UNRWA/2006/04. Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. April 27, Original: English UNRWA/CN/SR/2006/04

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1 UNRWA/2006/04 Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency April 27, 2006 Original: English UNRWA/CN/SR/2006/04 Organizational Session Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency Intercontinental Hotel, Amman 27 & 28 February 2006 Summary Note Chairperson: Ms. Rana Mokaddem (Lebanon) This record is subject to correction. Request for a factual correction to this record should be submitted to the Secretariat within two weeks of the date of this document.

2 Welcome and Introduction by the Chairperson, Representative of the Government of Lebanon (Chair ) The Chairperson, Ms. Al-Mokadem, (Head of the Palestine Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lebanon) welcomed new Members and Observers of the Advisory Commission. The Chair acknowledged that a great deal of effort had gone into preparing for the Organizational Session of the Advisory Commission. The Chair expressed the hope that the Session would be productive and that a revitalized and expanded Advisory Commission would fulfill its role in providing advice and assistance to the Commissioner-General. Introductory Statement by the Commissioner-General The Commissioner-General, Ms. Karen AbuZayd, expressed her pleasure to be with Members and Observers at the first meeting of the revitalized and expanded Advisory Commission. In addition, the Commissioner-General thanked the Chair for having chaired the previous Advisory Commission and in preparing for the Organizational Session. The Commissioner-General underlined the importance of the Advisory Commission as a pivotal element within the overall improvement of UNRWA s governance and it is crucial role in advising and assisting the Agency. The Commissioner-General identified the rules of procedure as the first order of business and stated that a strong consensus-based set of rules and procedures would be instrumental in enabling the Commission to play its role to the fullest. The Commissioner-General stated that improving governance structures (the Advisory Commission, and the Hosts and Donors Meeting) is an integral part of the comprehensive reform process on which the Agency had embarked following the Geneva Conference in The Commissioner-General identified a number of important initiatives that had already begun under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner-General. In particular, the establishment of an internal Organizational Development Team which will work closely in support of the Deputy Commissioner-General and a Human Resources Task Force to lead the process with respect to its most crucial aspect: UNRWA staff. The Commissioner-General underlined strong support for the reform process. The next steps will include the development of a solid framework for UNRWA s activities, which will clarify strategic issues and choices, and of an organizational development strategy and work plan articulated in several thematic clusters. The Commissioner-General anticipated that the consultancy would complete its work by May of this year. The Commissioner-General stated that the Agency would be seeking the support of the Advisory Commission to fund a proposed comprehensive reform package. 2

3 The Commissioner-General then focused remarks on the main challenges affecting UNRWA s operations in the opt. In particular, the deterioration of the overall security situation in the Gaza Strip had forced the Agency to relocate from Gaza almost all of the (few) remaining international staff members, from both headquarters and field operations offices. UN Security phase four had been extended until mid-april, constrictive riskmitigation measures have been put in place and developments were being monitored continuously. In addition, the Commissioner-General noted that in previous months the mobility of Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, had also worsened. Travel from one West Bank town to another remained unpredictable, while restrictions of access around Jerusalem had increased. Furthermore, the Commissioner-General recognized that Israeli military operations had continued in the opt, including daily shelling (in response to Qassam rocket attacks), targeted assassinations in Gaza, and new incursions in the West Bank. The Commissioner-General then focused remarks on the Agency s worsening financial situation. The Commissioner-General recalled that the Agency s needs-based budget for 2006 is the first to include substantive elements of implementation of the Medium Term Plan. The Commissioner-General expressed concern that the amounts pledged for the General Fund do not appear to acknowledge the Agency s increased financial requirements in this regard. In fact, the dollar amount expected is lower than that received last year, a downward slide which would deal a serious blow to UNRWA s efforts to improve standards of service delivery. The Commissioner-General noted that, based on a scenario of optimism following the disengagement of Israel from Gaza, UNRWA had halved the overall amount of its Emergency Appeal for Circumstances had changed dramatically and the humanitarian crisis latent in a suspension or a drastic reduction of financial assistance to the Palestinians might force UNRWA to review its emergency humanitarian requirements and revert to its donors. The Commissioner-General noted that the amounts received fell far below the level required to cover the projects formulated by UNRWA, endorsed by the Wolfensohn team and agreed upon prior to the Palestinian elections with the relevant ministries in the Palestinian Authority. Additional pledges of support for these projects were needed if UNRWA was to attempt to maintain momentum in this area. The Commissioner-General then focused remarks on the momentous political developments that had recently taken place, notably the fair and orderly elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council of 25 th January. The Commissioner-General stated unequivocally that UNRWA would continue to provide all services under its mandate "in full and on time", for as long as the political and financial support of the international community was forthcoming, and security conditions allowed. 3

