1. Working Group on an Agenda for Peace
The Informal Open-ended Working Group on an Agenda for Peace first met in the 47th session of the General Assembly and continued its work until 1996 when it finally stopped meeting. Its chairman was Amb. Tunguru Huaraka of Namibia.
The Working Group created four sub-groups on "Preventive Diplomacy and Peacemaking", "The Question of United Nations Imposed Sanctions", "Post-Conflict Peace-Building" and "Coordination".
The Working Group was not able to reach consensus on an official report. Provisional reports of two sub-groups were completed in the summer of 1996 (Conference Room Papers: Sub-group on Coordination [WGAP/96/1] and Sub-group on the Question of United Nations Imposed Sanctions [WGAP/96/2]).
2. Working Group on an Agenda for Development
The Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group of the General Assembly on an Agenda for Development was established on 19 December 1994 and last chaired by GA President Amb. Razali Ismail. It was the first Reform Working Group to complete its work in the summer of 1997.
The final draft of the "Agenda for Development" was adopted by the General Assembly on 20 June 1997 [A/RES/51/240].
3. Working Group on the Security Council
The Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council was established on 3 December 1993. It is presently chaired by GA President Amb. Hennadiy Udovenko.
The Working Group issued reports in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. It will continue its work through the 52nd session of the General Assembly and is supposed to submit a report to the Assembly before the ending of the session, including any recommendations agreed upon.
4. Working Group on the Financial Situation
The High-level Open-ended Working Group on the Financial Situation of the United Nations was established on 23 December 1994. It issued reports in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
During the fifty-first session of the GA, the Group discussed Member States' payment of dues in full and on time; the problem of arrears; the procedure for approving peacekeeping budgets and appropriations; the Organization's cash-flow situation; and the methods for calculating the scale of assessments.
As the Working Group had not been able to agree on any measures to solve the Organization's financial crisis, its activities are currently suspended, on the understanding that it would be resumed when appropriate, after consultations with Member States.
5. Working Group on the Strengthening of the UN System
The Open-ended High-level Working Group on the Strengthening of the United Nations System was established on 14 September 1995 and last chaired by GA President Amb. Razali Ismail. The Working Group created a sub-group on non-governmental organizations.
The Working Group issued reports in 1996 and 1997 and completed its work in the summer of 1997. The outcome contains specific measures to improve the workings of the General Assembly, its subsidiary bodies, as well as the Secretariat. Decisions have also been taken on the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization; the budget process and fulfilment of mandates; oversight and accountability of the Secretariat; external and internal mechanisms; the process of selection of the Secretary-General and matters pertaining to senior management; and the independence of the Secretariat. All these decisions take effect from 1 January 1998.
The Working Group could not find consensus on the use of loan personnel; the question of establishing the post of Deputy Secretary-General; public information; non-governmental organization participation; the term of office of the Secretary-General; and in-depth review and rationalization of the subsidiary bodies.
The sub-group on non-governmental organizations held 10 formal meetings, but was not able to agree on a mandate.
