Since my appointment as Minister with responsibility for Human Rights at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in September 2012, I have been constantly torn between pride at what we have achieved, and frustration at how much more needs to be done.

Over the course of 2013, we have made good progress on our six global thematic priorities: women’s rights; torture prevention; abolition of the death penalty; freedom of expression on the internet; business and human rights; and freedom of religion or belief.

We have worked hard, with international partners, to end the impunity that surrounds the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war. In April, during our G8 Presidency, we secured an historic G8 Declaration that recalled that rape and serious sexual violence in armed conflict are war crimes and also constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Convention. In June, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2106, strengthening the UN’s capability to tackle this issue, while in September, at the UN General Assembly, we put forward a new Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, which has to date been endorsed by 141 countries.

On 26 June, I launched a campaign for increased ratification of the Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol. During 2013, Vietnam signed the Convention and both Norway and Burundi ratified the Optional Protocol. We will continue to persuade more states to do likewise in the months ahead.

We have worked with civil society and international organisations to influence those states that still use the death penalty. The most recent vote at the UN reinforced a global trend towards abolition, with 111 states voting in favour of a worldwide moratorium.

We continued to defend freedom of expression, online as in traditional media, and issued a toolkit and guidance to all our embassies about how to support human rights defenders further.

We also became the first country to publish an action plan to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights. By working seamlessly across government and business to show how “human rights due diligence” is good for the bottom line, we will encourage other countries to follow our lead.

As the UK’s first Minister for Faith, defending and promoting freedom of religion or belief remains a personal priority for me. The rising tide of persecution across the world has been a particular focus. On 15 November, speaking in Washington, I called for a cross-continent, cross-religion response to a pattern of intolerance and sectarianism which has led to the persecution of minority communities, including a mass exodus of Christians from places where they have co-existed with the majority faith for generations.

In January and September, I brought together foreign ministers and senior diplomats from across the world, to deepen and strengthen the political consensus on Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18. We achieved that. Now is the time to see 16/18 implemented.

Violent episodes around the world have strengthened my conviction that freedom of religion or belief increasingly represents a frontline for promotion and protection of human rights. I am determined to use my position in the UK government and my network of expert advisers and international colleagues to stem the tide of violence committed in the name of religion.

In July 2013, working with “Remembering Srebrenica”, the UK became the first county to mark Srebrenica Memorial Day. Srebrenica was a stark demonstration of what can happen when hatred, discrimination and evil are allowed to go unchecked. Our commemoration of this genocide underlies our commitment to learn from the past, and to help ensure Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future as a stable, inclusive and peaceful country.

In addition to my responsibilities on human rights throughout the world, three countries where we have significant human rights concerns feature in my portfolio.

When I visited Afghanistan in March and November, I was struck by how far it has come since 2001 and the determination of the Afghan people to hold on to the gains made in all areas of society. However, the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, continue to face many challenges in the realisation of what are fundamental human rights. But the UK will remain committed to helping Afghanistan consolidate the progress made over the last ten years.

With regards to Pakistan, I congratulate the Pakistani people for placing their trust in democratic institutions in 2013. However, I am mindful of the wide-ranging and serious human rights issues the country still needs to tackle. I have not shied away from raising difficult human rights issues with the Pakistani government, and we will continue to support the people of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

In Bangladesh, it was hugely disappointing that the January 2014 elections were marred by political violence throughout 2013 and on elections day itself. I have also been deeply concerned by the negative impact labour strikes, protests and disruption have had on Bangladesh’s economy. We continue to encourage political dialogue, greater democratic accountability, and capacity building for participatory elections in the future, without the fear of intimidation or reprisals.

In the battle to translate international obligations and commitments into practical action, I am privileged to work with a wide range of human rights experts through the Foreign Secretary’s Advisory Group on Human Rights, and the sub-groups I chair on torture prevention, abolition of the death penalty, and freedom of expression on the internet. To strengthen this network, we have created a Sub-Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which I will also chair. These groups bring together NGOs, academics, parliamentarians and business representatives to ensure that our policies benefit from the best external expertise.

