Fifth Committee Report

by Lydia Swart

This analysis explores the premise that there is a governance crisis in the Fifth Committee (Budgetary and Administrative) and is based on conversations with a number of key delegates from the EU, Group of 77, and the US as well as other insiders.

After meeting for almost a month on important UN reform proposals, the Fifth Committee was unable to make substantive decisions on human resources, procurement, and strengthening the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), suggesting a growing governance crisis.

In the week of 10-14 March 2008, the Fifth Committee continued its work on key reform proposals related to Human Resources Management and Procurement as well as efforts to [b]strengthen investigations, development related activities, and the Department of Political Affairs’ capacity in regard to conflict prevention.

On 4 March 2008, Member States received briefings by UN officials in two separate sessions. Human Resources Management (HRM) was on the agenda during the morning session: Alicia Barcena, Under-Secretary-General for Management, and Jane Holl Lute, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Field Support, made presentations to the Fifth Committee on the need to streamline contracts, harmonize conditions of service, and the establishment of a core cadre of 2,500 peacekeepers. In the afternoon, Barcena briefed the membership on the “Comprehensive Accountability Architecture.”

After delays caused by the fact that the report of the ACABQ on Administration of Justice took longer than expected, the Fifth Committee this week finally started its work to consider the proposed new internal system of justice. Member States agreed last spring that the new system should be implemented by January 2009.

This week, no specific reform proposals were discussed in the Fifth Committee. However, at the introduction of the proposed programme budget for 2008-2009 by the Secretary General on 25 and 26 October, the Secretary-General did stress the ongoing reform process. The between 15-25% expected final increase in the proposed budget, which will include add-ons still to be submitted, raised considerable concern among those Member States who pay most of the dues.

From 5 to 9 October 2007, the Fifth Committee considered the organization of its work and received briefings on reform issues from the Deputy Secretary-General, the Under- Secretary-General for Management and Assistant Secretaries-General on management reform, human resources, administration of justice and IT.

On 8 June 2007, the Fifth Committee concluded discussions on all issues except from DPKO reform. Amid the issues taken up by the Committee during the session, the Center for UN Reform tracked the negotiations on the strengthening of the oversight mechanisms of the United Nations, as well as negotiations on the budgetary requirements for the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) based on the proposal of the Secretary General (A/61/858).

During the second resumed session, the Fifth Committee’s main focus is on peacekeeping budgets, but a number of outstanding reform proposals have also been placed on the agenda. In regard to Governance and Oversight, the Fifth Committee is expected to finalize the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) and establish the nomination and selection procedures for its members. The strengthening of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is also a key agenda item being addressed at the second resumed session.

During the second resumed session, the Fifth Committee’s main focus is on peacekeeping budgets, but a number of outstanding reform proposals have also been placed on the agenda. In regard to Governance and Oversight, the Fifth Committee is expected to finalize the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee (IAAC) and establish the nomination and selection procedures for its members. The strengthening of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is also a key agenda item being addressed at the second resumed session.

Over the past two weeks the Fifth Committee, in conjuction with the Sixth Committee, has been engaged in discussions on the subject of the reform of the Internal Justice system at the UN. A draft resolution was approved by the Committee on 29 March 2007.

During the week of 5-9 March 2007, the Fifth Committee began its first resumed session. Member States discussed, inter alia, the reform of the United Nations administration of justice system, an audit report of the tsunami relief operations, and a report on the progress of implementing a strengthened, unified United Nations security system.

From December 16 to 22, the Fifth Committee concluded negotiations on resolutions on, among other, Human Resources Management, Procurement Reform, Governance and Oversight, and the Scale of Assessments.

On the week of December 11th to 15th, the Fifth Committee discussed, inter alia, a series of reports on the reform of the oversight and governance system of the UN. Informal consultations continued on procurement and human resources management reform among others.

From December 4th to December 8th the Fifth Committee met for general discussions on Financing for Missions in the Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, as well as debate on the Capital Master Plan. Informal consultations continued concerning the draft resolution on human resources management reform. The following is a summary of issues raised with respect to mobility and career development and support.

From November 21st to December 1st the Fifth Committee continued Informal Consultations on scale of assessments, programme budget, United Nations pension system, procurement reform and human resources reform among others. The report offers a summary of issues raised with respect to human resources management reform and procurement reform.

During the week of November 13-17, 2006 the Fifth Committee held meetings, inter alia, on the revised budget for the Cote D’Ivoire Mission, the financing of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and the programme budget 2006-2007. Informal Consultations were held on oversight and governance and procurement reform. Informal Consultations on Human Resources Management Reform continued and discussions on the Secretary General Reports were concluded

During the week of November 6-10, the Fifth Committee held meetings on an Economic Commission for Africa, the UN Financial Situation, and the UN Pension Fund. Informal consultations continued on Human Resources Management.

This week the Fifth Committee held its general discussions on, inter alia, Human Resources Management. On 31 October, informal consultations were held on procurement reform while on November 2nd informal consultations were held on the Joint Inspection Unit and Human Resources Management.

On 23 October, the Fifth Committee met officially to discuss procurement reform while on 25 and 26 October, informal consultations were held on the subject. Furthermore, on 23 October the report of the International Civil Service Commission was presented and on 26 October, informal consultations were held regarding a draft resolution on the Joint Inspection Unit. Please find below a summary of the issues presented and discussed.

Two meetings were held this week at the UN in the context of the work of the Fifth Committee on Governance and Oversight namely, “Governance and Oversight: towards a better understanding,” a workshop organized by the G77 and an Informal Briefing on Oversight and Governance regarding the work of the Steering Committee on the subject established by the Secretary General. Please find below a summary of the issues raised. This report also includes a summary of the ongoing discussions in regards to the Programme Budget 2006-2007.