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UN spokesperson says special procedures report flagged partial external funding for internal travel on 2023 trip
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Summary
Report from the coordination committee of special procedures said internal travel in Australia and New Zealand for a special rapporteur's 2023 visit received partial external funding; the UN spokesperson said the Secretary‑General has no authority over special rapporteurs and pledged to look into communications concerns.
A reporter asked the UN spokesperson about a report from the coordination committee of special procedures indicating that part of the internal travel for a special rapporteur's November 2023 trip to Australia and New Zealand was funded externally. The reporter said the human rights office had previously told media that the UN funded the Australia leg of the trip, but that the coordination committee's report suggested partial external funding for internal travel.
The spokesperson said the Secretary‑General does not have oversight of special rapporteurs' work, funding or reporting lines and that special rapporteurs report to the Human Rights Council. The spokesperson said the UN supports transparency in activities of officials affiliated with the United Nations and that she would look into the communications question raised by the reporter; she also expressed respect for communications colleagues.
Why it matters: The issue concerns transparency around funding for a UN special procedures official's travel; the briefing reflected a distinction between UN‑funded international travel to a country and possible external sponsorship for internal legs, as reported by the coordination committee. The spokesperson did not confirm sources for the external funding but said she would seek clarification.
