29 October 2013: In its discussion on ‘Towards global partnerships,’ the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) debated the role of stakeholders in the UN’s work. Member States called for new partnerships to achieve global development goals, and praised the work of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) during their discussion of this topic on 29 October 2013, at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

UNGC Executive Director George Kell presented the UN Secretary-General’s report on ‘Enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector’ (A/68/326). Kell said the report finds greater integrity in UN partnerships, but offers four recommendations: improve integrity standards; shift to risk-managed approach; ensure capacity, skills, and objectivity for documentation; and promote and improve transparency. He also highlighted the progress on UN Global Compact local networks, which are groups of companies that work at the national level to advance corporate responsibility and the UN’s mission.

Countries discussed how partnerships between governments, the UN and outside stakeholders can help deliver on global development goals. South Africa said partnerships are necessary to accelerate action towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and that a “global architecture” should be designed to align business efforts. Kuwait said the post-2015 development agenda should encourage the establishment of new partnerships between the UN and outside stakeholders. Belarus stated that partnerships around global themes, undertaken at the national level, will be important tools for the development goals.

Also discussed were partnerships created between governments, such as through commitments of official development assistance (ODA). Saint Kitts and Nevis, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), urged Member States to review mechanisms for recipient country classification of ODA. Benin called for an increase in South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and welcomed the establishment of a bank for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Russia said the UNGC has become an “authoritative force” on the subject of corporate responsibility. Nigeria called the Compact a catalyst for partnerships between the UN and the private sector.

The EU announced that it is working on a draft resolution on the topic of global partnerships, including recommendations for a dialogue with stakeholders about the post-2015 development agenda and enhanced accountability. [Meeting Summary] [Meeting Website] [UN Webcast] [Enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector: Report of the Secretary-General]