A/HRC/41/28
10.
In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 6/30 on integrating the human
rights of women throughout the United Nations system, the secretariat has been
encouraging States to consider the possibility of taking into account aspects related to
gender balance in the composition of their delegation and in the sharing of responsibilities
among its members. Of the 24 delegates assisted under the Fund in 2018, 10 were women
and 14 were men.
11.
Since March 2014, a more proactive approach through targeted correspondence has
been implemented to encourage States to avail themselves of the support provided through
the Fund. A few weeks prior to the session, the secretariat addresses correspondence to
States that could benefit from the assistance of the Fund, indicating the first steps that need
to be taken to request the assistance and setting out the main entitlements. Such a targeted
approach has allowed States, in particular small island developing States and least
developed countries without representation in Geneva and not very familiar with the human
rights framework and machinery, to become more familiar with the Fund and to request
support. In addition, the secretariat is ensuring, as much as possible, complementarity
between the support provided through the Fund and that provided through the fund for
small island developing States and least developed countries.
12.
In addition to covering travel costs, the Fund also provides for the payment of a
daily subsistence allowance at the rate applicable to Geneva at the time of travel. Under the
standing official provisions for such travel, a Government formally requesting such
assistance would be advised of the official entitlements for travel and daily subsistence
allowance in connection with the required itinerary, which would then be reimbursed upon
completion of the trip and upon provision of the necessary supporting documentation. That
arrangement, however, proved onerous for many requesting Governments, which were
unable to submit the claims documenting the travels and were therefore not reimbursed. In
an effort to address that issue, between the seventeenth session of the Working Group on
the Universal Periodic Review (21 October–1 November 2013) and November 2015, the
secretariat arranged to provide economy class tickets prior to travel and paid the daily
subsistence allowance upon arrival in Geneva, thereby alleviating most of the difficulties
associated with retroactive reimbursement of expenses.
13.
In November 2015, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR), together with most of the United Nations Secretariat, started using
Umoja, which has changed the way in which the Secretariat manages its administration,
executes its work processes, conducts its business and manages its resources. The new
system also implies some changes to the way travel arrangements are processed. Once a
Government requests the assistance of the Fund, it is advised of the official entitlements for
travel and daily subsistence allowance. OHCHR is required to make the necessary
arrangements for the issuance and payment of the ticket in advance. The daily subsistence
allowance is provided in two instalments, with 75 per cent of the total amount paid in
advance, either by bank transfer or upon arrival in Geneva, and the remaining amount and
terminal expenses disbursed after the completion of the mission on the basis of required
documentation.
14.
The direct ticketing does, however, require more advance planning since
Governments are required to designate their delegate with sufficient lead time to enable the
secretariat to make the travel arrangements and issue the ticket in accordance with the
United Nations official travel policies. However, and unlike the practice until November
2015, in cases where such direct ticketing is not possible, the previous arrangement for
retroactive reimbursement of travel expenses can no longer be provided. Undoubtedly, the
fact that retroactive travel reimbursement is no longer an option under Umoja has had a
substantial impact on the support provided to States.
15.
Table 2 below shows the breakdown of financial assistance and annual expenditures,
complete with the amount authorized, status of reimbursement and total commitments to
date with regard to the financial assistance provided for the travel of government delegates
to Geneva.
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