As part of continued efforts to enhance accountability in the wake of recent corruption scandals, the United Nations on Tuesday unveiled new rules calling for financial disclosure forms to be completed by all senior staff.
In amendments to staff regulations, UN chief Kofi Annan also detailed tougher disciplinary measures against staff members found guilty of sexual misconduct, particularly by peacekeepers.
"The secretary general continues to place great emphasis on the accountability of staff involved in the management of the organisation's resources, including avoiding situations that could give rise to potential conflicts of interest with their duties and responsibilities," a report by the UN chief said.
The new rules, designed to identify potential conflict of interest and minimise the risk of officials being perceived as using their position for personal gain, called for financial disclosure forms to be completed by all staff at the level of director or above.
Last month management lapses and evidence of corruption in the UN oil-for-food program for Iraq led to calls at a world summit here for tighter UN management practices and greater accountability.
Annan then took personal responsibility for the administrative failings in the management of the 100-billion-dollar humanitarian scheme.
Meanwhile a report by the UN internal watchdog office said a surge in the number of reports of sexual misconduct and abuse at UN peacekeeping missions and duty stations had led to new procedures and additional resources to launch probes and train personnel.
A report by Annan said new rules to combat the phenomenon included summary dismissal of staff members found guilty of "serious misconduct." Sexual misconduct by UN peacekeepers was put under scrutiny last year after refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) lodged numerous complaints.