The Economic and Social Council this afternoon adopted a resolution on international cooperation in the field of informatics on the convening of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Informatics for one more year. It also adopted a resolution on changes to the statute of the United Nations System Staff College after holding a discussion on United Nations research and training institutes.

The Council also acted on elections, nominations and appointments postponed from previous sessions, approving the election of Portugal to the Commission on Population and Development; Bulgaria to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development; France and Luxembourg to the Executive Board of the World Food Programme; and Nicaragua to the Committee for the United Nations Population Award. The Council also approved the nomination of Haiti to the Committee for Programme and Coordination; and the appointment of 24 members to the Committee for Development Policy and 25 members to the Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters.

In a resolution on the need to harmonize and improve United Nations informatics systems for optimal utilization and accessibility by all States, adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council requested the President of the Economic and Social Council to convene the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Informatics for one more year to enable it to carry out the due fulfilment of the provisions of the Council resolutions on this item, to facilitate the successful implementation of the initiatives being taken by the Secretary-General with regard to the use of information technology and to continue the implementation of measures required to achieve its objectives.

In a resolution on the United Nations System Staff College in Turin, Italy, adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council approved the proposed changes to the statute of the United Nations System Staff College, noting that those changes had no budgetary implications. The Council also welcomed the progress made by the United Nations System Staff College in light of the strategic reforms introduced by its Director and endorsed by its Board of Governors.

Carlos Lopes, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), introducing the report of the Secretary-General on UNITAR, said cooperation began with training and education. Capacity development was widely recognised as an essential element of good governance, and while its direct impact was often difficult to quantify, it was essential at all levels of society, including the multi-lateral level. The Institute had undergone reform, strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing human capital, building human relationships, and strengthening the organizational structure.

Mr. Lopes, introducing his report on the work, activities and accomplishments of the United Nations System Staff College, said the College had been able to provide training to more than 8,000 United Nations staff during the course of 2008 alone, doubling the 2007 figures. Its budget for 2008 represented a 17 per cent increase over 2007 and a further 2 per cent increase was expected in 2009. The College had focused its work on four major thematic areas: knowledge management, leadership training, certification and support United Nations country teams. By gearing activities around these key areas, the College had been able to better respond to the United Nations system’s demands for cutting-edge programmes.

During the discussion on the United Nations research and training institutes, speakers welcomed with great interest the report and the implementation of the strategic reform of UNITAR, especially its focus on a results-based management framework and gender balance. It was positive to hear that income had doubled in the last five years, but 95 per cent was still in the form of special service grants, and the nature of these and how they influenced UNITAR’s work in form and substance should be explained. A speaker was pleased to know that a financial committee was established, which would increase transparency of financial policies. As an autonomous organization at the heart of the United Nations, which did a great deal of research into innovative mechanisms to strengthen the work of the United Nations, particularly with regards to peace-keeping, a speaker noted that the strengthening of these activities and their broadening should be done with regards to the needs of Member States.

Speaking in the discussion were representatives of the delegations of Brazil, Russian Federation, Morocco and Sweden. Introducing the draft resolution was Sweden

On Tuesday, 28 July, the Council will meet at 10 a.m. to begin its consideration of agenda item 9 entitled, “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries”; agenda item 10 on “Regional cooperation”; and agenda item 11 entitled, “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the Palestinian people”.

Report on International Cooperation in the Field of Informatics

The report of the Secretary-General entitled International cooperation in the field of informatics contained in (E/2009/21), highlights the continuing cooperation of the Working Group and the Secretariat, which has resulted in practical enhancements in the area of technology that facilitate the work of Member States and Observers of the United Nations, as well as that of the non-governmental organizations accredited to the United Nations.

Action on Resolution on International Cooperation in the Field of Informatics

In the draft resolution on the need to harmonize and improve United Nations informatics systems for optimal utilization and accessibility by all States (E/2009/30), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council requests the President of the Economic and Social Council to convene the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Informatics for one more year to enable it to carry out, from within existing resources, the due fulfilment of the provisions of the Council resolutions on this item, to facilitate the successful implementation of the initiatives being taken by the Secretary-General with regard to the use of information technology and to continue the implementation of measures required to achieve its objectives and, in that regard, requests the Working Group to continue its efforts to act as a bridge between the evolving needs of Member States and the actions of the Secretariat, and also requests the Working Group to consider its future role, status and mandate and develop findings in that regard; and requests the Secretary-General to extend full cooperation to the Working Group and to give priority to implementing its recommendations and guidance, particularly with regard to the upgrading of web-based services, including through the replacement of the CandiWeb elections and candidatures site.