The start of 2014 presented major challenges for human rights, not least in Syria, the Central African Republic and Ukraine. But we remain committed to defending human rights because any violation is a threat to global peace and security. I want to pay particular tribute to the work of the brave women and men who risk their own lives to defend the rights of others. Their voices must be heard, in their own countries, and in every corner of the world.

إقرئ المزيد…

This report sets out the steps we have taken to promote and protect human rights over the course of 2013. It was a tumultuous year, with setbacks, as well as successes. Human rights opportunities and obligations inspired our diplomats in every corner of the world, and shaped our policies in every forum. For that reason, though long, this report is far from comprehensive. It marshals information from across the Foreign & Commonwealth Office network, partner governments, international organisations and civil society, seeking to highlight themes, trends and priorities.

A key UK human rights objective is to end impunity for sexual violence in conflict, so we have added a new chapter on our efforts in this area. At a global summit in June, we will set out to turn the tide of global opinion so that we make accountability for these crimes the norm. We have expanded last year’s chapter on the Human Rights and Democracy Programme Fund to look more widely at the impact of our human rights initiatives: for example, our work on the Arms Trade Treaty and on freedom of religion or belief, publication of our Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, and the UK’s election to the UN Human Rights Council.

As before, the report contains a section on “countries of concern”. It follows a careful review of all countries with serious human rights problems, and was tested against criteria which are objective and widely-used. Our evidence base is robust. As a result of this analysis, we have added the Central African Republic to the list of “countries of concern”.

We have seen more turbulence in the Middle East, with Egypt suffering particular upheaval. South Sudan and Ukraine also stand out as examples of countries where the path to full democracy continues to be difficult. Most tragically of all, we will soon mark the third anniversary of conflict in Syria. A regime that claims to be fighting terrorism is terrorising its own people, using starvation and hunger as weapons of war. The UK has committed £600 million in humanitarian aid, our biggest ever contribution to a single crisis, and has been one of the most active countries in helping to push forward the “Geneva II” process.

I am deeply troubled by reactionary legislation and increasing persecution of the LGBT community in many parts of the world. The UK will remain active, both in close cooperation with expert NGOs and local communities. We will speak up, in public and in private, to protect individuals from discrimination and violence. And we will keep on working to build tolerant and pluralist societies in the long run, which is core business for our diplomatic and development strategies worldwide.

There were some positive developments in human rights during 2013. In January, the Burmese government signed a historic initial peace agreement with the Karen National Union after 63 years of conflict, although we continue to be concerned by the treatment of the Rohingya population in Rakhine state. Tunisia has sustained its democratic transition, and the Prime Minister’s decision to go to November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka helped shine a spotlight on the situation there. We will work through the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that the search for lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka benefits from an appropriate international investigation.

As promised during our campaign for re-election to the Human Rights Council, in 2014 the UK will protect those most vulnerable in society, promote human dignity for all, respond proactively to evolving challenges, and keep human rights at the heart of all our multilateral work. I am also determined that 2014 should see progress on what I believe is the greatest strategic prize of the 21st Century: full political, economic and social participation for all women everywhere. Events in many countries show that we can never take for granted the hard-fought gains in gender equality. They must be defended and expanded constantly.

On these and many other pressing issues, I look forward to working in 2014 with the members of my Advisory Group on Human Rights, who provide me with invaluable expertise and frank advice. I and my ministerial team hope this year’s report will help make support for action to promote and protect human rights as universal as the rights themselves. They are the most precious thing we have in common.

إقرئ المزيد…

This report provides an overview of activity in 2013 by the FCO and its diplomatic network to defend human rights and promote democracy around the world. It also sets out the analysis on country situations and thematic issues which directs that work.

