Mainstreaming the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least...

MainstreamingtheIstanbulProgrammeofActionfortheLeastDevelopedCountries:AToolkit

Report by the Office of the High-Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States

ContentsIntroduction..........................................................................................................................................................................3MainstreamingtheIstanbulProgrammeofActionintheUNsystem.........................................................6A. ProductiveCapacity..........................................................................................................................................6B. Agriculture,FoodandNutritionalSecurityandRuralDevelopment.......................................23C. Trade....................................................................................................................................................................31D. Commodities.....................................................................................................................................................39E. HumanandSocialDevelopment..............................................................................................................43F. Multiplecrisesandotheremergingchallenges.................................................................................75G. Mobilizingfinancialresourcesfordevelopmentandcapacitybuilding.................................88H. Goodgovernanceatalllevels....................................................................................................................95

MainstreamingtheIPoAfortheLDCs|3

Introduction

1. TheaimofthisreportistosupporttheongoingeffortsoforganizationsoftheUNsystemineffectivelymainstreamingtheprovisionsoftheIstanbulProgrammeofAction(IPoA)fortheLeastDevelopedCountries(LDCs)intotheirworkprogrammes.Toaveryimportantextent,theProgrammeofActionhasbeenrecognizedandemphasizedbyMemberStatesintheirarticulationofAgenda2030forsustainabledevelopment.ThisisanauspicioustimefortheUnitedNationssystemtostrengthenitscollaborativeeffortstoensurethatnocountryorpersonisleftbehind.2. TheIPoA,whichwasadoptedbytheFourthUNConferenceonLDCsin2011,setsoutanambitiousplanforthedecadethrough2020toensurethatthetremendoushumanandnaturalresourcepotentialoftheLDCsisrealizedandbroughtfullytobearonensuringpeace,prosperityandsustainabledevelopmentforall(seeA/CONF.219/3/Rev.1).TheProgrammeofActionrepresentstheenhancedcommitmentsoftheLDCs,whichhavetheownershipofandprimaryresponsibilityfortheirowndevelopment,andtheirdevelopmentpartners,toarenewedandstrengthenedglobalpartnership.ThispartnershipinvolvestheUNsystem,includingtheBrettonWoodsinstitutions,othermultilateralinstitutionsandregionaldevelopmentbanks,withintheirrespectivemandates.3. TheOfficeoftheHighRepresentativeforLeastDevelopedCountries,LandlockedDevelopingCountriesandSmallIslandDevelopingStates(OHRLLS)hasinstitutionalizedsystem-widesupporttotheimplementationoftheIPoAwithintheframeworkoftheInter-agencyConsultativeGrouponLDCs(IACG).1TheIACGisconvenedregularlytobuildsynergiesamongUNsystemandotherinternationalorganizationsintheimplementationoftheIPoA,andtoenhancethescopeandeffectivenessoftheirsupporttotheLDCs.

4. AscalledforintheProgrammeofAction,OHRLLSisrequiredtoreportregularlytoECOSOCandtheUNGeneralAssemblyonprogressbyallstakeholdersintheimplementationoftheIPoA.Inaseriesofresolutions,MemberStateshaveemphasizedthecriticalcontributoryroleoftheUNsystem.GeneralAssemblyresolutions67/220,68/224and69/231calledfortheUNSecretary-GeneraltoappropriatelyintegratetheworkoftheIACGwithintheframeworkoftheHigh-LevelCommitteeonProgrammes(HLCP),inordertoensurenecessarycoordinationandmonitoringoftheimplementationoftheProgrammeofActiononasystem-

