GOVERNING COUNCIL OF UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES ITS SEVENTY-FIFTH SESSION

The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission, under the Presidency of Australia, today concluded its seventy-fifth session.

Delegations from Iraq, including the Head and members of Iraq’s Committee of Financial Experts, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia addressed the fifteen-member Governing Council at its opening plenary meeting.

The Governing Council considered progress under decision 269 (S/AC.26/Dec.269 (2011)) and having determined that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established the requisite systems and controls, adopted decision 270 (S/AC.26/Dec.270 (2013)) declaring the mandate under the Follow-up Programme for Environmental Awards fulfilled in respect of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, headed by HRH Prince Turki bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, will now assume full oversight of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s environmental projects being implemented with the approximately $1.1 billion of funds awarded by the Commission under the F4 category of claims.

The Governing Council noted the tremendous progress made by the Governments of Jordan and Kuwait towards satisfying the criteria under decision 269 and identified the remaining issues to be addressed with a view to fulfilling the mandate of the Follow-up Programme by the end of 2013. The Council also considered progress under decision 258 (S/AC.26/Dec.258 (2005)) with respect to the environmental remediation and restoration projects under the Programme.

The Council also considered reports on the activities of the Commission since the last session with respect to the current levels of income to the Compensation Fund, arrangements for ensuring continued deposits into the Fund, payment of outstanding compensation awards and audit related activities.

At present, $11.2 billion remains owing to Kuwait for distribution to the remaining successful claimant. Claims are paid with funds drawn from the United Nations Compensation Fund, which currently receives 5 per cent of the proceeds generated by the export sales of Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products in accordance with Security Council resolution 1483 (2003) and affirmed in Security Council resolution 1956 (2010).

The Council decided to hold its next regular session from 19 to 21 November 2013.

Further information about the Commission, including the text of Governing Council decisions, can be found on the United Nations Compensation Commission website located at www.uncc.ch.


For use of the information media; not an official record

UNCC13/005E