Procurement reform

GEN

Endorses the observations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions regarding the need to take steps to ensure that specifications are not deliberately tailored to predetermine the choice of supplier and that the principle of separation of responsibilities of the requisitioning and approving officers is maintained; notes with concern the observations of the Advisory Committee that the definition of exigency as outlined in the report of the Secretary-General (A/C.5/52/46, para.5) appears too broad to be of any real value in exercising the required control over the use of the exigency provision, and urges the Secretary-General to submit a sharper and clearer definition of exigency needs to the General Assembly, through the Advisory Committee, at its 54th session; regrets the initial delay in implementing the provisions of para. 13 of its resolution 52/226 A, and reiterates its request to the Secretary-General to take all possible measures to increase procurement from developing countries and countries with economies in transition; regrets that the request contained in para. 28 of its resolution 52/226 A for the submission of proposals on possible amendments to the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, in order to address issues of potential conflict of interest, has not been fulfilled, and requests the Secretary-General to submit the proposals as a matter of priority, but not later than the end of its 54th session; endorses the observations of the Advisory Committee in para. 8 of its report, and requests the Secretary-General to indicate on what basis the country of procurement is determined and how this methodology compares with recognized international practice.

Adopted without vote, 43rd meeting

6 p.

Adopted at the 43rd plenary meeting, 29 Oct. 1999.