UN Management Reform in Progress

Secretary General Kofi Annan has introduced several robust policies to streamline and improve the United Nations. While Congress introduces legislation calling for management reform at the United Nations, it is important to note that several key proposals have already been implemented or is in the process of implementation.

A Management Performance Board has been established which will monitor the performance of senior staff and brief the Secretary General on matters that require his attention, including corrective action.

• In accordance with the Volcker Inquiry and the General Assembly, a new Oversight Committee is also being established to ensure that appropriate management action is taken to implement the recommendations from the Office of Internal Oversight Services, the Board of Audit and the Joint Inspection Unit.

• The General Assembly is currently considering a recommendation, put forth by Secretary General Annan, to strengthen the independence and authority of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).

• The UN is in the process of consolidating a comprehensive anti-fraud and corruption policy based on existing practices and a recent model developed by the World Bank.

On May 17, 2005, UN Undersecretary-General Louise Frechette announced the appointment of Christopher Bancroft Burnham, currently the top U.S. State Department finance expert, as the UN’s new management chief. His role will be to strengthen accountability, ethical conduct & management performance.

The Secretary General has also established two executive-level decision making committees – one that deals with Policy matters while the other one focuses on Management issues – in order to speed up top-level decision making.

A new transparent selection system has been introduced to reach a wider pool of qualified candidates for senior UN positions.

On June 1, 2005, the Security Council unanimously condemned sexual exploitation in peacekeeping missions and pushed for investigation and punishment of the perpetrators. The United Nations has responded.

• In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 147 peacekeepers have been investigated in the last 16 months, five UN civilian staff have been fired while 77 peacekeepers have been expelled from the mission.

Moreover, the UN recently released a report commissioned by Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, who is the Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations. In addition to proposing several reforms such as mandatory training and compensation for victims of sexual abuse, al-Hussein urges troop contributing countries to agree to hold their peacekeepers accountable.

Deputy Secretary General Louise Fréchette has noted that many internal changes have been implemented since 1996 – the time period under scrutiny in Volcker’s report on the oil-for-food program. For instance, the UN website now posts all purchasing requirements and awards, including details and the progress of all transactions.

The Secretary General has also introduced a tough new whistle-blower policy that will enable staff to come forward with concerns without fearing retribution.

• The policy will be reviewed by staff before it is formally implemented.

Updated August 9, 2005