GA/AB/3423

FIFTH COMMITTEE APPROVES DRAFT RESOLUTIONS, INCLUDING ON RESULTS-BASED BUDGETING AND OUTSOURCING

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning took action -– by approving four draft resolutions and a number of draft decisions -- on various items on its agenda.

It approved, without a vote, a draft resolution which would have the Secretary-General introduce, in a gradual and incremental manner, a results-based budgeting methodology.

Stressing that the new measures were intended to enhance responsibility and accountability in the implementation of the programmes, the Assembly would decide to enhance programme objectives as a key element of the medium-term plan and in the programme budget.

By other terms, the Assembly would declare that results-based budgeting tools must be in full compliance with all the rules and regulations governing programme planning and budgeting, and would stress that it should not be used to adjust the level of approved resources or staff. Requested resources should continue to be justified in terms of the requirements of output delivery, the Assembly would affirm.

By the terms of a draft resolution on outsourcing practices, approved by the Committee without a vote, the main goals of outsourcing and the criteria for its use would be determined. By the terms of that text, the Assembly would insist on the need to ensure respect for the international character of the Organization; avoid possible negative impact on staff; and provide appropriate control over the activities or services outsourced.

The Assembly would also ask the Secretary-General to ensure that programme managers satisfy all criteria for determining whether a particular activity should be outsourced. Among those criteria are cost-effectiveness and efficiency; safety and security; maintenance of the international character of the Organization; and integrity of procedures and processes.

Another text approved without a vote this morning was a draft resolution on the United Nations pension system, by the terms of which the Assembly would take note of the situation at the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and concur

Fifth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/AB/3423 41st Meeting (AM) 18 December 2000

with recent decisions and actions of the Pension Board, as well as several recent amendments regulations of the Fund.

By the terms of a draft resolution on the pattern of conferences, also approved without a vote, the Assembly would approve the draft revised United Nations calendar of conferences and meetings for 2001. Pointing out that meetings of the Charter and mandated bodies must be a priority, the Assembly would further decide to provide all necessary resources for interpretation for meetings of regional and other major groups of Member States in the 2002-2003 budget. Among other matters covered in that draft are United Nations offices and conference facilities away from Headquarters, and the production of United Nations documentation.

The Committee decided, without a vote, to inform the General Assembly that an additional $6.32 million would be required should it adopt a draft before it on United Nations activities in Afghanistan.

The Committee also recommended that the General Assembly take note of the report of the Secretary-General on revised estimates in respect of matters of which the Security Council is seized, and concur with the observations and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the matter. The Committee made similar recommendations regarding a review of the Information Systems Coordination Committee.

By another decision, the Committee recommended the General Assembly take note with appreciation of the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) on its activities during the fifty-fourth Assembly session, and ask the Secretary-General to bring that report to the attention of the executive heads of the specialized agencies, and the funds and programmes concerned.

The Committee deferred action on draft decisions regarding the revised estimates of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council and on the conditions of service and compensation for the Chairman of the ACABQ and senior officials of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

Also this morning, the Committee began consideration of the financing of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). The Secretary-General’s report was introduced by the Director of the Peacekeeping Financing Division, Yeo Bock Cheng. Speaking in the general discussion on this issue were the representatives of India, Ethiopia, Botswana and Libya. Mr. Yeo also responded to questions from the floor.

The drafts before the Committee were introduced by Michiel W.H. Crom (Netherlands), Manlan Ahounou (Côte d’Ivoire), Collen Vixen Kelapile (Botswana), Vice-Chairman of the Committee, and the Committee’s Chairman, Gert Rosenthal (Guatemala).

The Chairman of the ACABQ, Conrad S.M. Mselle, introduced that body’s reports.

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Speaking in explanation of position on the results-based budgeting draft resolution were the representatives of New Zealand (also on behalf of Australia and Canada), India, United States and Norway.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Israel, Cuba, Canada, Syria, Sweden (on behalf of the European Union) and Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of 77 and China).

The Committee is scheduled to meet, to act on the remaining issues it must cover this session, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 20 December.

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Committee Work Programme

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning, it was expected to act on draft resolutions on results-based budgeting, outsourcing practices, the United Nations pension system and the pattern of conferences, and to begin its general discussion on the financing of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Fifth Committee was also expected to consider revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its 2000 substantive session, the programme budget implications of a draft resolution on emergency international assistance to war-stricken Afghanistan, and revised estimates in respect of matters of which the Security Council is seized. Also on its agenda was the conditions of service and compensation of officials other than Secretariat officials, and a review of the Information Systems Coordination Committee.

The Committee was also expected to consider the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations, the administrative and budgetary coordination of the United Nations with the specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) on its activities during the fifty-fourth session of the Assembly.

Before the Committee was a draft resolution on results-based budgeting (document A/C.5/55/L.19). By the terms of that text, reaffirming its role in carrying out a thorough analysis and approval of posts and financial resources, the Assembly would endorse the conclusions and recommendations of the ACABQ and note that the proposed measures were intended to enhance responsibility and accountability in the implementation of programmes and budgets. It would decide that results-based budgeting should be implemented in a gradual and incremental manner, in full compliance with all the rules and regulations governing programme planning and budgeting.

The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to ensure that indicators of achievement, expected accomplishments and objectives were directly and clearly linked with the objectives of the programmes and that they were defined keeping in mind the direct link between inputs and outputs. In presenting the programme budget, expected accomplishments and, where possible, indicators of achievement should be included to measure achievements in the implementation of the programmes of the Organization and not those of individual Member States. In that regard, the Assembly would stress the need for continued improvement in the formulation of objectives, expected accomplishments and indicators of achievement, undertaken with the full involvement of relevant intergovernmental bodies.

Further by the text, the design of programme objectives would be enhanced as a key element of results-based budgeting in the context of the medium-term plan and in the programme budget. The Secretary-General would be requested to keep the definition of terms and guidelines under review, and to bring that question to the attention of the Consultative Committee on Administrative Questions of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC). The Assembly would stress the need to identify in the proposed programme budget, and in future medium-term plans, relevant external factors. Assessment of performance should reflect, and not be distorted by, the impact of unforeseen external factors. The Assembly would also decide that the proposed programme budget for 2002-2003 would contain input data at the same level of detail as that provided in the current budget.

