A/HRC/37/3 Palestine, and participated in the work of protection clusters or working groups in, inter alia, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Mauritania, Mexico, Myanmar, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Ukraine and Yemen, as well as in the Pacific region. In the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria, OHCHR supported the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency in its recovery planning discussions with the countries affected. 94. OHCHR developed methodological guidance on the specificities of monitoring, assessing and analysing human rights in emergencies. III. Management and administration 95. The decision of the General Assembly at the end of 2017 to apply substantial acrossthe-board reductions to nearly every part of the United Nations budget for the biennium 2018-2019 leaves the already chronically underfunded human rights pillar of the United Nations in a very difficult position. At the best of times, the human rights work carried out by the United Nations is severely underresourced, with OHCHR stretching itself to implement its mandate as fully as possible. With a reduction of 10 per cent in estimated requirements in most budget lines, and reaching as high as 25 per cent of the resources for the treaty bodies and special procedures, OHCHR will face difficulties in implementing many of the activities mandated by the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, and risks soon having to report on areas where it could not fulfil a mandate as requested. 96. In addition, the General Assembly, at its seventy-second main session, again deferred the proposed regional restructuring of OHCHR to its resumed session. This modest initiative is intended to bring more of the limited resources of OHCHR closer to its stakeholders at the regional level, so as to make even more effective use of them. If approved, it would be implemented from within existing resources. Savings that will accrue from the move of posts to lower-cost duty stations can be reallocated to increase outreach and technical cooperation activities. The High Commissioner hopes that the Fifth Committee will conclude its consideration of this common sense measure now, so as to equip the Office to proceed more effectively. IV. Conclusions 97. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office of the High Commissioner continued to defend universal human rights and the multilateral human rights system as an antidote to global uncertainties and existing and emerging conflicts and crises, and to act as key pillars for sustainable growth and development. During the period under review, OHCHR continued its support for the human rights mechanisms, and carried out an extensive work programme to assist States in complying with their human rights obligations. It also acted on behalf of rights-holders and victims of human rights violations, in partnership with a range of stakeholders striving to safeguard and uphold human rights. 98. OHCHR continues to be a global voice for equality and non-discrimination, and all human rights for all. The Office must be equipped and assisted to respond to both conflict and crisis situations, and emerging global, regional and national challenges, including with respect to ensuring human rights in the digital space, defending civic space, civil society and human rights defenders, and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The High Commissioner hopes that Member States and other stakeholders will extend to OHCHR all possible assistance and support to enable it to carry out its mandate effectively in support of States and rights-holders worldwide. 16