4 The Commissioner-General noted that a number of the Agency s donors had suspended additional contributions until they have been able to review the situation and examine options. This was understandable, but there would be consequences arising where this situation were to last more than a few weeks. The Commissioner-General noted that in the absence of remittances from those donors whose financial calendar normally enables them to transfer their contribution to the Agency in January, UNRWA s cash flow will allow for continuation of its operations only through March. After that the Agency will simply not be able to meet its payroll obligations. The Commissioner-General reiterated appeal for early payment of pledged 2006 contribution. The Commissioner-General closed by committing the Agency to assist in any way appropriate and wishing all, and in particular the Chairperson, every success. Approval of Provisional Agenda by the Chairperson The Chairperson requested approval of the Provisional Agenda. The representative of the United Kingdom, Mr. David Hallam (Head of DFID opt Programme, Jerusalem) requested a presentation on UN organizations with an advisory function in order to inform discussion on the Rules of Procedure. The Chairperson replied that a presentation by Rene Aquarone (Director of the Executive Office, UNRWA), would follow the Secretary s comments on the objectives of the Organizational Session. The Chair declared that the Provisional Agenda was approved by the Advisory Commission. Statement by the Secretary The Secretary, Mr. Andrew Whitley (Director of the External Relations Department, UNRWA) noted that a draft Rules of Procedure and Preamble had been circulated and Members and Observers of the Advisory Commission had been invited to provide comments. The final draft of these documents had consolidated the comments provided by the Members and Observers of the Advisory Commission. The final draft of the Rules of Procedure and Preamble had been provided to Members and Observers in advance of the Organizational Session. The Secretary of the Advisory Commission inquired whether the Preamble should be incorporated or separate from the Rules of Procedure. The Secretary also noted that the United States had proposed to add an additional function the appointment of Advisory Commission Members as External Members to the Audit and Inspection Committee. The Secretary expressed the hope that during the Organizational Session the Advisory Committee would take decisions on the Rules of Procedure and Workplan. From the perspective of the Secretary there are four key questions to consider, namely: what was the range of issues on which Advisory Commission would provide advice and assistance; why the Advisory Commission was the appropriate body to deal with such issues; when would meetings take place; and how would the Advisory Commission organize itself. 4

5 In response to the United Kingdom s request for further information on UN organizations with an advisory function, Mr. Rene Aquarone (Director, Executive Office, UNRWA) summarized the working methods used in similar bodies within UNDP, UNICEF and UNHCR. Mr. Aquarone spoke of the composition of these bodies, and of the procedures used to elect officers. He also explained that these bodies generally avoided formal voting, except in the case of contested elections and matters of purely procedural nature. Mr. Aquarone also informed the Advisory Commission of the forms of guidance provided by these bodies to the Executive Head of Agency: for example, UNDP relies on resolutions passed by the Executive Board and subsequently submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), while UNHCR resorts to agreed conclusions reached by the members of its Executive Committee. These conclusions are then forwarded to the UN General Assembly (Third Committee) for endorsement. The representative from Syria, Mr. Ali Mustafa, (Director-General GAPAR, Damascus) called for maintaining the mandate of the Advisory Commission, as per UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (1949). Discussion on the Roles of Procedure must be consistent and built upon UNGA Resolution 302 (1949). The representative from Jordan, Mr. Wajeeh Azayzeh, (Director-General, Department of Palestine Affairs, Amman) noted that UNRWA has a unique mandate and history, consequently, there ere no relevant comparable bodies to the Advisory Commission. Discussion on the Rules of Procedure must be rooted in UNGA resolution 302 (1949). The Chairperson noted that Mr. Aquarone had mentioned experience in other United Nations bodies for the purpose of information only. The representative from the United Kingdom thanked the representatives from Syria and Jordan for their comments. The representative stated that the United Kingdom had no intention to revise the mandate of the Advisory Commission, only to gain a clearer understanding of how to enhance the Advisory Commission s role in providing advice and assistance. The representative of the United States, Mr. Richard Albright, (Director of Asia and the Near East, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, Department of State, Washington D.C.) thanked Jordan for hosting the Organizational Session and noted their interest in further information on UN organizations with an advisory function. In response to queries from delegates, Mr. Aquarone stated that in general terms, within the United Nations programmes and funds, decision-making rested with Executive Heads. Where an advisory function existed, it focused on macro policy issues. He agreed that the purpose of the Advisory Commission established by UNRWA in Resolution 302 (1949) was to provide advice and assistance to the Commissioner-General and it was thus appropriate that it should operate by consensus. The Chairperson asked whether there was a distinction between advice and governance. 5

