15 OCTOBER 2008

The current financial crisis initially caused by high default rates of sub-prime mortgages has significantly affected global financial markets and seriously threatens global economic growth. Recent reports also show that liquidity has been reduced significantly, adversely impacting credit markets and banking systems, and has resulted in the default, takeover and nationalization of several major financial institutions. Labor markets have not been immune to the crisis and have also begun to show signs of weakness.

This crisis is the cause of great concern among pension funds and other institutional investors around the world where many have seen the value of their investments plummet.

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) has fared better than most pension funds in weathering the crisis; its ability to meet pension benefit payments remains fully intact. Moreover, it is important that UNJSPF participants, beneficiaries and other stakeholders understand the various mechanisms and safeguards that have been established over the years to protect the Pension Fund from the potential effects of volatility in the financial markets. These mechanisms are briefly described below and respond to some relevant questions that many of you may have.

There is no doubt that the recent turmoil in the global financial markets has impacted the market value of the Fund's investment portfolio. As indicated by the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF in his 17 September 2008 communication, the equity markets have dropped 21.9% since the beginning of 2008. The Fund's overall market value in the same period dropped 12.2%. Most recently at the beginning of October 2008, the value of the Fund's portfolio (32.0 billion USD) is 10 billion US dollars lower than its all-time high market value observed at the end of October 2007 or 9 billion lower than the market value at the end of December 2007 (41.4 billion USD).

Throughout the existence of the Fund there have been times when market volatility has impacted negatively on the value of the Fund's assets. However, each time the impact has been temporary and the portfolio then rebounded and continued to grow. As illustrated in the graph below, the Fund's portfolio declined some 4 billion USD during the financial crisis experienced from 2000-2001. However, by 2002 the market value began a long and sustained rebound until the end of 2007. The graph illustrates the evolution of the market value of the Fund's assets as recorded on 31 December of each year ( the value reflected for 2008 is that recorded on 8 October 2008).

It should be kept in mind that decisions affecting the investments of the Fund are made and will continue to be made on the basis of long-term investment strategies and objectives, as decided upon by the Secretary General after consultation with the Fund's Investments Committee and in light of observations and suggestions made by the Pension Board. As demonstrated in the table below, this long-term strategy has been very effective. For example, during the last forty eight years (i.e. since 1960) the Fund's portfolio has been generating returns at an average rate of 4.4% in real terms. This rate surpasses the 3.5% real rate of return objective used in the Fund's actuarial valuation.

Due to the nature of the Fund which covers participants over very long periods, during their working careers as well as during their long retirements and even after their death (since pension payments continue to their surviving spouses for life), this question might be best addressed if we take a look at two different time horizons: short-term and long-term.

In the short-term, the Fund is practically unaffected by the current market conditions and I have no concerns about liquidity for the payment of benefits. The Fund's annual contribution income (1,672 million USD in 2007, including 48.6 million USD as a one-time transfer of assets from the International Organization for Migration after it became a new member organization) generally covers most of the benefit payments (1,655.8 USD million in 2007).

The gap between contribution income and benefit payments is very small compared to the market value of the portfolio (it represents much less than one percent), as may be observed in the graph above. The gap is easily covered by the liquid portion of the portfolio. An additional source of readily available resources is dividend and interest income. This enables the Fund to adopt a very long-term investment horizon since it is not required to sell its equity, bond or real estate investment positions to fund short-term needs. This is obviously a very positive feature of a fully-funded and slowly maturing defined-benefit pension scheme such as the UN Pension Fund.

Nevertheless, in the long-term high market volatility or poor continuing financial market performance may potentially affect the Fund. The effect could be important if over several years, i.e. not weeks or months, the long-term real rate of return of the portfolio were to fall significantly below the Fund's long-term 3.5% real investment return considered in the actuarial projections. If this were the case, the Fund has in place sound governance mechanisms which would enable it to take the required steps to maintain the long-term actuarial balance and long term solvency of the Fund.

As already mentioned, the Fund has a very good investment management track record. In addition, it has built over the years a solid governance mechanism which closely and regularly monitors investment performance as well as the relationship between the Fund's commitments (liabilities) and the Fund's contribution income and reserves (assets). This ensures that an appropriate balance is maintained over the short as well as the long term.

One of the techniques employed by the Fund to ensure long-term solvency is to perform an asset liability management study (ALM). The ALM assists the Fund in developing an optimal long-term asset allocation, in establishing an appropriate risk tolerance philosophy and in improving its understanding of the impact of key investment and solvency related decisions upon the financial condition and performance of the Fund. The ALM study carried out in 2007 independently tested the Fund's actuarial valuation results, the current asset allocation mix and the funding ratio, and concluded that the Fund's actuarial valuation process is sound, the asset allocation is robust and the Fund is stable and well- funded.

Another important element in the governance process is the role played by the Committee of Actuaries and the Investments Committee. Both Committees are comprised of experts in their respective fields and provide independent professional advice to the Pension Board and Secretary-General on actuarial and investment related matters.

Additionally, in accordance with the Regulations of the Fund an actuarial valuation must be performed periodically. The most recent actuarial valuation performed as at 31 December 2007 revealed the Fund's sixth consecutive actuarial surplus (as may be observed in the graph below). This last valuation included the additional costs of increased longevity as reflected in the Fund's revised mortality tables. These are very positive results and provide evidence of the strong actuarial situation of the Fund.

Yes, the Fund's financial position is safe. The United Nations General Assembly has maintained over the years four general criteria that guide the investment of the assets of the Fund. These criteria are: profitability, safety, liquidity, and convertibility. Due to the truly international nature of the Fund it also adopted a global diversification policy of its investments (by asset category, regions, currency, sectors, etc.). The prudent application of these guidelines has enabled the Fund to build over the years significant reserves which are invested under the fiduciary responsibility of the United Nations Secretary-General in well-diversified assets with a very long-term horizon.

10 October 2008