Delivering as One High-level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence

1. Delivering as One High-level Panel on UN System-wide Coherence Briefing for UN Country Teams

2. Overview of the presentation • The High-level Panel: Mandate and Composition • The Panel Process: Focus on consultation • The Panel’s “Case for Reform” • The Panel’s Recommendations • Follow-up process

3. This presentation summarizes the content of the High-level Panel’s Report and does not intend to put forward any interpretation of, or comments on, the findings or recommendations contained in the Report.

4. Mandate of HLP Panel • 2005 World Summit invites Secretary-General to “launch work to further strengthen the management and coordination of UN operational activities” (in the field of environment, humanitarian assistance and development) • SG also requests HLP to make recommendations on how gender equality perspectives could be better addressed in UN’s work

5. HLP Panel Composition • February 2006: SG appoints High-level Panel on UN system-wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance and the Environment • Highest-level UN Panel “ever”: members include 3 Prime Ministers, 2 former Presidents and 10 high ranking experts (incl. 2 UN ex-officio members)

6. The HLP Panel Process Meet, consult, meet, consult, draft, re-draft, meet, re-draft, meet, re-draft, …

7. How can the UN System most effectively respond to the challenges of the 21st century?Are we still meeting the expectations of countries and peoples? The Panel Process- Guiding Questions -

8. The Case for Reform- Why now? - Significant challenges ahead … • Unprecedented global change • MDG deadline close • Increase in victims of natural disasters • Environmental threats on the rise … but

9. The Case for Reform- Why now? - … also windows of opportunity • Reform momentum of the 2005 Summit • Millennium Declaration, Monterrey, Paris Declaration • Increases in ODA – to be spent wisely

10. Expected roles of the UN • Trusted partner with the capacity to act as convener and neutral broker • Guardian of norms and standards • Value of ‘different voices’, speaking out on themes or in specific sectors • Advocate for “sensitive” issues • Operational/Technical Assistance Not fulfilled Instead…

11. … instead the Panel found a UN system characterized by • Fragmentation at country, regional and global level • High transaction costs for both national partners and donors • Inadequate and unpredictable funding, undermining UN’s multilateral character

12. Figure 2: Contributions to the UN system’s operational activities for development (core and other resources)

13. HLP Recommendations-- Underlying Principles -- • National ownership and people-centered approaches • Core comparative advantage • Maximum effectiveness and accountability

14. Development The Panel recommends the establishment of One UN at country level, with one leader, one programme, one budget and, where appropriate, one office … but how?

15. The “How” of the One UN • Establish five One UN pilots by 2007 (20 by 2009, 40 by 2010 and all other “appropriate” countries by 2012) • Enhance RC authority to lead the One Country Programme (matched by clear accountability) • UNDP to consolidate and refocus its operational work • UNDP to establish an institutional firewall between management of RC system and its programmatic role

16. Humanitarian Assistance The Panel calls for … • Stronger partnership arrangements between the UN, national governments, IRC/ICM and NGOs • Full funding for CERF (target: $ 500 million) • Clarify mandates for Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) • UNDP lead on early recovery • Greater investment in risk reduction

17. Environment The Panel calls for … • Stronger role for UNEP: “Real authority as the environmental policy pillar of the UN” • Independent assessment of international environmental governance • Strengthened GEF

18. Cross-cutting issues The Panel calls for … • A stronger voice for gender equality and women’s empowerment – creation of a dynamic, fully and ambitiously funded gender entity • Clarify responsibilities for Human Rights • Greater focus on Sustainable Developmentin UN country activities – partnership between UNEP (normative) and UNDP (operational)

19. Funding The Panel calls for … • Full, multi-year core funding for agencies committed to reform • One Country Programme to be consolidated within a single budgetary framework with two funding sources

20. Governance-- at inter-governmental level -- The Panel calls for … • A high-level forum for strategic guidance on sustainable development policy and global public goods (L-27) • A UN Sustainable Development Board to provide oversight of the “One UN” at country level

21. Governance-- at organizational level -- The Panel calls for … • A new Development Coordinator • A new UN Development Policy and Operations Group to support “One UN” at country level • Chief Executives Board (CEB) to review its functions

22. Governance-- at regional and national level -- The Panel calls for … • Regional level: (a) reorganization of UN regional setting around two functions, and (b) co-location and standardization of regions among all UN entities • National level: (a) “all-of-government” approach, and (b) benchmarks for good multilateral donorship

23. Business Practices The Panel calls for … • Harmonized business practices • Independent evaluation mechanism • Updated and harmonized human resource policies (incl. greater staff mobility)

24. HLP Follow-up Process • Inter-governmental: SG to transmit report to UN General Assembly for inter-governmental follow up (GA Working Groups, governing bodies, TCPR) • Inter-agency: Report expected to be on agenda of first CEB meeting of incoming SG (Spring 2007) • SG has requested UNDG to go ahead with 5 “One UN” pilots and strengthening of RC system