Budget Committee Takes Up Financing For UNMIN

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THT Online
Kathmandu, March 15

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) formed by the sixty-first general assembly of the United Nations on Wednesday began its consideration of the financing of special political missions, including requests for $91.5 million for a recently-established mission in Nepal, $38.2 million for a follow-on mission in Burundi and $175,500 for the body overseeing the resources of the Development Fund for Iraq, speakers cautioned against the blanket application of templates to address the very different requirements of unique political missions.

Underscoring the need for special political missions to realize their mandates and fully achieve their goals, Germany’s representative, on behalf of the European Union, Thomas Thomma said the successful completion of the United Nations Office in Burundi (UNOB) and the establishment of its successor -- the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) -- was a good example of a smooth transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding. He also recognized the importance of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB) in overseeing the resources of the Development Fund for Iraq, which, he hoped, would successfully complete its work this year. Further, as a focused exercise of limited duration, the United Nations Mission in Nepal should strive to accomplish its mandate in an efficient manner, a statement issued by the UN News Centre said.

Turning to the United Nations Political Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Dennis Thatchaichawalit, Chief of Service, Programme Planning and Budget Division, noted that the Council had welcomed an assessment mission to Nepal, together with advanced deployment of 35 monitors and 25 electoral personnel. To provide funding for interim activities in Nepal, $9.6 million gross had been requested and granted by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) in 2006. The Mission had been established by Council resolution 1740 of 23 January for an initial period of one year and subject to provisions of the resolution. The proposed staffing requirements would comprise 927 positions, including 280 international staff, 389 national staff and 258 United Nations Volunteers. In addition, there were 155 military observers and 7 police advisers. Total financial requirements amounted to some $91.5 million net and $95.6 million gross for the Mission’s various components.

Nepal's Permanent Representatives for the United Nations, Madhu Raman Acharya said that his delegation was generally satisfied with most of the recommendations contained in the reports by the Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee on UNMIN. However, he saw little justification for ACABQ’s recommendation to disapprove several posts, and would like to request the Committee to consider approving those posts. Since non-military ceasefire monitoring functions were important to ensure effective implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement at the regional level, Nepal would like to retain ten P-3 positions and ten P-2 positions for the five regional components of the Civil Affairs Office, whereas ACABQ had recommended only five P-3 and P-2 positions. Given the importance of a Senior Coordination Officer (P-5) for the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, he was also not convinced by ACABQ’s suggestion that the Chief of Staff alone could perform such a role. Therefore, his delegation would like to request the acceptance of that position. In view of the importance of the political process in Nepal and the mandate to be fulfilled, the proposed resource requirements for UNMIN could not be said to have been set too high, compared to similar missions.

Japan’s representative Misako Kaji noted that, while much had been said of the surge in peacekeeping operations, special political missions had also experienced a surge. Although the two could prove effective in the field, careful examination was needed, particularly with regard to the linkage between the results-based budgeting logical framework and resource requirements. Regarding the Nepal Mission, a 12-month mission with the mandate of monitoring the management of arms and supporting the planning of an election, Japan, like the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), cautioned against the application of a one-size-fits-all model to different field missions. Clear recognition of the Mission’s mandate, while avoiding duplication through thoughtful planning, was needed.

Angola’s representative, on behalf of the African Group, Elsa Cristina De Jesus Pataca said the Group supported the resources requested for the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi and looked forward to a constructive discussion with its partners. Regarding civilian personnel, the African Group noted the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to apply a 20 per cent delayed deployment factor for international and 15 per cent for national staff to the staffing costs. As the situation in Burundi progressed, it was of utmost importance to gradually replace international staff by increasing the number of national staff.

Flagging specific concerns regarding the United Nations Mission in Nepal, that country’s representative noted that, in view of the importance of Nepal’s political process and the mandate to be fulfilled, the proposed resource requirements for the United Nations Political Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) could not be said to have been set too high, compared to other missions. While he was generally satisfied with most of the recommendations of the Secretary-General and the Advisory Committee, he saw little justification for ACABQ’s recommendation to disapprove several posts.
Dennis Thatchaichawalit, Chief of Service, Programme Planning and Budget Division, introduced the Secretary-General’s report on estimates in respect of special political missions. The Director of the Peacekeeping Financing Division, Catherine Pollard, introduced the Secretary-General’s report on the United Nations Operation in Burundi.

Rajat Saha, Chairman of ACABQ, introduced that body’s reports. The Committee will meet again today, press release said.