructuring should be carried out cautiously and through
a step-by-step approach, stated that restructuring of the economic and
social sectors, as defined in the relevant resolutions of the General
Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, should be completed. They
believed that more active involvement of Member States was essential in
this regard and that those States should not abdicate their responsibility
to give guidance to the Secretary-General. Some delegations said that
further analysis of the virtues of decentralization was required before
taking further action.
292. Recommendation 2. Several delegations referred to the necessity of
having an overall framework for restructuring as well as a strategic
analysis and strategic planning facility in the United Nations Secretariat.
Some delegations, while being in agreement with the recommendation in
principle, wondered whether implementation of this recommendation implied
creating new posts in the Secretariat and whether such a facility was not
already existent within the Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development. The Chairman of JIU clarified that the Unit did
not recommend that new posts be created but that this function be
strengthened and articulated through streamlining the Secretariat and
making better use of in-house expertise.
293. Recommendation 3. With regard to this recommendation, it was
clarified that JIU recommended not the establishment of a new post but the
designation of "a competent senior official with extensive managerial
experience, who will be a focal point and held accountable for the firm
implementation of the current restructuring process". There was
acknowledgment that while this recommendation had been valid when the
report was drafted, the function it referred to had been exercised by the
Under-Secretary-General for Administration and Management. In the view of
several delegations, the Secretariat entities concerned rather than a focal
point should be automatically responsible and held accountable for the
implementation of the relevant decisions taken by Member States.
294. Recommendation 4. Several representatives stated that the report
mentioned in the recommendation was long overdue.
295. Recommendation 5. Several delegations supported the idea that the
regional commissions should increasingly concentrate their resources on
priority areas where they could make a unique and significant contribution
and either readjust or abandon activities that did not fall into this
category. Some delegations held the view that additional efforts were
needed on the part of the regional commissions to do away with obsolete and
marginal programmes. Several delegations also shared the view that the
commissions should improve their performance and strive to become centres
of excellence for specific activities in their respective regions. In this
context, the necessity of a better use of the regional commissions'
comparative advantages and enhanced cooperation with other multilateral
agencies,bilateral donors andnon-governmental organizations was emphasized.
296. Recommendations 6 and 7. These recommendations found general support
from the Committee. One delegation was of the opinion that the regional
commissions should concentrate on coordination of the operational
activities of other United Nations bodies and non-governmental
organizations and on analysis in fields in which they had significant
comparative advantage and in which they could become real centres of
excellence.
Conclusions and recommendations
297. The Committee generally commended the report, which it found to be
very clear, analytical, comprehensive and useful.
298. The Committee endorsed the report of JIU, taking into account the
views expressed in the discussion section.
B. Communication for development programmes
in the United Nations system
299. At its 7th and 8th meetings, the Committee had before it the report
of JIU entitled "Communication for development programmes in the United
Nations system" (A/50/126-E/1995/20) and the comments of the ACC thereon
(A/50/126/Add.1E/1995/20/Add.1). The Committee also had before it the
written presentation provided by the Unit.
300. Many delegations acknowledged the innovative framework of the report,
while noting that the concept of "communication for development" needed
additional clarification. Some delegations stressed that the report should
have addressed more thoroughly the important role of telecommunication.
One delegation characterized the report as being slightly out of focus, and
said that it could be improved as the basic concept was clarified. Another
delegation inquired to what extent communication as a process was being
utilized within the United Nations system to enhance coordination.
301. Recommendation 10. Concerning the assertion in recommendation 10
of the report that "the United Nations has no specific structure in place
for immediate action to deal with communication when a peace-keeping
operation emerges", several delegations took exception. Noting that the
above recommendation had already received the support of ACC, a number of
delegations expressed the view that the subject-matter of the reform needed
further study.
302. Some delegations questioned the appropriateness of linking peace-
keeping operations and development in recommendation 10. They also
underscored the sensitive nature of this recommendation, particularly the
implication for political issues. In this connection, another delegation
expressed the opinion that the "stand-by unit of communications experts"
called for should report to the Department of Public Information.
303. Many delegations said that they had to obtain instructions from their
capitals with respect to recommendation 10 of the report. While one
delegation supported the thrust of recommendation 10, most delegations had
particular reservations with regard to it.
Conclusions and recommendations
304. The Committee took note of the report.
VI. CONSIDERATION OF THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR
THE THIRTY-SIXTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE
305. In pursuance of paragraph 2 (e) of Economic and Social Council
resolution 1979/41 of 10 May 1979, and paragraph 2 of General Assembly
resolution 34/50 of 23 November 1979, the Committee shall submit to the
Council and to the Assembly, for their review, the provisional agenda for
its thirty-sixth session, together with the required documentation. In
accordance with paragraph 8 of the annex to Council resolution 2008 (LX) of
14 May 1976, the thirty-sixth session of the Committee shall be of six
weeks' duration.
306. At its 29th meeting, on 9 June 1995, the Committee considered the
provisional agenda and the documentation for the thirty-sixth session on
the basis of a note by the Secretariat.
307. At the same meeting, the Committee decided to submit to the Economic
and Social Council and the General Assembly the following provisional
agenda for the thirty-sixth session of the Committee:
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
3.Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial
functioning of the United Nations.