An important new focus in 2013 was the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), which will reach another milestone on 10-13 June 2014, when the Foreign Secretary and the Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Angelina Jolie, will co-chair a global summit on ending sexual violence in conflict. Other initiatives prioritised in 2013 were:

• the defence of freedom of religion or belief worldwide;
• agreement on the world’s first treaty to control the arms trade;
• the UK’s election and return to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC); and
• the launch of the UK Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

Our work to underpin democracy, defend freedom of expression, and promote wider political participation has included contributions through election observer missions and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. In conjunction with many NGOs and civil society organisations, we have supported human rights defenders - courageous people who often face repression and harassment.

The UK has championed the rule of law overseas, working with national and international NGOs and through the UN on torture prevention initiatives. We have campaigned for states to ratify the Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol. Abolition of the death penalty remains a top priority, and we continue to lobby against its use in any circumstances, anywhere. Support for international criminal justice continues to be a fundamental element of our foreign policy. We support the International Criminal Court and other tribunals.

Freedom of religion or belief remains under threat. We have taken action, through project work in several countries, at the multilateral level (UN resolutions, EU advocacy), and by bringing together faith and political leaders to extol the benefits of pluralism.

At the Commission on the Status of Women, we took its 2013 theme, “the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls”, and worked for agreed standards against which civil society can hold governments to account.

We promoted children’s rights through the UN, by co-sponsoring the omnibus resolution and, in this and other fora, strove to ban child labour. Bilaterally, we pressed countries to end forced and early marriage, and sexual exploitation.

We advocated a UNHRC resolution to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights internationally and, alarmed by reactionary legislation in several countries, including in the Commonwealth, combined lobbying with funding and working on practical projects to help protect communities at risk. In the EU we have supported the development of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) guidelines, which will be used by EU Delegations globally to promote LGBT rights.

The UK’s counter-terrorism work focuses on capacity building with the police and the judiciary, in ways which protect human rights and respect for the rule of law, thanks to our Overseas Justice and Security Assistance Guidance.

The adoption of a legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty was the culmination of seven years of work within the UN. On 3 June, the UK was amongst the first to sign. Underpinning our counter-proliferation efforts is our stringent export licensing regime.

We remain concerned by the number of conflicts worldwide. The UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security will help us reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls, and include them in conflict resolution. We continue to work through the UN on the protection of civilians and children in armed conflict.

Widespread implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is an important and achievable goal. In 2013, the UK became the first country to publish its own Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. We also work through other organisations, such as the EU, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the UN, to promote responsible business practices and combat corruption.

Protecting the human rights of the British community overseas is a priority for us. UK officials work with British nationals on a wide range of issues with human rights implications, from imprisonment to forced marriage, female genital mutilation and child abduction.

The UK takes seriously its responsibility for the security and good governance of the UK Overseas Territories. In 2013, the UK and territory governments pursued their programme to extend core UN human rights conventions to territories where this had not yet happened.

The final section of the report contains a review of the human rights situation in 28 countries where the UK government has wide-ranging concerns. We will continue to report on the countries of concern on a quarterly basis.

إقرئ المزيد…

Switzerland to appoint Mr.Younis Ahmed Mohammed Al Kamil as Goodwill Ambassador.

"As a result of your deep appreciation for your concrete support for the promotion of education, health, development and peace, and also for your contribution to support the objectives of the HQWQ Center for Human Rights and to highlight its efforts," said the Director General of Human Rights Center Ambassador Edward Shabsug. The United Nations Organization for a Better World, and in particular your absolute commitment to uphold and uphold the ideals and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

قرر مجلس مفوضي منظمة حقوق الدولية لحقوق الانسان  (HQWQ) في مقرها في سويسرا  تعيين السيد  يونس أحمد محمد الكامل سفيرا للنوايا الحسنة.
وجاء في الرسالة التي وجهها المدير العام لمركز "حقوق" لحقوق الانسان  السفيرأدورد شابسوغ، للسيد يونس أحمد محمد الكامل أنه "نتيجة التقدير العميق لدعمك الملموس الموجه لتعزيز التعليم والصحة والتنمية والسلام وايضا عبر مساهمتك لدعم أهداف مركز "HQWQ" التي تعني بحقوق الانسان  وتسليط الضوء على الجهود التي تبذلها منظمة الامم المتحدة من أجل عالم افضل، وبصفة خاصة التزامك المطلق الداعم لتعزيز وصيانة المثل العليا والمبادئ الواردة في ميثاق الامم المتحدة.

