In a highly controversial election at the United Nations (UN) in New York, Indian diplomat Vidisha Maitra was elected to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Affairs (ACABQ) on Friday.
Maitra was the Indian candidate for the only seat on the Asia Pacific Group committee. The other candidate was from Iraq. Maitra achieved victory by a 126-64 vote count.
India has been a member of the committee since its inception in 1946. The committee is one of the most coveted in the United Nations system, as it controls the financial and budgetary portfolio of the UN. India’s victory in this prestigious committee is crucial, as India will also be on the Security Council as a non-permanent member for the next two years.
The ACABQ performs various functions, including examining the budget presented by the Secretary General of the United Nations to the General Assembly and advising the Assembly on administrative and budgetary matters referred to it. The CCAAP is a critical component to ensure that member state resources are used to good effect and that mandates are adequately funded.
Members are elected by the General Assembly, which consists of 193 member states, on the basis of broad geographic representation, personal qualifications, experience and service for a period of three calendar years. Members serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of the Member States.
Maitra is a career diplomat in the Foreign Service of India and currently serves as First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York. He has held various positions in New Delhi, Paris, Port Louis and New York for the last 11 years.
He has extensive work experience in strategic policy planning and research, formulation and implementation of development assistance and infrastructure projects, defense procurement matters, international tax matters, investment and trade promotion.
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