Several speakers who took the floor on the UN development system reform expressed concern over the imbalance between core and non-core funding, explaining that this trend could impede agency performance and programmes at the country level.
Olajobi Makinwa, UN Global Compact, encouraged UN entities to embed multi-stakeholder partnerships into their core business models, but also to strengthen UN’s approach to due diligence in safeguarding its reputation and advancing a consistent approach to partner selection.
23 October 2018: The repositioned UN development system must be independent, predictable, impartial and guided by national ownership, said delegates at debates in the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee (Economic and Financial). They also emphasized that while global partnerships are instrumental in harnessing investment, transferring technology, generating employment and promoting training, they must be tempered by adherence to UN values and the principles of the UN Global Compact.
The debates on operational activities for development and global partnerships took place on 23 October 2018, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. Several of the governments that addressed the reform of the UN development system also expressed concern over the imbalance between core and non-core funding, explaining that this trend could impede agency performance and programmes at the country level.
On global partnerships, reports were presented by Petru Dimitriu, UN Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), on the ‘UN system-private sector partnerships arrangements in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ (A/73/186), and Federica Pietracci, who presented the UN Secretary-General’s note on the JIU report (A/73/186/Add.1). These documents are summarized in a SDG Knowledge Hub story here.
Olajobi Makinwa, UN Global Compact, introduced the report on ‘Enhanced cooperation between the UN and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector’ (A/73/326). She encouraged UN entities to embed multi-stakeholder partnerships into their core business models, but also to strengthen the UN’s approach to due diligence in safeguarding its reputation and advancing a consistent approach to partner selection. She emphasized that partnerships should always be considered a complement to, rather than a substitute for, traditional forms of development aid like official development assistance (ODA).
In the ensuing discussion, Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) noted that the least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), small island developing States (SIDS), and middle-income countries (MICs) face specific challenges, and the UN system needs to develop tailor-made incentives and frameworks in advancing partnerships based on these specific challenges and needs.
El Salvador for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) highlighted the central role of public policies at the global, regional, national and local levels in achieving the SDGs, and the vital role of governments in promoting responsible business practices and supporting the UN’s efforts to engage with the private sector.
On improving partnerships, Maldives for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) called for increased community involvement in decision-making and project design, greater youth engagement, and recognition of the relevance of sustainable energy projects. He urged continued support to SIDS partnership initiatives. Germany for the EU said partnerships can leverage public and private money, unlock new financial flows, and help channel funding into the investment needed for development. However, he stressed, “meaningful” partnerships can only be built on alliances adhering to UN’s principles and values, as laid down in the UN Global Compact, which include responsible business practices such as protecting labor rights, observing international environmental and health standards, and abiding by human rights standards.
Brazil agreed that partnerships will be “crucial” in bridging the financial gap in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as long as they are based on appropriate policies, regulations and incentives. He said an increase in the number of partnerships must be matched by equivalent efforts to adopt concrete governance mechanisms and policies to manage risk, calling the UN Global Compact’s principles “a good starting point.”
The Republic of Korea pointed out a hesitation on the part of some UN entities toward forming partnerships. She called for taking full advantage of existing initiatives, and identified inter-agency competition, a lack of common tools, and confidentiality barriers as obstacles to effective partnerships.
Nigeria called for stronger global partnerships to combat illicit financial flows and strengthen good practices on assets return from safe havens. He urged greater collaboration at all levels in providing legal assistance in the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to the proceeds of assets of illicit origin. [UN meeting summary of two debates]