The Wayforward on Mandate Review

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The following elements are proposed as parameters for the continuationof the mandate review process: The review of mandates should be extended to all General Assembly mandates older than five years, including those that have been renewed, The Working Group should report on results and submit proposals with regard to the current review by the end of July 2008; A process should be established which allows for a more systematic input of expertise from main committees and from within the UN system, including from regional organizations; The Working Group would provide regular briefings, organized by the President of the General Assembly, on progress achieved; The review of mandates should be guided by the following principles: (a) The main objective of the review is to strengthen the UN, to update its programme of work and to improve the effecti4e and efficient allocation of scarce resources.
(3) Resources freed up from a review of development-related mandates should be reinvested ~ n t o development act~vities; other savlngs should be optimally ut~lized, ~ncludingfor development,
(c) Politically sensitive mandates will be approached with caution and with due

respect to the perspect~ves those Member States whose interests are directly of engaged; All issue areas should be reviewed and gaps identified and duplications eliminated in the implementation of mandates identified. The sequence of the issue areas to be addressed should be agreed upon according to established practice, taking into account previous contributions by the Secretariat. The Secretariat plays a crucial role in mandates review and its continued support will be essential. The mandate registry should be maintained and strengthened for the ongoing review of mandates.