Summary: October 21, 2002: Statement by Mr. Thure Christiansen, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN, on behalf of the European Union, on the Programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003. Decentralized financial arrangements for centralized services, regular budget component at UNON, delivery of advisory services, trends in extrabudgetary resources at ECLAC, cooperation between headquarters and regional commissions and enhancing the UN website. FIFTY-SEVENTH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - FIFTH COMMITTEE: Item 112 (New York)
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Associated Countries - Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, as well as the EFTA countries of the European Economic Area - Iceland, Liechtenstein align themselves with this statement.
Mr. Chairman,
Let me begin by thanking through you the representatives of the Secretariat for introducing the reports of the Secretary-General before us today on decentralized financial arrangements for centralized services (A/57/348), the regular budget component at UNON (A/57/362), the delivery of advisory services (A/57/363), trends in extrabudgetary resources at ECLAC (A/57/364), cooperation between headquarters and regional commissions (A/57/361) and enhancing the UN website (A/57/355). Allow me also to
thank Ambassador Mselle for presenting the conclusions and recommendations of ACABQ on these reports with which we concur.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union takes note of the approach of the Secretary-General to decentralized budgetary and financial arrangements for central services by which they will be introduced in areas where they are practicable and will result in enhanced cost awareness and improved efficiency in the departments. The European Union remains convinced that this is the right approach in terms of inducing greater financial responsibility within the Organisation. The report demonstrates that there are clear
advantages to introducing such a system in certain areas of the work of the Secretariat. It is important that these are pursued actively.
Mr. Chairman,
On the question of enhancing the regular budget component of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, the European Union takes note of the information provided in the report of the Secretary-General. We also note that the Secretary-General has made a reference to this in his report on the Budget Outline for 2004-2005 (A/57/85) and expect that the Fifth Committee will consider budgetary proposals at the 58th session of the General Assembly, in the context of the deliberations on the programme
budget for 2004-2005.
The European Union also takes note of the report on the delivery of advisory services to Member States. We would observe, however, that the report only contains information of a very general nature on efforts undertaken to utilize resources more effectively and avoid duplication between various entities within the UN system. The European Union is of the view that this matter merits further consideration. In this regard, we have noted the intention of the Secretary-General to submit, in
September 2003, a report clarifying roles and responsibilities in the area of technical cooperation.
The report on extrabudgetary resources at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean shows that the level of expenditure for technical cooperation projects in 2000-2001 was higher than in previous biennia. We welcome the observation of the Secretary-General that a considerable part of the extrabudgetary resources came from the countries of the region. The European Union concurs that ECLAC should continue to keep under review the level extrabudgetary resources available.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union has considered the note of the Secretary-General contained in document A/57/361, which responds to the request contained in paragraph 69 of resolution 56/253, regarding cooperation between headquarters departments and regional commissions. The EU continues to attach great importance to the establishment of clear division of labour between headquarters departments and regional commissions. We agree with the ACABQ that the information provided is limited and request a full
explanation in the context of the proposed programme budget for 2004-2005 of measures undertaken to further enhance cooperation, ensure the quality of services, address duplication and overlap and improve efficiency of programme support activities.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union would like to reiterate the importance it attaches to multilingualism in the UN's public relations and information activities. Efforts to enhance the plurality represented by the adequate use of the six UN official languages and also, to the extent possible, in other available languages, in its external relations and in its public information outputs should continue to be pursued by the Secretary-General. This applies not least to information provided through the United
Nations website.
The European Union notes that the report of the Secretary-General calls for additional resources in order for the Department of Public Information to achieve full parity in all official languages on the UN website. While we stand ready to discuss this question, the European Union is of the view that it should be seen in the wider context of the ongoing review of DPI. Earlier this year, the Committee on Information recommended that the Secretary-General prepare additional documentation on the
most practical, cost-efficient and cost-effective means of proceeding with the multilingual development of the UN website for submission to the Committee at its 25th session in 2003. The Fifth Committee would thus be better equipped to consider any budgetary implications of this proposal at its 58th session on the basis of the outcome of the next session of the Committee on Information.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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