Briefing on Management Issues

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1. The roll out of Results Based Management in our technical cooperation activities
2. The launch of a new database on request for technical assistance
3. The potential creation of a mechanism to bridge the current funding gap in technical cooperation-which currently stands at $USD 40 million

Let me start with my first point: the implementation of RBM in UNCTAD's technical assistance pillar.

Our plan to roll out RBM in this pillar consists of 5 phases.

The first phase, which has already been completed, focused on the development of minimum standards for project planning and design.

This was an important first step. Let me tell you why.

In a sample of 75 current project documents, we found that 70% of them did not contain a logical framework. In addition, there are no UNCTAD-wide standards or templates for RBM and project planning. 

Practices vary across divisions, depending on the specific requirements of different donors.

In the absence of minimum standards, it is difficult to have a consistent and systemic approach across UNCTAD. Currently, information is patchy, which makes it difficult to consolidate information on results achieved and lessons learned at the organizational level.  The absence of these standards has also hindered our ability to focus on results at the planning and design stages of the project.

Now, we have developed such minimum standards to ensure the application of RBM along the project cycle, from the launch of the project, its execution, and its evaluation.

We are currently in the validation process of these standards. Our objective is that by June 2016 all new technical cooperation projects will apply these new standards.

But the establishment of the minimum standards will be incomplete without the tools and materials that enable a manager to implement RBM.

This brings me to the second phase of our RBM strategy: the development of tools, guidelines, templates, checklists, etc. to support managers. This phase has also been completed and the documentation is currently under validation.

This brings me to phases 3 and 4, which we are currently working on.

Phase 3 consists of the definition of a theory of change for all technical cooperation programmes. This process will enable us to better articulate how are activities and outputs link to the SDGs and to the achievement of long-term change and impact.

Phase 4 consists of the identification of indicators and the means of measurement. This process will help us to get reliable data on the effectiveness of our activities and the extent to which we are achieving expected results. In turn, this will help us to improve the planning and deign of future projects.

As I said, these two phases are still in progress and I hope to come here, to our briefing in June, with further updates on this work.

Our firm goal is to start phase 5, full implementation of RBM in technical cooperation as of July 2016.

Now, if you allow me, I would like to focus on my second point: the launch of a new database on request for technical assistance.

Today, we want to introduce to you a new product, which I believe will be very useful for both donors and beneficiaries. It is a new database that will allow you to have an overview of the requests, received by UNCTAD, for technical cooperation. The database enables you to see the status of each request, sort them by country or region, thematic area, or product.

I will not say more about the database. In a few more minutes, at the end of my presentation, our OiC of the Technical Cooperation Services, Raul Javaloyes, will show you on the screen how the database works and the benefits you can get out of it.

And this brings me to my third and last point: the potential creation of a mechanism to bridge the current funding gap in technical cooperation.

The database we will present to you will also make evident the amount of requests we receive for technical assistance. On average, we receive almost one request per working day of the year.

The continuous flow of request for technical cooperation in combination with the contributions we receive, have widened the funding gap in technical cooperation.

Let me be more concrete.

Between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015, UNCTAD received 600 requests for technical assistance. To date, nearly 40% of these requests are still pending due to lack of funding.

You may remember, when we met in September last year, that the estimated funding gap was USD$ 32,5 million. Seven months later, in April 2016, the gap amounts to USD$ 40,4 million.

And this is just the lower bound of the estimation. There are still some requests that have not been added, and that would increase the current gap.

If the situation continues as it is, the gap will grow wider and wider.

This is why we have considered the creation of a funding mechanism that helps us not only to narrow the funding gap, but also to provide assistance to those who need it most.

And it is with the purpose of creating such a mechanism that we would like to seek your views on its appropriateness and its working modalities.

At the table, by the entrance, you will find a proposal for consultation that includes a set of questions regarding the proposed mechanism. The document will also be uploaded to the delegate's portal.

We will be very grateful if you could send us your answers within the next three weeks. This will give us time to consolidate your views and incorporate them in a proposal that I can present to you in my following briefing, in June.

Let me stop here and pass the floor to my colleague Raul Javaloyes, who will tell you more about the database to then open the floor to your questions and comments.

Thank you very much.