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15 September 2025, New York, USA — The United Nations Institute for Training and Research office in New York, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations, successfully concluded the 2025 Joint Swiss-UNITAR Briefing on Budgetary Matters, held from 8 to 10 September at United Nations Headquarters, garnering a total of 150 delegates across 3 days.
The annual briefing brought together newly appointed delegates of the Fifth Committee with senior UN officials, oversight bodies, and seasoned experts to provide a comprehensive introduction to the UN budgetary system. Over the course of three days, participants gained insight into the structure of assessed and voluntary contributions, the functions of key oversight bodies, and the pivotal role of the Fifth Committee in shaping UN budgetary and administrative policy.
Opening remarks were delivered virtually by Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, UNITAR’s Executive Director and Assistant Secretary-General, followed by H.E. Ms. Pascale Baeriswyl, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN. The keynote address was given by Mr. Chandramouli Ramanathan, UN Controller and Assistant Secretary-General for Programme Planning, Finance and Budget.
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A high-level panel on UN80 Reform, moderated by Mr. Marco Suazo, Head of the UNITAR office in New York, explored the evolving priorities of the United Nations as it approaches its 80th anniversary. Ms. Ayaka Suzuki, Head of the UN80 Secretariat, and Mr. Boguslaw Winid, Vice-Chairman of the International Civil Service Commission, engaged in dialogue on reform, financing, and the future of multilateral cooperation.
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As part of the high-level segment, the outgoing and incoming Chairs of the Fifth Committee shared reflections on the Committee’s work and the challenges ahead. H.E. Ms. Egriselda Aracely González López, Permanent Representative of El Salvador and outgoing Chair, offered insights from her tenure, while H.E. Dr. Zsuzsanna Horváth, Permanent Representative of Hungary and incoming Chair, outlined her priorities for the upcoming session. The discussion, moderated by Mr. Oliver Hoehne, Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations, underscored the importance of continuity, collaboration, and effective leadership in guiding the Committee’s crucial role in shaping the UN’s administrative and budgetary agenda.
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Day one continued with presentations by Mr. Lionelito Berridge, Secretary of the Fifth Committee, and Ms. Felista Ondari, Executive Secretary of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). A subsequent panel introduced delegates to the oversight architecture of the UN, featuring Mr. Kevin Summersgill, Officer-in-Charge of the Business Transformation and Accountability Division; Ms. Carolina Fernández Opazo, Inspector at the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU); Mr. David Nyskohus, Chief of Office at the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS); and Mr. Sejong Lee, Executive Secretary of the Board of Auditors (BoA).
On day two, experts from the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) provided a detailed overview of the UN budget cycle, including peacekeeping and special political mission budgets. Ms. Alizee Treider, Programme Budget Officer in the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget, outlined the overall budget process, while Ms. Taeko Shioiri, Chief of the Peacekeeping Budget Service, presented on peacekeeping and special political mission budgets.
Later, Mr. Christophe Monier, Director of the Programme Planning and Budget Division, elaborated on the UN80 process for the Fifth Committee. The day concluded with a budget resolution drafting exercise led by Ms. Unis Valencia Williams, Chief of Service and Deputy Director for Budgets of the Development Pillar and Human Rights, giving participants first-hand experience with the procedures and negotiations that underpin Fifth Committee deliberations.
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The final day featured an innovative “speed dating” format, where delegates interacted directly with experienced Fifth Committee experts from Member State missions. Ms. Johanna Bischof, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Austria; Ms. Edilma America Herrera Garcia, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of El Salvador; Mr. Jesús Velázquez Castillo, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Mexico; and Mr. Medard Ainomuhisha, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Uganda, shared practical advice, lessons learned, and insights into the dynamics of budget negotiations at the UN.
The Joint Briefing remains a cornerstone of UNITAR’s training activities in New York, equipping diplomats with the tools and knowledge to engage effectively in the UN’s complex budgetary processes. By fostering dialogue between new delegates, oversight bodies, and veteran negotiators, the programme strengthens transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making within the UN system.