Noting that the Secretary-General already enjoys delegation of authority in programme delivery, in particular, in the transfer of resources within sections of the budget, the Assembly would also decide that any transfer of resources between post and non-post objects of expenditure would require prior approval of the General Assembly. It would stress that the use of indicators of achievement and expected accomplishments should not constitute a method to adjust the level of approved resources or staff, and that requested resources should continue to be justified in terms of the requirements of output delivery. Emphasizing that the proposed resources should be commensurate with all mandated programmes and activities, the Assembly would further note that the present resolution would not involve any revisions to the financial rules and regulations of the United Nations.

The text would further reaffirm that when an objective for Secretariat action cannot be achieved by the end of the plan period, both that longer-term objective and more specific objectives to be achieved within the plan period would be set. It would emphasize the need for the Secretariat to continue to improve its programme evaluation capacity and stress that additional flexibility in managing inputs, if approved by the General Assembly, should always be accompanied by increased accountability.

The Secretary-General would be requested to undertake a detailed analysis of the information and systems required to implement the proposals contained in the text, and of the capacity and limitations of the existing systems. In the interim, it would stress that the intention of the Secretary-General to focus on the evaluation of programme delivery on expected accomplishments should be implemented in a flexible manner and be complementary to the existing evaluation system. The Secretary-General would also be invited to take appropriate measures to develop an adequate training programme in the formulation of expected accomplishments and indicators of achievement.

By the terms of the draft resolution on outsourcing practices (A/C.5/55/L.20), the Assembly would request that outsourcing decisions continue to be guided by such basic reasons as cost savings and the need to acquire technical skills not available within the Organization. Outsourcing should also be more effective and expeditious; or provide a service not needed on a long-term basis. At least the following three significant goals must be considered with regard to outsourcing by the United Nations: respect for the international character of the Organization; avoidance of a possible negative impact on staff; and achievement of appropriate management or control over the activities or services outsourced.

Affirming the United Nations firm commitment to fair treatment of all participants involved on as wide a geographical basis as possible, the Assembly would further request the Secretary-General to ensure that programme managers satisfy all the criteria for determining whether particular activities need to be outsourced. Among those are the criteria of cost-effectiveness and efficiency; safety and security; maintenance of the international character of the Organization; and integrity of procedures and processes.

The Secretary-General would be requested to report on the progress achieved to the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session. The information to be provided should include location and type of outsourced activities and the reason for them, as well as the activities outsourced during 1999-2000. The Joint Inspection Unit would be requested to conduct a management audit review of outsourcing within the United Nations system.

By the terms of the eight-part draft resolution on the United Nations pension system (document A/C.5/55/L.14), which was submitted by the Chairman following informal consultations, the General Assembly would take note with satisfaction of the improvement of the actuarial situation of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund to a surplus of 4.25 per cent of pensionable remuneration as of 31 December 1999.

The Assembly would also take note of the recent decisions of the Board, including those to lower the interest rate used to determine lump-sum commutations from the current 6.5 per cent to 6 per cent; to establish a working group on the review of the benefit provisions of the Fund; and to pursue a new transfer agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Assembly would further concur with the Transfer Agreement with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to secure continuity of pension rights between the two organizations.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would take note of efforts to monitor the cost savings of recent modifications of the pension adjustment system and approve changes in that system, lowering the threshold for cost-of-living adjustments to 2 per cent, and modifying the provisions of the pension adjustment system to implement the relevant judgement of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal.

Taking note of the observations of the ACABQ on the financial statements of the Pension Fund, the Assembly would further note the strategic plan for the operations of the Fund, which addresses computer systems, process re-engineering and technological improvements, and office space needs. It would welcome efforts to improve the administrative operations of the Fund using electronic exchanges of information and the Internet. It would request the Standing Committee, in submitting budget proposals for 2002-2003 and revised estimates for the current biennium, to provide detailed information on the costs and benefits related to the project, including timetables and prioritizing of the initiatives.

On the entitlement to survivors’ benefits for spouses and former spouses, the Assembly would approve several amendments to the Regulations of the Fund, including those which would extend such benefits to divorced spouses of former participants who separated before April 1999 who meet all the other eligibility conditions; restore the benefits which had been eliminated for those who had remarried prior to April 1999, subject to recovery (with interest) of the lump-sum payment made at the time of remarriage; and eliminate the partial commutation option for participants electing to receive a deferred retirement benefit.

The Assembly would further note the information provided by the Government of the Russian Federation on internal solutions being prepared to address the concerns of Russian former participants of the Fund. It would also take note of the conclusions of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) on the changes in average tax rates at the seven duty stations that formed the basis for the development of the current common scale of staff assessment for pensionable remuneration, and of the provisional allocation of the seat vacated by the former Interim Commission for the International Trade Organization upon termination of its membership in the Fund.

Also by the terms of the text, the Assembly would approve several amendments to the Regulations of the Fund, concerning the setting of terms of office for the elected members of the Staff Pension Committee at four years, and the frequency of audits of the operations of the Fund at one year. The audit reports on the accounts of the Fund by the Board of Auditors would be submitted to the Assembly every two years, instead of annually.

Regarding investments of the Pension Fund, the Assembly would express its appreciation of the investment performance of the fund and request the Secretary- General to explore investment possibilities in developing countries. Taking note of the outstanding tax refunds due to the Fund from some Member States, it would urge those Member States which had outstanding balances of foreign tax accounts to provide the reimbursements due. It would also reiterate its request to those Member States which do not grant tax exemptions to make all possible efforts to do so as soon as possible.

The Committee also had before it a draft resolution submitted by the Vice- Chairman on the pattern of United Nations conferences (document A/C.5/55/L.13). In the draft text, related items are grouped by category. Section I is on the calendar of conferences and meetings and other calendar-related matters. Section II covers the use of conference servicing resources and facilities. Section III deals with the issues of documentation and publication-related matters. Section IV is on the translation and interpretation-related matters, while Section V covers information technology-related matters. Section VI addresses the issue of smoking in United Nations Conference facilities.

