Nigeria’s Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim chaired the Fifth Committee elections, which recommended candidates from Mauritania and Israel for key United Nations positions.
Nigeria has presided over key elections at the United Nations General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, with candidates from Mauritania and Israel emerging successful in two significant appointments during the 81st Session of the General Assembly.
The elections, conducted under the chairmanship of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, saw C.D. Mohammed of Mauritania recommended as Chair of the International Civil Service Commission, while Israel’s candidate, Shai Mazai, secured a place on the Independent Audit Advisory Committee.
In a demonstration of transparency, Ambassador Ibrahim directed that ballot boxes be opened before voting commenced, allowing delegates to verify them before ballots were collected.
In the contest for the chairmanship of the International Civil Service Commission, Mohammed secured 102 votes, defeating Zimbabwe’s Mrs. Maria, who polled 82 votes.
Having obtained the required majority of 93 votes, Mohammed was recommended by the Fifth Committee to the General Assembly for designation as Chair of the International Civil Service Commission for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2027.
In another outcome, Israel’s Shai Mazai secured 134 votes to emerge as the recommended candidate from the Group of Western European and Other States for membership of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee.
The Fifth Committee subsequently recommended his appointment for a three-year term, also beginning January 1, 2027.
The elections formed part of the Committee’s consideration of Agenda Item 119, which covers appointments to fill vacancies in subsidiary organs and other appointments.
Other bodies considered during the exercise included the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, the Committee on Contributions and the Investment Committee, alongside the International Civil Service Commission and the Independent Audit Advisory Committee.
The Fifth Committee also recommended candidates from other regional groups to the International Civil Service Commission through acclamation, as there were no contested nominations for the respective seats.
At the conclusion of the exercise, Ambassador Ibrahim commended delegates for their patience, cooperation and commitment throughout the electoral process.
He congratulated the candidates recommended for appointment and urged them to uphold the integrity of the Fifth Committee in discharging their responsibilities.
The Nigerian diplomat also acknowledged the contributions of tellers and officials nominated by member states to supervise the elections.
Ambassador Ibrahim subsequently declared the Committee’s consideration of Agenda Item 119 concluded and requested the Rapporteur to communicate its decisions to the General Assembly for further action.