إقرئ المزيد…

جنيف- تونس (27 نوفمبر 2018) – أثنت مفوضة الامم المتحدة السامية لحقوق الإنسان السيدة ميشيل باشليه يوم الثلاثاء على موافقة الحكومة التونسية على مشروع قانون يمنح النساء حقوق متساوية في الميراث واعتبرت ذلك خطوة باتجاه المساواة بين الجنسين وتشكّل نموذجاً لدول المنطقة.

وقد قرر مجلس الوزراء في تونس يوم الجمعة إرسال مسودة قانون للبرلمان ينص على المساواة بين الإناث والذكور في الميراث ما لم يصرح المورث خلال حياته لدى كاتب عدل بعكس ذلك.

وقالت المفوضة السامية باشليه "أرحب بهذه الخطوة الهامة نحو اقرار حقوق متساوية بين النساء والرجال في تونس" وأضافت "في العديد من الجوانب تعتبر تونس مثالاً يحتذى به لدول المنطقة. لقد لاحظنا خلال السنوات الماضية قيام البرلمان التونسي بإعادة صياغة بعض القوانين من أجل أن تتواءم مع الالتزامات الخاصة بحقوق الإنسان، المساواة وعدم التمييز والمنصوص عليها في الدستور التونسي والاتفاقيات الدولية التي صادقت عليها تونس".

وقد اقتبست المفوضة السامية لحقوق الانسان من بيانات البنك الدولي للعام 2018 ما يشير إلى أن 36 من أصل 189 دولة لا تمنح الأرملة نفس الحقوق في الإرث التي تمنحها للأرمل الرجل. كما وانه في 39 دولة، يتم منع الوريثة الأنثى من الحصول على نفس النسبة التي يحصل عليها الوريث الذكر.

وأضافت المفوضة السامية "إن عدم المساواة بحصص الإرث تترك النساء اللواتي يعانين من فقدان أحبائهم أكثر ضعفاً في فترة صعبة من حياتهن. إن ذلك قد يجعلهن معتمدات على نوايا وتوجهات اقاربهن الرجال مما يقلل من قدرتهن على اتخاذ قرارات تتعلق بهن وبعائلاتهن".

"إن منح النساء حقوق متساوية في الميراث هو بمثابة تمكينهن وحماية حقوقهن الاقتصادية والاجتماعية".

هذا وقد أوصت اللجنة المعنية بالقضاء على أشكال التمييز ضد المرأة على أن تتحمل الدول الأعضاء مسؤولية توفير حماية دستورية صريحة من أجل تحقيق المساواة الشكلية والموضوعية، ومن أجل عدم التمييز في المجالين العام والخاص، على أن يشمل ذلك جميع المسائل المتصلة بقوانين الأحوال الشخصية والأسرة والزواج والميراث، وعلى نطاق جميع مجالات القانون.

إقرئ المزيد…

جنيف (10 تشرين الثاني / نوفمبر ، 2018) - أعربت مفوضة الأمم المتحدة السامية لحقوق الإنسان ، ميشيل باتشيليت، يوم السبت عن غضبها إزاء "الخسائر غير المعقولة" نتيجة تصاعد الأعمال القتالية في الحديدة والتي استهدفت سكان "خائفين للغاية من الجوع" في اليمن. وحثت باتشيليت التحالف بقيادة المملكة العربية السعودية وقوات الحوثيين وجميع من يزود اطراف النزاع بالسلاح على اتخاذ خطوات فورية لإنهاء معاناة المدنيين في اليمن.

