UN BUDGET: FUNDING FOR SPECIAL POLITICAL MISSIONS

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 002258 SIPDIS SIPDIS 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 SIPDIS 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 SIPDIS 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