UN Secretary-General unveils $5.57bn budget for 2016-2017

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, on Monday, presented a budget proposal of $5.57 billion for the 2016-2017 biennium that begins on January 1, 2015.
Making the presentation to the Administrative and Budgetary Committee of the General Assembly, he said that the budget had an initial outline level of $5.74 billion.
Ban, however, said that the assembly directed that he should prepare the proposed programme on the basis of a preliminary estimate of $5.56 billion .
This, he said, was $90.8 million below the appropriation for the current biennium and $10.2 million above the budget outline figure set by the General Assembly.
‘’The increase of 0.2 per cent over the Budget Outline figure is mainly due to the adjustments in light of recent General Assembly decisions on Umoja.
‘’The proposals for 2016-2017 include resources for new and extended mandates, specifically contribution to the Resident Coordinator System; the strengthening of the United Nations Environment Programme.
‘’Others are public information activities for the principle of parity of official languages; the strengthening of the human rights treaty body system, and the renovation of the Africa Hall.
‘’it also includes the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and support for Habitat III,’’ he said.
He said that the proposal reflected a net decrease of 56 posts compared to the current budget, primarily related to the freezing of posts.
According to Ban, this budget includes a preliminary re-costing of $125 million, which combined with the proposal of $5.57 billion, will bring the regular budget requirements to 5.69 billion dollars.
He said that the budget contained a provision of $1.12 billion for special political missions related to peace and security that were expected to be extended during the biennium, adding that it reflected a reduction of $120 million.
“I am confident that we can manage the existing Statistical Parametric Mapping portfolio and related mandates within the level set by the General Assembly.
“We have reached a critical moment in shaping the future we want for our children and succeeding generations.
“Member States adopted the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the landmark 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“In December, Member States have committed to achieve a meaningful, universal climate agreement in Paris.
“Taken together, these actions can help forge a new global development compact that pursues economic growth, human dignity and environmental sustainability.
“My budget proposals do not yet reflect any possible financial implications required for the Organisation to support Member States in achieving these goals.
“We are working towards the most appropriate implementation framework for the UN system and the Secretariat,” he said.
Ban reminded the committee that this year was his ninth year as Secretary-General and that the half of proposed budget for the biennium would be executed by his successor.
“I have taken into consideration a different programme of budget for me, because I have to think about the future after my departure.
“I have felt a sense of responsibility to make sure that my successor, whoever it may be, will be able to carry out his or her duties smoothly and with sufficient resources.
“That is my commitment, and that spirit is reflected in this programme budget. I really count on your strong support on this matter.
“Let us work together to ensure that the United Nations makes the best possible use of our resources in the service of humanity.
“My proposals for 2016-2017 programme budget are built on our progress,” he added.
He said that they were fully in line with the three pillars of peace and security, development and human rights and based on the priorities established by the General Assembly.
In formulating the proposal, he challenged his senior managers to find new and better ways of delivering mandates more effectively and efficiently.