USUN REQUESTS GUIDANCE FROM DEPARTMENT ON THE UN

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000818 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ACABQ AORC UNGA SUBJECT: USUN REQUESTS GUIDANCE FROM DEPARTMENT ON THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S 2008-2009 BIENNIUM BUDGET. SIPDIS ¶1. This is an action cable. See paragraph 2. ¶2. The UN Secretary General's proposed budget for the 2008-2009 biennium is $4.4 billion. This represents a 5% increase over the previous budget of $4.2 billion for the 2006-2007 biennium. In addition to the proposals contained in the proposed program budget, the General Assembly will concurrently consider a number of other proposals that have been or will be addressed in separate reports. These include the UN system of administration of justice, human resources management reforms, the implementation of an enterprise resource planning system, arrangements for business continuity and disaster recovery, revised estimates related to resolutions and decisions of the Human Rights Council, strengthening of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, revised estimates related to resolutions and decisions of ECOSOC and revised estimates related to the updated terms of reference of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee. None of these initiatives are factored into the Secretary General's budget proposal but are expected to cost an additional $300-$400 million and raise the final budget to as much as $4.8 billion or some 15% above the 2006-2007 budget. ¶3. A briefing on the budget was given yesterday by UN Controller Warren Sach before the Geneva Group. On Monday, October 8th, Sach will meet with Fifth Committee representatives on the topic of "Budgeting in the United Nations." On October 16th, Under Secretary General for Management Alicia Barcena will deliver a statement on "Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations." The briefings culminate with the introduction of the biennium budget by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on October 25th. Guidance prior to the 25th is necessary if USUN expects to coordinate effectively with Geneva Group members and identify potential cost savings. KHALILZAD