±¬ÁÏÍø

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Ms. Helen Clark

±¬ÁÏÍø calls for efficient use of resources

¡°In this time of fiscal austerity, we must be aware of all available ways to utilize financial resources¡­Improving and streamlining our funding system is so crucial to every step we take in our development agenda¡±, said Mr. Sha Zukang, Under Secretary-General of DESA during the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Operational Activities Segment, which was held from 9 – 13 July 2010.

Mr. Sha introduced four reports of the Secretary-General that presented how the ±¬ÁÏÍø is responding to development needs. These documents confirmed that ¡°the ±¬ÁÏÍø development system remains a trusted partner in programme countries. It provides unique support to national needs in a wide range of ways ¨Cfrom policy analysis related to the achievement of MDGs to capacity development¡±, he said.

Total contributions received by the ±¬ÁÏÍø system increased by 10 per cent over 2007 resulting in the highest amount ever at $22.2 billion. On the other hand, the ±¬ÁÏÍø continues to rely on a very narrow donor base with over half of its core budget funded by 10 countries. The reports underscore the need to look more closely at non-core resources and to explore new mechanisms that enable the ±¬ÁÏÍø to use these effectively.

In regards to cooperation among funds, programmes and specialized agencies, Alexandru Cujba, Vice-President of ECOSOC,, said that the ¡°United Nations Development Group (±¬ÁÏÍøDG) regional teams are providing increasingly important support to young country teams, notably on cross cutting issues such as gender and the development impact of climate change. Promoting South-South cooperation should be a cornerstone of activities at a regional level¡±.

Mr. Cujba highlighted that the United Nations Development Programme (±¬ÁÏÍøDP), United Nations Population Fund (±¬ÁÏÍøFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (±¬ÁÏÍøICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are the four funds and programmes which together account for 60 per cent of the ±¬ÁÏÍø development system expenditures for operational activities. In addition, these organisations represent the consistent presence of the ±¬ÁÏÍø development system in most of the programme countries.

Ms. Helen Clark, the Chair of the ±¬ÁÏÍøDG and Administrator of the ±¬ÁÏÍøDP, stressed that ¡°by supporting country ownership and leadership of the development process; by increasing the coherence and effectiveness of our collective efforts; and by drawing on evidence-based global best practice¡­ we can strengthen the ±¬ÁÏÍø¡¯s unique position to assist programme countries in their development efforts¡±.

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