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

The Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission, under the Presidency of Ambassador Reinhard Schweppe (Germany), has today concluded its seventy-second session. At this session, the Council elected South Africa as its second Vice-President. Brazil currently holds the other vice-presidency.

Delegations from the Governments of Kuwait and Iraq addressed the fifteen-member Governing Council at its opening plenary meeting.

The Governing Council considered the progress made by the participating Governments under the Follow-up Programme for Environmental Awards since the adoption of decision 269 (S/AC.26/269 (2011)) at its last session concerning the fulfilment of the Programme in the near term.

The Council also considered a report from the Executive Head of the UNCC Secretariat on the activities of the Commission since the last session; and a report on payment of awards and distribution of payments to successful claimants, the transparency of the distribution process, and the return of undistributed funds.

At present, $19 billion remains owing to Kuwait for distribution to eight successful claimants. 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 subsequent resolutions, most recently in Security Council resolution 1956 (2010). The Council strongly encouraged the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait to resume their consultations under the auspices of the UNCC, as soon as possible, on this outstanding balance.

The Council decided to hold its next regular session from 1 - 3 May 2012.

The session just concluded was the last session for the delegations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil (Vice-President), Gabon, Lebanon, and Nigeria whose terms of office end on 31 December 2011.

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

UNCC11/007E