Agreement signed on UNICEF Global Services Centre in Budapest

New York (MTI) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the government of Hungary signed an agreement in New York to establish a Global Shared Services Centre in Budapest.

The document was signed by Hungary’s foreign affairs state secretary Istvan Mikola and UNICEF’s Executive Director, Anthony Lake on Monday local time.

In line with the agreement, more than 300 staff will provide services including payroll, invoice processing, human resources and an IT helpdesk, a statement said.

“I would like to reiterate my government’s commitment to the unique and noble mission of UNICEF aimed at the protection of children worldwide,” Mikola said at the signing ceremony.

He added that Hungary was pleased that UNICEF had selected Budapest to host its services centre because this decision “responds to the agenda of the Hungarian government to consolidate the country as a competitive, outstanding international service hub in the centre of Europe.”

The agreement, won by Budapest out of 24 bidders, is for 15 years, with the option of extending it every 10 years.

Martin Mogwanja, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, told MTI that the centre is planned to start operations with an initial staff of 30 in August.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters