UN: COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMMING AND COORDINATION

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000660 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC KUNR UNGA CPC SUBJECT: UN: COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMMING AND COORDINATION (CPC) CONCLUDES 49TH SESSION ¶1. SUMMARY. The Committee for Program and Coordination (CPC) concluded its 49th session on July 2 and adopted its report containing recommendations for ECOSOC and the General Assembly. See A/64/16 (Pending publication see E/AC.51/2009/L.4/Add.1-10). The CPC Report will be considered by ECOSOC during its July session and will be considered by the GA during its 64th session this fall. The Committee's work was primarily dedicated to three issues: review of several in-depth evaluation reports, changes made to strategic frameworks due to action in the GA last fall (i.e. Human Resource Management and Information Communications Technology) and a discussion of the committee's working methods and schedule. As last year, the U.S. participated as an observer, which allowed the USdel to present views on issues raised but not participate in decisions taken by the Committee, including recommendations for language to be included in the CPC's final report. The key players during this session of the CPC were delegates from Brazil, China, Cuba, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Nigeria, and South Africa. The Italian delegation was the only consistent and effective WEOG voice. (Note: There are currently four WEOG vacancies on the CPC. End note.) END SUMMARY. CPC BUREAU MEMBERS FOR 49TH SESSION -------------- ¶2. The committee was chaired by South Africa with Vice-Chairpersons from Belarus, Italy and Venezuela. The delegate from of Iran served as Rapporteur. REPORTS CONSIDERED -------------- ¶3. The following are the reports considered by CPC in its forty-ninth session: - Proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011: Offices of Human Resourses Management and Office of Information and Communication Technology (A/64/6. Sections 28C and 29). - OIOS report on strengthening the role of evaluation and the application of evaluation findings on programme design, delivery and policy directives (A/64/63 and Corr.1). - SG consolidated reports on the changes to the biennial programme plan as reflected in the proposed programme budget for the bienniums of 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 (A/64/73 and A/64/74). - Overview report of the UN System Chief Executives Board (CEB)(E/2009/67) - OIOS report on UN support of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and Africa (E/AC.51/2009/2). - OIOS triennial review of the implementation of recommendations made by the CPC to the department of political affairs (E/AC.51/2009/3). - OIOS triennial review of the implementation of recommendations made by the CPC on the thematic evaluation of knowledge management networks in the pursuit of the MDG's. (E/AC.51/2009/4). - OIOS report on the thematic evaluation of lessons learned: protocols and practices (E/AC.51/2009/5). - OIOS report on the thematic evaluation of UN coordinating bodies (E/AC.51/2009/6). - SG report on UN system support for NEPAD (E/AC.51/2009/7). KEY AREAS OF DISCUSSION -------------- ¶4. Upon considering evaluation reports, several discussions arose over the appropriateness of statements made by the OIOS. Many delegations, in particular those from Cuba and Nigeria, believed the OIOS overstepped its bounds by making "value judgments" on issues still being considered by the GA. This was particularly highlighted in the OIOS triennial review of the implementation of recommendations made to the department of political affairs (E/AC.51/2009/3),wherein the OIOS stated that although the conflict-strategy proposed by the SYG was still to be endorsed by the GA, it marked a significant milestone towards developing a clear role and vision for the DPA. Further consternation for delegates, particularly from G-77 countries, arose over OIOS language in the evaluation of UN support of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and Africa (E/AC.51/2009/2). OIOS expressed the view that although the SG's proposal for an alignment of functions of the Office of High Representative and Office of Special Advisor to Africa was initially rejected by the GA, it still had merit. Many delegations believed that OIOS overstepped its mandate as an evaluation body by offering opinions on issues already decided upon by the GA. The delegation from Cuba proposed language that expressed deep regret over such statements made by the OIOS. The USGdel opposed such language that could hinder the OIOS from making effective and useful evaluations. Spain and Italy joined the US position that the language proposed could potentially set a precedent that may incapacitate, or at the very least impede, the ability of the OIOS to fulfill its role as an evaluator. In the end, the language was softened on the issue of "value judgments" and offering opinions on items currently before the GA. Regarding the DPA report, the CPA adopted language reading: "The committee questioned the appropriateness of the view expressed by OIOS in paragraph 45 of its report E/AC.51/2009/3, and requested the SG to recall the need for the Office to refrain from value judgments on issues that are still under consideration by the GA." Regarding the latter instance (E/AC.51/2009/2),the