{"id":106993,"date":"2017-08-30T08:26:07","date_gmt":"2017-08-30T12:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/72\/?page_id=106993\/"},"modified":"2018-10-24T16:51:18","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T20:51:18","slug":"ethics-and-transparency","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/72\/ethics-and-transparency\/","title":{"rendered":"Ethics and Transparency"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.12.2″ border_style=”solid” module_alignment=”left”]<\/p>\n

Since his election in May 2017, President Laj\u010d\u00e1k\u00a0has committed to running his Presidency in the most open and transparent manner possible.<\/p>\n

Member States worked in close contact with the Presidency of the General Assembly in order to strengthen the accountability, transparency and institutional memory of the Office.\u00a0Resolution 70\/305\u00a0 on the\u00a0Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly and its annexes, adopted on 13 September 2016, have been welcomed as a milestone and breakthrough on this process. The 71st Session followed recommited to these newly established procedures with Resolution 71\/323.<\/p>\n

On\u00a011 September\u00a02017, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj\u010d\u00e1k became the\u00a0second President to take an\u00a0oath of office\u00a0in which\u00a0he\u00a0solemnly declared\u00a0to\u00a0truthfully perform the duties and exercise the functions entrusted to him\u00a0as President of the General Assembly of the United Nations in all loyalty, discretion\u00a0and conscience, and to\u00a0discharge these\u00a0functions and regulate his\u00a0conduct with the interest of the United Nations only in view and in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the Code of Ethic for the Presidency of the General Assembly, without seeking or accepting any instruction in\u00a0regard to the performance of his\u00a0duties from any Government or other source external to the Organization.<\/p>\n

The President of the General Assembly is committed to openness and transparency with respect to the financing of his office. President Laj\u010d\u00e1k\u00a0will finance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>his official activities and those of\u00a0his O<\/span>ffice<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>solely through the United Nations regular budget and the Trust Fund of the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA),\u00a0<\/span>thus increasing transparency<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>President Laj\u010d\u00e1k <\/span>participates<\/span>\u00a0in the Financial Disclosure Programme,\u00a0which helps to maintain and enhance public trust in the United Nations. He is the first ever President of the General Assembly to make his personal\u00a0financial disclosure summary publicly available upon assumption<\/a> and completion<\/a> of his duties.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_gallery _builder_version=”3.0.69″ posts_number=”2″ show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” gallery_ids=”114640,114658″ fullwidth=”off” db_image_max_width_tablet=”51″ db_image_max_height_tablet=”501″ db_image_row_spacing_tablet=”51″ db_image_object_fit=”initial” orientation=”landscape” zoom_icon_color=”#00a8ff” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” background_layout=”light” db_image_center_titles=”left” border_style=”solid” auto=”off” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”3.12.2″ tab_line_height=”2.3em” tab_font_size=”15px” custom_css_active_tab=”border-top: 4px solid #00A8FF;||border-bottom: none;” border_style=”solid”][et_pb_tab title=”Code of Ethics” _builder_version=”3.12.2″ tab_font=”||||” body_font=”||||” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” body_font_select=”default”]<\/p>\n

Code of Ethics<\/h2>\n

In the understanding that a Code of Ethics for the President of the General Assembly is an important part of the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, and that such\u00a0a Code of ethics will strengthen the capacity of the President of the General Assembly to exercise his or her duties and responsibilities whilst enhancing his or her moral authority, integrity and credibility,\u00a0Annex 2 of\u00a0Resolution 70\/305\u00a0on the\u00a0Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly contains the\u00a0Code of Ethics for the President of the General Assembly.\u00a0The President has requested the members of his office to abide by the same principles and obligations and to bear its content in mind during the discharging of their mandate in the service of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n

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Code of Ethics for the President of the General Assembly<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Code of Ethics for the President of the General Assembly<\/h3>\n

1. The President of the General Assembly (hereinafter referred to as \u201cthe President\u201d) in performing his or her duties and responsibilities as an elected official, fully in line with the United Nations Charter and the General Assembly Rules of Procedure, shall at all times from the date of election observe the highest standards of ethical conduct.<\/p>\n

2. The President shall perform his or her duties and responsibilities in an impartial and equitable manner and in full honesty and good faith.<\/p>\n

3. The President shall avoid any action which might result in or create the appearance of:<\/p>\n

a)\u00a0The use of the office of the Presidency or resources attached thereto for private gain;\nb)\u00a0Giving unwarranted preferential treatment to any state, organization or person;\nc)\u00a0Impeding the work of the Organization, or taking a preferential, biased or prejudged approach;\nd)\u00a0Affecting adversely the confidence of Member States in the integrity of the work of the Organization.<\/p>\n

4. The President shall engage with Member States in a consultative and cooperative manner, while at the same time refraining from receiving or accepting instructions from any individual, governmental or non-governmental organization or group whatsoever.<\/p>\n

