UN BUDGET: CONSTRUCTION IN ADDIS ABABA AND VIENNA

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001756 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC KUNR UNGA SUBJECT: UN BUDGET: CONSTRUCTION IN ADDIS ABABA AND VIENNA ¶1. SUMMARY: The Fifth Committee, under the agenda item "program budget for the biennium 2006-2007," will take up two reports in the coming weeks related to the construction of additional facilities at the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa (A/61/158) and at the Vienna International Center (A/61/166). Both reports are progress reports previously requested by the General Assembly. USUN intends to take note of both reports, unless otherwise instructed. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The report on additional office facilities at ECA notes that the project time schedule was revised to reflect the GA's decision in December 2005 to construct two additional floors (resolution 60/248). Final construction documents are currently being completed and construction is expected to begin in mid-2007, with a completion date of October 2009. The total estimated project cost remains at $11,383,300 as approved by the GA in December 2005. ¶3. The Secretary-General's report on the Vienna International Center clarifies that the project remains on track and that the original timeframe and costs are still valid. The new facility should be available in 2008, with a total cost of 52.5 million euros. The Austrian Government will fund all but 2.5 million euros, with this amount to be shared by the agencies utilizing the new conference center. The UN share (4 percent, based on projected usage) will be 100,000 euros and will be requested in the context of the 2008-2009 budget. Future requests for maintenance and operational costs will appear in future biennial budgets. BOLTON