Cablegate: Usun Requests Guidance From Department On the Un

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0818 2782013
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 052013Z OCT 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2694
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2866

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

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