Geneva, 6 May
1999
ECE/GEN/99/9
ECONOMIC
COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
CALLS FOR ENHANCED
COLLABORATION WITH PAN-EUROPEAN BODIES
This morning, the Economic
Commission for Europe (ECE) finished consideration of cooperation
with European institutions and Pan-European organizations and
sub-regional organizations, discussed matters arising from the
work of subsidiary bodies requiring decision by the Commission,
examined the proposed programme budget for 2000-2001 and elected
the officers for the next year.
Delegates spoke of the
importance of collaborating with pan-European organizations,
notably on environment issues, and acknowledged the need for new
dimensions of agreement to meet global and regional challenges
facing Europe. There was also discussion of the attempts to make
the budget based on a results-based format, and the reactions of
the General Assembly to this approach were detailed.
The Commission elected by
acclamation Mr. Miroslav Somol (Czech Republic) Chairman of the
fifty-fifth session. Mr. Harald Kried (Austria) was re-elected
Vice-Chairman and Mr. Murat Sungar (Turkey) and Mr.
Amiran Kavadze (Georgia) were elected Vice-Chairmen of the
fifty-fifth session.
The Commission then adjourned
until the afternoon, at 3.00 p.m., when it would formally adopt
the Annual Report.
Cooperation with European
institutions and Pan-European organizations and sub-regional
organizations (continued)
The Chairman, in his concluding
remarks, noted the concrete and detailed information that had
been shared regarding ECE cooperation in various fields, notably
the trade and environment spheres. There was a broadly shared
view that cooperation with other European institutions was very
important, and should be strengthened and made more efficient.
Duplication of activities should be avoided, and the specific
advantages of each and every institution should be underlined, to
enhance work done.
Matters arising from the
work of subsidiary bodies requiring decision by the Commission
The Executive Secretary
introduced the appropriate document for this issue, E/ECE/1373.
The Commission endorsed the recommendation that the Meeting of
Officials on Land Administration (MOLA) be granted a standing
character, as proposed in the document. This was on the basis of
the Commission=s recognition of the MOLA group=s work in the promotion of land privatization and
land registration systems in the ECE region and of the need for
such work to continue, in particular for the benefit of countries
with economies in transition that are moving from traditional to
modern systems of land administration.
Proposed Programme Budget
for 2000-2001
Under this item the Secretary of
the Commission provided information on the ECE budget submission
for the biennium 2000-2001. It was indicated that the total
amount of resources allocated to ECE for 2000-2001 would be at
the same level as for the biennium 1998-1999. The Commission was
further informed that the published budget of the
Secretary-General contained a request for an additional post of
Information Officer in the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Delegations were invited to support this proposal during the
budget discussions at the General Assembly. Delegations were also
called upon to ensure that the resources allocated to ECE under
Section 21 of the budget be at least equivalent to or above those
received during the current biennium.
The Commission was also informed
that ECE=s budget submission in the results-based
format had been selected among the regional commissions to be
used as a prototype for submission to the General Assembly.
Following the interest expressed by member countries, it was
agreed that information on the results-based budget exercise
would be communicated to them through the Group of Experts on the
Programme of Work.
Election of Officers
The Commission elected by
acclamation Mr. Miroslav Somol (Czech Republic) Chairman of the
fifty-fifth session. Mr. Harald Kried (Austria) was re-elected
Vice-Chairman and Mr. Murat Sungar (Turkey) and Mr.
Amiran Kavadze (Georgia) were elected Vice-Chairmen of the
fifty-fifth session.
For further information, please
contact:
Information Unit
Information Unit
United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UN/ECE)
Palais des Nations, Room 356
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (22) 917 44 44
Fax: +41 (22) 917 05 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org