"إن التحالف الذي تقوده المملكة العربية السعودية والقوات الموالية للسيد عبد ربه منصور هادي، وقوات الحوثيين - وأولئك الذين يمدون اطراف النزاع بالسلاح - جميعهم يتمتعون بالقوة أو التأثير لوقف المجاعة وقتل المدنيين، ويمكنهم إعطاء اليمنيين بعض الامل"، قالت باتشيليت.

و"إن انتهاكات أحد طرفي النزاع في اليمن لا تعطي تفويضا مطلقا للطرف الآخر للرد المطلق. لانه حتى الحروب فأن القانون ينظمها – وان جميع أطراف النزاع ملزمة باحترام القانون الإنساني الدولي وقانون حقوق الإنسان وحسب ماتقتضيه الحال ".

ووفقاً للمعلومات التي تلقاها مكتب حقوق الإنسان التابع للأمم المتحدة، فإنه وقعت ما لايقل عن 110 غارة جوية على كل من الحديدة وصعدة وصنعاء في الفترة المحصورة بين 31 أكتوبر و 6 نوفمبر، مع ازدياد الغارات بعد ذلك التاريخ. تحلق الطائرات الحربية التابعة للتحالف على علو منخفض فوق مدينة الحديدة منذ صباح يوم الخميس ، حيث تقوم قوات الحوثيين بالتصدي لتلك الطائرات المغيرة من خلال إطلاق الصواريخ المضادة للطائرات، ومع استمرار الاشتباكات العنيفة في الشوارع واستخدام قذائف الهاون. تأكد للمكتب مقتل ما لايقل عن  23 مدنياً في مدينة الحديدة منذ 24 أكتوبر / تشرين الأول ، لكن الخسائر الحقيقية قد تكون أعلى من ذلك بكثير. وقد نزح داخلياً ما مجموعه 445000 شخص من مدينة الحديدة منذ أوائل شهر يونيو/حزيران.

كما توجد مخاوف جدية بشأن مصير 900 محتجز في السجن المركزي وستة مرافق احتجاز للموقوفين في انتظار المحاكمة في مدينة الحديدة. وقد اصيب السجن المركزى صباح الاثنين بقذيفتي هاون مما ادى الى اصابة خمسة اشخاص وقطع التيار الكهربائي والماء عن السجن. كما افيد بأن المواجهات المسلحة بدأت تقترب من مستشفى الثورة الرئيسي في مدينة الحديدة.

ودعت المفوضة السامية إلى الوقف الفوري للتصعيد العسكري ، لكونه يهدد بتفاقم حالة انعدام الأمن الغذائي الكارثية لنحو 14 مليون شخص في جميع أنحاء البلاد. وحثت التحالف بقيادة المملكة العربية السعودية على إزالة القيود على الفور وعلى السماح بدخول آمن وعاجل للإمدادات الإنسانية والسلع الأخرى التي لا غنى عنها لليمن.

وقالت: "يجب على أطراف النزاع السماح بمرور الغذاء وغيره من المساعدات الإنسانية بشكل حر ومنتظم ودون عوائق ، ويجب ألا تتخذ اي إجراءات من شأنها حرمان المدنيين من حقوقهم في الغذاء والصحة".

واضافت "إنني أدعو كل أولئك الذين لهم دور أو تأثير في النزاع إلى تسهيل وصول الإغاثة الإنسانية التي يحتاجها الشعب اليمني بشدة".

"كما أذكّر الدول بأن اتفاقيات جنيف تنص على أن جميع الدول، بما في ذلك الدول التي لا تشارك في النزاع المسلح، عليها التزام باتخاذ تدابير لضمان احترام الاتفاقيات من جانب أطراف النزاع. وإن ايقاف أو الحد من أو وضع القيود على عمليات نقل الأسلحة يعد واحداً من هذه إلاجراءًات ، "أضافت باتشيليت.

