In brief
Mandate
The Headquarters Committee plays a pivotal role in framing management policies and improving the operational efficiency of UNESCO’s physical buildings – Headquarters, Miollis and Bonvin.
The purpose of the Committee is to provide recommendations and guidelines on issues related to the expansion, renovation, maintenance, conservation, security and decoration of the buildings and common services used by the Secretariat, permanent delegations and non-governmental organizations. An important task during times when issues of renovation, security, and maintenance are of paramount importance.
How we work
The Headquarters Committee consists of 24 elected members, appointed for a four-year term. To promote diversity and inclusivity, the Committee renews half of its members every two years during the General Conference.
The Committee reports on its work once a year to the Executive Board. It submits a summary report of its activities and conclusions to the General Conference.
The Headquarters Committee meets three times a year, or when necessary. All meetings are open to observers.
Chairperson
The Chairperson is elected by Committee members during its first session following the General Conference. The principle of rotation by electoral group is observed when electing a new chairperson. The Chairperson is appointed for a four-year term.
Bureau
The Bureau of the Headquarters Committee is composed of five members - Two vice-chairpersons, a rapporteur, and two members of the Bureau. Members are elected by the Committee and are appointed for a two-year period.
The Bureau is convened before the Committee and an oral report of its work is presented by the Chair during the next session of the Headquarters Committee.
Background
First established by the General Conference at its fourth session (Paris, 1949), the Headquarters Committee was originally responsible, under 4 C/Resolution 29.1, for reviewing, on the basis of the Report of the Director-General, the problems involved in the expansion and maintenance of Headquarters accommodations for the current and prospective needs of the Organization.
At each of its successive sessions, whether held at or away from Headquarters, the General Conference subsequently extended the term of office of the Headquarters Committee and renewed its mandate.
Originally, in 1949, the Committee was composed of seven Member States. This number was increased several times by the General Conference. At its seventeenth session (Paris, 1972), when the plan for the construction of the Bonvin building (VI) was drawn up, the Conference increased the Committee’s membership to 21 Member States.
At its twenty-fourth session (Paris, 1987), it increased the Committee’s membership to 25 Member States, where it remained until 2001.At its thirty-first session the General Conference by its 31 C/Resolution 65 decided the Committee’s membership should be 24 Member States, the level at which it has remained ever since.
It also extended the duration of the term of office from two to four years (Rule 39) so as to improve the functioning of this Committee by providing for greater continuity of the involvement by the Member States that participate in it and by a new Rule 40 defining the mandate of the Committee more clearly by strengthening its role.
