We welcome the major first step toward streamlining the organization represented by the 2% reduction in the staffing table, for the first time in many years. As we have said many times, staffing costs represent the primary driver of the vast expansion in the UN regular budget in previous biennia and this agreement is a recognition that the first step in addressing spiraling costs is to eliminate unnecessary, duplicative or outdated posts. Likewise, we applaud the action taken today to freeze UN pay for one year and UN allowances for two. At a time when the budgets and crucial services of many common system organizations have been squeezed, these measures … Continue reading Joseph M Torsella