Joint meetings of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
CND chair: Welcome. Today we will consider, together with the CCPJ, agenda items regarding administrative questions and inter-governmental working groups and staff composition of UNODC. CND will have a separate meeting tomorrow, with a statement by Yuri Fedotov (UNODC Executive Director) and Kees De Joncheere (INCB President). The Minister of Interior from Albania, Sandër Lleshaj, will also take the floor tomorrow morning. We will also agree to a Bureau for the upcoming season.
CCPCJ chair (Belarus Ambassador): Welcome, we will follow agenda items as publicised – please address the agenda items in your statements.
CND chair: Items 8 CND, and 4 CCPCJ, strategic management, budgetary and administrative questions; Inter-governmental working group on improving governance and financial situations.
CCPCJ chair: Separate meeting of CCPJC will take place tomorrow afternoon to take formal action on draft resolutions regarding budgetary issues.
Division of Management, UNODC: Our actions cut across 3 pillars of the UN: Peace and security, human rights and development. We have been expanding within our mandates to deliver to those who need the most. We undertake a broad range of activities with exploring new technologies. We continue to implement UN-wide reforms to prioritize key thematic contexts. The general budget is presented to the commissions for approval – 697 million dollars. 57.9 million dollars for 2020-2010. Projected decrease in UNODC budget 8.8 million dollars. Resource projection 2020-2021: 806 072.3 USD. UNODC continues to adhere strictly to the 13 per cent rate policy and procedures of the United Nations with respect to programme support costs and to ensure the application of clear and consistent criteria in the granting of exceptions to the standard 13% rate. Reduced programme support cost rates are applied in the consolidated budget for 2020–2021. With a decade left to achieve the SDGs, we are working hard to do our part, but we need your help to deliver our programmes. UNODC needs sustainable resources and effective funding structures.
Reference document: Report of the Executive Director on the consolidated budget for the biennium 2020-2021 for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
On staff composition – gender and geographical balance is a priority for our Executive Director. We provide detailed information on the staff composition. Current practices have been reviewed to detect activities that are not compliant with our conduct policies. A guide has been issued to address possible workplace harassment, among other issues. The report of the Executive Director on gender balance and geographical representation within the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is available online.
Jean-Luc Lemahieu, UNODC: We have received written comments by 4 delegations and we have incorporated those as best as possible. The role of governance is to advise on the substance of the plan and not the format – the document will be ultimately submitted in New York. Its objective is to ensure the efficient working of the commission in full compliance with its mandate. The draft is now formally presented to your and the proposed programme plan for 2021 and performance information for 2019 for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime can be read online. The final document will be shared during the regular sessions of both commissions.
CND chair: The Council decided to review the mandate of the inter-governmental working group and consider itss extension. In October, the extended bureau jointly nominated Member States. Natasha Agostini (Brazil) as co-chair of the working group.
Spain, inter-governmental working group co-chair: During the period covered by our report, we had two major meetings and three additional meetings. We reviewed the budget and conducted informal consultations regarding it. We thank all delegations for their efforts. We believe our working group serves a fundamental role enhancing the transparency and accountability of our work and serves as a platform for Member States to discuss specific issues. Thank you.
CND chair: Thank you co-chairs and active delegations. The note by the secretariat on the working group is in front of the commission.
Egypt: My group (group 77 and China) appreciates the work of the chairpersons for today’s joint meeting. We are celebrating that a female Executive Director has been elected to lead UNODC for the first time and we salute the work of the outgoing director. We welcome and appreciate all chairs leading our workings. On technical assistance – we emphasise the need of using resources for long-term sustainability. We understand that funding trends affect the ability of the office to uphold core functions, such as normative work and research. Prior to the publication of the consolidated program budget, we think it must be fully in line with the guidance and presented in a timely manner with full transparency. The finding difficulties shouldn’t affect field work, technical assistance, etc. We also emphasise the need for ongoing dialogue. The research work should be based on clear mandates and needs. We would like to see an equal representation of women on all levels. In line with the UN charter, balanced geographical representation should be represented regardless of funding issues. The representation of developing countries a notable concern and we call on the UNODC to make concrete steps to achieve sufficient diversity.
Namibia (on behalf of African group): We welcome and support the new ED, the first female director and first selection from the African continent. We reiterate our position for need of continued support for all stages of programme planning and evaluation of results. We support human resources governance to improve geographical representation and gender-balance and regret that concrete steps have not yet been taken to address this. Inter-governmental working group strengthens the trust and enhanced communication between the Secretariat and member states. We pledge our support to the work of both commissions.
