UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

dont nous n'avons pas oublié la brillante et admirable personnalité, j'ai beaucoup insisté pour qu'il accepte
l'invitation de mon gouvernement à se rendre au Venezuela. Je dois dire - et c'est mon expérience personnelle - qu'à
la suite du voyage de M. Maheu au Venezuela, les relations ont été considérablement facilitées car connaître un
pays d'un point de vue théorique est une chose et s'être adressé à sa population, connaître directement l'état réel du
développement culturel, éducatif et scientifique en est une autre.
(13.4) Par ailleurs, il ne faut pas perdre de vue que la modification de l'Acte constitutif entrerait immédiatement
en vigueur, comme l'indique le rapport du Comité juridique et comme il est au demeurant indiscutable du point de
vue du droit. Et c'est là précisément une autre raison pour laquelle nous considérons cette réforme inopportune au
moment où va être nommé un nouveau Directeur général. Tous les candidats qui ont décidé de se présenter au
poste de Directeur général ont tenu compte d'un texte prévoyant un mandat de six ans. Il ne nous paraît pas
opportun de réduire brutalement de deux ans, par rapport à ce dont il avait connaissance lorsqu'il s'est porté
candidat, la durée du mandat d'un nouveau Directeur général dont la candidature a déjà été proposée par le Conseil
exécutif.
(13.5) Pour toutes ces raisons, et tout en respectant le point de vue des autres délégués, nous souhaitons que
notre position recueille une large adhésion. Merci beaucoup.
14. The PRESIDENT:
I thank the distinguished delegate of Venezuela and invite the delegate of New Zealand to take the floor.
15.1 Ms AUSTIN (New Zealand):
The change to the Constitution which is being proposed by New Zealand changes one word only, but it
does have a significant effect for UNESCO. It suggests that the Director-General be nominated by the Executive
Board and appointed by the General Conference for a period of six years, with provision for the extension of
appointment for a further two years. The effect of the change is the most important issue for us. It places an upper
limit of eight years on the tenure of the appointment to the position of Director-General. We understand that a
number of United Nations organizations have adopted a maximum term of eight years, but the basis of our
proposal arises out of the New Zealand experience in appointing senior chief executives to ministry and
departmental positions for initial periods of five years with right of renewal for two or three years, depending
upon performance. We believe that this period of appointment, given the intensity and extensiveness of activity at
this level, is enough for most people. After that time there is the need for an infusion of new ideas and energy.
15.2 Madam President, this matter was first discussed in the Executive Board and then raised in the
Commonwealth Group. New Zealand was asked to prepare a draft resolution to amend the Constitution. This was
done and submitted and sent to Member States by 26 April 1999. This ensured that the draft resolution
conformed with the legal requirements, as has been indicated by the Chairperson of the Legal Committee. In
other words, the draft resolution has been available for more than six months. Therefore, those who applied for
the position of Director-General were well aware that there could be a change to the Constitution prior to their
being actually appointed by the General Conference.
15.3 Since New Zealand submitted its proposal, Canada has put forward an amendment advocating a fouryear
appointment with right of renewal for a further four years. This amendment, as far as we can make out,
seems to have greater support. The important decision is to limit tenure in the office to eight years. New Zealand,
therefore, has decided to support the Canadian amendment and urges the Conference to do likewise. If accepted,
the Canadian proposal would become a substantive amendment to the Constitution requiring the amendment of
two words only in Article VI(2), namely, the changing of the figure "6" in lines two and four to "4". Our view
remains that a tenure of eight years provides incentive for innovation, drive, and the establishment of sound
management, as well as adequate time for the achievement of goals and for accountability to Member States. We
therefore commend the amendment to the General Conference. Thank you, Madam President.
16. The PRESIDENT:
Thank you, Madam. We heard the distinguished delegate of New Zealand; the delegate of Indonesia
now has the floor.
17. Mr SOEHENDRO (Indonesia):
Madam President, distinguished delegates, thank you for giving my delegation the floor. As stated in
document 30 C/78, the Legal Committee confined itself to examining the legal and procedural aspects of the draft
amendment to Article VI, paragraph 2, of the Constitution, and recognized the fact that the length of the Director-
General's term was a question of political expediency. While the procedures for the Conference's examination of
the proposed amendments, as suggested by the Legal Committee, are correct, my delegation takes the position
that the proposed amendment of New Zealand as well as that of Canada should not be discussed at the present
General Conference for reasons of fairness. We suggest that the Executive Board be authorized to study the
matter in depth, taking into account best experience and the new needs of UNESCO in an ever accelerating and
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