وقد وثَّق مكتب حقوق الإنسان التابع للأمم المتحدة  في الفترة ما بين 26 مارس 2015 و 6 نوفمبر 2018 ، ما مجموعه17640  ضحية مدنية في اليمن، بما في ذلك 8726 قتيلاً و 10768  جريحًا. غالبية هذه الإصابات - 10852 نتجت عن الغارات الجوية التي قام بها التحالف بقيادة السعودية.

إقرئ المزيد…

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today took up the renovation of the historic Palais des Nations campus, home of the United Nations Office at Geneva, with the Secretariat reporting that the CHF 836.5 million project — due for completion in 2023 — is making significant progress, but delegates expressing concern about potential construction delays and unresolved financing modalities.

Giving the host country’s perspective, the representative of Switzerland described the Strategic Heritage Plan as an investment in a modern, effective and efficient United Nations.  However, his Government is concerned with certain adjustments to its timeline and the cost of individual project segments.  The main concern remains an unresolved financing framework, he said, emphasizing that by the end of 2019, more than a quarter of a CHF 400 million zero‑interest loan from Switzerland will have been disbursed.  He said it is important for the General Assembly to agree on the Plan’s financial modalities during its current session.

The representative of the United States put a spotlight on one key proposal for financing the project — the valorization, or leasing, of underutilized United Nations property in Geneva.  “Every effort should be made to avoid increases to the amounts of financing that is done through Member State assessments,” she stated.  Acknowledging the historic character of the Palais des Nations, and the fact that Geneva is among the world’s most expensive cities, she encouraged the Secretary‑General to continue to identify ways to ensure a more flexible workplace with increased capacity — “one that is better suited for the twenty‑first century United Nations”.

Egypt’s delegate, speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, voiced concern about project delays and emphasized the need for comprehensive mitigation measures to ensure that the Plan is completed on time and within budget.  He said the Group will also seek to know more about a proposal from the Secretary-General to incorporate mechanical ventilation and cooling within the extended scope of the Plan.  He added that the time has come for a decision on the scheme and currency of appropriation and assessment of the project and to set up a multi‑year special account.

The representative of the Russian Federation, calling the Plan an investment in the future of the Organization and its ability to carry out its mandates, said her delegation opposes coupling flexible workspace with the ventilation system, as doing so will hinder the ability to preserve its historical nature.  Work should be carried out within estimated budget and established timeframes, she said, calling for further information on risk management, risk mitigation and improved accessibility for people with limited mobility.

Christian Saunders, Assistant Secretary‑General in the Department of Management’s the Office of Central Support Services, introducing the Secretary‑General’s fifth annual progress report on the Plan at the start of today’s meeting, said significant progress was made during the reporting period in several key areas.

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), introducing its related report and Bernard Holstein, Deputy Director of External Audit of the Board of Auditors, presented the Board’s second report on the Plan.

In other business today, Fabio Esteban Pedraza Torres (Colombia), Committee Vice‑Chair, drew the Committee’s attention to a letter dated 13 November from the President of the General Assembly, transmitting a letter from the Chair of the Sixth Committee (Legal) on the administration of justice at the United Nations (document A/C.5/73/11).

The Fifth Committee will meet again at a date and time to be announced.

Strategic Heritage Plan

CHRISTIAN SAUNDERS, Assistant Secretary‑General, Office of Central Support Services, introduced the Secretary‑General’s fifth annual progress report on the Strategic Heritage Plan of the United Nations Office at Geneva (document A/73/395).  He said significant progress has been made during the reporting period towards achieving key project milestones for planning, design, procurement and construction activities, including construction of the new permanent building — which has reached the second floor — and the prequalification of vendors for the tendering of renovation works for the historic buildings.  In the area of procurement, he drew attention to the efforts being made to attract a broad pool of qualified international bidders.

