Fifth Comittee
26 October 2006
Statement by Ms Shannon-Marie Soni, Second Secretary, Canadian Mission to the United Nations, on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Item 125: International Civil Service Commission
(check against delivery)
Mr. Chairman
I have the honour to speak today on behalf of Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Our delegations commence by underscoring the importance of the responsibilities of the ICSC and the direct connection between its work and the effective functioning of the organizations of the common system.
In the interests of brevity, we will limit our formal comments to four issues: review of benefits and allowances, harmonisation of benefits for field staff, gender balance within the UN common system and reform of the ICSC. We will, however, have many more questions and comments during the informal sessions.
First, we appreciate the ICSC review of each benefit and allowance. However, we continue to wonder how the review of each piece individually leads us to a better understanding of the totality of benefits and allowances, especially in the context of a modern, competitive and streamlined compensation package. Last year, we noted that a policy basis for salaries exists: the US civil service; we continue to wonder what the counterpart is when it comes to benefits? Absent such a framework, the risk of a cherry-picking approach endures under which the most attractive models for particular allowance are selected. In our opinion, this issue merits further exploration.
Second, we welcome the decision of the ICSC to establish a working group to examine the conditions of service in the field, in particular non-family duty stations, and to reverse earlier decisions, in the light on additional information, so as to allow the functioning of current contractual arrangements in peacekeeping. We agree fully that a common system approach to this issue is necessary – indeed overdue. A particularly important feature of the terms of reference of the working group is the design of a compensation package which is transparent and simple and easy to administer. These latter characteristics were the intended hallmark of the 300-series of contract which has been used extensively for peacekeeping. The work of the ICSC on this subject will be an integral component of the General Assembly’s efforts on Human Resources Management reform.
Third, on the same day that another major organ of the UN is discussing gender issues within its purview of responsibilities – and here I am referring to today’s open debate in the Security Council on “Women, Peace and Security” – it is only befitting that this organ also discuss gender issues within its purview of responsibilities. We therefore join the ICSC in expressing disappointment at the insufficient progress made with regards to the representation of women in the Professional and higher categories. We urge the ICSC, together with the Chief Executives Board for coordination, to continue reviewing this issue and to come back to the General Assembly with practical ideas on how progress can be achieved within the common system.
Finally, Mr Chairman, we recall that the long outstanding issue of the Report of the Panel on the Strengthening of the International Civil Service was deferred to the 61st session. At the same time that the General Assembly will be examining the oversight and governance systems within the UN, as well as reform of the human resources management, all with a view to making them more effective, accountable and transparent, it is only befitting that the recommendations of the panel on the qualification, tenure and selection process of the ICSC are actioned by this Committee. Our delegations made substantive proposals in this regard during both the 59th and 60th sessions of the GA, and we look forward to finalising the discussions on this very important matter.
Mr. Chairman
This committee faces much unfinished business as regards the recommendations made by the ICSC last session, on top of the recommendations and decisions this year, and the CANZ delegations look forward to a comprehensive outcome.
Thank you