had to be paid to maintaining an effective administrative structure, both at headquarters and in the field.
6. In the context of its resolution 32/197 of 20 December 1977, concerning the restructuring of the economic and social sectors of the United Nations system, the General Assembly, inter alia, requested "all organs, organizations and bodies within the United Nations system to implement these recommendations within their respective spheres of competence
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7. The High Commissioner has followed closely the developments on restructuring undertaken following the establishment by the General Assembly, through its resolution 3362 (S-VII) of 16 September 1975, of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Restructuring of the Economic and Social Sectors of the United Nations System for the purpose of preparing detailed action proposals in this regard, These efforts were to be directed principally towards making the United Nations system more responsive to the "requirements of the provisions of the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order as well as those of the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States".
8. In view of the special nature of the activities of UNHCR in favour of refugees and displaced persons, and taking into account the fact that his work is not related to operational activities for development, which were the main concern of the Ad Hoc Committee, the High Commissioner felt that the proposals on restructuring could be of only indirect relevance to his Office. However, being sympathetic to the over-all restructuring effort, the High Commissioner participated, as required, in consultations which took place while the work of the Ad Hoc Committee was in progress. He later participated in the discussions within the framework of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination (ACC) covering the implementation of the recommendations contained in General Assembly resolution 32/197 and its annex.
9. While the nature of UNHCR activities does not lend itself to the over-all scope of the Assembly recommendations, consultations took place on the implementation of paragraph 31 of the annex to resolution 32/197 regarding 'a single annual United Nations Pledging Conference for all United Nations operational activities for development". It was assumed by ACC that UNHCR was not covered by the provisions of paragraph 31. The position taken by ACC is reflected in its report to the Economic and Social Council. Similarly, as regards the Assembly recommendation for a single official to be designated by the Secretary-General at the country level, the High Commissioner took note of the implications in terms of improved coherence and a more effective integration of the various sectoral inputs within each country. While the High Commissioner hopes that this arrangement will increase the impact of material assistance activities, it goes without saying that his mandatory duties in terms of protection of refugees, which are the cornerstone of the Statute of his Office, are not affected.
10.
The High Commissioner further noted that the proposed arrangements regarding a single designated official would not, as stated in the aforementioned ACC report to the Economic and Social Council, affect the lines of authority between the representatives of organizations at the country level and their executive heads. In view of the nature of UNHCR's work, the High Commissioner, while supporting the over-all efforts to implement the recommendations of the General Assembly, does not feel that there is need for him to make a special report to the Economic and Social Council on the subject in the context of paragraph 7 of the Assembly resolution 32/197.
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