6 Mr. Aquarone responded that the distinction was not a fundamental one. Previously, the United Nations Development Program had had a Governing Council but now has an Executive Board. The governance function was provided through the advice and guidance given to the Agency in question. The PLO representative, Mr. Muin Shreim, (Ambassador, Assistant Minister for Refugees and Expatriate Affairs, Palestine Authority, Ramallah) thanked Jordan for hosting the Organizational Session and UNRWA for its contribution. The representative noted that the creation and development of the Advisory Commission has been rooted in cooperation. If the Advisory Commission is going to move beyond its traditional role of submitting a letter of transmittal, additional responsibilities will require Members and Observers to assume additional tasks. The PLO representative also noted the importance of remaining within the parameters provided in UNGA resolution 302 (1949). The Chairperson closed the formal session and invited delegates to reconvene to informally discuss the Rules of Procedure and Preamble. [See rules proposed Rules of Procedure for outcome of discussion] The Chairperson declared that these Rules of Procedure were to be adopted at the next meeting. Following this declaration, the Chairperson invited discussion on the Draft Calendar and Workplan for The representative of the United States noted the importance of meeting in Regular Session before the Annual Session to discuss the Annual Report of the Commissioner- General. The Secretary proposed three issues for discussion for the following Regular Session, namely: the emergency appeal and support for refugee population in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the management reform programme and camp improvement in Lebanon. The Secretary outlined the challenges facing UNRWA in preparing for the proposed May Regular Session including providing relevant materials to Members and Observers of the Advisory Commission four weeks in advance. The Secretary suggested the option of an Extraordinary Meeting, as well as underlined the challenge of preparing the relevant materials four weeks in advance for the proposed May Regular Meeting. The Secretary suggested postponing the Regular Meeting until late June. The representative of France, Ms. Salina Grenet, (United Nations and International Organizations, Department of Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the representative from Syria concurred with the Secretary of the Advisory Commission s proposal to postpone the Regular Meeting from late May until late June. 6

7 The representative of the United States expressed preference for an earlier meeting especially in light of the possibility of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The representative of the Netherlands, (Mr. Frans Makken, Head of Mission, Netherlands Representative Office, Ramallah) suggested that the relevant materials could be provided to Members and Observers two weeks in advance of a May Regular Meeting. The representative of Jordan expressed support for a meeting in late June, while acknowledging that the proposed May Regular Meeting would be preferable. The Secretary stated that UNRWA would do its utmost to have relevant materials prepared as soon as is possible. Convening of the Advisory Commission in the Formal Session by the Chairperson The Commissioner-General expressed strong support for the Advisory Commission. Members and Observers were thanked for their dedication to UNRWA and for working together to create a renewed body and strengthened partnership as a result. The Commissioner-General also expressed UNRWA s genuine interest in reviewing the advice and assistance provided by the Advisory Commission. The Secretary of the Advisory Commission was thanked for his outstanding contribution to the Advisory Commission. The Chairperson expressed thanks to the Commissioner-General and to the Members and Observers for their engagement and strong commitment to the important work of the Advisory Commission and thanked the Secretary for his professionalism and commitment. The Secretary underlined the importance of the Advisory Commission and expressed confidence that the Commission will build upon its recent success. In addition, the Secretary expressed thanks to the Commissioner-General and to the Members and Observers. The representative of Canada, Mr. Alan Leber, (Senior Development Officer, Middle East Program, CIDA), Ottawa thanked the Chairperson on behalf of all the Members and Observers. 7