The NATO Civil Budget, New Headquarters Budget and Civilian Personnel Regulations Section advises the Permanent Representative on all the areas within its purview and represents Germany on the Civil Budget Committee. The civil budget, 14.7% of which is provided by Germany, comprises the funds available to the Secretary General for political affairs, which amount to 252 million euros in 2019. It is used to finance all civilian activities at NATO HQ, staff and pension costs (approx. 60% of the budget), the operation of the new HQ and that of the old HQ until it is handed back to Belgium, investment, programmes, partnership activities, civilian contributions to operations and missions, etc.

This section is also responsible for the funding and financial oversight of the construction of the new NATO headquarters. NATO moved into the new building in 2018, but a number of funding and follow-up issues are still being dealt with. (Further information on the new HQ is available on the NATO website.)

It provides Germany’s representative on the Resource Policy and Planning Board (RPPB) for fundamental matters of financial and budgetary policy, including the business of IBAN, the International Board of Auditors for NATO (which ensures that financial transactions are conducted properly and in accordance with NATO’s Financial Regulations).

And finally, this section’s remit also includes all aspects of NATO service regulations and staffing policy.