14 November 2014
UN Member States Pledge $650 Million for UN Development Work
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Twenty-six UN Member States pledged approximately US$650 million for UN development work at the 2014 UN Pledging Conference.

The amount represents an increase of $US72 million compared to pledges announced in 2014 as well as a significant increase in contributions from non-Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance (DAC) countries.

The following countries announced pledges: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Denmark, Djibouti, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, Kuwait, Samoa, Singapore, Turkey and Viet Nam.

UN logo12 November 2014: Twenty-six UN Member States pledged approximately US$650 million for UN development work at the 2014 UN Pledging Conference. The amount represents an increase of $US72 million compared to pledges announced in 2014 as well as a significant increase in contributions from non-Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance (DAC) countries.

In opening remarks, Navid Nahif, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), said the long-term absolute funding trend for UN operational activities has almost doubled in real terms over the past 15 years, although the majority of this growth has been for non-core activities. From 1997 to 2012, the ratio of core funding has declined from 48 to 28 percent, according to the UN.

Member States designated US$97 million out of these pledges for the UN Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP’s Partnership Group Director, Nick Hartmann, welcomed the funding announcement for UNDP’s core resources, which he described as the “bedrock” of UNDP’s ability to sustain its universal and multilateral character and support to all eligible countries for its work on activities ranging from poverty eradication to disaster management. He also noted that many UNDP contributors had maintained their funding despite a challenging financial environment. In 2013, Member State contributions to UNDP increased from 50 to 56.

UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Deputy Director of Public Partnerships Divisions, Dominique Hyde, also recognized the importance of unrestricted core resources, describing them as the “backbone” of UNICEF”s funding structure and critical in ensuring UNICEF has the “agility and flexibility to respond immediately” where the need is greatest. UN-Women’s Director of Resource Mobilization, Antonie de Jong, said the organization needed increased investment to work towards its goals and expressed hope that more countries would join UN-Women’s donor base.

The following countries announced pledges: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Denmark, Djibouti, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, Kuwait, Samoa, Singapore, Turkey and Viet Nam. [UN Press Release] [UNDP Press Release]

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