Any weakness in UN’s development structure reflects globally – Ban Ki-moon

The entire international system’s efforts to boost development are weakened if the United Nations’ machinery in this area is not backed by appropriate resources, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cautioned today.

In an informal briefing to the General Assembly on proposals to reform the world body’s development work, Mr. Ban warned that in spite of increased mandates, the UN’s resources to deliver on them has decreased.

He announced that a report he prepared in response to an Assembly resolution on reforming the Organization’s development efforts will be formally introduced to the Fifth Committee, the main body dealing with administrative and budgetary matters.

The Secretary-General warned against over-reaching by the Secretariat with more mandates and a simultaneous drop in resources, noting that the creation of 150 additional posts at the cost of around $25.5 million has been proposed.