Reports on United Nations Research and Training Institutes

The Economic and Social Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General entitled the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, contained in (E/2009/57), which highlights that in the last two years, the Institute has undertaken a major strategic reform. Moreover, it is excelling in programmatic achievements. Both the reforms of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and its programmatic achievements are the focus of the present report. From a financial perspective, UNITAR has doubled its income in the last five years. The revised budget for 2008-2009 is 57 per cent higher than the actual expenditures of the prior period. Ninety-five per cent of the current budget is secured through special purpose grants. Globally, the Institute’s ability to deliver on its mandate is positive with the exception of one area, that of core diplomatic training, an issue also raised in the present report. The report recommends that UNITAR can play an important role in the overall effort to ensure more efficient service provision for training and research within the United Nations system.

The report of the Director of the United Nations System Staff College on its work, activities and accomplishments, contained in (E/2009/77), highlights learning and training initiatives undertaken by the United Nations System Staff College from 1 July 2007 to 30 April 2009. The report shows the progress made towards the College’s main goal of becoming a centre of excellence for learning and training in the United Nations system by fostering the implementation of knowledge-sharing mechanisms and improving system-wide coherence. The report also illustrates internal reforms which are being introduced at the College and provides Member States with a proposal to strengthen the College’s governance structure.

The report entitled the Council of the United Nations University on the work of the University, contained in (E/2009/84), highlights the core functions of the Council of the United Nations University during 2008; covering research projects and activities; capacity development; communications and dissemination; members of the Council of the United Nations University, and United Nations University system. The mission of the United Nations University is to contribute, through collaborative research, capacity development and advisory support, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations, its peoples and its Member States. The United Nations University provides world decision makers with fresh, alternative perspectives on today’s problems, proactive analyses of evolving problems, and sound policy options to address them. The United Nations University focuses on issues of sustainability and, particularly, on the sustainability challenges facing the developing world. The report notes that the United Nations University Council held its fifty-fifth session in Bonn in December 2008. At that session, the Council, among other actions, heard the Rector’s annual “State of the University” report; adopted the draft United Nations University Strategic Plan: 2009-2012; adopted a proposal for United Nations University to begin to award accredited graduate degrees, and to establish a quality assurance and accreditation mechanism; authorized the establishment of a review and evaluation panel to assess United Nations University activity over the past three decades; adopted the draft statute for establishment of the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace in Tokyo; and deliberated on a range of issues relating to the financial and administrative management of the University in the 2008-2009 biennium.

Discussion on United Nations Research and Training Institutes

CARLOS LOPES, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Institute (E/2009/57), said cooperation began with training and education, and it was for this reason and for the challenge of strengthening coordination and coherence that in early May this year the College had convened the heads of United Nations bodies and institutes to discuss what could be done to improve its work and make it more complementary and effective. The suggestions submitted to the Secretary-General were very well received, and were now being implemented. Capacity development was widely recognised as an essential element of good governance, and while its direct impact was often difficult to quantify, it was essential at all levels of society, including the multi-lateral level. The Institute had undergone reform, strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing human capital, building human relationships, and strengthening the organisational structure. Indicators of success in the reforms were reflected in feed-back on United Nations compliance and others. In less than two years, the Institute had introduced results-based management, with a gradual shift in management culture resulting there from. Reforms had resulted in greater recognition of the Institute, among other positive steps. The Institute had demonstrated phenomenal growth, and predictions for the budget had increased exponentially.

CARLOS LOPES, Executive Director of the United Nations System Staff College, introducing his report on the work, activities and accomplishments of the United Nations System Staff College, as contained in document (E/2009/77), said the report, covered a period of 20 months, from 1 July 2007 to April 2009, and illustrated the significant achievements of this small, yet dynamic organization. The College – with its workforces of 38 staff – had been able to provide training to more than 8,000 United Nations staff during the course of 20098 alone, doubling the 2007 figures. Its budget for 2008 represented a 17 per cent increase over 2007 and a further 2 per cent increase was expected in 2009. The financial resources of the College experienced a 65 per cent increase during the period under review. Mr. Lopes drew the Council’s attention to a number of key indicators with regard to the College’s review.

First, the College had managed to provide training not only on a broad geographical basis, but also its inter-agency activities now encompassed a full range of United Nations staff. Second, the College had focused its work on four major thematic areas: knowledge management, leadership training, certification and support to United Nations country teams. By gearing its activities around these key areas, the College had been able to better respond to the United Nations system’s demands for cutting-edge programmes. Third, results had been possible thanks to a process of internal reforms initiated in 2007. These reforms aimed at strengthening key processes such as risk management and results-based-management in the College. Fourth, the College had broadened its partnerships with not only important United Nations departments such as the United Nations Department for Safety and Security of the United Nations Development Coordination Office, but also it had engaged in various productive partnerships with renowned academic experts which strengthened the College’s reputation as a centre of excellence, stressed Mr. Lopes. In conclusion, he also noted that the report dealt with the College’s future operational effectiveness, which was of great importance.

