UN budget increases allow for creation of new offices, posts

The $5.16 billion budget for the 2010-2011 period approved by the General Assembly last month will allow for the creation of new offices and posts for the United Nations, a top official with the world body said today.

The budget approved on 24 December is $60 million greater than the amount proposed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Under-Secretary-General for Management Angela Kane told reporters in New York.

A new UN information centre will be set up in Luanda, Angola, and the budget for special political missions will be $1 billion for the next two years, as opposed to the $829 million originally planned for.

The Assembly decided to add several new posts to both the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON).

Mr. Ban welcomed the Assembly’s approval of the 2010-2011 budget shortly after it was announced, expressing his “commitment to utilize the resources made available to the Organization in the most effective and efficient way.”

In a statement, he said that he also “wishes to work with all Member States in full partnership and through a transparent process during the upcoming biennium with a view to jointly realizing the important goals of this Organization.”