UN BUDGET: FUNDING FOR SPECIAL POLITICAL MISSIONS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 002258

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA AORC KUNR
SUBJECT: UN BUDGET: FUNDING FOR SPECIAL POLITICAL MISSIONS

REF: A. USUN 747

B. USUN 911

C. USUN 1337


1. ACTION REQUEST: USUN seeks guidance for Fifth Committee
discussions on this topic, scheduled to begin on Monday,
December 18.


2. In resolution 60/248, the General Assembly approved a
charge of $100 million against the provision of $355,949,300
that was included in the budget for the biennium 2006-2007
for special political missions (SPMs). In April and June
2006 (reftels),the General Assembly approved additional
funding for special political missions, for a total level of
$375,015,000, and directed that requirements for the
Peacebuilding Support Office come from the provision for
SPMs. For most missions, the funding appropriated thus far
only covers 2006 requirements. The Secretary-General has
submitted a request to the General Assembly (A/61/525 and
Adds 1-5) for additional funding for requirements through the
end of December 2007. According to the Secretary-General's
report, the total estimated requirements for 27 missions
equals $364,871,200 (net),but due to unencumbered balances,
he seeks an appropriation of $268,987,600 (net).


3. Of the 27 missions for which funding is requested, 10
have mandates that expire at the end of December 2006. The
Secretary-General anticipates that the Security Council will

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renew these mandates and has thus requested funding for these
missions. In addition, one mission (the Special Envoy of the
Secretary-General for Myanmar) is under consideration by the

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General Assembly. The current request does not include
funding for the International Advisory and Monitoring Board,
as the Secretary-General did not anticipate that this mandate
would be extended, however, the Security Council has taken
action to extend the mandate until December 2007. Therefore,
the General Assembly will get a request for funding for the
Board at a future date.


4. The Secretary-General's report states that $95,883,600 is
anticipated to remain unencumbered at the end of 2006, with
the majority (some $70 million) of the unspent balance
attributable to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Due to circumstances on the ground in Iraq, UNAMI was unable
to fully deploy its resources.

WOLFF