The UN General Assembly on Saturday approved a budget of US$5.15 billion for the organisation’s work in 2012 and 2013.
PANA reported that the budget was approved in a special session of the 193-member Assembly.
The budget was among a host of resolutions adopted by the Assembly as it wrapped up its work for 2011.
It also approved US$583.38 million of the budget to be allocated for 29 UN special political mission for 2012.
Speaking on the development, Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser praised the “robust and constructive engagement” of the delegations in reaching consensus on a financial plan for the UN.
Al-Nasser said the negotiation process had been “particularly challenging this year in the wake of global financial challenges”.
Also, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the passage of the budget, saying “it is a collective achievement and a commitment to do more and better with less”.
“All budget years are tough. But this year was especially difficult,” Ban said in his remarks to the General Assembly.
“Governments and people everywhere are struggling. It is a time of global financial austerity,” he said, commending the Assembly for its willingness to make hard choices.
Ban had initially proposed a budget of US$5.197 billion in October, which represented a 3.2 per cent cut in the current financial plan, as part of adjusting to the current sluggish global economy.
His proposed budget included a series of modifications based on efficiency, 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.
PANA learnt that the General Assembly examined and discussed all of these aspects over the past two months.
Meanwhile, the Assembly also adopted resolutions 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