1ThelistofIACGpartnersincludes:OHRLLSoftheUNSecretariatasChair,DESA,DGACM,DPI,OSAA,ECA,ECE,ECLAC,ESCAP,ESCWA,UNDP,UNOfficeforSouth-SouthCooperation,UNCTAD,FAO,UNAIDS,IAEA,IFAD,ILO,IMF,IOM,IPU,ITC,ITU,SustainableEnergyforAll,UNCCD,UNCDF,UNEP,UNESCO,UNFCCC,UNFPA,UN-Habitat,UNICEF,OHCHR,UNIDO,UNWomen,UNODC,UNOPS,WFP,WHO,WIPO,WMO,theWorldBank,WTO,UNWTO,theEnhancedIntegratedFrameworkandtheCommonFundforCommodities.Assuch,itencompassesmost,butnotall,CEBmembersaswellasexternalpartners.


widebasis,andalsotoincludeimplementationoftheIPoAasastandingitemontheagendaoftheUNSystemChiefExecutivesBoardforCoordination(CEB).ThisunderscorestheviewamongMemberStatesthatthefullimplementationoftheProgrammeofActionwillrequireitsmainstreamingbyorganizationsoftheUNsystem,includingbymaintainingconstantvisibilityoftheissuesandconcernsofLDCsatthehighestlevels.

5. HLCPandCEBhavebeenengagedforsomeyearsinvigorouseffortsinsupportofLDCs.CEBissuedastatementtotheLDC-IVConferenceinspring2011,inwhichtheBoardconveyedthatitattachedthe“highestimportance”totheConference,notingthatitwas“essentialthattheinternationalcommunityachieveastrongoutcome,whichwillpositivelyaffectthelivesof880millionpeopleinthe48poorestandmostvulnerablecountriesoftheworld.”TheBoardaffirmedthatUNsystemorganizationswould“stepupeffortstosupportbuildingproductivecapacityinLDCsthroughmoreintensiveandbettertargetedprogrammesandresources.”Atitstwenty-secondsession,followingtheConference(fall2011),HLCPagreedtoconsidertheprogressmadebytheUNsysteminmainstreamingtheIPoAatthefive-yearreviewmark(attheCommittee’s30thsession),andalsoissuedastatementofcommitmentto“fullyutilizingitsanalytical,technicalandoperationalcapabilitiesandresources”tothesuccessfulimplementationoftheIPoAanditsintegrationintotheworkprogrammesoftheUNsystem.TheCommitteealsocommittedtosupportingtheroleoftheIACG.6. Twoyearslater,atitstwenty-sixthsession,HLCPendorsedasetofrecommendationsrelatedtocollaborativeworkwithIACGtoassistinthesuccessfulmainstreamingoftheIPoAintotheworkprogrammesoforganizationsoftheUNsystem.Amongothermeasures,OHRLLShadproposedthedevelopmentofasetofguidelinesandbestpracticesasatoolkitformainstreamingactivities,whichwouldbepreparedwiththesupportofIACG.2

2TheCommitteeendorsedthefollowing:a)Inconductingitswork,theIACGwillcontinuetoutilizetheanalytical,technicalandoperationalcapabilitiesandresourcesoftheHLCP;b)ToassistorganizationsthathavenotyetbeenabletomainstreamtheIPoAintheirworkprogrammes,OHRLLSwilldevelop,withtheadviceoftheHLCPandthesupportofinterestedorganizations,asetofguidelinesandbestpracticesasatoolkitformainstreamingIstanbulProgrammeofActionforconsiderationbytheCommittee;c)IACGmemberswilltakestepstoensureseniorlevelrepresentationoftheirrespectiveorganizationsattheIACGmeetings;d)IACGwillcontinueeffortstoharmonizeitsagendawiththatoftheHLCP.Thiswillcontributeto:(i)creatinggreatersynergybetweentheworkofthetwobodies;and(ii)ensuringfocusedtreatmentofLDC-relatedmattersinHLCPdeliberationsandreports,asappropriate.Accordingly,theOHRLLSwillproposetotheIACGtoconsideratitsnextsessiontheintegrationoftheIPoAintothepost-2015developmentagendaandtotransmititsrecommendationstotheHLCPwithaviewtohelpensuringthattheCommitteeprovidesappropriatefocusonLDCsinitsownconsiderationofthepost-2015agenda;e)IACGwillcontinuetomakeavailabletoHLCPitsreports,aswellasitsrecommendationsonmajorthematicissuesbeforetheCommitteeandCEB.Asnecessary,HLCPwillconsiderandreflecttheseinitsreportstoCEBtohelptheBoardmaintainappropriatespotlightonLDCsinconsideringtheseissues;


