UN CAPITAL MASTER PLAN: MORATORIUM ON GIFTS DURING

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000078 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA AORC KUNR SUBJECT: UN CAPITAL MASTER PLAN: MORATORIUM ON GIFTS DURING RENOVATION ¶1. SUMMARY: USUN has received the following diplomatic note dated 10 January 2007 from the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Management noting that there will be a moratorium on gifts during the Capital Master Plan implementation period. Full text of note is below. ¶2. Begin Text: Excellency, In preparation for the proposed Capital Master Plan (CMP) renovation project, the United Nations requires a moratorium on gifts to the UN Headquarters in New York. We must therefore request that each Member State postpone offering any new gifts starting 15 January 2007 until the projected completion of the CMP, presently estimated for the end of ¶2014. In addition to being unable to accept new gifts, we would like to inform you that all existing removable gifts will need to be temporarily removed for safekeeping from the Headquarters complex because of construction. As you are aware, the Financial Rules and Regulations of the Organization require donors to be responsible for all gift-related expenses. In addition, General Assembly resolution 61/251 on the Capital Master Plan requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the works of art, SIPDIS masterpieces and other gifts are appropriately handled during all the stages of the renovation work and that all associated costs are foreseen. The resolution also requests the Secretary-General to cooperate with those Member States who SIPDIS wish to take care of their works of art, masterpieces and others during the renovation period. In connection with the removal, crating, transportation, insurance and storage of its gift(s),as well as for the re-installation once the renovations are completed, the Secretariat would be happy to coordinate with your Mission to SIPDIS ease and expedite this process. The United Nations contact for matters concerning gifts is Mr. Florin Ionescu, Secretary of the Arts Committee, telephone: (212) 963-6179, room S-2180D. We appreciate your cooperation and support in this endeavour. Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of highest consideration. /s/ Alicia Barcena Under-Secretary-General for Management His Excellency The Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations New York, NY END TEXT. WOLFF