Page 280 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

With the aim of revitalizing the United Nations, Mr. Annan presented in
July a far-reaching reform programme encompassing both administrative
reforms, which he is able to undertake under his own authority, and broader
structural reforms which require negotiations among Member States. The first
set of actions was approved globally by the General Assembly, although
measures with budgetary implications still await the adoption of the next
biennium's regular budget later this month. As for the more substantial
proposals recommended by the Secretary-General, which require the
negotiated consent of Member States and may involve amendments to the
Charter (such as the reform of the Security Council or the revision of the scale
of assessments), these are still under discussion.

Concerning administrative reforms, their main purpose is to bring greater
coherence to the work of the Organization. To this end, all Departments,
Programmes and Funds have been consolidated into four Executive
Committees representing the core sectors of UN activity: peace and security,
humanitarian affairs; economic and social affairs; and development operations.
Human Rights presents the peculiarity of being the only activity which cuts
across all sectoral lines.

Beyond this focus on consolidation, managerial reforms also aim at
strengthening the leadership structure within the Secretariat. To this end the
Secretary-General was able to establish in September of this year a new "Senior
Management Group" which now plays a key consultative role. It serves as the
Secretary-General’s cabinet and central policy planning body. UNOG is
represented in this Group and thus has an input at that level.

The proposed creation of the position of Deputy Secretary-General is also
aimed at reinforcing the leadership structure of the Secretariat. The incumbent
would not be responsible for any specific substantial dossier and would exercise
only those functions delegated to him by the Secretary-General. Beyond
representing the Secretary-General and acting on his behalf, the main task of
the Deputy Secretary-General would be to provide intersectoral and inter-
institutional coherence to United Nations activities. This proposal has a good
chance of coming through in the very near future.

In addition to this restructuring effort, the rationalization process which
was initiated under former Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali is further
pursued, and the current reform proposal has set a target of reducing
administrative and other overhead costs from 38 per cent to 25 per cent of the

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