GUILHERME PATRIOTA (Brazil) said Brazil appreciated the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the report just given by Mr. Lopes. There seemed to be interesting developments ongoing with regards to UNITAR, one of them being the strategic reform of the Institute, which had been shared with the Board of Trustees. How was the strategic reform discussed with Member States so that they could also participate in discussions on strengthening the Institute and in discussions on perspectives for the future, Brazil asked. It was positive to hear that income had doubled in the last five years, but 95 per cent was still in the form of special service grants, and the nature of these and how they influenced the Institute's work in form and substance should be explained. There was a huge emphasis on climate change, and as a subject for training and research, this was valid, but it should not be done at the detriment to other subjects such as the international financial and economic crisis.

GRIGORY USTINOV (Russian Federation) said the Russian Federation welcomed all the reports, and in particular the report on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). There were more and more requests for their programmes and the list was growing longer. This was linked to the pro-active nature of management in UNITAR. The Russian delegation was pleased to know that a financial committee was established, which would increase transparency of financial policies, as well as strengthen cooperation of UNITAR with the private sector and local authorities. Russia did not support work that duplicated the work of other United Nations bodies or structures.

OMAR HILALE (Morocco) said the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was an autonomous organization at the heart of the United Nations, and did a great deal of research into innovative mechanisms to strengthen the work of the United Nations, particularly with regards to peace-keeping. The strengthening of these activities and their broadening should be done with regards to the needs of Member States. Mr. Lopes had shown leadership, innovation and initiative in his work. The Institute even provided training for diplomats with the aim of developing countries, and this deserved the full support of the United Nations and countries, as it prepared diplomats for their work across the globe. Morocco strongly supported the appeal to provide the Institute with the necessary means, in particular financial, to continue its efforts. UNITAR was fully qualified to consolidate research in the United Nations at a country-level in order to ensure the proper provision of resource training in order to meet developing countries' aspirations fully. Strengthening these activities required more human resources in order to guarantee full efficiency and the ability of the Institute to carry out its research fully.

MARIANNE LIDSKOG (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said it was with great interest that the European Union followed the positive work of United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) as set out in the report, and they welcomed the implementation of the strategic reform of the Institute, especially its focus on a results-based management framework and gender balance. The report’s recommendation on the future role of the Institute was also supported. They were also pleased with the focus on a coordinated United Nations system-wide approach to research and training. The new online possibility of the Peacekeeping Training Programme seemed to be a good example of how to use best practices in peace building and fed information back to both participating Member States and United Nations representatives. UNITAR’s comparative activities covered a vast number of themes and in section 6, the report mentioned an indicative list of objectives for UNITAR for the next biennium. In relation to this it would be interesting to know more about the Institute’s experience of the various programmes. The representative of Sweden asked what seemed to be UNITAR’s comparative advantage? Was there any thought of wanting to concentrate in a special field?

CARLOS LOPES, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, responding to the questions and comments made, said since the reform began a dialogue had taken place not only through the Economic and Social Council but also through consultations that had been maintained with the different oversight mechanisms, including through the different parts of the General Assembly, including the Fifth Committee. That the growth of the budget came from special purpose grants was to follow the regime of funding planned by the General Assembly which provided for voluntary funding to be conveyed through specific programmes, but there was also a General Fund, but contributions to this were not at the level of subject-specific funds. Training diplomats had been running a deficit, and this subject had been put to the consideration of Member States, and was being discussed by the Fifth Committee. More than 2,000 diplomats benefited from this programme every year, but it was only subsidised to 50 per cent. Immense efforts had been made to correct geographical imbalances in staffing. The reform had been not to concentrate on themes, but on approaches, and the Institute had determined that its methodologies had to be state-of-the-art with regards to training. Regarding climate change, the Institute had offered the Secretariats of the different United Nations Conventions integrated training, and it was the first time they had all agreed to have on Institute providing that training. The Institute should be the best in the United Nations system to convert capacity into training.

Action on Resolution on United Nations Research and Training Institutes

In the draft resolution entitled the United Nations System Staff College in Turin, Italy, (E/2009/L.27), the Economic and Social Council approves the proposed changes to the statute of the United Nations System Staff College, and notes that those changes have no budgetary implications; welcomes the progress made by the United Nations System Staff College, in light of the strategic reforms introduced by its Director and endorsed by its Board of Governors; and acknowledges the introduction of strategic reforms to its governance structure, as endorsed by its Board of Governors and by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination.

MARIANNE LIDSKOG (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, introducing draft resolution (E/2009/L.27), said the proposed changes included the United Nations Ward of Governors, and the Deputy General as the Chair. The board would be composed of 9 members, and 3 ex-officio members. The Chief Executives Board would establish the selection process. The Secretary-General would appoint board members for a period of two years, with a one year extension only. The Experts Technical Review Panel would continue to report to the Board of Governors, but would be strengthened at the Staff College level in terms of its activities. The changes had no budgetary implications. Therefore, Sweden on behalf of the European Union hoped that the Council would be able to adopt this draft resolution at this session of the Council.


For use of the information media; not an official record

ECOSOC09032E