By the terms of the text, the Assembly would approve the draft revised United Nations calendar of conferences and meetings for 2001, as submitted by the Committee on Conferences. The Assembly would request the Committee on Conferences and the Secretary-General, when planning the calendar and meetings, to avoid simultaneous peak periods at various duty stations, and also to avoid scheduling meetings of related intergovernmental bodies too closely together. On the issue of the use of conference servicing, the Assembly would reiterate its request to the Committee on Conferences to consult with those bodies that had consistently used less than the applicable benchmark figure of their allocated resources for the past three sessions with a view to making appropriate recommendations to achieve the optimum utilization of conference servicing resources. Meetings of Charter and mandated bodies must be serviced as a priority. The Assembly would further decide to include all necessary resources in the budget for the biennium 2002-2003 to provide interpretation services for meetings of regional and other major groups of Member States upon request by those groups, on an ad hoc basis, in accordance with established practice. It would request the Secretary-General to submit a report on the implementation of the decision to the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session, through the Committee on Conferences.

Also on this issue, the Assembly would note that the creation of a permanent interpretation service at Nairobi offers great potential for Nairobi as a venue for United Nations conferences and meetings, and note the efforts being made by Nairobi to attract more meetings to its facilities. It would also request the Secretary-General to consider improving and modernizing the conference facilities at the United Nations Office at Nairobi to accommodate major meetings and conferences, and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session. The Assembly would welcome the fact that, despite various constraints, steps have been taken to increase the utilization of conference centres at the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and note plans for the future in this regard.

Regarding documentation and publication-related matters, the draft encourages further effort to address the root causes of continued difficulty to submit and issue documents in accordance with the previous relevant decisions of the Assembly. Additional concerted effort by all stakeholders must be made to enable timely issuance of documentation.

On the issue of information technology, the Assembly would urge the Secretary-General to fill three posts in the Department of Public Information (DPI) relating to web sites in Arabic, Chinese and Russian. The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to report at its fifty-sixth session on policy issues regarding the translation of non-parliamentary and public information material into all official languages, as well as the possibility of providing those materials on the web site.

Also before the Committee was a report of the Secretary-General on the financing of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) (document A/55/666). In July 2000, the Security Council established the Mission for an initial period of six months and subsequently extended its mandate until 15 March 2001. The Council authorized the deployment of up to 4,200 troops, including up to 220 military observers. The proposed budget for the establishment and operation of UNMEE for 31 July 2000 to 30 June 2001 amounts to some $199.1 million gross (about $196.31 net), inclusive of the commitment authority of some $50 million gross ($49.71 million net) granted by the ACABQ for the Mission's start-up costs and costs for reconnaissance and liaison teams dispatched to the mission area in July 2000.

The cost estimates provide for the deployment of up to 4,200 military personnel, including 220 military observers and 619 civilian staff (282 international, 322 local and 15 United Nations Volunteers), the report explains. Of the total budget, some 11.1 per cent of resources relate to civilian personnel costs, 50.2 per cent relate to operational costs and 36.1 per cent relate to military personnel costs. Staff assessment comprises some 1.4 per cent and 1.2 per cent of the total resources relate to other programmes.

The Secretary-General requests the Assembly establish a special UNMEE account for income received and expenditures made. He also requests that the Assembly appropriate some $199.1 million gross (about $196.31 million net) for the establishment and operation of the Mission for 31 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, inclusive of the commitment authority of $50 million gross granted by the ACABQ. The Assembly should assess some $135.44 million gross ($133.56 million net) for the Mission for 31 July 2000 to 15 March 2001. It should also assess some $63.63 million gross ($62.75 million net) for 16 March to 30 June 2001, at the monthly rate of $18.1 million gross ($17.84 million net) subject to the Security Council's decision to extend the mandate of the Mission beyond 15 March 2001.

The Committee also had before it the related report of the ACABQ (document A/55/688). Because of the timing of the submission of the report, the ACABQ was unable to consider it in detail during the current session of the Assembly. The ACABQ has several concerns, especially how the concept of operations affects, and can justify, the proposed structure of the Mission, including its senior staff. The resources for the training unit mentioned in the Secretary-General's report to the Security Council on Ethiopia and Eritrea are not clearly identified in the estimates. Moreover, ample resources are provided for the Office of Human Rights -- a component which was not included in the report to the Security Council. Further clarification must be provided on all substantive and administrative components of the Mission to determine the extent to which the existing establishment of the Mission can provide what is being proposed in budget estimates.

The ACABQ intends to resume detailed consideration of the report of the Secretary-General during its 2001 winter session. To address its concerns, the ACABQ requests the Mission be represented at the highest possible level. Pending the review, the Advisory Committee recommends that the General Assembly authorize a commitment authority of some $150 million gross, inclusive of the commitment authority of some $50 million gross already granted. The ACABQ would, if necessary, make recommendations at its winter session for a further review of updated estimates for UNMEE for 2000-2001. It would also address the timing of the submission of the Secretary-General's estimates for 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002.

The ACABQ further recommends that the funding be granted without prejudice to any recommendations that it might make to the Assembly in February and March 2001 or any decisions that the Assembly might take thereon with regard to budgetary and administrative matters, including posts. To avoid disruption in UNMEE operations, the ACABQ recommends that staff employed against posts that eventually are not approved be accommodated against vacancies until the expiry of their contracts, if necessary. The Secretary-General would be allowed to proceed with the redeployment of posts among various offices of the Mission, although the staffing table has not yet been approved for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001.

Before the Committee was a report of the Secretary-General on revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its 2000 substantive session (document A/C.5/55/25). Under the terms of Economic and Social Council resolution 2000/22, the Council decided to establish a permanent forum on indigenous issues as a subsidiary organ of the Council, consisting of 16 members serving in their personal capacity as independent experts on indigenous issues. The forum would hold an annual session of 10 working days at the United Nations Office at Geneva, at United Nations Headquarters or at other locations as decided by the forum within existing financial rules and regulations. The financing of the permanent forum would be provided from within existing resources through the regular budget of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and through voluntary contributions.

The report says that additional requirements for the forum would amount to some $114,800 if it were held in Geneva, and some $156,300 if it were held in New York. No provision had been made in the programme budget for 2000-2001 to cover these requirements. It is not anticipated that the requirements under section 22 (human rights) of the regular budget could be met from existing resources. Under procedures established by several Assembly resolutions, a contingency fund is established for each biennium to accommodate additional expenditures resulting from legislative mandates not provided for in the programme budget. If proposed additional expenditures exceed the resources available from the contingency fund, activities are implemented through the redeployment of funds from low-priority areas or modifications of existing activities.

The report goes on to say that the Secretary-General is not in a position to indicate whether the forum will meet in 2001. If the Assembly is not in a position to decide on the location of the meetings in 2001, the Secretary-General proposes that some $114,800 be appropriated for 2001 to hold the meeting in Geneva. Should the forum be held in another location, the Secretary-General would report on additional requirements in the second performance report for 2000-2001. He also proposes that the same procedure be followed for the requirements of the forum for the following bienniums. If the forum meets in 2001, the Secretary- General considers that an additional appropriation of $114,800 should be made under section 22 of the programme budget for 2000-2001. This provision would represent a charge against the contingency fund, and would require an additional appropriation in the same amount under section 22.

The Committee had before it an addendum to the revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council in 2000 (document A/C.5/55/25/Add.1) on the requirements in connection with decision 2000/311 of 22 November 2000.

According to this document, this decision of the Council would establish, on an urgent basis, a human rights inquiry commission on violations of human rights and breaches of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupying power in the Palestinian territories. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights would be requested to undertake an urgent visit; and several Special Rapporteurs would be asked to carry out immediate missions to the occupied Palestinian territories.

That would require an additional provision of $741,600 over and above the resources proposed under section 22, Human rights, of the programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001, representing a charge against the contingency fund.

Also before the Committee was a statement submitted by the Secretary-General containing the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/55/L.62. In that draft resolution, the Assembly is considering the extension of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA) for one year from 1 January to 31 December 2001. Should the Assembly adopt the draft resolution, estimated requirements of some $6 million would arise for 2001 under section 3, political affairs, of the programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001. Expenditures for 1 January to 31 December 2000 are estimated at some $3.59 million against the appropriation of some $3.28 million approved by the Assembly during its fifty- fourth session for activities of the Mission for 2000, resulting in additional requirements of $314,100.

Should the Assembly adopt the draft, a total additional appropriation of some $6.31 million would be required, including $6 million for 2001 and the additional $314,100 for 2000, under section 3, political affairs, of the programme budget for 2000-2001.

The Committee also had before it a five-section text, containing five draft decisions on programme budget implications of various United Nations resolutions and decisions (document A/C.5/55/L.22).

By the first section of the text, the Assembly would take note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2000.

In connection with draft resolution A/55/L.62/Rev.1 on Afghanistan, the Fifth Committee would decide to inform the Assembly that adoption of that text would require additional appropriations of some $6.32 million under section 3, political affairs, of the current budget. That amount comprises some $6 million for 2001 and the additional requirements of $314,100 for 2000.

The Fifth Committee would also decide to recommend the General Assembly take note of the report of the Security Council on the revised estimates in respect of matters of which the Council is seized and concur with the observations and recommendations of the Advisory Committee in that respect.

Regarding conditions of service and compensations for other than Secretariat officials, including full-time members of the ICSC and the Chairman of the ACABQ, the Fifth Committee would recommend to the General Assembly that it take note of the relevant report of the Secretary-General and approve the suggestions outlined in that document.

On the review of the Information Systems Coordination Committee, the Fifth Committee would recommend to the Assembly that it take note of the Secretary- General’s report before it and concur with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee in that respect.

Also before the Committee was a report of the Secretary-General containing revised estimates in respect of matters of which the Security Council is seized (document A/C.5/55/30), submitted in the context of actions taken by the Council in 2000 regarding good offices, preventive diplomacy and post-conflict peace- building missions. In order to implement those activities, an additional appropriation of some $4.16 million would be required under section 3, political affairs, of the programme budget for 2000-2001.

In particular, the report seeks an additional appropriation of over $1.19 million for the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville for another 12 months. That amount reflects net additional requirements, taking into account the unencumbered balance of $169,300 in 2000.

For the United Nations Office in Burundi, an additional appropriation of some $2.39 million is requested, reflecting the $209,900 increase of resource requirements in 2000. An amount of $60,600 is being sought for United Nations assistance to the Facilitator of the Burundi peace process, and $480,300 for the adviser to the Secretary-General for Special Assignments in Africa. The amount requested for the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Cyprus is $35,400.

A related addendum to the report of the Advisory Committee (document A/55/7/Add.6) contains that body’s comments on the estimates in respect of matters of which the Security Council is seized. The ACABQ notes that, during the fifty- fourth session, the Secretary-General reported on eight special political missions at an estimated cost of $9.96 million. The missions covered in the report under consideration were those on which the Security Council had not yet taken a decision at the time of the issuance of the first performance report.

According to the document, an additional Field Service post was requested for the United Nations Office in Burundi. That was the only request for additional staff contained in the report. Other increases in the estimates for international and local staff in a number of the missions relate to the lower vacancy rates for 2001. The Advisory Committee recommends an additional appropriation of some $4.16 million under section 3, political affairs, of the programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.

Also before the Committee was the report of the Secretary-General on the conditions of service and compensation for other than Secretariat officials serving the General Assembly, including full-time members of the ICSC and the Chairman of the ACABQ (document A/C.5/55/29), which are reviewed every five years.

Regarding compensation, the Secretary-General states that based on the adjustment procedure in effect, it is anticipated that the annual net compensation for the two full-time members of the ICSC and the Chairman of the ACABQ would be increased by some 7 per cent on 1 January 2001, rounded to the nearest whole number. The relevant information on the remuneration levels of referenced senior Secretariat officials for 1995-2000 is provided in the annex to the report.

According to the report, the annual net compensation of the three officials should remain separate and distinct from those of officials of the Secretariat, subject to the interim adjustments. In January 1996, their annual net compensation was equivalent to 97 per cent of the annual net compensation of the referenced senior Secretariat officials. As of 1 January 2000, the annual net compensation of the Chairmen of the two bodies represents 90.4 per cent of the annual net salaries of the referenced senior officials level. In order to restore the relationship with respect to annual net remuneration of the two Chairmen that existed at the time of the last comprehensive review, the Secretary-General recommends that, in addition to the cost-of-living increase, an additional 3.1 per cent increase be granted to the current levels of remuneration of the officials in question.

