New York - The current financial picture of the United Nations is positive, a top official
reported, adding that the Organization still needs to keep a close eye on its assets.

"In 2012 the financial situation was healthy, thanks to the very positive efforts of Member
States," the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Yukio Takasu, told reporters in New York.

Having earlier briefed the Fifth Committee - the General Assembly body dealing
with administrative and budgetary issues - Mr. Takasu said that cash balances
are projected to be positive for all categories at the end of this year.

In connection with the Organization's regular budget, he said that unpaid
assessments amounted to $327 million, a lower figure than in 2011, when they
totaled $454 million. This, he said, was a sign of improvement. For this year,
the assessments total $2.6 billion out of which $1.4 billion still remain unpaid.

The outstanding balance for peacekeeping operations decreased from $2.6 billion
in 2012 to $1.3 billion as of 30 April.  However, Mr. Takasu noted that unpaid
assessments by Member States to peacekeeping operations amount to $1.5 billion
out of $3.4 billion in assessments.

As for outstanding payments to Member States, Mr. Takasu said the Organization
is projected to reduce this amount from $745 million to $496 million by the end of the year.

For international tribunals, unpaid assessments amount to $178 million, a slight
increase from $106 million last year, which he said is not of great concern. In
addition, the Capital Master Plan (CMP) only has $3 million in unpaid
assessments out of $1.8 billion, which he deemed "remarkable" and "encouraging."

Overall, 29 Member States have paid their contributions in full compared to 36
member States as of May 2012.

Mr. Takasu said the only area of concern at the moment is that of the regular
budget, due in part to the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to the Secretariat
in New York in October. While insurance will cover the extensive damage to the
basement of the Secretariat building, this will take time, he said, adding that
repairs will have to be made and paid for before the insurance payment is
received.