Statement delivered by Natasha Smith, Counsellor (Development), Australian Mission to the United Nations to the Second Committee on Agenda Item 61 Operational Activities for Development (b) Triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system
17 October 2007
(As delivered)
Madam Chair
At the outset, I would like to make clear that an election has been called in Australia and the Government is currently operating under caretaker provisions.
Madam Chair, let me begin by joining others in thanking the Secretariat and Agencies for the reports before us, especially the Secretary-General’s Report to the General Assembly on the implementation of the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR), which includes recommendations for our consideration.
Madam Chair, Australia places high priority on a UN operational system that can deliver real, measurable and measured results in supporting the achievement of country-owned and country-led development objectives in the most efficient and effective way possible. It is the role of the General Assembly to provide the direction to enable this to be achieved.
In TCPR 2007, it is important to ensure that the commitments and expectations of TCPR 2004 are not forgotten. We must reaffirm all the elements of Resolution 59/250, consolidate the advances that have been made and then go beyond them, taking steps to further strengthen the UN operational system.
Madam Chair, there are many important elements in the current TCPR and in the Secretary-General’s Report. There are also issues that are critical to improving the operational activities of the UN that are not highlighted. I will today outline a few key issues that we consider important for TCPR 2007.
Madam Chair, while there have been advances in the UN operational systems’ work on gender mainstreaming, there is much that remains to be done. This is recognised by the Secretary-General in his Report and in the work of the UNDG’s own Task Team on Gender Equality. Ms Sandler pointed to many areas in which improvements could be made in her presentation to this meeting.
The second area that we consider key is coherence of UN operations at the country level. Central to this is one common UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) that incorporates all UN funds, programs and agencies. We applaud the work that countries and UN country teams are doing in this area and call for further steps to make a common UNDAF the norm not the exception, and to strengthen the assessment and focus that underpins the Framework. We welcome the fact that some countries are building on their common UNDAFs to develop ‘one UN’ programs at the country level. This is a logical step towards more efficient and strategic operations to deliver development outcomes.
Madam Chair, we strongly advocate greater coherence and coordination within the UN system to ensure effective and efficient delivery of development results. This will enable the UN to maximise its role in reducing poverty, improving health, education and governance, promoting inclusive economic growth, and achieving gender equality. I would also emphasise that for Australia this move to coherence does not mean that there is a consolidated ‘one UN’ structure in each country, rather that the UN would be ‘delivering as one’ – harnessing all the necessary available expertise and capacity, be it resident or non-resident, to address the priorities of national partners.
Madam Chair, a third priority for Australia is capacity development. National ownership and leadership of development programs can be achieved through greater capacity development. Capacity can be improved by strengthening the planning, management, performance, evaluation and accountability of partner government systems so that they can better implement and coordinate their national development processes and external assistance. Capacity development is also critical to ensure that development results are sustainable and enduring. The UNDG has outlined a clear statement on the role of the UN in capacity development – it is essential that the system act on this.
Madam Chair, the fourth issue I would like to highlight that requires further work is transition from relief to development. Some progress has been made – but more needs to be done to address this challenging area. Transition requires strong leadership, effective coordination (especially with the World Bank), appropriate capacities and approaches, and timely and adequate resources. Both the UN system and donors must do better in this critical area.
Finally Madam Chair, we wish to highlight two critical issues that are not currently in the TCPR framework but should be for TCPR 2007. These are aid effectiveness and accountability. Madam Chair, more effective aid means reduced transaction costs for partners and ultimately more and better development results. This is in all our interests. National ownership and use of national systems where possible are also key principles of aid effectiveness. Accountability must also be a shared interest. The system must be accountable to its oversight bodies, to donors, to partner governments, and most importantly to the people of developing countries. We as Member States should be able to clearly see how resources are linked to outputs and outcomes. We must find better, more efficient ways to ensure accountability to all stakeholders.
Madam Chair, as I said, these are a few of the key elements for TCPR 2007. Others have highlighted other important issues - such as south-south cooperation, strengthening the Resident Coordinator system, funding issues and the link between funding and effectiveness, simplification and harmonisation, and business practices.
We look forward to the General Assembly delivering a 2007 TCPR resolution that provides clear and practical guidance to the UN operational system that takes us forward and continues to strengthen the ability of the system to deliver where it matters most.
Thank you.