Statement by Mr. Morteza Mirmohammad (Islamic Republic of Iran), on behalf
of the Group of 77 and China, on interorganizational security measures under
agenda item 123: Proposed programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003, in the
Fifth Committe of the 56th session of the UN General Assembly
New York, 28 November 2001
Mr. Chairman,
1. I would like to thank Mr. Benon Sevan for the introduction of the report of the Secretary-General on the interorganizational security measures (A/56/469 and Corr.1). I would also like to thank Ambassador Mselle for the introduction of the ACABQ report on “Safety and Security of UN Personnel” (A/56/619).
Mr. Chairman,
2. The Group attaches importance to the issue of safety and security of the UN personnel. In this regard, all necessary steps should be taken by the Organization to ensure that the UN security management system is updated and has the necessary means to meet the operational requirements with which it is confronted.
3. Since strengthening security measures substantiates additional resource requirements which should be provided from the regular budget, it should not hamper the resource allocation for the implementation of other mandated activities in particular in the area of development.
4. The Group welcomes the modalities for cost-sharing of the overall resource requirements between participating agencies, funds and programmes within the United Nations system that are described in the Secretary-General’s report, and in this regard endorses the recommendations of the Advisory Committee in paragraphs 15 and 16 of its report.
5. The Group concurs with the opinion of the Advisory Committee in paragraph 9 of its report that further efforts should be made to clarify the relationship and interaction between the Office of the UN Security Coordinator and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
6. The Group notes the staffing proposals contained in the report, but deems it necessary that further information be provided on the high-risk duty stations identified in the Secretary-General’s report and to give a more detailed definition of such stations, particularly since 64 out of 80 duty stations were identified as high-risk in the report.
7. The Group recalls that the General Assembly decided by its resolution 55/238 to establish 16 additional Professional posts and 16 additional local-level posts to strengthen measures in the area of safety and security of the UN personnel. The Group notes with concern that not all the approved posts in the field had been filled and calls for expeditious action.
8. The Group would like to emphasize the need to define clear lines of responsibility and accountability in the area of ensuring safety and security of UN personnel, which is an essential element of the proposed changes, and in this regard, the Group expects to receive detailed information as soon as possible.
9. Finally, Mr. Chairman, the Group emphasizes that the UN personnel in the discharge of their responsibilities shall respect the local laws of the host countries in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.