LHE/20/8.GA/INF.1 - page 49

- 255. The delegation of Botswana accepted that the proposals were similar in principle. It supported the idea expressed in China's version, but it requested that the Secretariat do the necessary editorial work to adequately represent the principle.
- 256. The delegation of Algeria wished to move forward, as obviously everyone in the room agreed with the principle and the spirit of the amendment. Thus, the amendment could be retained as it currently stood, while keeping in mind the principle of equitable geographical distribution to better meet the specific needs of developing countries for International Assistance. The Secretariat could be entrusted to complement the paragraph.
- 257. The Secretary remarked that the spirit of the resolution was fully understood. However, in terms of recruitment 'giving priority' was problematic owing to the idea of equitable geographical representation that made the paragraph contradictory. The Secretary explained that giving priority to a candidate from a country or a certain group of countries could be problematic as UNESCO had established procedures in this regard. He therefore sought to add ' and improving geographic representation ' after t he principle of equitable geographical distribution with a view to responding to the specific needs of developing countries. Thus, without prioritizing, which could be perceived as a bias in recruitment, it would be understood that equitable geographical distribution was the principle by which the recruitment would take place and on an equal basis of candidates who are under-represented. There was also a specific requirement to respond to the needs of developing countries and to improve this geographical distribution. This would sidestep the technical problem of the post as a result of the contradiction that was rightly pointed out by Algeria. Thus, Algeria's proposal maintained the spirit of both proposals by India and China and allowed the Secretariat to move ahead with these recruitments as early as possible.
- 258. The Chairperson noted that there were two proposals, one that merged the proposals by India and China and a second proposal. Ecuador called a point of order.
- 259. Having listened to the Secretariat, the delegation of Ecuador had understood that the principle of geographical distribution did not necessarily mean that the experts hired would come from developing countries. It therefore suggested deleting the part proposed by India, ' keeping in mind the principle of equitable geographical distribution ' , to which India agreed, and retaining China's proposal as it stood. In this way, the team hired would come from developing countries. The Secretary was indeed correct in the observed contradiction in the principle of equitable geographical distribution, as it did not correspond to the other stated principle [concerning the specific needs of developing countries]. The delegation was not against the proposal from Algeria, but difficulties would be encountered by adhering to that principle. It therefore sought to delete the proposal by India and retain China's proposal.
- 260. The Secretariat fully understood the sentiment of the floor. However, giving priority to a specific country or a set of countries in a recruitment phase was not in line with UNESCO's rules of recruitment.
- 261. The Chairperson noted the two proposals on the table. Palestine called a point of order.
- 262. The delegation of Palestine did not agree with the Secretariat 's explanation. It noted that Ecuador had consulted with India that accepted to withdraw its amendment, while the second amendment was supported by the whole room. Additionally, the issue of priority was not thought to be an impossible endeavour, as the Assembly could consider granting priority that had previously been seen in the functioning of UNESCO. For example, Africa was a priority so why not 'developing countries'? Thus, retaining China' s amendment, as suggested by Ecuador and agreed by India, would solve the problem and put an end to the discussion.
- 263. The Chairperson understood the situation, and the Administrative Officer of the Sector of Culture was also at hand to clarify.
- 264. The delegation of Kuwait congratulated the Chairperson and supported Chi na's proposal.
- 265. The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic wished all the delegations a fruitful discussion. It joined the spirit of consensus that the two proposals from India and China had a common