UN CAPITAL MASTER PLAN (CMP): IMPACT OF CMP ON

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001888

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR UNGA
SUBJECT: UN CAPITAL MASTER PLAN (CMP): IMPACT OF CMP ON
MEETINGS AT HEADQUARTERS


1. SUMMARY: In paragraph 9 of resolution 60/282, the General
Assembly requested the Secretary-General to offer proposals
at its sixty-first session, through the Committee on
Conferences (CoC),on the possible modification of meeting
schedules for the period of the implementation of the capital
master plan (CMP). The CoC reviewed the Secretary-General's
proposals at its session in September 2006. The Fifth
Committee will take up the report (A/61/300) and the CoC
recommendations in the coming weeks. USUN intends to support
the CoC's recommendations unless otherwise instructed. END
SUMMARY.


2. The Secretary-General's report notes that headquarters
activities will remain principally at the present site during
implementation of the CMP, however, the Headquarters complex
will be a construction zone. The report states that the most
successful way to manage throughout construction is to
continue to set meeting schedules with marginal changes in
meeting times and/or arrangements. While there will be
restrictions with regard to rescheduling or moving meetings,
and although there is some nuisance intrinsic in meeting
during renovation, core activities would not be disturbed if
designed in advance and planned prudently.


3. The Secretariat foresees that the program of meetings
typically included in the calendar of conferences and
meetings can be accommodated and that no change of venue will
be needed for intergovernmental organs and bodies that
usually convene at Headquarters during the duration of the
implementation of the CMP. The report also states that there
will not be adequate conference amenities to accommodate
activities exceeding core activities, including parallel
consultations and proceedings that would require
supplementary space. Therefore, these events should be
avoided, reduced, or held elsewhere.


4. The CoC, realizing the sensitivity and widely diverging
views regarding any aspect of the CMP, agreed to
non-controversial language that requested calendar bodies to
take into consideration the limitations and inflexibility of
conference facilities throughout the renovation period, noted
that noise will be present on nights and weekends during the
construction period, and called for meeting requesters and
organizers to liaise closely with the Department for General
Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM). Additionally,
the CoC requested that the Secretary-General report regularly
to the CoC on matters pertaining to the Calendar during this
period and to ensure that implementation of the CMP will not
compromise the quality of conference services provided to
member states.

BOLTON