7. TheCommittee’sconsiderationofthisreportalignswithitsdecisionatits22ndsessiontoconsiderprogressmadebytheUnitedNationssysteminmainstreamingtheIstanbulProgrammeofActionatitsfive-yearmark.HLCPmaywishtakeparticularnoteoftheprovisionofrecentGeneralAssemblyresolution69/231thatinvitestheSecretary-Generalto“conveneaUNsystemhigh-leveleventduringthecomprehensivehigh-levelmidtermreviewwithaviewtoensuringthefullmobilizationoftheUNsysteminsupportoftheLDCsandthecoordinatedandtimelyimplementationbytheUNsystemoftheIPoAandtheoutcomeofthereview.”Itisanticipatedthatthiseventwouldprovideanappropriateopportunitytolaunchthetoolkit,whosefinalizationisrequestedinthesameresolution.

f)Inlinewiththedecisionatits22ndsessiontoconsiderprogressmadebytheUNsysteminmainstreamingtheIPoAatitsfive-yearmark,HLCPwilltakeupthismatterpriortothemidtermreviewoftheIPoA,andsubsequentlyconsidertheroleoftheUNsysteminthelightoftheoutcomeofthemidtermreview.


MainstreamingtheIstanbulProgrammeofActionintheUNsystemNotetoUser:ThequestionnairehasbeendesignedalongtheprovisionsoftheIstanbulProgrammeofAction,whichcoverseightareas.Foreachoftheseareas,relevantcontextisgiven,andaffirmativerepliesgatheredtodatefromIACGmembersarereflectedasapointofdepartureforinterestedorganizations.Supplementalinformationontheformofassistancegiven,aswellasexamplesofbestpracticesfollowineachcategory.Thisisnotanexhaustivelist;allsubmissionsarecontainedinacompilationdocumentofindividualquestionnairereplies.Organizationsthatdonotusethe“LDC”nomenclaturehavebeenrequestedtorefertothecurrentlistofLDCsindeterminingtheirresponses.

A. ProductiveCapacity

Context:TheeconomiesofLDCsfeaturelimitedproductivecapacities,whichconstraintheirabilitytoproduceefficientlyandeffectivelyandtodiversify.Thishandicaptranslatesintobindingsupplyconstraintsandultimatelyintoweakexportandeconomicpotentialsandlimitedproductiveemploymentgenerationandsocialdevelopmentprospects.Buildingacriticalmassofviableandcompetitiveproductivecapacityinagriculture,manufacturingandservicesisessentialifLDCsaretobenefitfromgreaterintegrationintotheglobaleconomy,increaseresiliencetoshocks,sustaininclusiveandequitablegrowthaswellaspovertyeradication,achievestructuraltransformation,andgeneratefullandproductiveemploymentanddecentworkforall.

EnsuringproductivecapacityinvolvesarangeofinterrelatedpoliciesthatbringtogetherthecollectivestrengthsoftheUNsystemworkinginpartnershipwithpublicandprivatesectoractorsandotherintergovernmentalbodies.Sectorsincludehumanrights,socialdialogue,decentwork,endingdiscrimination,providingqualityeducationandvocationaltraining,creatingenablingenvironmentsforinnovationandsustainablebusinesses,ensuringtransportandotherinfrastructureformarketaccessandtrade,certifyingqualitystandards,protectingintellectualproperty,buildingcapacitieswithinlocalinstitutions,bringinginappropriatedataandexpertiseonsectoralissues,includingthosesuchasinenergythatleadtosustainability,sharingbestpractices,leavingnoonebehind,bringinginadditionalfinancingandinvestment,ensuringappropriatereforms–issuesthatarecoveredinotherareasoftheIPoA.Lookingtowardsthecomprehensivehigh-levelmidtermreviewoftheProgramme,actionsinsomekeyareaswouldhelpputLDCsonapathofstrongergrowthandsustainabledevelopment.ProgressinbuildingproductivecapacityinLDCsiscriticaltoachievingtheothersevenprioritiesoftheIPoA.


