Annan voices 'regret' at General Assembly panel vote on reform resolution

A caucus of developing countries showed its muscle on the United Nations budget committee this evening by pushing through a draft resolution that would effectively slow a series of reform proposals aimed at overhauling the world organization's management structures which was put forward by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who immediately voiced regret at the vote and vowed to continue trying to forge an agreement among UN Member States.

Breaking a longstanding tradition of consensus action, the Administrative and Budgetary (Fifth) Committee approved the lengthy and contentious resolution sponsored by the “Group of 77” developing countries by a vote of 108 States in favour to 50 against with 3 abstentions. The measure will not take effect until it is formally adopted by the General Assembly plenary, a body which has the same membership as the Committee.

The draft resolution responds to Secretary-General Kofi Annan's report, “Investing in the United Nations: For a Stronger Organization Worldwide,” submitted in March to enable the UN to accommodate its own shift from largely bureaucratic tasks to life-saving work in the field. The proposals encompass a revamped version of how to recruit, contract, train, assign and compensate staff, and include a redefined post of Deputy Secretary-General. Other recommendations call for exploring options for alternative service delivery, including relocating and possible outsourcing of functions.

In a reflection of the Group of 77's concern about governance of the UN, the draft resolution would reaffirm the Assembly's oversight role - and that of its Fifth Committee - in administrative and budgetary matters, and in carrying out a thorough analysis and approval of the human and financial resources and policies. Other provisions of the text would mandate that any changes to the role of the Deputy Secretary-General must be in accord with the original Assembly resolution that established the post. Proposals to amend the UN's overall departmental structure would be subject to the Assembly's review.

The resolution would have the Assembly request a series of detailed reports that could slow the reform momentum as the Secretary-General's second - and final - five-year term nears its close at the end of 2006. These include studies on the impact of previous and ongoing reforms as they relate to the proposals; on investing in information and communications technology, new sourcing options, financial management practices and performance evaluation and reporting; and on a comprehensive review of procurement rules, regulations and policies.

In an effort to forestall a confrontation, Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday had appealed to Member States to set aside the most controversial proposals - 20 and 21 - which relate to interaction between the Secretariat and the key General Assembly budget committees. Instead of doing so, the approved draft resolution would have the Assembly reaffirm that no changes to the budget methodology, to established budgetary procedures or to the financial regulations can be implemented without prior review and approval by the Assembly.

“The Secretary-General deeply regrets that Member States were unable to reach consensus in the Fifth Committee deliberations on his management reform proposals,” a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement released following the vote.

“He urges Member States to seek to work together to rebuild the spirit of mutual trust that underpins consensus and is essential to the smooth functioning of the United Nations,” the spokesman added, voicing Mr. Annan's conviction that all Member States remain committed to the principles of UN reform.

“He will begin the process of seeking mutually agreed ways to pursue this agenda,” the statement said.

The Secretary-General's comprehensive reform blueprint was called for in the Outcome Document adopted by national leaders at last September's World Summit in New York. It builds on a package of reforms Mr. Annan launched last year to enhance ethics and accountability and to address weaknesses exposed by the Independent Inquiry on the Oil-for-Food Programme as well as evidence of sexual exploitation in certain peacekeeping operations.

The Fifth Committee is not expected to meet again until 22 May, when it will resume its session.