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International Partnerships
News announcement7 March 2023Directorate-General for International Partnerships

EU-UN cooperation: EU announces support to the UN reform for more efficiency in partner countries

Participation of Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner, in the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar

Today, at the UN Conference on Least developed countries (LDCs) in Doha, the EU announced its renewed support to the UN Resident Coordinator System, a key pillar of the UN development system reform, with a contribution of €17 million for 2022 and 2023. The UN Resident Coordinator System aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of UN actions at country level through dedicated UN Resident Coordinators. The Resident Coordinators act as key interlocutor at country level for partners and international donors, including the EU, thus ensuring more effective and efficient coordination.

The EU’s support will benefit the cooperation and dialogue between the EU and UN when building programmes with and in partner countries, in the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Better coordination and dialogue between the EU and the UN also enables to show to third country partners the strength of a coordinated and democratic offer.

The present contribution confirms the EU’s longstanding support to the UN reform process, expressed both politically and financially through contributions to the UN Residents Coordinator System and the UN Joint SDG Fund with  a total of €74 million since 2019. 

Background

Since 1 January 2019, as part of the United Nations UN Development System reform supported by the EU, the UN has been deploying a reinvigorated system of UN Resident Coordinators.

The Resident Coordinators are the highest-ranking representatives of the UN Development system at the country level, leading 131 United Nations Country Teams serving 164 countries and territories, including LDC’s. They  coordinate UN support to countries for implementing  the 2030 Agenda and ensure system-wide accountability on the ground, as well as ensure further coordination with other key players on the ground.

The SDG Fund for the 2030 Agenda, established in 2018 intends to accelerate the SDG implementation while at the same time helping the Resident Coordinators to deliver on their new role.

Quotes

Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen said: “The EU is a steadfast supporter of the UN Development reform. In this time of multiple global challenges, the most effective way to deliver results on the ground for the LDCs and our other partners is multilateral cooperation and coordination. We champion renewed and more effective multilateralism.

Related links

The EU and the United Nations

Global Gateway

Details

Publication date
7 March 2023
Author
Directorate-General for International Partnerships