UN finances better overall, but challenges remain, top budget official reports

The financial situation of the United Nations has improved over the past year, but further progress will depend on States paying their dues in full and on time, the top UN management official said today.

Speaking to the General Assembly's main Administrative and Budgetary (Fifth) Committee, Joseph Connor, the Under-Secretary-General for Management, said the UN now enjoyed better financial liquidity and flexibility. Improvements in the financial situation had been accompanied by progress in the management and administrative arena. At the same time, he noted that the UN's regular budget appropriation had been reduced in real terms by $75 million, compelling the Secretary-General to implement measures aimed at accommodating the budget cuts.

For the Organization to continue to progress towards financial stability, Member States pay their dues in full and on time, Mr. Connor stressed, welcoming the fact that the number of countries paying their regular budget assessments by the first month of this year was 42 - an increase from 39 during the same period in 2001.

Last year saw a noteworthy improvement in the UN's financial situation, but significant arrears remained and reserves were depleted, he said. While the Secretary-General was committed to addressing these problems, success depended on the support and commitment of the Member States.