Un Compensation Commission

UN Compensation Commission in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to UN Compensation Commission: The UN Compensation Commission (“UNCC”) was established by the UN Security Council in 1991 to pay compensation for losses resulting from Iraq's illegal invasion and occupation of Kuwait. See Digest 1991-1999 at 1099-1106; see also this world legal encyclopedia (in relation to issues that took place in the year 2000) at 444; this world legal encyclopedia (in relation to issues that took place in the year 2002) at 407-08; this world legal encyclopedia (in relation to issues that took place in the year 2003) at 454-56; this world legal encyclopedia (in relation to issues that took place in the year 2004) at 430. A fund was established for this purpose that receives a percentage (currently 5%) of the proceeds from Iraqi oil sales. The UNCC has made over one million compensation awards, totaling over $52 billion. In its Decision 258 (2005), the UNCC's Governing Council (“GC”) established the Follow-up Program for Environmental Awards, under which the UNCC monitored environmental remediation projects undertaken by Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, using $4.3 billion in funds awarded for environmental damage.

Some Aspects of UN Compensation Commission

On May 2, 2013, at its 75th session, the GC adopted Decision 270, in which it declared that the mandate under the Follow-up Program for Environmental Awards will be considered fulfilled in respect of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia upon receipt by the GC of certain signed assurances from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In Decision 270 the GC also decided that the Program is considered closed in respect of the Islamic Republic of Iran. U.N. Doc. S/AC.26/Dec.270 (2013).

Developments

On November 21, 2013, at its 76th session, the GC adopted Decision 271, making declarations with respect to the other two participating states, Jordan and Kuwait, similar to that made in Decision 270 regarding Saudi Arabia. U.N. Doc. S/AC.26/Dec.271 (2013).

Details

Charge d'Affairs a.i. Peter Mulrean of the U.S. Mission to the UN in Geneva discussed these decisions on November 19, 2013 in his opening remarks to the 76th Session of the GC, excerpted below and available at (link resource) geneva.usmission.gov/2013/11/19/u-s-statement-at-the-76th-uncc-governingcouncil-session/

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Since 2005, the greatest task of the UNCC, as a large part of its claims program, has been to oversee the response to a massive, man-made environmental disaster, comprising one of the largest environmental clean-up projects in human history: the $4.3 billion remediation of environmental devastation of neighboring countries resulting from the 1991 Gulf War.

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We hope that during the present meeting, the Governing Council will be able to determine that the UNCC's part of that work is essentially complete. In this regard, I point to Decision 269 of the Governing Council, enacted in 2011, where we decided to assess whether the systems and controls adopted by the participating governments were sufficient for those governments to oversee their own environmental projects.

UN Compensation Commission in 2013 (Continuation)

United States views on international law [1] in relation to UN Compensation Commission: At this Council's most recent session in May, we determined that Saudi Arabia had fulfilled the Decision 269 criteria, and that Jordan and Kuwait were very close to doing so. My country's delegation looks forward to hearing details from each delegation over the next few days, but I am pleased to be able to report that it appears likely, based on the national reports and all indications to date, that Jordan and Kuwait have both met fully the Decision 269 criteria. This is a significant accomplishment of which each delegation should be proud.

More about UN Compensation Commission

If the Governing Council is able to find at this meeting that Jordan and Kuwait have met these criteria, the UNCC will essentially conclude what has been its largest task since 2005, the oversight of large-scale environmental remediation projects. The UNCC's expected completion of this task and the passing of continuing oversight responsibility to the participating countries is an occasion that warrants marking.

Un Compensation Commission

In relation to the international law practice and un compensation commission in this world legal Encyclopedia, please see the following section:

International Claims and State Responsibility

Note: there is detailed information and resources under these topics during the year 2013, covered by this entry on un compensation commission in this law Encyclopedia.

Resources

Notes

1. Un Compensation Commission in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law

Resources

Notes

1. Un Compensation Commission in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law