GoalsandTargetsoftheIPoA:

(a) Increasesignificantlythevalueadditioninnaturalresource-basedindustriespayingspecialattentiontoemploymentgeneration;

(b) Diversifylocalproductiveandexportcapabilitywithafocusondynamicvalueaddedsectorsinagriculture,manufacturingandservices;

(c) Significantlyincreaseaccesstotelecommunicationservicesandstrivetoprovide100%accesstotheInternetby2020;

(d) Strivetoincreasetotalprimaryenergysupplypercapitatothesamelevelasotherdevelopingcountries;

(e) Significantlyincreasetheshareofelectricitygenerationthroughrenewableenergysourcesby2020;

(f) Enhancecapacitiesinenergyproduction,tradeanddistributionwiththeaimofensuingaccesstoenergyforallby2030;

(g) Ensurethattheleastdevelopedcountrieshavesignificantincreaseincombinedrailandpavedroadmileageandseaandairnetworksby2020.

Questions:

Doesyourorganizationprovideenhancedfinancialand/ortechnicalsupporttoLDCstodevelopproductivecapacities?

ILO,UNESCO,FAO,UNIDO,ITU,WTO,EIF,ITC,WIPO,WMO,UNDP,WFP,UNWOMEN,Habitat,UNEP,UNCTAD,UNCDF,ESCAP,ECA,ESCWA,CFC,OSAA,OSSC,SE4ALL,UNOPS,WorldBank,IAEA,DESA,IFAD

A. 1.PRODUCTIVECAPACITY:INFRASTRUCTURE

1) Doesyourorganizationprovideenhancedfinancialand/ortechnicalsupportforinfrastructuredevelopment?

UNCTAD,UNESCO,WTO,WIPO,WMO,UNCDF,WFP,Habitat,OPS,OSAA,IAEA,IFAD

2) DoesyourorganizationsupporttheeffortsofLDCstofacilitatethetransferofrelevantskills,knowledgeandtechnologyforthedevelopmentofinfrastructure?

UNCTAD,UNESCO,WTO,WIPO,WMO,WFP,Habitat,OPS,OSAA,WorldBank,IAEA

3) Doesyourorganizationsupportprivatesectorinvestment,includingthroughpublic-privatepartnershipsandgrant/loansblending,forinfrastructuredevelopmentandmaintenanceincommunicationandmultimodaltransportsuchasrailways,roads,waterways,warehousesandportfacilities?

UNCTAD,WFP,UNWomen,CFC,UNCDF,ILO,WorldBank,IFAD

4) Doesyourorganizationprovideanyformofassistancetothelandlockedandsmall-islandLDCsaimedataddressingthechallengesoftheirremotenessfrominternationalmarketsandlackofinfrastructureconnectivity?