On project financing, he said that, following the recommendation of the Board of Auditors, and given that the project is entering into significant high‑value multi‑year construction contracts that extend beyond a single budget year, the Secretary‑General is recommending that the General Assembly approve an appropriation scheme founded on a one‑time, up‑front appropriation with a mix of one‑time and multi‑year assessments.  That option would strengthen the project by bringing added certainty regarding financing and allow for some upfront payments by Member States, thus mitigating possible cash‑flow risks, he explained.  He added that between CHF 80.6 million to CHF 133 million could realistically be achieved through the valorization of underutilized property in Geneva owned by the United Nations.

On modernizing the work environment, he said that — based on a review by a working group of experts from Geneva and Headquarters — the Secretariat strongly recommends that mechanical ventilation and cooling systems be installed during the renovation of the Palais des Nations as part of the Plan.  The estimated cost is CHF 67 million, versus CHF 108 million if the work takes place after renovation.  “The most viable way to achieve this is to utilize water from Lake Geneva,” he said adding that the work, if approved, would utilize innovative engineering, thus preserving the Palais des Nations’ architectural heritage and integrity.  Such an intervention would be more energy- and cost‑efficient if combined with a more open office layout that would, in turn, support a more collaborative and flexible working environment while making it possible to increase the number of people that can be accommodated.  That combination of factors would also provide additional rental income for the Organization, he said, emphasizing that the full cost of the undertaking can be financed through valorization income.

“This is a unique opportunity of an alignment of factors” that include having a project framework and project team already in place, a suggested funding source and the knowledge that deferring the work will mean greater disruption and significantly higher costs, he said, emphasizing that that makes a compelling argument to include it within the scope of the Plan.

BERNARD HOLSTEIN, Deputy Director of External Audit, Board of Auditors, introduced the Secretary‑General’s note on the Strategic Heritage Plan of the United Nations Office at Geneva (document A/73/157), transmitting the Board’s second report on the Plan.  He said that during the Board’s most recent audit visit, the Plan was in the early stages of construction work for the new building and the procurement procedure for renovation work.  In addition to concerns related to the project’s timely completion, further improvements are needed in the fields of risk management, building design, construction and maintenance, and valorization.  Procurement procedures need to be enhanced for keeping sensitive data confidential.

Among the key findings of the Board is the need to update the Plan’s risk management strategy to more closely align with the guidelines for the management of construction projects, Mr. Holstein said.  The risk reporting did not meet the strategy for part of 2017.  The contract for construction work in the new building is based mainly on plans and design issued in December 2016, without considering the full implementation of flexible workplace strategies.  These strategies need to be decided upon urgently to avoid any further risk of amendments, delays and extra costs.  In addition, energy savings targets need to be reviewed and referring baselines need to be determined as the data provided by the Geneva Office and the Plan’s project team regarding energy consumption at the Palais des Nations differ significantly.

He then turned to the issue of potential alternative sources of project financing and the assumption of potential future rental income from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).  The Board notes management did not develop a timely strategy to achieve a higher rental income or market value sale though it already knew in 2014 about valorization potentials and realistic local lease conditions of several parcels owned by United Nations Office at Geneva.  The Board believes management should develop a detailed valorization strategy regarding all parcels with valorization potential.  Of the eight recommendations made in the Board’s first report on the Plan, six, or 75 per cent, have been implemented and two were overtaken by events.  The Board has made 39 recommendations in its current report, he said.

CARLOS RUIZ MASSIEU, Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), introducing its related report (document A/73/576),  recommended that the General Assembly authorize the Secretary‑General to proceed with the introduction of ventilation and cooling in the Palais des Nations, to include it as part of the Plan and to use the window of opportunity to limit costs.  The Advisory Committee also recommends that the Assembly request the Secretary‑General to seek greater efficiency and complementarity with ongoing activities under the Plan and to refine and reduce estimated resource requirements.  He went on to say that, in its report, the Advisory Committee makes some observations and comments on the use of valorization income, application of flexible workplace strategies, accessibility issues, voluntary contributions, the security masterplan and maintenance issues.  He concluded by reiterating the importance of keeping the project on schedule to avoid potential cost overruns.

