A/RES/51/241 Page 10 explained by him to Member States. 65. The principles of equitable geographical distribution and gender balance shall be reflected in appointments to senior positions, including heads of programmes, funds and other United Nations bodies. 66. The principle enshrined in General Assembly resolution 46/232 of 2 March 1992 that there should be no monopoly on senior posts by nationals of any State or group of States should be strictly observed and implemented. The Secretary-General should keep the Assembly regularly informed of his/her actions on those matters. 67. The Secretary-General is encouraged to consider uniform terms and term limits in his appointments to senior management posts. XXI. HEADS OF PROGRAMMES, FUNDS AND OTHER UNITED NATIONS BODIES 68. Affirming the role of the General Assembly in approving appointments and extension of terms, uniform terms of office of four years, renewable once, should be introduced for the executive heads of programmes, funds and other bodies of the Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. 69. The specialized agencies are also encouraged to consider uniform terms and term limits for their executive heads. XXII. GENERAL STAFFING ISSUES 70. It is essential for the successful functioning of the Organization that it has a career international civil service for its core functions. There is also an important role for term contracts for various categories of staff. 71. The Secretary-General shall be encouraged, in accordance with legislative mandates, to ensure a judicious mix of career and fixed-term appointments, so as to have an appropriate balance between institutional memory, long-term commitment and independence and the ability to bring in fresh insights and expertise, and to dismiss non-performing staff. 72. Short-term appointments should not be used as an entry to career positions. A review should be undertaken of staff on short-term appointments. 73. Staff development and training shall be encouraged along with a costeffective common training system to be developed for personnel of the Secretariat, funds and programmes. 74. The provisions of the Charter giving due regard to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible shall be implemented. In this regard, the principle of gender balance shall be observed within the Organization. In achieving gender balance, the principle of equitable geographical distribution shall be respected. 75. The quality of the language services shall be enhanced, including through the provision of effective management practices, bearing in mind that all official languages of the United Nations are of equal importance in this regard. XXIII. PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT /...