On 6 June 2007, Member States convened for the first session of informal consultations to discuss the recommendations contained in the Report of High-level Panel on System-wide Coherence under the aegis of the two Co-Chairs appointed by the President of the General Assembly (PGA), Ambassador Hackett of Barbados and Ambassador Hoscheit of Luxembourg.
Reportedly, Ambassador Hackett of Barbados opened the meeting by stating that the UN must be able to deliver coordinated services. The underlining principle in the discussions on system-wide coherence should be that of building a system that works for the poor. The Co-Chairs are working under the mandate of the PGA to conduct results oriented consultations in order to achieve concrete progress by the end of the 61st session of the GA.
He suggested that Member States consider the Report of the High-level Panel in a holistic manner. To date, the impression of the Co-Chairs seems to be that the recommendations contained in the Report of the High-level Panel have been interpreted in different ways by different groups. Also, different priorities have been expressed about which issue Member States would prefer to begin their consultations with.
Reportedly, the Co-Chairs suggested that a program of work be established, dividing the issues to be considered into the following 8 main areas, not listed in order of priority:
1. Delivering as one at country level
2. Humanitarian Assistance
3. Environment
4. Governance
5. Funding
6. Gender
7. Human Rights
8. Business Practices
All these issues require intergovernmental discussions and decisions. Some of these processes are already being addressed but in a somewhat fragmentary manner.
The Co-Chairs suggested that Member States decide which one of the issues they would like to begin consultations on in the next forthcoming informal meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 18/19 June 2007.
With regards to ‘Delivering as One’ at the country level or the 'One UN approach,' the Co-Chairs stressed how that issue is already being addressed by the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR) which will be discussed in July in Geneva. Ambassador Hackett stressed that the consultations on this issue should maintain a close relationship with ECOSOC and its work processes. He also suggested that a briefing regarding TCPR may be organized if delegates express interest.
Germany, speaking on behalf of the EU, quoted the Secretary-General who said that the recommendation of the High-level Panel should be pursued as an integrated and coherent whole. He stressed the importance to consider the recommendations within the ongoing reform process. He also added that the concerns of smaller Member States will have to be taken into account.
In regards to the TCPR, mentioned by the Co-Chairs, he stressed that it is a well-respected procedure for negotiations and consultations and that the recommendations based on TCPR resolutions should be taken into consideration and possibly integrated in the discussions on system-wide coherence. The consultations could in return contribute further to the TCPR.
It was also noted that many of the reforms touched upon by the Panel Report are part of processes that have already been implemented for a few years, such as the TCPR or the consultations on environmental governance. The High-level Panel Report has the important role of placing the objective of coherence in the global context showing Member States new areas where measures to implement coherence can be applied.
Cuba delivered a statement on behalf of the JCC (Joint Coordinating Committee for the G77 and the NAM) and referred to the JCC position on the recommendations of the High-level Panel on System-wide Coherence contained in their letter to the Secretary-General of 19 March 2007. Both Groups expressed a preference for an integrated process, rather than a divided one in the discussion of the recommendations of the High-level Panel.
The JCC believes that the center piece of the discussions should be economic and social development with the achievement of the IADGs, including the MDGs, as an overarching framework. The Groups’ priorities are funding, development and governance. Other key issues should include the strengthening of global partnerships, demand driven development cooperation based on national programs and reform with the aim to achieve organizational effectiveness.
The Groups stressed that they would not feel comfortable working according to a “one size fits all approach,” or under any artificial deadlines.
Also, the JCC warned Member States that developing countries would not find acceptable the imposition of any additional conditionalities on international development assistance resulting from action on issues such as human rights, gender and sustainable development, which the High-level Panel Report sees as cross-cutting issues. Similarly, the Groups would not accept new conditionalities to the UN operational activities for development deriving from the ‘result based funding approach’ suggested by the Panel’s Report.
The JCC statement also reaffirms that the reforms suggested by the Panel should not be looked at as a cost-cutting exercise but as a way to bring more efficiency in the delivery of UN programs.
Reportedly, another member of the G77/NAM added that the Report represents a significant departing point for discussions on reform. It was suggested that all the areas proposed by the Co-Chairs need to be discussed in relation to development and through a balanced approach in order to avoid repercussions. It was also pointed out how the mistrust that has been looming in the UN has stained every reform proposal advanced to date. Discussions on System-wide Coherence might help in clearing this mistrust but the engagement of Member States in the discussions should be based on commitment and responsibility. He also added that attempts to revamp management proposals that had been rejected by the membership in the past would not be welcomed and would be rejected again.
It was also noted that human rights are universal to all and not just limited to developing countries, therefore Member States should ensure that the recommendations on human rights contained in the Panel's Report should not result in biased reforms monitored only in the developing countries. As far as gender and environment are concerned, he added, these are not only priorities for western countries but also for developing countries. In terms of gender, there was no mandate from the WSOD or the High-level Panel Report. Nevertheless, developing countries are working and we will keep on working on gender issues, though from a development rather than a human rights perspective, as that mandate is already within CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) and its Committee. Also, Member States shall ensure that monitoring at country level, as suggested by the Panel, should be carried out for both developed and developing countries.
In his concluding remarks, the Co-Chair, Ambassador Hackett, suggested that Member States could find it agreeable that discussions on System-wide Coherence may begin by looking at the recommendations of the High-level Panel on Humanitarian Assistance, a suggestion that will be confirmed further.
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*This update is meant to be a summary of some of the main ideas discussed during the meetings and does not represent a complete and official account of all positions expressed by Member States.
