On 9th April 2019, the Ad Hoc Working Group on the “Revitalization of the Work of the General Assembly” met for the fifth time during the 73rd Session of the General Assembly (GA). The meeting was formatted as an interactive dialogue between representatives of the Secretariat and member states. The panel of representatives included Catherine Pollard Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, Rick Martin who spoke on behalf of the Department of Operational Support, Andrew Nye Chief, Facilities and Commercial Activities Service at UNHQ, Nóirín O'Sullivan, Assistant Secretary-General for Safety and Security, and a representative of the Department of Global Communications (DGC).

The meeting began with the panelists briefing the assembly on recent changes and successes of the E-services used by UN missions and Secretariat, and on the current and recurring issues regarding the food vendor for the UN. After this, missions questioned the delegates on these topics and a few about security issues.

As none of the topics discussed directly related to UN, UNGA, or UNSC reform, they are omitted here.

However, issues regarding language parity of the E-services and the exorbitant rental prices for holding events at the UN do have an overarching concern that was identified by member states. Namely, that not all missions have the same size, capabilities, and funding that facilitate equal access to communal UN resources, and that surely, ensuring global parity must begin with equality at the UN.

The full session can be found on the UN’s website here.