“All budget years are tough. But this year was especially difficult, Governments and people everywhere are struggling. It is a time of global financial austerity,” UN SG told the UN General Assembly after the body only on the Saturday before Christmas approved a budget on a biennium basis both 2012 and 2013 years – for $5.15 billion total. Although the approved budget is lower than the one from the previous biennium, it was imperative to “make the most of our resources” to be able to “continue fulfilling every one of the critical global mandates entrusted to the United Nations,” according to the UNSG. Ban Ki-moon was also reelected to a second and presumably final term in 2011. See Film Report: -“Reelecting Ban Ki-moon” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/re-electing-ban-ki-moon/27317. Lower than Requested: UNSG Ban had initially proposed a budget of $5.197 billion in October - a 3.2 per cent cut in the current financial plan, as part of adjusting to the current sluggish global economy. The UNSG’s proposed budget included “a series of modifications based on efficiencies, improvements and investments, with a net decrease of 44 posts as well as cost-cutting for travel, consultants, general operating expenses, supplies, materials and equipment.” (UN News Center). One of the new departments but also efficiencies through consolidation implemented this year has been UN Women based on a 2010 UN General Assembly Resolution. See Film Report - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/un-womenfrom-to/25110 29 Political Missions In Addition to Peacekeeping Mandates: Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser praised the “robust and constructive engagement” of all delegations in reaching consensus on a financial plan, adding that the negotiation process had been “particularly challenging this year in the wake of global financial challenges.” It took over two months to conclude budget negotiations, although it was not as openly politicized as the budget and payroll tax debates in the US Congress. Resolutions on Sexual Violence to Rwanda Genocide to “Culture of Peace”: Concluding its work today, (December 24, 2011), the UN General Assembly has concluded its work for the year. The UN General Assembly approved $583.38 million of the budget to be allocated for 29 special political missions for 2012. The UN peacekeeping missions/budgets are approved and funded separately. The Assembly also adopted texts on the culture of peace, the strengthening the coordination of UN humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, and assistance to survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, particularly orphans, widows and victims of sexual violence. (See Film Report: -“Congo Mas Rapes Reparations” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/congo-mass-rapes-reparations/25583 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey



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