According to another recommendation contained in the report, the provision approved by the General Assembly in paragraph 3 of its resolution 35/221 would be modified so that, beginning in January 2001, the net remuneration of the three non-Secretariat officials would be adjusted annually, based on 90 per cent of the Consumer Price Index movement for New York measured over the period from November to November.

With regard to the special allowance payable to the Chairman of the ICSC and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee in recognition of their added responsibilities, the amount of the allowance was last revised in 1990 and established at $8,000 per annum. Accordingly, the Assembly may wish to consider revising the amount with effect from 1 January 2001. An increase of the allowance to approximately $10,000 would bring the total annual remuneration of each of the two Chairmen to $159,691, which would represent 97 per cent of the annual net remuneration of $164,631 payable to referenced senior Secretariat officials with dependants as of 1 January 2001.

Regarding other conditions of service, including education grants and applications concerning disabled children, no change is proposed in the Secretary- General's report at this time. However, the pensionable remuneration of the three non-Secretariat officials was last revised as of January 1998, and the Secretary- General states that it should be adjusted together with their annual compensation. According to the report, the pensionable remuneration of the Chairman of the Advisory Committee and the Chairman of the ICSC should be revised from $176,400 to $194,599 and, for the Vice-Chairman of the ICSC, it should be revised from $166,950 to $184,174 with effect from 1 January 2001.

Should the General Assembly approve the suggestions outlined in the report, it is estimated that the additional requirements of $32,100 for 2001 would arise in the biennium 2000-2001. Accordingly, additional appropriations of $18,800 and $13,300 would be required under sections 1 and 29, respectively, of the programme budget. In connection with the additional requirements of $13,300 under section 29, Jointly financed administrative activities, that amount represents the United Nations share of the total additional the ICSC.

Also before the Committee was a report of the Secretary-General on the Review of the Information Systems Coordination Committee (document A/55/619). That Committee was established in 1993 as part of a wider restructuring of the subsidiary machinery of the ACC. Participants include senior information management and technology managers of organizations of the United Nations system. Managers and staff members of the information and communications technology departments of United Nations organizations participate in its working group. The mandate of the Committee includes the provision of advice and medium- and long- term strategic views to the ACC, decisions on specific areas of information and communications technology that require system-wide standardization and the development and maintenance of an electronic repository data on information systems.

The reports says that the Information Systems Coordination Committee’s first priority was to create policies and standards to ensure wider accessibility of information in the United Nations system. Definite progress has been made in this area. The extraordinary developments in the field of information technology and communications over the past few years have, however, shifted the focus and concern of Member States and the ACC with regard to inter-agency cooperation. Information and communication technology has become pervasive in all programmatic and administrative activities and the need for enhanced cooperation not only at the administrative but also at the policy level is increasingly urgent.

The report goes on to say that, in considering the proposed programme budget for jointly financed activities for the biennium 2000-2001, the ACC recommended that the role and future of the Committee be reviewed and that, pending the outcome of such a review, the appropriation of the United Nations share of the budget be withheld. The General Assembly endorsed that recommendation in 1999 and requested the Secretary-General to identify appropriate resources to finance the United Nations share of the cost of the Committee for the first year of the 2000-2001 biennium.

The report summarizes the current state of the review of the role of the Committee, which is being carried out within the framework of the ongoing process of reform of the machinery of the ACC, and presents the Secretary-General’s views on its usefulness and future role. The report confirms the commitment of the ACC to ensuring the effective management of information technology, and sets out the Secretary-General’s support for the measures being taken by that Committee to reinforce the coordination of information and communications technology activities through its High-level Management Committee and a strengthened coordination mechanism, building upon the Information Systems Coordination Committee. The coordination mechanism will draw on the work accomplished so far by the Information Systems Coordination Committee and on related secretariat support arrangements, and will be based on a prioritization of existing work programmes and new initiatives. The report also stresses that the continuation of the activities initiated by the Committee is indispensable.

According to the report, the Secretary-General recommends the continued funding of the United Nations contribution to the Information Systems Coordination Committee for the biennium 2000-2001, and will reflect the necessary provisions in the first performance report for 2000-2001.

According to its fourth report on the review of the Information Systems Coordination Committee (document A/55/7/Add.3), the ACABQ trusts that the ACC would make maximum use of the two high-level committees it has established in the programme and management areas.

In the review of the role and functions of the Committee currently under way, and on the basis of the additional information contained in the annex to the ACABQ report, the Advisory Committee recommends approval of the proposal to reinstate funding of the United Nations share of the budget of the Information Systems Coordination Committee for 2000-2001. In the proposed programme budget for 2002-2003, the Secretary-General should set out clearly the programme of work of the Committee and its expected accomplishments. The Advisory Committee also expects to receive concrete information that procedures are in place to ensure effective implementation of the recommendations of the Information Systems Coordination Committee.

The Committee had before it the first report on the activities of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) during the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly (document A/55/7).

According to this document, the functions of the Advisory Committee include not only examination of the regular assessed budget, but also extrabudgetary expenditures, financing of various peacekeeping operations and the International Tribunals. The ACABQ also performs other duties assigned to it under the Financial Regulations of the United Nations. With regard to programmes financed by voluntary funds, the ACABQ reports on administrative budgets and other matters to the governing bodies of various United Nations programmes and funds.

During the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly, the meetings of the Advisory Committee were organized into three sessions, the report states, which were held in New York: from 7 September to 17 December 1999; from 1 February to 31 March 2000; and from 2 to 22 May 2000. The Committee also met in Paris in May; and in Geneva, Turin, Brindisi, Pristina, Vienna and Rome in June. Also during the period under review, the Advisory Committee replied to various requests of the Secretary-General by letter. In most cases, it authorized the Secretary-General to enter into commitments in respect of financing of various peacekeeping operations. A list and summary of those letters is annexed to the report.

According to the document, during its sessions in New York, the Advisory Committee considered a number of reports related to the United Nations regular budget, United Nations peacekeeping operations and other administrative and budgetary matters of the United Nations and of its funds and programmes. The Committee met with representatives of the Secretary-General and of the executive heads of funds and programmes. The reports of the Committee are listed in the annex to the report.

