Financial situation of the United Nations
The Secretary-General reports on the financial situation of the United Nations twice a year under the agenda item "Improving the financial situation of the United Nations".
Reports and presentations
The Fifth Committee considers the report of the Secretary-General and receives a closed briefing from the Secretariat on the status of contributions under the regular budget and peacekeeping budgets and the cash flow situation of the Secretariat. This biannual briefing takes place early in the main and second resumed sessions. The briefing is followed one week later by general discussion during which delegations have the opportunity to make statements on the financial situation.
| Secretary-General's report | Briefing to the Fifth Committee |
|---|---|
| A/73/443 | Briefing by the USG DM, 16 October 2018: Statement Presentation |
| A/72/522/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 11 May 2018: Statement Presentation |
| A/72/522 | Briefing by the USG DM, 9 October 2017: Statement Presentation Addendum |
| A/71/440/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 3 May 2017: Statement Presentation |
| A/71/440 | Briefing by the Controller, 5 October 2016: Statement Presentation |
| A/70/443/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 4 May 2016: Statement Presentation |
| A/70/443 | Briefing by the USG DM, 15 October 2015: Statement Presentation |
| A/69/520/Add.1 and Corr.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 6 May 2015: Statement Presentation |
| A/69/520 | Briefing by the USG DM, 9 October 2014: Statement Presentation |
| A/68/524/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 6 May 2014: Statement Presentation |
| A/68/524 | Briefing by the USG DM, 9 October 2013: Statement Presentation |
| A/67/522/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 10 May 2013: Statement Presentation |
| A/67/522 | Briefing by the USG DM, 11 October 2012: Statement Presentation |
| A/66/521/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 14 May 2012: Statement Presentation |
| A/66/521 | Briefing by the USG DM, 11 October 2011: Statement Presentation |
| A/65/519/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 12 May 2011: Statement Presentation |
| A/65/519 | Briefing by the USG DM, 12 October 2010: Statement Presentation |
| A/65/497/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 7 May 2010: Statement Presentation |
| A/64/497 | Briefing by the USG DM, 16 October 2009: Presentation |
| A/63/514/Add.1 | Briefing by the USG DM, 15 May 2009: Presentation |
| A/63/514 | Briefing by the USG DM, 27 October 2008: Presentation |
| A/62/539/Add.1 | Briefing by the Controller, 9 May 2008: Presentation |
Measures to address past financial crises
At times, exceptional measures have had to be taken to address cash shortfalls resulting from unpaid assessments. Some of the most notable financial crises are described below.
In the 1960s, disagreements over the legal obligation to finance peacekeeping missions prompted a request for an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the interpretation of Article 17 of the United Nations Charter and the establishment of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.
In the mid-1980s, the adoption of U.S. legislation popularly known as the Kassebaum-Solomon Amendment required the reduction of the United States contribution to the |regular budget to be reduced to 20 per cent unless major financial contributors such as the United States were afforded a greater say in the budget process. [1] The Secretary-General adopted a number of measures to address the expected cash shortfall, including a hiring freeze[2]. In parallel, the General Assembly adopted resolution 40/237 of 18 December 1985 establishing the Group of High-Level Intergovernmental Experts (popularly known as the Group of 18), which issued a report (A/41/49) which resulted in adoption of resolution 41/213, which led to the introduction of consensus-based decision-making.
In the mid-1990s, late payment of assessments and the peacekeeping budget process also contributed to a precarious financial situation, with $3.7 billion in unpaid assessments in 1994. This prompted the Secretary-General to take a number of unilateral measures, including another hiring freeze, suspension of new consultancies, and limitations to overtime and travel[3]. Following an appeal by the Secretary-General to the General Assembly[4], the General Assembly adopted resolution 49/143 establishing a High-level Open-ended Working Group on the Financial Situation of the United Nations[5]. The General Assembly also adopted resolution 49/233 on 23 December 1994 which, inter alia, changed the process for consideration of peacekeeping budgets and established the current 1 July-30 June peacekeeping financial period.
See also
References
- ↑ United Nations Reform: Background and Issues for Congress (Congressional Research Service report)
- ↑ ST/SGB/217 The Financial Situation of the Organization
- ↑ ST/SGB/278 The Financial Situation of the Organization
- ↑ A/49/PV.28 General Assembly, 49th Session, 28th Meeting: Wednesday, 12 October 1994, 10 AM
- ↑ A/50/43 Report of the High-level Open-ended Working Group on the Financial Situation of the United Nations