Kane said there had been "significant improvement" in contributions to the UN's peacekeeping budget, with two Member States accounting for 60 per cent of the outstanding arrears, and "high expectations" that the largest payments would be made very soon. In addition, 21 Member States were fully paid up on the peacekeeping budget, with the rest owing partial payments.

As for the UN's USD 1.8 billion Capital Master Plan, which includes among other items extensive renovations for the Headquarters building, Kane said 84 Member States had either paid in full or are paying on time through an instalment plan, while 101 others had made partial payments.

The UN has a membership of 192 countries. The General Assembly has voted to allow seven countries to retain their voting right despite their not having paid their dues.

Asked about recent media reports alleging cases of sexual harassment at the UN, the management chief said the world body had a "zero-tolerance policy" on the matter, citing a recent dismissal of a staffer accused of sending and receiving pornographic e-mails, and a forthcoming revision of procedures which will allow sexual harassment accusers and the accused access to professional legal advice.