U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented Oct. 27 a budget proposal of $5.197 billion for 2012-2013, which he said is a 3.2 percent reduction from the current level.
The proposed budget was submitted to the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, a body responsible for administration and budgetary matters at the United Nations.
Ban clarified that including recosting of $147 million, the total budgetary requirements would be $5.344 billion.
Ban said the proposal reflects the reality, where many governments are struggling amid a lingering global financial crunch, and includes “a wide range of adjustments based on efficiencies, improvements and investments,” such as a decrease of 44 posts and costs for travel, consultants, general operating expenses, supplies, materials and equipment.
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