A/HRC/17/19
his or her Office by preparing the President's notes for each meeting, drafting the
Assembly’s agenda and processing draft resolutions, and by providing support during
meetings, including advice on the application of the relevant rules of procedure.
18.
In terms of resources provided to the Office of the President of the General
Assembly, four regular budget posts, including one D-2 (Chef de Cabinet), one D-2
(Deputy Chef de Cabinet), one D-1 (Adviser), one P-5 (Adviser) as well as one General
Service staff member, are provided from within the regular budget on an annual basis.
Additional support comes from staff members seconded by Member States. Recent
Presidents have also appointed a number of senior advisers on specific issues.
19.
The President’s security is ensured by a detail of two security officers on a routine
basis provided by the Department of Security and Safety. In its resolution 65/107, the
General Assembly requested the Department of Public Information to continue to enhance
its working relationship with the Office of the President, while in resolution 60/286 and
subsequent resolutions it encouraged the Secretary-General to continue the practice of
providing a spokesperson for the President and an assistant to the spokesperson.
20.
Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 52/221, a budget of approximately
$290,000 is allocated annually to the Office of the President to cover expenses relating to
travel, hospitality and incidentals required for him or her to undertake official
responsibilities. In resolution 59/313 and subsequent resolutions on the revitalization of the
work of the General Assembly, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to make
available to the President adequate office and conference space, as well as proper protocol
services, with a view to enabling the President to carry out his or her functions in a manner
commensurate with the dignity and stature of the Office.
VIII.
A.
Composition of staff of the office of the President of the
Human Rights Council
Consolidation of current ad hoc arrangements
21.
Since the inception of the Human Rights Council, the Presidents of the Council have
been supported by a staff member of his permanent mission serving as a special
assistant/adviser to the President, as well as a few professional officers provided or
financed by Member States on an ad hoc basis (see paragraphs 9 and 10 above). On the
basis of the long-standing requests from past Presidents and the past practice, it would be
considered appropriate to ensure that these functions are performed through consistent and
institutionalized rather than ad hoc arrangements. The following positions currently funded
in an ad hoc manner outside the secretariat could henceforth be funded through regular
budget resources:
(a)
A special assistant/adviser, to serve as the focal point for the overall support
to the President and direct the work of the Office, in particular on all policy issues. For
instance, she or he will assist in convening meetings of the Bureau, in consultation with the
Council secretariat, draft or review draft statements for the President, assist the President in
all his or her political consultations and organize the daily activities of the President;
(b)
A liaison and administrative officer, responsible for the organization and
preparation of minutes of various meetings of the President, including bilateral meetings,
handling of correspondence and queries, as well as for all administrative matters relating to
the President and the Office.
7
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