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IN THE CORRIDORS

Resources, implementation and follow-up are occupying much attention in the corridors in the wake of discussions on Chapters V and VI. There is disappointment with the lack of any commitment to new funding, and proposals for re-allocation of resources are regarded as modest. Interest is focusing on the prospect of a resolution calling for the creation of a voluntary fund to support a post and unit at the level of Under-Secretary-General to "make sure that the Beijing Platform is implemented in the UN system." Support for the fund, in the absence of new resources, has come from Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The S-G"s Advisory Group on Beijing is supporting the idea. A number of delegations at the 39th Session of the CSW will be approached about sponsoring a resolution to support establishing the post with long-term funding. The initiative would have implications for existing structures overseeing the FWCW process, including the Division for the Advancement of Women. The Division will pay special attention to the nature and responsibilities of any new unit set up within the S-G"s office. In principle, the establishment of a unifying mechanism would be welcome, in the absence of proposals for a new permanent body associated with the FWCW. The extraordinary nature of the proposed "voluntarily funded" unit operating in the S-G"s office is being noted. Platform proposals for the redeployment of resources within the UN system have been met with some disappointment. The debate on the merger of INSTRAW and UNIFEM has also hindered debate on new funding.

On NGO access, a number of delegations have put proposals to the Bureau for limited NGO access to the informal-informals, taking into account the lack of space. The US has suggested following the procedures adopted at UNCED.