Statement delivered by Olivier Poulin, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Canada on Item 118: Programme budget: 08-09 – Special Political Missions on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand to the United Nations General Assembly: Fifth Committee
December 16, 2008
(As delivered)
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the delegations of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (CANZ). Let me start by thanking Ms. Sharon Van Buerle, Director of the Programme Planning and Budget Division, for the introduction of the Estimates in respect of special political missions, good offices and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council (A/63/346), as well as Ms. McClurg, Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), for the introduction of the related report of the ACABQ.
Mr. Chairman,
We have before us a request from the Secretary General to the amount of $460 million for the Special Political Missions’ budget for the second part of the biennium. This adds to $403 million already appropriated for the first part of the biennium. We note that, exclusive of the UNAMI integrated headquarters project, this is almost two times the amount originally sought by the Secretary General in his estimate of last year for the full biennium.
We recognise the particular challenges of accurately budgeting for Special Political Missions - their operational environments are constantly changing. Member states must appreciate the complexities involved in the UN’s task. Nonetheless, we believe that the Secretary General should, to the greatest extent possible, provide the membership with as accurate budget forecasts as possible for the full biennium. We encourage him to present more realistic estimates in the future.
We also believe that, considering the particular nature of Special Political Missions for which the budget tends to fluctuate considerably more than other parts of the regular budget, there would be merit in separating the special political budget from other parts of the regular budget. Indeed, this separation would increase budget transparency of both parts, and provide a more accurate picture of the budgetary situation of the Organisation.
Mr. Chairman,
Similarly to the ACABQ, CANZ is of the view that special political missions are an instrument to provide for temporary political capacity mandated by the General Assembly or the Security Council. Offices or capacities of an ongoing nature would be more appropriately financed through the appropriation for the Department of Political Affairs. In addition to increasing budget transparency, this would also clarify accountability mechanisms between the Department of Political Affairs and such field capacities.
Turning to specific missions, CANZ welcomed the extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan earlier this year. We are confident that with this extended mandate, and under the able leadership of SRSG Kai Eide, UNAMA will be in a position to lead the international civilian effort in Afghanistan. We now welcome the Secretary General’s budgetary proposal to implement UNAMA’s extended mandate. We commend the Secretary General for the good quality of his report in which he clearly links resource requirements to the mandate of the Mission and operational realities.
We are cognisant of the challenges to implement this proposal rapidly in a volatile environment. We would appreciate clarifications on the potential impacts of the ACABQ recommendations to reduce the appropriation for the operational costs.
Concerning the new plan for humanitarian affairs in Afghanistan, we must ensure that the solution adopted by the General Assembly balances adequately the need for UN operational and policy coherence in Afghanistan with the special security imperatives of humanitarian affairs. We are looking forward to having an in-depth discussion with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on that subject during informal consultations.
Our delegations are encouraged by the recent political process initiated in Cyprus. We note that the Secretary General is requesting a substantial strengthening of the Office of his Special Adviser on Cyprus to support that process. We favour this necessary strengthening, and trust that, with these increased resources, Special Adviser Alexander Downer will be in a position to effectively support the both sides in reaching a satisfactory solution towards a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, as defined in relevant Security Council resolutions.
We note that the Secretary General is requesting funding to initiate the design phase of a purpose-built integrated headquarters for UNAMI to ensure the long-term safety and security of UN staff serving in Bagdad. The safety and security of UN staff is a grave concern to us. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the two contractors working for the UN who were killed in late November as a result of a rocket attack.
We understand that the integrated headquarters would be financed through a cost-sharing arrangement between the UN and the government of Iraq. We welcome that development. We will be looking forward to the comprehensive proposal for the construction of the UN integrated compound in Bagdad. We wish to underline the importance of submitting a convincing proposal that is based on sound analysis and justifications, and contains assurances that the project can be complete within the planned timeframe and resources.
In concluding Mr. Chairman, let us again this year express our concern with the timing of the introduction of this important item. For several years in a row, the General Assembly has been required to consider complex proposals for Special Political Missions for hundreds of millions of dollars just a few days before the end of the session. This impedes us from fully acquitting our oversight role. We look forward to clarification on this matter in the informal negotiations.
Thank you