United Nations, Dec 12, SPA -- The General Assembly has approved a series of proposals to accelerate the much-needed renovation of the U.N. headquarters complex in New York City, a move welcomed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who said the project could now be completed sooner. Concerned about the costs of further delaying the renovation-known as the Capital Master Plan (CMP)-the 192-member assembly adopted a resolution late Monday backing Ban’s proposals to accelerate the overhaul of the U.N.’s old complex, which he presented to member states in an October report. The General Assembly also authorized nearly $1 billion for the project, which will relocate thousands of employees and delegates to temporary spaces during the refurbishment. With the project behind schedule, the secretary-general had proposed an accelerated strategy to save money on construction by speeding up the renovation, particularly by emptying the entire 39-floor secretariat building in one phase, instead of the four-step process approved by the General Assembly last year.“By approving the accelerated renovation strategy, it will be possible to minimize the inconvenience and risk for delegates, occupants, and visitors to the U.N. headquarters during construction,” Ban said in a statement. Once the renovation is completed in 2013, the U.N. complex “will not only be a safer, healthier, greener, and more secure place, but our renovated workshop for peace will also stand out as a symbol for building a revitalized U.N. for a better world,” the secretary-general said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/508547