Nigeria has presided over key elections at the United Nations General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, with Mauritania and Israel securing significant appointments during the 81st Session.
The elections, chaired by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, resulted in the recommendation of Mauritania’s C.D. Mohammed as Chair of the International Civil Service Commission and Israel’s Shai Mazai as a member of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee.
In the contest for the chairmanship of the International Civil Service Commission, Mohammed secured 102 votes to defeat Zimbabwe’s Mrs Maria, who received 82 votes.
Having crossed the required threshold of 93 votes, Mohammed was recommended to the General Assembly for appointment to a four-year term beginning next year.
Similarly, Israel’s Mazai secured 134 votes to emerge as the recommended candidate from the Group of Western European and Other States for the Independent Audit Advisory Committee.
The Fifth Committee subsequently recommended him for a three-year term, also beginning next year.
The elections formed part of the committee’s consideration of Agenda Item 119, which covers appointments to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and other positions.
Other bodies considered during the exercise included the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, the Committee on Contributions and the Investment Committee.
The committee also recommended candidates from other regional groups to the International Civil Service Commission through acclamation, as there were no contested nominations for the respective positions.
To ensure transparency, Ambassador Ibrahim directed that ballot boxes be opened before voting commenced, allowing delegates to verify their contents before ballots were collected.
At the end of the exercise, Ibrahim commended delegates for their patience, cooperation and commitment throughout the electoral process.
He congratulated the recommended candidates and urged them to uphold the integrity of the Fifth Committee in carrying out their responsibilities.
The Nigerian diplomat also acknowledged the contributions of tellers and officials nominated by member states to supervise the elections.
He subsequently declared the consideration of Agenda Item 119 concluded and directed the Rapporteur to communicate the committee’s decisions to the General Assembly for further action.