On the basis of its experience, the Advisory Committee comes to the conclusion that the reform process within specialized agencies and the IAEA has intensified. There is now greater emphasis on planning for results and personnel management reform. In an environment of scarce resources, greater focus is being made on setting priorities and defining the objectives. Performance monitoring and evaluation are also stressed. In this connection, the ACABQ notes that, except for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), there has been hardly any real increase in the budgets of the agencies. Of particular note is the dramatic decrease in resources devoted to development, including those managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). On the other hand, there has been an increase in resources for emergency and humanitarian operations.

The planning and budgeting processes in some of the agencies are being reformed extensively, the Advisory Committee notes, and care should be taken to ensure that such reforms do not result in new rigidities or a lack of transparency to Member States, or make the processes more expensive. Many of the agencies reported difficulties in establishing performance measurement standards. Unless such standards are carefully identified and realistically set, reforms could lead to confusion, excessive reporting and high cost.

Among key issues in connection with results-based budgeting are the absolute necessity of involving Member States and staff at all levels at every stage of the process, the need for adequate information and cost-accounting systems to support the results-based approach and the need for human resources reform linked to the new budgetary process. It is also important to ensure that the level of resources is commensurate with the intended objective. The Advisory Committee further notes a serious lack of coordination among the agencies in sharing experiences and lessons learned. Furthermore, the plethora of terms used by the agencies to describe similar ideas relating to “results-based” techniques serves only to confuse matters. The Committee recommends that a mechanism be developed, possibly within the framework of the machinery of the ACC, to permit the agencies to coordinate efforts and share experiences, with priority to be given in the early stages to harmonizing terminology in this area.

Extensive budgetary constraints have led to a search for efficiencies and reductions in support services, and the Advisory Committee cautions that there is a limit to which support services can be reduced without negatively impacting on programme implementation. Furthermore, in some cases Prime examples of this are the constant reductions in spending for buildings maintenance at United Nations Headquarters and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the result that the cost of asset rehabilitation is now almost prohibitive.

The Advisory Committee also emphasizes the need for agencies to collaborate and learn from each other in the reform process. A first step in this regard should be the harmonization of terminologies relating to planning, budgeting and human resources reform. Similarly, there is a need to share lessons learned and experiences in the development of management information systems for the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on programmes and other operations.

The Advisory Committee further welcomes the increased movement of staff between Headquarters and the field and points out that delegation of authority must be accompanied by central capacity to monitor field performance, using new technologies to avoid excessive paper reporting and the attendant bureaucracy. The field offices must also be provided with the new equipment and technologies, as well as qualified staff to carry out the new assignments.

On the topic of human resources management, the ACABQ remarks on the trend to reduce long-term contracts in favour of short-term contracts of one to five years. In the view of the ACABQ, the challenge is to link human resources reform with the need to obtain the proper mix of staff expertise to implement the mandates entrusted to the organizations by Member States. Also, training is an area of growing importance in the agencies. In the opinion of the Committee, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Training Centre in Turin, Italy, has a role to play in improving cooperation in this regard and has the potential, as a central facility, to train personnel of the United Nations system.

Regarding greater flexibility assigned to programme managers, the ACABQ states that it should not compromise the need for accountability. Flexibility was taken too far in UNESCO recruitment procedures, for example, where, according to the administrative manual, the Director-General or programme manager to whom authority is delegated may decide not to advertise a vacancy if and when “it was found necessary for reasons of service”. As a result, 37 per cent of all recruitment at UNESCO in 1998-1999 did not follow normal recruitment procedures. The General Conference has now directed that all posts must be advertised for three months.

The report states that the collaboration of agencies with the United Nations in peacekeeping operations needs strengthening. The United Nations must make concerted efforts to engage specialized agencies and use their specific expertise in the related areas of peace-building, rehabilitation and reconstruction. They represent an untapped reservoir of know-how, which must be targeted and organized. It does not seem logical, for example, that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) does not have substantive operational staff in the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) or the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK). It also strongly urges the organizations of the United Nations system to carefully coordinate their security and safety activities at the field level. In its opinion, there is a need to have a comprehensive system-wide approach under the aegis of the United Nations.

The Advisory Committee was briefed extensively by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the FAO on emergency response arrangements. All representatives expressed some dissatisfaction with the present Inter-Agency Standing Committee, considering it a good forum for discussing policy, but too large and unwieldy to respond effectively in emergency situations. In the opinion of the ACABQ, there is a need to review current emergency coordination arrangements. Mechanisms for sharing experience in such areas as the rapid deployment of staff, including roster arrangements, should be explored.

There is a need at United Nations Headquarters and at the Offices at Geneva and Vienna to agree on common performance standards, terminology and a methodology, in reference to conference services performance. In this connection, the Advisory Committee encourages the continued development and improvement of performance measurement standards.

Action on Drafts

Introducing the draft on results-based budgeting, MICHIEL W.H. CROM (Netherlands), said that the text had been approved by consensus in the informal consultations, and he recommended that the text be approved without a vote in the Committee.

The draft was then approved without a vote.

Speaking in explanation of position, WEN CHIN POWLES (New Zealand), also speaking on behalf of Canada and Australia (CANZ), welcomed the adoption of the draft by consensus. It endorsed the conclusions of the ACABQ subject to certain provisions. Since its introduction, the CANZ countries had supported the concept of results-based budgeting, which envisioned the use of indicators of achievement, expected accomplishments and objectives in the budgeting process. The draft contained reference to important elements of particular interest for the Committee. She thanked everyone who had participated in the work on the text and added that she looked forward to the implementation of the concept.

A.V.S. RAMESH CHANDRA (India) expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the consultations on the text and thanked the coordinator on the item. The very fact that the draft resolution had 28 paragraphs reflected the general interest in the concept. The language of the draft was good and the text would provide a useful management tool for implementation of the budgeting and planning cycle. He completely agreed with the representative of New Zealand.

THOMAS A. REPASCH (United States) said that he wanted to express appreciation to the coordinator on the item. The resolution was a major achievement in developing and implementing the Secretary-General’s programme of reform. It would be beneficial to all States.

ANNE MERCHANT (Norway) associated her country with the statement by the representative of New Zealand on behalf of CANZ.

