Geneva, 31 March 2009 -- UNCTAD Secretary General Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi and UNDP Administrator a.i. Mr. Ad Melkert signed a Memorandum of Understanding that marks the beginning of a new phase in UNCTAD-UNDP relations.
The two organizations have a long and fruitful history of collaboration. They share similar development objectives to provide assistance to countries to meet the MDGs and cooperate in areas of mutual concern. The new MOU which replaces the previous one signed in 1998, lays out substantive areas and modalities of collaboration.
This agreement bears particular importance in the context of the UN system-wide coherence reforms. It is based on the General Assembly´s mandates regarding the UN development operations and coherence process. It also refers to the UNDP Strategic Framework for 2008-2011 and the Accra Ministerial Declaration adopted at UNCTAD XII. For the first time, specific mechanisms for broad and deep cooperative arrangements and joint operations between the two organizations are provided in the agreement. These mechanisms refer to both headquarters and country levels, taking into account the field presence of UNDP and its capacity to host administrative, financial and logistical support services at the country level.
The MOU seeks to enhance effectiveness, collaboration, coordination and avoidance of duplication between the two agencies. In this regard, the mandate and expertise of UNCTAD as the focal point of the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade and development are fully recognized.
UNDP and UNCTAD will cooperate towards the achievements of the MDGs in areas of common interest, within each organization´s respective mandate, for national, regional or global priorities, including in: trade capacity development, investment, trade negotiations, enhanced market access, small and medium enterprises, national statistics on trade-related issues, financial and monetary policies.
In its capacity as Chair of the UN Development Group (UNDG), the Administrator a.i. of UNDP will inform all UN Resident Coordinators and UNDP Resident Representatives in the field as well as the Directors of UNDP Regional Bureaux about this MoU and the new relationship with UNCTAD.
This MOU is an important contribution of UNDP and UNCTAD towards the common goals set forth under the CEB Inter-Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity and system-wide coherence.
The CEB Inter-Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity, led by UNCTAD, and including UNIDO, UNDP, ITC, FAO, WTO, the five Regional Commissions, UNEP and UNOPS, is one of the most dynamic interagency mechanisms dedicated to the coordination of development operations at the national and regional levels within the UN system. Established in April 2007, the Cluster contributes to the UN system wide coherence reform by (a) coordinating its participation in the Delivering as One UN Pilots and countries involved in a new UNDAF process; and (b) coordinating its participation, as appropriate, within the UNDG, in view of the formulation of new United Nations rules and standard mechanism for development operations.
In the context of the Cluster, UNCTAD and UNDP will identify potential joint programmes opportunities as well as coordinated approaches regarding fund raising at the country and regional level.
