Mr. President,
Taking into account the issues to be commented today, my delegation has prepared its position regarding the recommendations contained in pages 59 and 63 of the
Secretary General's report A/51/950 and would like to offer some very brief comments in this regard.
Concerning the proposal to discontinue the High-Level Advisory Board on Sustainable Development, my delegation can go along with this proposal while fully sharing the
views expressed by the Group of 77 and China which requested further clarification on how the functions of this body will be absorbed in the Commission on Sustainable
Development (CSD) and suggested that the involvement of civil society actors in the new arrangements for consultations, as indicated in paragraph 178 of the Secretary
General's report (A/51/950), be transparently discussed at CSD.
Mr. President,
Regarding the proposal related to humanitarian affairs, Algeria supports the proposed measure of the establishment of an Office of the Emergency Relief Coordinator but
has some serious concerns in regards to the responsibilities and functions of the Emergency Relief Coordinator. In the paragraph 186 of the Secretary General's report
(A/51/950), my delegation noted with deep concern the reference to responsibilities for advocacy of humanitarian issues with political organs, "notably the Security
Council". Consequently, my delegation questions the mandate for such reference and express its strong reservations. This reference does not exist neither in the General
Assembly resolution 46/182 nor in the Medium Term Plan for the period 1998-2001.
In this regard, my delegation would like to stress that the Emergency Relief Coordinator should limit its activities to implementing existing mandates. It should be
reiterated that the Emergency Relief Coordinator can in the context of its advocacy role promote humanitarian norms and United Nations policies on humanitarian issues
without dealing with political bodies. The Emergency Relief Coordinator is under the authority of the Secretary General who is the only authority representing the
Secretariat, in accordance with the article 99 of the UN Charter, entitled to bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which may threaten the maintenance of
international peace and security.
Accordingly, the expansion of the functions of the Coordinator as proposed are beyond the scope of the mandate established by the General Assembly in resolution 46/182
and therefore need to be reviewed.
Mr. President,
My delegation would like also to express reservations regarding the proposed new formula for consolidated appeals mentioned in paragraph 191 of the Secretary General's
report (A/51/950). The experience has, as a matter of fact, clearly shown that most pledges were not translated into payments in emergency cases, and therefore it would
be difficult, from my point of view, to include funding of human rights field missions in the consolidated appeals, particularly since it is clear that there is no mandate for this
activity. Some Questions can also be legitimately raised as to whether pledges for rehabilitation and reconstruction would be considered by the donor community as a
substitute for aid to development to those affected countries.
In conclusion, Algeria can support the recommendation to rename the Emergency Relief Coordinator as the United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator and the
establishment of a humanitarian affairs segment of the Economic and Social Council, provided that our comments and observations are fully taken care of by the Secretary
General.
Thank you.
