Joint Swiss-UNITAR Briefing on United Nations Budgetary Matters
The objective of this briefing is to provide an opportunity to Geneva-based diplomats to enhance their understanding of UN budgeting processes, specifically with regards to the UN General Budget and specialized UN agencies. It builds on UNITAR past workshops in New York and Geneva and aims at allowing a more in-depth view into this complex and evolving topic.
Budgeting and funding are the backbones of operational activity by any organization. The UN System as well as UN Specialised Agencies are mainly financed through assessed and voluntary contributions from Member States. UN Funds and Programmes, in turn, are financed through voluntary contributions. As a result, each nation is in a position to influence the focus of the UN’s work significantly, and in turn financing UN operations has the capacity of affecting matters of national concern such as security, for example by means of Peacekeeping operations. Therefore, this makes it fundamental for state representatives to fully understand the complex dynamics of UN financing and budgeting, and the specificities of agencies based in Geneva.
Thanks to the generous support of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva, the briefing can be offered free of charge and upon application for diplomats from Geneva's Permanent Missions.
At the end of the briefing, participants will be able to:
• Enhance their understanding of each phase of the UN budgeting processes;
• Confidently identify the main actors and bodies involved in the processes of UN budgeting;
• Draw the main connections between UN budgeting processes and their individual budget-related work;
• Contribute to the overall efficiency of the UN machinery by understanding the implications of its budgeting processes.
At the end of the briefing, participants will be familiar with the broad lines of UN budgeting processes and the most relevant actors and bodies involved. Participants will be able to see the broader context of their budget-related work, thus contributing to the UN’s overall efficiency.
The Briefing will start at 9.15am and end at noon (Geneva time).
UNITAR training courses are designed to be highly interactive and participatory, and will include – whenever possible – a variety of simulation exercises, case studies and pedagogical tools to enable participants to acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of the topic. Illustrations and case studies will be shared with participants so that they can strengthen their understanding of the topic.
The training is open to diplomats of Geneva's Permanent Missions. As the number of available places is limited, we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Translation in French will be provided to participants.
For further information, please contact: diplomacy [at] unitar.org (diplomacy[at]unitar[dot]org)
Or call: +41 22 917 84 35