The 5th Committee discussed the proposed UN budget outline for the 2016-2017 biennium. The chair introduced the Secretary General’s plan, which aimed to reduce the budget 3.1 million less than this year’s, while utilizing maximum strength. The eight priorities addressed were: sustained economic growth, sustainable development, human rights, justice and international law, disarmament, drug control, controlling terrorism, and increasing economic activity in Africa.

Bolivia, speaking on behalf of China and The Group of 77, focused on promoting transparency within the budget and stressed the importance of providing adequate resources to member states. Bolivia, Japan, and the European Union were concerned with the expansion of the budget. Bolivia and the European Union wanted a clear benefit realization plan to be approved. Bolivia opposed the mechanical request to change funding without jurisdiction.

The representative of Morocco spoke on behalf of 55 member states including Mexico, Switzerland, and Sweden, and was concerned with the resources needed for human rights mandates. Morocco and the European Union believed the budget should sustainably cover the UN’s mandates, and Morocco wanted an increase in the budget for human rights. The European Union believed there should be an evaluation of resource needs. Japan wanted to review the proposal to ensure efficiency.

The representative of the United States stated that the budget should ensure effective implementation of mandates after review. All funds provided to the UN must be effectively spent on what they are outlined for. The U.S. expressed its concern about re-costing and noted that the reduction does not go far enough for identifying efficiency and opening up resources. The representative of the Russian Federation requested clarification about diverging from previous approaches to the budget. The Russian Federation also wished that member states would study the benefits from implementation of certain projects before implementing of the budget.

Meeting Topic: Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations (item 131)
Date/Location: Wednesday, November 19, 2014; 10:00 am- 11:30 am; 5th Committee; Conference Room 3
Speakers: Representatives of Bolivia, Morocco, European Union, Japan, United States, and Russian Federation
Written by WIT Representatives: Brian Lee, Ellie Guner, and Paige Stokols

Edited by WIT Representative: Aslesha Dhillon