Turning to the text on outsourcing practices, Mr. CROM (Netherlands) introduced the text and recommended that the Committee approve the draft without a vote.

The Committee approved the text without a vote.

MANLAN AHOUNOU (Côte d’Ivoire) then introduced the text on the United Nations pension system. After many informal consultations, the Committee had reached agreement on the draft resolution in question, he said. The draft reflected the report of the Pension Board and was based on the structure of its sections.

The draft resolution was approved without a vote.

The Committee then turned to the draft resolution on the pattern of conferences.

COLLEN VIXEN KELAPILE (Botswana), Vice-Chairman of the Committee, introduced the draft. He said section 3 dealt with the matter of documentation, which was of great importance to the delegates. Additional efforts still needed to be made to ensure timely issuance of documentation, and the text addressed that need.

The Committee approved the draft without a vote.

The Committee then began its consideration of the draft on the financing of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

YEO BOCK CHENG, Director, Peacekeeping Financing Division, introduced the draft resolution on that issue. The mandate of the Mission was extended by the Security Council until 15 March 2001, with an authorized deployment of additional troops and observers. The initial financing report had been prepared on the strength authorized by the Council. The latest data on deployments was also reflected in the reduction of the initial estimate.

The Chairman of the ACABQ, CONRAD S.M. MSELLE, said that, awaiting a comprehensive report on the matter, the Advisory Committee had made interim recommendations, which were contained in paragraphs 11 and 12 of its report. The Committee was recommending appropriation of $150 million, which should be assessed. It was also emphasizing the flexibility that the Secretary-General should have in using those resources, particularly in staffing the Mission. The ACABQ would return to the financing of the Mission in March 2001. It would also seek further clarifications on some issues at that time.

Mr. CHANDRA (India) said that the ACABQ report stated that the Advisory Committee had no time to consider the report during the current session. How had that happened? He also noted that the report of the Advisory Committee mentioned some aspects of particular concern, and concluded that he agreed with the line of action proposed by the ACABQ.

HAILE SELASSIE GETACHEW (Ethiopia) said that just last week a peace agreement was signed by Ethiopia and Eritrea in Algiers. The discussion of the issue in the Committee consolidated the ground for the complete deployment of UNMEE and the implementation of its mandate. He endorsed the Advisory Committee’s recommendation and hoped for speedy action on that agenda item.

Mr. KELAPILE (Botswana) said that his delegation supported the statement made by the representative of Ethiopia and was determined to offer assistance. He commended the signing by the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea. He was impressed by the continued commitment to the agreement of the two Governments. The establishment of UNMEE by the Security Council and its subsequent extension could not have been more timely, and he noted the steady progress in making administrative arrangements to put the Mission into full operation. However, for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to fully exercise his authority, there was an urgent need to finalize the Mission’s resource requirements. Due to the timing of the report, the ACABQ was unable to consider the report in detail and intended to resume its detailed consideration at a later date. He looked forward to more information on how the ACABQ intended to address matters of concern, including the Mission’s senior staff component.

KHALIFA O. ALATRASH (Libya) expressed pleasure at the progress made by his African brothers in concluding the peace agreement. He hoped that peace and security would prevail all over Africa. He asked the Secretariat to explain why the report had not been submitted to the ACABQ in time for it to consider the details in a timely fashion.

Mr. YEO said that, in the case of peacekeeping operations, the timing of the submission of reports for financing of new missions was contingent on when the Security Council adopted resolutions, and how quickly the Secretariat could develop accurate assumptions. In the case of UNMEE, following the adoption of the resolution, they had obtained initial funding authority of the ACABQ to immediately fund the Mission’s start-up costs, as well as the costs of necessary surveys and reviews. The Council then adopted a second resolution on 15 September, which detailed the Mission’s staffing strength. It was only following the adoption of the second resolution that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations was able to begin serious planning, including the feasibility of levels of actual deployment.

The initial submission from the Department was made towards the end of October, and it was made on the understanding that assumptions in the submission would be revised as the Department obtained updated information. The numbers kept changing, and the Secretariat concluded that it was essential to put the Mission’s financing on a proper functioning. Hence, it issued the report dated 4 December to the ACABQ. It had been the Secretariat’s intent to submit a realistic initial budget based on information that was changing on a daily basis. It did not want to lose credibility by submitting exaggerated estimates. Within a week of issuing the document, as soon as it obtained confirmed information on the first deployments, the Secretariat immediately provided the ACABQ with that information.

The Committee then concluded its general discussion on that item and turned its attention to the revised estimates of resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2000.

Mr. MSELLE then orally introduced the report of the ACABQ. He said that many of the resolutions would be financed from within existing provisions of the programme budget for 2000-2001. The Secretary-General had estimated that additional funds would be required to implement resolution 2000/22, which established a permanent forum on indigenous issues. The forum would hold an annual session of 10 working days at Geneva, New York or at such other place as the forum may decide. The Secretary-General had indicated that some $114,800 should be authorized for the forum to meet in Geneva in 2000. If it were to meet elsewhere, additional costs would be indicated in the second performance report. He also proposed that the same procedure be followed for the requirements of the forum for the following bienniums. The ACABQ agreed that that procedure should be followed in the future.

Regarding the resources needed to implement resolution 2000/311, he said that the Economic and Social Council had endorsed resolution S/5-1 of the fifth special session of the Commission on Human Rights. The resolution established a human rights commission of inquiry with respect to occupied Palestinian territories and requested that the High Commissioner for Human Rights undertake an urgent visit to the region. To implement that mandate, the Secretary-General would need some $770,400 under two sections of the budget. The ACABQ recommended accepting the Secretary-General’s estimate. The amount requested would be a charge against the contingency fund for 2000-2001.

RON ADAM (Israel) said that his delegation needed additional time to review the text contained in document A/C.5/55/L.22.

EVA SILOT-BRAVO(Cuba) suggested that part A of the draft should contain a reference to the endorsement of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.

The Chairman of the Committee, GERT ROSENTHAL (Guatemala), suggested postponement of action on part A of the draft A/C.5/55/L.22 until the next formal meeting.

