Summary: October 15, 2001: Declaration on behalf of the European Union. Statement by H. E. Mr. Jean de Ruyt, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations. Proposed programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 (New York)
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union (Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), the associated countries of Cyprus, Malta and Turkey and an EFTA country belonging to the European Economic Area (Iceland), align themselves with this statement.
Mr. Chairman, allow me firstly to thank the Secretary-General for his introduction of the programme budget for 2002-2003. I would also like to thank the Chairman of the ACABQ, Ambassador Mselle, and the Chairperson of the CPC, Ambassador Sharon Brennen-Haylock, for presenting the reports of their respective committees.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union believes that the financing of the Organization in the two years to come must follow the broad orientations, which the Member States, inspired by the Secretary-General, have assigned to the Organization's activities by the Millennium Declaration.
This Declaration refers to a vision of the United Nations whose credibility and effectiveness have been strengthened in the judgment of Member States, the civil society and the public opinion.
The agenda set out in the Millennium Declaration is wide-ranging and ambitious. It cannot be implemented without a highly qualified and productive staff working in an efficient and coordinated organization, able to provide high quality services at the lowest possible cost, capable of making strategic choices, which remove obsolete activities and duplications.
The European Union remains fundamentally attached to the improvement of the financial situation of the United Nations. The Union believes that a sound budgeting based on prioritization in each programme, which all Member States are obliged to apply to their national finances, remains an essential element.
This is why the overriding goal must be to make available the resources to implement agreed objectives, mandates and programmes.
This objective remains inseparable from the search for new savings and redeployment of resources to the greatest possible extent, and from the pursuit of budgetary discipline, efficiency and the general principle of value for money.
This is in the interest of all the Member States. This is also a responsibility which is highlighted in the regulations and rules governing the programme planning, the programme aspects of the budget, the monitoring of implementation, and the methods of evaluation, particularly the regulations and rules applied to the discontinuation of outputs and the evaluation of programmes.
This is why the European Union stresses the need for the programme budget to include time-sensitive reviews or evaluation of performance of projects and activities.
The European Union will pursue this approach by examining rigorously each programme on its own merits, including in those areas which we regards as a priority, such as human rights, humanitarian questions, the environment, sustainable development and the fight against terrorism, drugs and crime.
We are aware that the programme budget is not complete. Amongst the issues that need to be addressed, two are of particular concern to the European Union, namely financing the comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations, and increasing the safety and security of United Nations and associated personnel.
Finally, the European Union reiterates that its objective is to include in the Organization's regular budget all programmes that correspond to the core activities of the United Nations as set out in the Charter.
As in the preceding two-year biennia, the European Union will act both in the spirit and by the letter of Resolution 41/213 on the adoption of the budget by consensus. However, it stresses the importance of controlling expenditure and identifying savings in the programme budget.
Mr. Chairman,
We took note with interest of the recommendations of the ACABQ, which contain some excellent principles, particularly on reclassification, publications, information technology, the cumbersome structure of some secretariats and the ratio between staff in category G and staff in category P. It will be for the Fifth Committee to apply these principles consistently in the sections of the budget.
We also took note with interest of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the introduction of the CPC report, particularly those recommendations on the review of the relevance and effectiveness of outputs and on the application of best practices regarding support services among United Nations duty stations.
I would like to congratulate the Secretariat for the improved timeliness of the submission of a clear and readable programme budget, founded on results-based budgeting. The current format is only a first step, which needs to be consolidated.
The second step will be the presentation, in the middle of the biennium, of the Secretary-General's interim report on progress made regarding the collection of data for the indicators of achievement, which will be decisive in refining, quantifying and evaluating those indicators, which should measure the results of the Secretariat and not those of the Member States.
The third stage, namely the completion of results-based budgeting, should be achieved in time for the presentation of the next programme budget in 2003.
The European Union notes that the programme budget does not provide figures on efficiency gains, which we will need to identify during our proceedings. It is a fact that resources have been controlled in recent years, albeit partly offset by a favorable financial conjuncture. However, the European Union hopes that efforts in this direction will continue.
We will also seek clarification on workload indicators, productivity standards and temporary assistance. We will be very attentive to possible duplications of activities within the UN system and will examine carefully justifications given on all posts and costs.
Finally, the European Union is pleased to note the Organization's efforts to take account of and promote gender mainstreaming in its programmes.
Mr. Chairman,
Regarding information technology, the European Union has already had the opportunity to express its serious concerns, which it will address during our proceedings.
A major effort should also be made to develop technologies related to General Assembly affairs and Conference services, to improve this programme and reduce the workload of its staff.
Following the recommendations of the ACABQ, the European Union expresses clear reservations on reclassification, which cannot be used as a tool for promotion. We reiterate our position and recall the warnings of the Advisory Committee concerning the hierarchical structure of the organization, which is top-heavy, and the need to rejuvenate the Secretariat. In accordance with Resolution 54/249, the European Union requests a comprehensive review of these questions in the budget for
2002-2003.
The Union supports the recommendations made by the Joint Inspection Unit and ACABQ since 1997 on the improvement of the cost-effectiveness of publications. We shall examine these costs in the light of the Secretary-General's report to be presented during this session in accordance with Resolution 54/259.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, allow me to express the European Union's confidence in the Secretary-General, in his direction of the Organization and in the budgetary reforms that he has undertaken. Our objective remains that the United Nations should be provided with sufficient means to carry out the mandates entrusted to it by the Members States, based on the principles of rigorous and efficient management. Regarding the intergovernmental side of management, we the Member States should look to the future, be
ready to innovate and to refocus on what is essential.
Thank you.
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