5. The President shall avoid any situation involving a conflict between his or her own personal or private interest and the interests of the Presidency or the United Nations.<\/p>\n

6. The President shall ensure the greatest possible transparency in the utilization of property, premises, services, and resources made available for the discharge of the functions of the office, and ensure that they are used only for the official business of the Presidency, and not for other purposes.<\/p>\n

7. The President shall ensure the greatest possible transparency in any external activities, or any commercial dealings, to protect against conflict of interest. Holding of any commercial office during his or her term in office is not compatible with the post of the President.<\/p>\n

8. In the event that the President considers that a conflict of interest may arise, he or she shall recuse himself or herself from handling the matter and, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, appoint an Acting President in relation to that matter or meeting.<\/p>\n

9. In the fulfilment of his or her mandate the President is accountable to the General Assembly.<\/p>\n

10. Any reference to the President in this Code shall also include members of his or her office while in the exercise of their functions as members of the Office of the President of the General Assembly.<\/p>\n

11. Nothing in this Code shall preclude the President or members of his or her office from being seconded from their government or from retaining the privileges, immunities and diplomatic status granted by a Member State.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Finances” _builder_version=”3.12.2″ tab_font=”||||” body_font=”||||” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” background_size=”cover” background_position=”center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” tab_font_select=”default” body_font_select=”default” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”off” tab_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” tab_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” tab_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” background_video_pause_outside_viewport=”on” tab_text_shadow_style=”none” body_text_shadow_style=”none”]<\/p>\n

Information on Finances<\/h3>\n
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UN Regular Budget<\/span><\/h4>\n
Member States have allocated 326,400 USD annually in the current UN Regular Budget to the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA) to cover hospitality, official travel and other expenditures relating to the President\u2019s official responsibilities. The budget allocation for the OPGA in the Regular Budget for the biennium 2018-2019 will be decided by the General Assembly during the main part of its 72<\/span>nd<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>session.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Expenditures from the regular budget are managed on behalf of the OPGA by the Executive Office of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Donations in support of OPGA<\/span><\/h4>\n
Donors can directly support the work of the PGA through contributions chanelled through the UN system, including to the dedicated OPGA Trust fund, which is regulated by UN Financial Regulation and Rules. PGA 72 will report publicly on contributions made to the fund\u00a0<\/span>upon receipt<\/span>.<\/span><\/div>\n
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It should also be noted that General Assembly Resolution 71\/323<\/span>:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cStresses the importance of the contributions of Member States to the trust fund in support of the Office of the President of the General Assembly, and in this regard notes with appreciation the contributions that have been made to the fund, and encourages Member States to continue to contribute to the fund and to allow for unspent contributions from previous sessions to be made available for succeeding term\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

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Contributions to the OPGA Trust Fund for the 72nd session<\/span><\/h4>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
DATE<\/strong><\/td>\nCONTRIBUTOR<\/strong><\/td>\nPROJECT<\/strong><\/td>\nCOMMITMENT<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
June 2017<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 250,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
July 2017<\/td>\nHungary<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 56,970<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
July 2017<\/td>\nTurkey<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 60,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
August 2017<\/td>\nSlovakia<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 178,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
September 2017<\/td>\nUnited Arab Emirates<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 300,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
September 2017<\/td>\nState of Qatar<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 500,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
September 2017<\/td>\nState of Kuwait<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 150,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
October 2017<\/td>\nGeorgia<\/td>\nTo support funding of the position of Consultant for Legal Affairs<\/td>\nUSD 30,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
October 2017<\/td>\nLuxembourg<\/td>\nTo support initiatives on prevention and mediation in sustaining peace, including the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on sustaining peace foreseen in April 2018<\/td>\nUSD 11,783<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
October 2017<\/td>\nIreland<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 152,917<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
October 2017<\/td>\nChina<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 300,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 2017<\/td>\nCyprus<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 8,330<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
December 2017<\/td>\nGermany<\/td>\nTo support initiatives on prevention, mediation and sustaining peace, including the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on sustaining peace foreseen in April 2018<\/td>\nUSD 300,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
February 2018<\/td>\nKingdom of Bahrain<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 100,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
February 2018<\/td>\nJapan<\/td>\nTo support initiatives on prevention, mediation, sustaining peace, Sustainable Development Goals, and to provide general administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 50,454<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
February 2018<\/td>\nKingdom of Bahrain<\/td>\nGeneral administrative, logistical and management support<\/td>\nUSD 100,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
Contributions to the Trust Fund are reported after receipt. This section will be updated periodically.<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Information on Travel<\/h2>\n

The President of the General Assembly discloses information about any official visits he undertakes overseas.<\/p>\n

To date, the President has travelled on official visits to:<\/p>\n

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From 31 May 2017 (election) to 12 September 2017\u00a0<\/strong>(assumption of office)<\/strong><\/h3>\n