Reiterates its decision that savings in the programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997 should not affect the full implementation of mandated programmes and activities; notes the assurances of the Secretary-General that he will not take any decision on the involuntary separation of staff members to achieve savings in the context of General Assembly resolution 50/214; requests the Secretary-General to report to the 5th Committee during the resumed session of the Assembly on the progress achieved in the placement of the staff on the redeployment list; requests the Secretary-General to report, no later than 1 Mar. 1997, on the use of consultants and associated contractual procedures in the UN during 1996; also requests the Secretary-General to review the effect of vacant posts on programme delivery and to recommend, if appropriate, restoration of the funding of these posts in the context of the budget for the biennium 1998-1999; regrets that the programme performance report on the impact of approved savings measures on the implementation of mandated programmes and activities to be submitted no later than the end of its 50th session, has not been submited.

Adopted without vote, 89th meeting

Adopted at the 89th plenary meeting, 18 Dec. 1996.