STATEMENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN FOR
the 22nd session of the Programme and Budget Committee (PBC) of UNIDO 5-6 September 2006
بسم ا.. الرحمن الرحیم
Madam. Chair,
Allow me to congratulate you and other members of the bureau on your election and to thank your predecessor Ms. Sandra Noriega, Minister Counsellor of the Permanent Representative of Guatemala, for her commendable leadership of the previous PBC meeting.
We wish to extend our congratulations to Mr. Yumkella during his first session of the Programme and Budget Committee, as Director-General, for his comprehensive presentation on the financial situation of UNIDO and the programme and budget proposals for the next biennium. We also appreciate the Secretariat's efforts for making all the necessary arrangements and consultations for the meeting.
The Islamic Republic of Iran would like also to take this opportunity to express its thanks to the Director-General and the Secretariat for their support during the 40th Meeting of the Chairpersons/Coordinators of the Chapters of the Group of 77 and their active participation in the panel discussion last June.
Madam. Chair,
My delegation associates with the statements of the G-77 and China and the Asian group and would make comments on Agenda items 3, 4, 6 and 7 in the course of discussions on each item and for this opening statement we would like to comment on Agenda item 3.
Taking note of the comprehensive information provided in the documents IDB.32/3- PBC.22/3 and IDB.32/4 - PBC.22/4, we would express our gratitude to the External Auditor for his services and appreciate the Secretariat for its full cooperation and support provided to the External Auditor in performing his assignment.
It is acceptable that the collection rate of the assessed contributions during the years 2004-2005 remained at the level of 91.6% however we believe that the collection rate of assessed contributions and the rate of regular budget spending should not have a negative trend comparing to the previous biennium.
My delegation is concerned that the Internal Oversight Services was not entirely capable to perform a number of significant assignments on its work plan for 2004-2005. We are confident that necessary measures will be taken by the Director-General to properly tackle this matter and to overcome all other difficulties referred to by the External Auditor.
With regards to the procurement of equipment and awarding contracts for services, we would like to request the Secretariat to appropriately address External Auditor's observations. Appreciating the new procedural issues, my delegation believes that financial rules should be improved and fully respected. We expect that equal opportunities should be given to suppliers from all countries to participate actively in UNIDO's bidding and purchasing procedures as well as regarding the hiring of consultants and experts services.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Regarding the financial situation of UNIDO the Islamic Republic of Iran is of the view that all Member States should try to pay their assessed contribution without any delay in order to support UNIDO's activities and make more stable its financial situation.
In this context we are concerned that the voting rights of 42 Member States had been suspended as at 30 June 2006.
We welcome the Secretariat's initiatives to negotiate with a number of Member States to arrange payment plan and request all States to fulfill their financial obligations.
My delegation congratulates the Secretariat on its hard work to deliver a high level of technical cooperation which recorded a remarkable performance and increase during the biennium 2004-2005 comparing to the previous biennium, and we believe that the Secretariat will continue its efforts to utilize the financial resources more efficiently and effectively.
Regarding mobilization of financial resources, it is inspiring that voluntary contributions continued to show a positive trend and my delegation appreciates and supports the Secretariat's efforts to mobilize more financial resources, in particular from the multilateral funds. In this context, we hope that the Organization could have direct access to GEF funding facilities in all of the focal areas relevant to UNIDO’s programme in addition to the POPs.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Islamic Republic of Iran takes note of the document IDB32/8-PBC.22/8 and welcomes the Director-General's proposed activities for the Medium Term Programme Framework 2008- 2011. My delegation notes with satisfaction that MTPF is in close correspondence with the Strategic Long Term Vision and the Millennium Development Goals.
It is essential to notify that the measures being taken by the Secretariat are aimed at enhancing the programmatic content of UNIDO's services and strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of their delivery in accordance with the specific needs and priorities of the Member States. In this regard we appreciate the Secretariat’s assurance that the transition from MTPF 2006-2009 to MTPF 2008-2011 will be realized with minimum disruption.
By recognizing the valuable efforts made by the Director General for the development of South-South and regional cooperation, the Islamic Republic of Iran fully supports and encourages these initiatives.
In the context of international partnership and its attachment to the priority areas, my delegation at thirty-second session of IDB proposed the establishment of a joint Ad hoc expert group of UNIDO and ILO to work on feasible and practical recommendations to tackle unemployment issue and to report to the Organizations’ governing bodies. We believe that UNIDO is also able to fulfil expectations and achieve tangible results in this area.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