United States: We believe UNODC provides a valuable contribution to counter the menace of illicit drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism. Yuri Fedotov’s steady leadership has served this important role – we thank him for his service and we welcome the new Executive Director. As on of the major donors, we place great value in UNODC’s programming. It is essential that these complement and supports the treaties. The 2030 Agenda was created to supplement existing frameworks and not supersede them. We have budgetary concerns and encourage a broader distribution of funds to support UNODC’s field presence. The SDG’s reform efforts should be plugged in to UNODC’s work. We are an active member of FINGOV. Enhance women’s empowerment and geographical representation.
Iran: We align ourselves with the statement made by Egypt. We welcome the appointment of the new ED. We note with concern the financial struggles of the UNODC and INCB. The funding trends are affecting the office’s ability to uphold core functions. Contributions should be transparent but are needed. Listing of all legislative mandates will lead to losing focus on the program, relevant UN declarations, decisions and resolutions are the core mandate of the office. We take note of the draft consolidated budget, we renew our call of the UNODC to consult with Member States before the presentation and allow meaningful participation of the preparation of such. Also consult with Member States before undertaking any programmes and attain consent of the concerned states. The report on the gender and geographical balance is taken into our consideration with concern.
Afghanistan: We acknowledge the efforts of UNODC to achieve geographical and gender balance.
Colombia: We align with G77 and China. It is important that UNODC strengthens its leadership in implementing UN system reforms. More must be done to achieve transparent, efficient and sustainable finances. Management reform to improve accountability require additional efforts geared toward sufficiently informed decisions. Geographic and gender diversity. Reform of the UN development system and funding: there is a need for coordinated action to tackle challenges of globalization. Risk management is crucial to respond to the calls of Member States and implementation of efficiency.
China: We appreciate FINGOV’s efforts to improve the financial situation of UNODC. 2020-2021 budget was expected to increase, the general-purpose income continues to deteriorate which is a major challenge. China donated 1 million USD to UNODC in October of which 200K was dedicated for special use. We will continue to support UNODC. The current situation of traditional drugs sources has worsened, especially in the golden triangle. We note the efforts to improve gender and geographic balance on all levels.
Netherlands: Support for ED. Mandates of the organisation is relevant is and is connected to many global challenges. UNODC’s current budget is a reflection of not new challenges – Member States have provided clear input on how to overcome those and how Member States expect to be involved. Continuing to do business as usual is not a possibility. We expect UNODC to move forward with implementation of projects without delay and reform its structures if necessary. We would like to see a sustainable, strategic approach to UNODC’s work. UNODC has to review and rebalance its transparency – Resources must be sent in a more transparent and efficient way. Too much is allocated for management expenses. We welcome the report on existing policies and we encourage UNODC update regularly. We have a zero-tolerance for sexual misconduct and repercussions must be made – We call for more transparency on this. Strengthening the position and accountability of UN is important. We are all in this together, so we encourage the new ED to engage with Member States directly and regularly to find solutions together.
Brazil: We associate ourselves with the statement of the G77. My delegation will surely be watching closely developments in this area.
Russia: We commend UNODC for its work per its mandate. We are concerned about the trends in the financial cycle regarding the shortfalls in the Vienna based organisations. New York seems to impede our core functions. We are concerned about the situation of the INCB – a shortfall of regular budget almost led to a cancellation of their November session. Against this backdrop, the draft budget contains 1,5 times higher budget of the INCB. We see that as highly problematic. We thank the Secretariat for the draft program and for taking on Member States comments when revising the content. Synchronicity is a must with decisions in New York. Regarding gender balance and geographical representation: it should not overshadow the principle of competence – qualifications and expertise.
Japan: Our support remains unchanged. The downward trend regarding our budget leads us to say that it is the office’s responsibility to distribute funds sufficiently. We recognise the UN development system and its role to achieve the 2030 goals. We are entering a critical phase. In accordance, it is critical to secure transparency and accountability through advanced dialogue. To this end open-ended intergovernmental working groups are paramount.
Nigeria: Support new ED. Thanks for outgoing ED.
Switzerland: Support ED. An ongoing dialogue about the budget must be secured between the Member States and the new ED. At the upcoming sessions, UNODC is invited to report on their participation on the UN reform. In the Common Position, a coherent and unified statement has been expressed – this is a powerful instrument to be harnessed. UNODC is called upon to implement this position, to that end we are committed to a strategic planning exercise. We are committed to 2030 and align our work to the SDGs. Gender equality and elimination of sexual exploitation – we support the efforts.
CCPJC chair: We have exhausted list of speakers and this concludes our joint meeting.