24 June 2016: UN Member States and representatives of the UN system discussed the Delivery as One (DaO) approach, the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) process, the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system, and the simplification and the harmonization efforts for business practices, during the fourth module of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) Training 2016. Titled ‘Perspectives from the field,’ the module discussed the operational implications of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The fourth module of the QCPR Training 2016 was organized by the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland.

Kani Wignaraja, the UN Development Operations Coordination Office (UN DOCO), noted that the QCPR is the policy guide for the UN system, and that every measure proposed needs to really matter for the realities on the ground and contribute to aligning the 2030 Agenda with global realities. She expressed hope that the 2030 Agenda will constitute the basis of the next QCPR. She identified a few obstacles in DaO: the lack of evidence or data on what works and what does not, but having only stories and anecdotes to assess effectiveness; funding streams remain separate; some governments prefer UN agencies do not deliver as one at the country level but function separately; and the lack of change at the UN headquarters. She said RCs should be empowered to: decide on the final strategic deliverables of UNDAF; draw on the resources of all the agencies on the ground; steer and organize on partnerships and funding; helps with resource allocation also in countries where there is more than one fund; and be part of the performance review of the UN country teams.

Najat Rochdi, UN Resident Coordinator in Cameroon, recalled that it took a great deal of time and energy to decide and convince the UN agencies on the ground to deliver as one. She stressed the need to bridge the humanitarian-development divide, and suggested ways of strengthening the RC system, including by making sure that all the agencies see the RC as one leader, and agree to speak with one voice, and ensuring predictable funding.

Christian Schornish, Expert, said the intra-agency rationalization, mostly necessary within large agencies such as the UN Development Programme (UNDP) or the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), should be undertaken in conjunction with inter-agencies harmonization at the country level, such as through a common information and communication technologies (ICT) network. He suggested it would beneficial to enable UN agencies in a country to sign procurements together.

Navid Hanif, DESA, underlined that the QCPR negotiations in New York should be very close to the realities on the ground. He noted that the upcoming QCPR will lay the basis for the system that Member States envision for the next 15 years, focused on what can be done in the first four years. He recommended the QCPR focused on three “I’s” of the 2030 Agenda: inclusion, integration, and innovation.

In the ensuing discussion, delegates highlighted that DaO does not enjoy the support of all governments, and asked experts for recommendations for strengthening the RC system. [UNITAR Website] [IISD RS Story on QCPR Training I] [IISD RS Story on QCPR Training II] [IISD RS Story on QCPR Briefing] [IISD RS Sources]