3 February 2017: The first regular session of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Executive Board for 2017 discussed the outcomes of major development processes, implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and development of UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, among other topics. The Board also heard reports on UNDP’s contribution to addressing anti-corruption and supporting disability-inclusive development.
On the outcomes of major development processes, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark highlighted alignment among the 2030 Agenda and the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, the New Urban Agenda, the Proclamation for Our Climate and Sustainable Development issued at the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco (UNFCCC COP 22), and the Cancun Declaration on mainstreaming biodiversity into national plans and programmes. Clark also welcomed the emphasis, at the Second High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (HLM 2), on national ownership, results, inclusive partnerships, and transparency and accountability.
On implementing the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Clark showcased UNDP’s support for countries to achieve the SDGs though mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda into national plans, policy advice, capacity building and advocacy. She said that in 2016, UNDP led nine ‘Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support’ (MAPS) missions, and it plans to complete another 40 MAPs mission in 2017 to help governments prepare integrated national development plans or roadmaps that align with the SDGs and address each country’s needs and bottlenecks. Clark further highlighted UNDP’s contribution to: measuring SDG progress, including the development of SDG indicators and supporting improved national data capacities; managing the SDG Action Campaign; and supporting countries in challenging and crisis situations.
The Board discussed the need for a UN Development Group (UNDG) Joint Fund for Agenda 2030, to facilitate integrated policy support for SDG implementation at the country level.
On the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR), the Board noted its focus on national ownership and leadership on the 2030 Agenda and on the importance of coherent, integrated support to implement the 2030 Agenda and strengthened capacity for joined-up analysis and planning, joint monitoring and evaluation and common results reporting. Discussions also addressed the need for adequate, predictable and flexible funding for UN operational activities for development, including the establishment of a UN Development Group (UNDG) Joint Fund for Agenda 2030, to facilitate integrated policy support for SDG implementation at the country level.
Clark highlighted the new UNDP Strategic Plan, which she said is being developed through an inclusive process based on evidence and analysis, highlighting opportunities for UN Member States to contribute to its design. She praised the coordination between UNDP and other UN agencies that are preparing strategic plans, including UN Women, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Populations Fund (UNFPA). Clark said the Plan will feature an overarching vision to help countries simultaneously eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion. The Plan is expected to address UNDP’s contribution to the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, the QCPR, and other development processes.
On anti-corruption, Magdy Martínez-Solimán, UNDP, said the anti-corruption targets contained in SDG 16 are “a real breakthrough” for accountability and the rule of law. Noting that UNDP currently has 159 country projects focused on awareness, prevention and enforcement of anti-corruption measures, he said that in the future, the Programme will prioritize support to addressing corruption risks to development, ensuring that anti-corruption is part of the MAPS package to support the SDGs, and developing an anti-corruption strategy. Martínez-Solimán also highlighted: efforts to review and update UN tools and instruments supporting anti-corruption and governance measurements, including to support SDG indicators and country monitoring of the SDGs; and plans to integrate global and regional anti-corruption targets in the Strategic Plan’s results and resources frameworks.
On disability-inclusive development, Martínez-Solimán reported on UNDP’s efforts to support equal opportunities, inclusive governance and societies, sharing examples of UNDP work in 29 countries to improve the conditions of persons with disabilities. He also noted UNDP’s steps to attract, support and retain staff with disabilities. He underscored how UNDP’s SDG efforts provide an opportunity to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities, pointing to specific targets on people with disabilities. Martínez-Solimán informed the Board that UNDP intends to: review and integrate disability inclusion in its support on SDG 16; revise and reissue its guidance to country offices on applying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in line with the SDGs; and develop additional guidance and tools to mainstream disabilities, including in crisis prevention and disaster programming.
The Board also discussed: improvements to the quality of Country Programme Documents (CPDs); implementation of audit recommendations; and UNDP funding. Martínez-Solimán presented an update on implementation of decisions and recommendations from UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board meetings, reflecting that “implementation of the 2030 Agenda imposes clear demands for working differently,” and suggesting that “HIV is an example of an accelerator that could lead to faster progress across multiple SDGs at the same time.”
Clark told the Board that she has informed the UN Secretary-General of her plans to leave UNDP at the end of her second term in April 2017. The session convened from 30 January-3 February 2017, in New York, US. The UNDP Executive Board is composed of representatives from 36 countries around the world. The Board oversees and supports UNDP activities and ensures that UNDP responds to the evolving needs of programme countries. [UNDP Administrator Statement] [UNDP Assistant Administrator Statement on Corruption] [UNDP Assistant Administrator Statement on Disability-Inclusive Development] [UNDP Assistant Administrator Statement on AIDS Programming] [Executive Board Website] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on GPEDC]