The United Nations General Assembly Fifth Committee (also known as the Administrative and Budgetary Committee or C5) is one of six main committees at the United NationsGeneral Assembly. It deals with internal United Nations administrative and budgetary matters.
Mandate
The Fifth Committee deals with: Member State contributions to the regular and peacekeeping budgets of the organisation, how Member State contributions are allocated, the programme and peacekeeping budgets of the United Nations and human resources issues. It also is responsible for administrative matters, such as: management reform, governance, oversight and accountability issues. Finally, it is responsible for examining all draft resolutions with budget implications before they can head to the Plenary.[1]
Working Methods
The work of the Fifth Committee is split into three sessions:[1][2]
A main session lasting from September to December.
A resumed session in March in which any items not concluded in the main part of the session are considered.
A second resumed session in May in which the administrative and budgetary aspects of United Nations Peacekeeping are considered.
The work of the Committee begins when reports are introduced in formal meetings, which are followed by discussion in informal meetings. Following these meetings, draft resolutions are created and discussed in informal consultations. There are two readings per draft resolution. If consensus cannot be reached, the resolution is not passed by the Committee. However, if there is consensus, the draft resolution is first adopted informally, then tabled by the Chair and, finally, formally adopted by the Committee. The Committee rarely formally votes as most resolutions are adopted by consensus.[1]
As all draft resolutions with budget implications must be examined by the Committee, it is usually the last committee to complete its work, usually in mid- to late-December.[1]
Reporting Bodies
The following bodies report through the Fourth Committee to the General Assembly:[1]
Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)