UN reform and the new aid environment: How the UN could better position itself in a changing world?

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UN reform and the new aid environment How the UN
could better position itself in a changing world?

• Strategic planning and RBM for quality
  programmesUNDAF Prioritization Retreat, Bhutan,
  August 2006

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How can the UN position itself better in a
changing world?

• Emerging new aid architecture more resources
  (public/private), more players, new aid
  modalities!
• Focus on aid effectiveness to remain relevant

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Rethinking the development paradigm Consensus on
principles of aid effectiveness

• MDG-based national development plans as overall
  framework
• Strong national ownership, grounded in
  strengthened national capacity
• Sector-wide approaches (SWAPs)
• Use of national systems when possible
  (procurement, audit, reporting etc.)
• Greater predictability of aid flows
• Mutual accountability
• Performance-based/results-oriented

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UN ReformBetter impact in the new aid
environment (consensus)

• Adhere to principles of aid effectiveness
• Holistic UN strategy and operations
• Response to national priorities, needs and
  processes
• Ease transaction cost burden for partner
  governments
• Country level - MDGs as indicators (but not
  exclusively)

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Role of UN in the 21st Century

• Building institutional capacities
• Identification of system weakness and address
  problems
• Including Human Resource Development
• Advocacy, standards and norms
• The UN Norm setting role is a Comparative
  Advantage that has been under emphasized

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Progress To Date

• Common framework MD/MDG
• Common assessment planning
• Harmonized and simplified cycles, tools and
  procedures
• Common Service Programme in 80 Countries
• 60 or so UN Houses
• Strengthened RC system
• Rationalizing UN presence reducing transaction
  costs (CCA/UNDAF, HACT, Harmonized Cycles)

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One UN systemOne Programme

• UNCT supports MDG-ised national
  planning/prioritization
• One national framework for all UNDAF is UN
  response
• New Generation of UNDAF is a practical and
  useable programme tool
• Shift from projects to coherent programme
  approach for the UN system

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One Team

• Truly thinking and managing together
• Particular focus on joint planning and monitoring
  of status of implementation of plans
• Resource mobilization and funding for UNDAF

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How UN Agencies participate

• Entire UN System participates fully in UNDAF
• UNDAF priorities are the programming framework
  for the UN Funds and Programmes
• Specialized agencies are fully involved, within
  their mandates
• Clear HQ commitments by specialized agencies, and
  special statements by FAO, ILO and WHO
• Important technical activities outside UNDAF
  priority areas may be included in a Part 2

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Common Country Programming Process
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Programming Process

• CCA- Analysis using PRSP when relevant
• UNDAF- strategic plan- 3-5 priority areas
• UNDAF Matrix- an operational tool
• Country Programme Documents (ExCom)
• Country Programme Action Plans (operationalizing
  the CPD)
• Annual Work Plan- the authority to spend
• Annual Review Meeting- review and adjustment