committee adopted language reading: "The Committee expressed concern that the assessment by OIOS of the Office of High Representative and the Office of Special Adviser disregarded the relevant mandates of the two Offices and resolutions of the GA and regretted that OIOS expressed support for the SG's proposal for an alignment of functions between the two Offices when the GA had decided not to approve the proposal." ¶5. Regarding coordination, the committee welcomed the priority the CEB placed ensuring the effectiveness and coordination of the United Nations system support for Africa and NEPAD (E/AC.59/2009/L.4/Add.7). The committee called for CEB to scale up their efforts to align CEB priorities with those of NEPAD. ¶6. (U) When considering changes to the proposed program budgets for the 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 bienniums (A/64/73 and A/64/74),the committee continued to promote results based management and spent a good deal of time discussing expected accomplishments of the secretariat and respective indicators of achievement. Regarding human resources management, the committee recommended the addition of an indicator of achievement calling for an increased number of young professionals recruited through improved and more extensive outreach for the Secretariat as a whole. The committee also recommended striving for an increased number of recruitments from qualified candidates identified through national competitive recruitment examinations at the Secretariat. There was an effort to make indicators of achievement quantifiable, something that had been lacking in the past. Finally, the delegations noted Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) was absent from the seemingly relevant Subprogramme 5 (ICT strategic management and coordination) and Subprogramme 6 (ICT operations) of Section E (OICT) of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2010-2011. The Secretariat informed the Committee that ERP budgeting is contained under section 28C, Office of Human Resources Management, of the proposed programme budget. However, the committee suggested the secretariat to consider the possibility of including ERP in the seemingly relevant subprogrammes 5 and 6. (E/AC.51/2009/L.4/Add.9). Working Methods And Strategic Framework -------------- ¶7. Contentious debates ensued over the agenda item "improving the working methods and procedures of the CPC within the framework of its mandates." With the exception of Italy, all delegations immediately expressed interest in no longer having a discussion of working methods as a recurrent agenda item. The committee was unable to be self-critical and felt that satisfactory progress had been made in improving the working methods over the 11 years that the item had been on the agenda. They stated that this item should cease to waste the Committee's time and resources when other substantive items could be discussed in its place. They also indicated that the CPC is the only committee that discusses its own working methods on an annual basis. Italy was isolated and faced broad opposition to include language in the draft report (E/AC.51/2009/L.4/Add.10) merely recognizing the importance of improving the Committee's working methods within the framework of its mandate. Even such mild language was diluted by a statement in the same paragraph expressing the Committee's satisfaction with all efforts made and progress achieved in regard to previous efforts to improve working methods. France, Israel, and Spain supported Italy in principle, but showed little interest and no effort to actively partake in the negotiations, and the UK and US were constrained by their status as observers. In the end, the item of working methods was removed from the agenda as a recurrent item and will only be discussed 'as and when needed' in future sessions. ¶8. Italy proposed modifying the work schedule of the CPC to better accommodate the disproportionate workloads between budgetary and non-budgetary years. The committee recognized that the workload is significantly higher during non-budget years when it considers all of the strategic frameworks. The proposal was to allocate three weeks and five weeks to budgetary and non-budgetary years respectively. The proposal does not have any budgetary implications as it does not change the number of weeks the CPC would be in session over the biennium. The Committee agreed to allow the Chairman to make a statement to the Fifth Committee regarding this issue. The Fifth Committee will consider this proposal in the fall. ¶9. WEOG influence is on the verge of disappearing from the CPC. The UK withdrew from the Committee in 2005, the US in 2006 and Japan in 2007. This left only one of the UN's top five contributing countries (France) to have input when setting program priorities for the Organization. In the most recent session, the delegation from Italy was the only experienced and influential WEOG player who actively and effectively engaged in the negotiations. Other WEOG members, notably Israel, France and Spain, were consistently silent throughout the entire process. This left Italy isolated facing broad opposition when advocating positions often in line with those of the US (i.e. protecting the independence of OIOS and reforms in working methods). Unless new unforeseen players come into the scene, it is likely the CPC will be completely absent of a significant WEOG voice in the near future. RICE