Documentation
Report of the Secretary-General (General Assembly resolution 45/254 A,
para. 17)
4. Programme questions:
(a)Programme performance of the United Nations for the biennium 1994-
1995;
Documentation
Report of the Secretary-General on programme performance of the United
Nations for the biennium 1994-1995
(b) Proposed medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001;
Documentation
Proposed medium-term plan for the period 1998-2001
(c)Outline of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999;
Documentation
Report of the Secretary-General on the outline of the proposed
programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999 (General Assembly resolutions
41/213 and 42/211, and regulation 3.2 of the Regulations and Rules
Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspects of the Budget, the
Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of Evaluation)
(d)Evaluation.
Documentation
In-depth evaluation of public information (A/49/16 (Part I), para. 34)
In-depth evaluation of peace-keeping operations: termination phase
(ibid.)
Triennial review of the in-depth evaluation of the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Strengthening of the role of evaluation findings in programme design,
delivery and policy directives (regulations 7.3 and 7.4 of the Regulations
and Rules Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspects of the
Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of Evaluation, and
General Assembly resolutions 37/234, 38/227 A and B, and 42/215)
5.Coordination questions: report of the Administrative Committee on
Coordination and preparations for the Joint Meetings of the Committee for
Programme and Coordination and the Administrative Committee on
Coordination.
Documentation
Annual overview report of the Administrative Committee on Coordination
for 1995
Report of the Chairmen of the Committee for Programme and Coordination
and the Administrative Committee on Coordination on the twenty-ninth series
of Joint Meetings of the two Committees
6. Reports of the Joint Inspection Unit.
7. Provisional agenda for the thirty-seventh session of the Committee.
8. Adoption of the report of the Committee on its thirty-sixth session.
Notes
1/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-seventh Session,
Supplement No. 16 (A/47/16), part one.
2/ Ibid., Supplement No. 6 and corrigendum (A/47/6/Re.1 and Corr.1),
vols. I and II.
3/ Report of the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 14-25 June
1993 (A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III.
4/ Official Records of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law
of the Sea, vol. XVII (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.84.V.3),
document A/CONF.62/122.
5/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by
the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and
corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II.
6/ General Assembly resolution 46/151, annex II.
7/ Report of the Second United Nations Conference on the Least Developed
Countries, Paris, 3-14 September 1990 (A/CONF.147/18), part one.
8/ Report of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of
Small Island Developing States, Bridgetown, Barbados, 25 April-6 May 1994
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.I.18 and Corr.1 and 2), chap.
I, resolution 1, annex II.
9/ General Assembly resolution 41/128, annex.
10/ General Assembly resolution 45/158, annex.
11/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex; see Official Records of the Security
Council, Forty-eighth Year, Supplement for October, November and December
1993, document S/26560.
ANNEX I
Agenda for the thirty-fifth session of the Committee
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
3.Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning
of the United Nations.
4. Programme questions:
(a) Proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997;
(b) Evaluation.
5.Coordination questions: report of the Administrative Committee on
Coordination and preparations for the Joint Meetings of the Committee for
Programme and Coordination and the Administrative Committee on
Coordination.
6. Reports of the Joint Inspection Unit.
7.Provisional agenda for the thirty-sixth session of the Committee.
8.Adoption of the report of the Committee on its thirty-fifth session.
ANNEX II
List of documents before the Committee at its thirty-fifth session
E/AC.51/1995/1 Annotated provisional agenda
A/50/6Proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997
Introduction and overview
Section 1Overall policy-making, direction and coordination
Section 2 Political affairs
Section 3Peace-keeping operations and special missions
Section 4Outer space affairs
Section 6 Legal activities
Section 7ADepartment for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development
Section 7BAfrica: critical economic situation, recovery and development
Section 8Department for Economic andSocial Informationand Policy Analysis
Section 9Department for Development Support and Management Services
Section 10AUnited Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Section 10BInternational Trade Centre UNCTAD/GATT
Section 11United Nations Environment Programme
Section 12United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)
Section 13 Crime control
Section 14 International drug control
Section 15 Economic Commission for Africa
Section 16Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Section 17 Economic Commission for Europe
Section 18Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
Section 19Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
Section 20Regular programme of technical cooperation
Section 21 Human rights
Section 22Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Section 23United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East
Section 24Department of Humanitarian Affairs
Section 25 Public information
E/AC.51/1995/2 Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the final
and Corr.1report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the in-
depth evaluation of peace-keeping operations: start-up phase
E/AC.51/1995/3Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report
and Corr.1of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the indepth
evaluation of the programme on environment
E/1995/21Annual overview report of the Administrative Committee on
Coordination for 1994
A/49/423Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Joint
Inspection Unit entitled "Review and assessment of efforts to restructure
the regional dimension of United Nations economic and social activities"
A/50/126-E/1995/20 Notes by the Secretary-General transmitting the report
and Add.1of the Joint Inspection Unit entitled "Communication for
development programmes in the United Nations system" and the comments of
the Administrative Committee on Coordination on the report
E/AC.51/1995/L.4Provisional agenda for the thirty-sixth session of the
Committee for Programme and Coordination
E/AC.51/1995/L.1/Rev.1 Note by the Secretariat on the status of
documentation
E/AC.51/1995/L.2/Rev.1 Revised proposed programme of work
and Add.1
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