China calls for rational, appropriate UN budget level

Principles of basing on reality and striving for savings should be observed in order to achieve a rational and appropriate level of the UN budget, Wang Min, Chinese deputy permanent representative to the UN said here on Friday. Wang made the remarks at the meeting of the Fifth Committee of the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly on proposed program budget of the Biennium 2012-2013. Wang said that in preparing the UN budget, the Secretariat should strictly comply with all financial disciplines, effectively strengthen accountability and base itself on reality and strive for savings. " Management and resource utilization should be improved to save resources and reduce waste so as to make good use of every penny contributed by member states," he said. "We hope that member states, through serious consideration and full consultations, will finally arrive at a rational and appropriate level of the UN budget, which, while ensuring the efficiency and accountability of the organization, will guarantee sufficient resources for the UN to implement programs and activities mandated by member states." At present, the international community is taking concerted actions to tackle the challenges of global economic and financial crisis. "When formulating budget, the UN should base itself on its capabilities and take into full consideration the financial capacity of member states, especially developing countries," Wang noted. "It should enhance efficiency in resource utilization through such measures as management reform and use a greater part of the savings thereof for development-related projects and activities," he said. China believes that the regular budget of the UN should be allocated fairly to all priority areas including development and the UN should give full attention and vigorous support to regional economic commissions in terms of financial and human resources, Wang said.