KARIM SAMIR ISMAIL ALSAYED (Egypt), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, voiced concern about project delays and emphasized the need for comprehensive mitigation measures to ensure it is completed on time and within budget.  He said the Group looks forward to the launching of the tender for the renovation of the 1930s historic buildings during this final quarter of 2018.  Welcoming China’s voluntary contribution to the project, he encouraged other Member States to follow suit.  On the technical challenges of implementing flexible workplace strategies in the Palais des Nations, he said the Group will explore the proposals put forward and seek more clarity on current and future space needs.  Welcoming the study by the United Nations Office at Geneva on the impact of climate change on the Organization’s operations, he said the Group will also seek to know more about the business case for incorporating mechanical ventilation and cooling within the extended scope of the Plan.  He concluded by emphasizing that the time has come for a decision on the scheme and currency of appropriation and assessment of the project as well as the establishment of a multi‑year special account.

CHERITH NORMAN‑CHALET (United States) said transparency and good governance must comprise Member States’ decision‑making on financing the Plan.  She emphasized the importance of reducing the financial burden on Member States through alternative options, adding that any revenue gained from leasing United Nations property in Geneva must be applied to the Plan.  “Every effort should be made to avoid increases to the amounts of financing that is done through Member State assessments,” she stated.  Recalling that the Plan involves many components, including the proposed cooling and ventilation system, she said the United States looks forward to discussing those issues along with financing arrangements.  Acknowledging that the Palais des Nations is an historic building, and emphasizing that Geneva is one of the world’s most expensive cities, she encouraged the Secretary‑General and his team to continue to identify ways to ensure a more flexible workplace with increased capacity — “one that is better suited for the twenty‑first century United Nations”.  She concluded by citing a recent space utilization survey that determined that individual workspaces within the Palais complex are being utilized throughout the day at an average rate of 51 per cent.

JÜRG LAUBER (Switzerland), said the Strategic Heritage Plan has nearly reached the midpoint of its project cycle and is moving ahead in accordance with the overall total cost, duration, scope and quality targets approved by Member States.  The Plan is very important to the United Nations and is an investment in a modern, effective and efficient Organization respectful of its people, environment and financial resources.  By significantly lowering future costs, better using space and generating additional income, the Plan will provide substantial annual savings for the Organization and Member States.  Additional United Nations entities will be welcomed to the Palais and collaboration will expand.

Switzerland is concerned with certain adjustments to the project’s timeline and the cost of individual project segments, he said, encouraging the Secretariat to make sure the project is completed as approved by Member States.  His delegation welcomes more discussion on the proposal to implement ventilation and cooling, including flexible workplace strategies, in the historical buildings of the Palais des Nations.  Switzerland’s central concern remains the unresolved financing framework, which jeopardises the progress made up to now.  By the end of next year, more than CHF 100 million of Switzerland’s CHF 400 million zero‑interest loan will have been disbursed.  Income from land valorization of more than CHF 80 million can realistically be predicted and substantial donations have been committed.  It is very important to agree on the Plan’s financial modalities during this session.

MARIA V. FROLOVA (Russian Federation) supported the initiative to protect the Geneva Office and noted that the renovation project is not a standard work given the historical significance of the building.  It is an investment in the future of the Organization and its ability to carry out its mandates.  Providing improved security and greater accessibility are needed as the building is enhanced and serves as a centre for global diplomacy.  Last year, the General Assembly did not approve the Secretariat’s proposal for a cooling and ventilation system and for improving the smart work process in the older building.  The Russian Federation is against coupling flexible workspace with the ventilation system in the old building since these initiatives will have a negative impact on preserving the building’s historical nature.  The project should be carried out within estimated budget and established timeframes.  She called for additional information on risk management and ways to mitigate risk and supported steps to improve accessibility for people with limited mobility.

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