FICSA Remarks at the 51st CCISUA Assembly

On the occasion of the 51st General Assembly of the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System (CCISUA) in Santiago, Chile, FICSA General Secretary Ms. Cristina Pierini delivered a statement emphasizing the urgent need for solidarity. She highlighted the expectation of members to work and deliver together, particularly in light of the severe challenges currently facing many UN organizations and agencies:

Madame President, 

Members of the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA),

On behalf of FICSA President, let me express my gratitude to Nathalie and the entire Executive Committee of CCISUA for their constructive and productive dialogue, as well as their outstanding collaboration throughout the year.

Colleagues,

Just as the world was looking for a ray of hope and renewed economic stability that could pave the way back to prosperity, it is once again confronted with an extraordinary crisis of unprecedented scale.

The severe challenges faced by many UN organizations and agencies, including a profound financial crisis and increasing geopolitical polarization, have also highlighted the critical importance of strong collaboration among staff federations in addressing these challenges and safeguarding the interests of the staff we represent.

In times like these, our members expect us to work together and to deliver together. Our solidarity is our strength, and it will carry us through the challenges ahead.

At the recent 51st session of the High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM) held in Valencia, the HLCM Finance and Budget Network reported that total UN system revenue is projected to decline by approximately 21 per cent between 2024 and 2027, with the sharpest contractions expected in humanitarian assistance and peace operations. The HLCM Human Resources Network also shared preliminary findings from a system-wide workforce assessment, revealing a workforce contraction of roughly 12 per cent across the United Nations system between 2024 and 2025, driven largely by budget cuts.

The ongoing review of the compensation package for staff in the Professional and higher categories, launched by the ICSC in response to General Assembly resolutions 76/240 of 24 December 2021 and 77/256 A of 30 December 2022, adds to these challenges by increasing staff concerns over the risk of financial losses resulting from possible reductions in benefits and allowances. These concerns are shared across organizations of the common system, including the specialized agencies, all of which are operating in an increasingly competitive labour market.

Colleagues,

I cannot stress enough the importance of the upcoming 102nd session of the ICSC, to be held in Vienna in July 2026, during which final recommendations on the compensation package will be finalized for submission to the United Nations General Assembly.

In preparation for this decisive session, we must pull our resources and work together in support of our common cause. We may organize ourselves differently, and we may at times debate our respective approaches, but when it matters most, we shall move forward in the same direction.

We are confident that our cooperation will provide the strength needed to overcome the challenges ahead.

Thank you, and we look forward to our continued work together.