Mr. MSELLE then orally introduced the report of the ACABQ on the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/55/L.62 on Afghanistan, saying that the Secretary-General had submitted his estimates to implement the draft resolution before the plenary on the situation in Afghanistan. Pursuant to the report of the Secretary-General on the matter, the mandate of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan would continue its primary peacekeeping role in 2001, and the scope of its activities would expand. The Secretary-General was proposing to strengthen the staffing for the mission to 83 posts and to restore two military advisers positions there. The estimate was set at about $6 million, as compared with $3.3 million appropriated by the General Assembly for 2000. The Committee recommended acceptance of the Secretary-General’s estimates.

The Committee then decided, without a vote, to inform the General Assembly that, should it adopt the draft on Afghanistan, a total additional appropriation of some $6.32 million, comprising $6 million for 2001 and the additional requirements of $314,100 for 2000 would be required under section 3, political affairs, of the programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.

As the Committee turned to the revised estimates in respect of matters of which the Security Council is seized, Mr. MSELLE introduced the report of the ACABQ, saying that the estimate for five missions had been submitted by the Secretary-General. The Advisory Committee had reviewed the proposals and provided its comments in its report. It agreed with the proposals recommending an additional appropriation of $4.16 million for 2000-2001.

The Fifth Committee then decided to recommended to the General Assembly to take note of the report of the Secretary-General and concur with the observations and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the matter.

The Committee then turned its attention to the conditions of service and compensation for officials, other than Secretariat officials, serving the General Assembly.

JULIO CAMARENA-VILLASENOR, of the Office of Human Resources Management, introduced the Secretary-General’s report. The report contained two recommendations updating earlier General Assembly decision. The conditions of service were reviewed every five years. The last review had taken place in 1995.

DAVID NELSON (Canada) said that while he had no problem with the recommendations, he was concerned about the Committee approving increases pertaining to International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) officials before it had taken action on the ICSC report. He did not believe it prudent to take action before the modalities of the review of the Commission were finalized. He suggested that the Committee make recommendations with respect to the Chairman of the ACABQ and decide to defer the decision related to officials of the ICSC to a later date.

The CHAIRMAN asked him to repeat his proposed amendment to the decision on conditions of service and compensation for officials, other than Secretariat officials, serving the General Assembly.

The representative of Canada then repeated his proposed amendment.

The CHAIRMAN said that since the Committee would also be considering part A of the draft decision contained in document A/C.5/55/L.22 at a future meeting, he suggested that consultations be conducted between today and Wednesday to see if they could find common ground and avoid going into informal consultations.

ABDOU AL-MOULA NAKKARI (Syria) said that he had no comment on the substantive aspects of the proposal made by Canada. However, what had taken place in informal consultations should be respected. Any proposed amendments should have been transmitted to informal consultations. Many delegations felt that the text was going to be adopted. He reserved the right to return to the item. He also underlined the importance of not adopting any decision before it had been translated into the six official languages. It was not acceptable for a delegation to introduce an amendment during a formal meeting. The Committee must not take up any resolution or decision if it had not been translated into official languages 24 hours in advance.

The CHAIRMAN said that that was exactly what had been proposed.

MAGNUS LENEFORS (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that while he understood the concern of his colleague, due to time constraints the proposal to continue on Wednesday at a formal setting might be a way forward. It might not be possible to hold informal consultations.

The CHAIRMAN then said that Canada’s proposal would be submitted in all languages so that it could be considered outside the formal setting.

Mr. REPASCH (United States) expressed support for the Chairman’s proposal to engage in informal -- informal consultations since there was little time.

The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee would hold consultations outside the room and return to the item later.

When the Committee turned to consider the text on the review of the Information Systems Coordination Committee, Mr. MSELLE introduced the report of the Advisory Committee on that matter. In the light of the information presented to the Advisory Committee, it was recommending the reinstatement of the funding of that body.

The Committee then decided to recommend the Assembly take note of the report of the Secretary-General on the matter and concur with the observations and recommendations of the Advisory Committee.

The Committee then took up the report of the ACABQ.

Introducing the report of the Advisory Committee (document A/55/7), Mr. MSELLE said that the Committee had focused its attention on a number of key issues, taking place both in New York and away from Headquarters. Among them were results-based budgeting and cooperation in the field. The Committee made a number of recommendations to be brought to the attention of the executive heads of the bodies concerned. The annex to the report of the ACABQ contained a list of the reports issued by the Advisory Committee.

The Committee had before it a draft decision contained in document A/C.5/55/L.23, which was then introduced by the Chairman of the Fifth Committee.

The Committee decided, without a vote, to recommend the General Assembly take note, with appreciation, of the report of the ACABQ on the activities of that body during the fifty-fourth session and requested the Secretary-General to bring the report to the attention of the executive heads of the specialized agencies and the funds and programmes concerned.

Other Matters

Mr. NAKKARI (Syria) said that certain documents in Arabic did not have the recommendations emphasized in bold. It was necessary to ensure that all language versions should be similar.

HASSAN MOHAMMED HASSAN (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, informed delegates about the Group’s consultations today, requesting additional time to consider several important questions.

The Committee’s CHAIRMAN said that very little time was left, but since the Group represented a large number of delegations, it would have time to conduct its consultations. He urged all representatives to be punctual, however.

Ms. SILOT-BRAVO (Cuba) asked for clarification regarding the parts of draft resolution A/C.5/55/L.22 which had been approved.

The CHAIRMAN said that action had been deferred on parts A and D of the text. The other parts were approved.

Mr. AHOUNOU (Côte d’Ivoire) made an announcement about informal -- informal consultations today.

Mr. NAKKARI (Syria) asked for a clarification regarding the time of consultations on part A of draft resolution A/C.5/55/L.22.

The CHAIRMAN said that the text would be taken up at the next formal meeting on Wednesday, when he hoped that the Committee would take action on all the pending issues.

Mr. NAKKARI (Syria) wondered why part A had not been adopted today. He did not see any justification for the postponement, unless some delegations had serious reservations about the text. He hoped all measures would be taken to complete work on the draft during the main part of the session.

The CHAIRMAN said that Cuba had proposed a slight amendment to the text, which should be reflected in all the official languages before it was adopted. Another delegation had also asked for additional time to further consider the text. For those reasons, action on part A of the draft had been deferred.

The meeting was then adjourned.

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