Migiro outlines how UN can better assist countries meet development goals

The United Nations can best assist countries reach their development goals by focusing on national priorities, continually improving its programmes and ensuring adequate resources for its activities, the Deputy Secretary-General said today.

In her address to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which is currently holding its annual session in New York, Asha-Rose Migiro spoke about the importance of the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR).

The Review is the principal means to evaluate how well the UN system is supporting the efforts of developing countries to achieve objectives such as poverty eradication and economic growth.

She said the unique value of what is known as the UN’s “operational activities for development” is all the more important now, against the backdrop of a changing landscape with new actors and new approaches in development cooperation.

In addition, the UN has to make the most of these changes, strengthening efficiency and effectiveness to keep pace with emerging demands.

“In all operational activities for development, the United Nations is focused on building the capacity of programme countries based on their national priorities,” Ms. Migiro stated.

“The Policy Review challenges the UN system to do this in a number of areas, while enhancing national ownership and leadership of development activities,” she added.

The TCPR conducted by the General Assembly last December recognized that strengthening the UN’s capacity to assist countries requires continuous improvement in effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and impact, along with a significant increase in resources. It also identified specific actions to achieve these objectives.

Ms. Migiro stressed that helping countries respond to the many challenges they face today will require an increase in funding for the UN system.

Also important is to support the central role of the UN Resident Coordinator in improving the UN’s effectiveness in responding to country priorities, as well as to simplify and harmonize business practices at Headquarters, she said.