UN Strengthens Resilience Against Disruptive Events
The United Nations’ Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) convened today to assess the organization’s ongoing strategies for enhancing its response to disruptive events, including pandemics, terrorist attacks, and severe weather. Delegates highlighted the UN’s ability to maintain its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. However, they emphasized the need for more detailed reporting in future assessments, particularly regarding responsibilities, reporting lines, and cost breakdowns.
Resilience Management System Overview
Olga De La Piedra, Director of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, presented the Secretary-General’s report titled “Progress in the Implementation of the Organizational Resilience Management System” (document A/79/692). This system, first approved by the General Assembly in June 2013, employs a multidisciplinary approach to integrate various critical areas, such as crisis management, information and communications technology (ICT), emergency medical support, and safety and security. The aim is to ensure the UN can operate effectively in the face of disruptive events.
The report, requested by the General Assembly, covers the period from 2022 to 2024 and includes an annex detailing the UN’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. De La Piedra explained that the report outlines the system’s architecture and coordination mechanisms, as well as the costs associated with its implementation within the Secretariat. It also discusses efforts to enhance resilience in special political missions and the work of the UN system’s working group on organizational resilience management.
Collaboration and Coordination During the Pandemic
De La Piedra noted that the UN’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was guided by the resilience management system, which activated crisis management teams across various duty stations in early 2020. This coordinated approach was crucial for delivering mandates during challenging times. She emphasized that close collaboration among UN Secretariat members, other UN organizations, and continuous consultations with Member States were vital for an effective response. The response involved multiple functions, including policy development, safety and security measures, medical support, conference services, facilities management, human resources, supply chain management, and financial support. De La Piedra praised the UN staff for demonstrating resilience and adaptability, stating that they successfully navigated the complexities of the pandemic.
Advisory Committee’s Recommendations for Improvement
Udo Fenchel, Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), presented the committee’s related report (document A/79/7/Add.45). The Advisory Committee acknowledged the progress made in developing and implementing the resilience management system, particularly its positive impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fenchel expressed confidence that efforts to strengthen the system would continue, drawing on lessons learned and addressing current and future challenges.
To improve future progress reports, the Advisory Committee recommended providing more detailed information about the system’s architecture, including visual representations of responsibilities and reporting lines at various levels, such as Headquarters and field missions. Additionally, the committee called for a comprehensive accounting of the costs associated with supporting the system, including staff expenses, ICT investments, training, consultancies, and insurance. Fenchel stressed the importance of efficiency and cost-effectiveness in maintaining robust emergency preparedness and ensuring business continuity for the UN’s operations.
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