Yearbook of the United Nations, 2003. Part 5, Institutional, administrative and budgetary questions. Chapter 1, Strengthening and restructuring of the United Nations system

Abstract

During 2003, the continued implementation of the Secretary-General's programme of reform of the Organization began to yield results in terms of improved servicing of the General Assembly, a sharpened focus in public information activities and results-based budgeting. In highlighting progress towards realizing the key goal of strengthening the Organization, as set out in the Millennium Declaration, the Secretary-General reported that the United Nations had become more efficient, transparent and creative. It was at the forefront of the battle against poverty and HIV/AIDS; its capacity to deploy its peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations had improved; and the disparate elements of the UN system worked with better coherence. To further advance the reforms, the Secretary-General proposed reorganizing the Departments for General Assembly and Conference Management, and of Public Information, establishing a strategic planning capacity in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and strengthening the management of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner forHuman Rights. The Assembly, in order to revitalize its own work, adopted measures to enhance its authority and role and improve its working methods. It requested the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States on improving the effectiveness of the First (Disarmament and International Security) Committee. It urged the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters related to the Security Council to achieve progress on all aspects of the question, and encouraged the Office of Internal Oversight Services to continue to strengthen accountability throughout the Organization.