Of the 50,000 projects in the budget, Mr. Annan recommended discontinuing 900, in "the first real effort of this kind," knowing "how difficult it is to end UN activities once they have started." He also proposed shifting $100 million between sub-programmes and redeploying 810 posts.
The budget incorporated the results of comprehensive reviews of public information and human rights requested by the General Assembly, Mr. Annan said.
The budget incorporated the results of comprehensive reviews of public information and human rights requested by the General Assembly, Mr. Annan said.
It set out changes needed to implement a new information and communications technology strategy. These included improving the United Nations web site and the use of technology to modernize the servicing of UN meetings, as well as strengthening the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
DESA compiles a wide range of data to facilitate intergovernmental negotiations aimed at forging unified economic, social and environmental policies.
His proposed budget also provided for more staff training, as it proposed hiring 117 new, mainly young professionals, Mr. Annan said.
DESA compiles a wide range of data to facilitate intergovernmental negotiations aimed at forging unified economic, social and environmental policies.
His proposed budget also provided for more staff training, as it proposed hiring 117 new, mainly young professionals, Mr. Annan said.
He appealed to the Fifth Committee not to reduce the budget in the ways recommended by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), since such a shrinkage of funds could "put us under undue constraints, especially in terms of the reform effort."