UNCTAD,UNESCO,WTO,WTO/EIF,WIPO,WMO,WFP,HABITAT,UNEP,UNDP,ODC,CFC,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

Selectedactivitiesintheareaofinfrastructure

Technicalassistance:deliveryofinfrastructurewithservicesthroughthewholeprojectcycle(UNOPS),employment-intensivemethodsofinfrastructuredevelopment(ILO),accesstosatellitedataforhigh-impactweatherforecasting(WMO),buildingofnationalcapabilitiesinnuclearscience,technologyandapplications(IAEA)

Constructionoftransportandtransitcorridorstoremovebottlenecks(WFP)

Policyadvice:growthimpedimentslinkedtoinfrastructuregaps(IMF),equitableaccesstosustainableurbanbasicservices(Habitat),commercial,tradeandindustrialpolicysupporttoSPRs,includingfinancial,tourism,energyandtelecommunicationssectors(UNCTAD)

Capacitybuildingandtraininginvariousareas:mainstreamingtradeintonationalpolicies,multilateraltradingsystem,regulatoryandinstitutionalsovereigndebtgovernance(UNCTAD),tradefacilitationandtransittransportcorridors(ECA),marketexpansionthroughculturalgoodsandservices(UNESCO),trade-relatedinfrastructure(ESCWA),trainingoftrainersonfisheriesandaquaculture(FAO),accesstoICT(ITU)

Standardsandagreements:TradeFacilitationAgreementandTradeFacilitationAgreementFacility(WTO),GuidelinesonFisheriesandAquacultureEmergencyResponse(FAO)

Financing:acrossawiderangeofinfrastructureneeds(WorldBank),smallinfrastructureprojectsthataddressasupply-sideconstraint(EIF),LocalFinanceInitiative(UNCDF),investmentinurbanbasicservices,includingtransport(UNHabitat)

Knowledgeandresearch:ECA,ESCWA

Advocacy:urbantransportationsystems(Habitat)

WorldBank:HelpingcountriestomeetinfrastructureneedsrepresentstheWorldBank’slargestbusinessline,whichat$19billion,comprised47percentofthetotalassistancetoclientcountriesinfiscal2014.Greenbondsalsofinanceforestandwatershedmanagement,andinfrastructuretopreventclimate-relatedflooddamageandbuildclimateresilience.IDAcommitmentsforinfrastructure–includingthesectors:EnergyandMining;Transportation;Water,SanitationandFloodProtection;andInformationandCommunications–reached$10.4billion.260,000kilometersofroadswereconstructedorrehabilitatedworldwidebetween2002and2013.

ILOhasbeenpromotingemploymentintensivemethodsofinfrastructuredevelopmentforover40years—accumulatingawealthofknowledgeandexperienceonpolicy,technicalandoperationalaspects.Atpresent,theILOsupports17employmentintensiveinvestmentprogrammesforruralinfrastructuredevelopmentinarangeofLDCs.Throughthiswork,theILOhascreatedsignificantemploymentopportunitiesthroughinfrastructuredevelopment,andhasfacilitatedtheadoptionofinnovativeapproachesincountriessuchasHaiti,Liberia,MadagascarandSomalia.


AsaresponsetothedevastatingearthquakeinHaitiin2010,theILOjoinedforceswiththreeotherUNentities(UNOPS,UNDPandUN-Habitat)andenteredintoapublic-privatepartnership(PPP)withtheEpiscopalCouncilofHaititohelpthoselefthomelessinandaroundPort-au-Princeinreturningtotheirhomesandinrevitalizingtheeconomybyencouragingthesettingupofbusinessesthatcouldrecycleandtransformtherubblesintonon-structuralbuildingmaterialsforthereconstructionoftheregion.TheILOwasresponsibleforthreecomponentsofthisground-breakingproject,namely:Supportinglocalentrepreneurs,PromotingemploymentandRehabilitatingthedistrictbyrecyclingrubble,wherethelatterwasthemaincomponentofthePPPwiththeEpiscopalCouncil.

ThisprojectcanbeseenasagoodpracticeasitpavedthewayformoreILOinvolvementinpost-earthquakeHaiti,inparticularwithintherealmofrehabilitation,infrastructuredevelopmentandconstruction.Becauseofthisproject,theILOnowworkscloserthaneverwithothermembersoftheUNfamily,suchastheUnitedNationsStabilizationMissioninHaiti(UNSTAMIH).Mostimportantly,thisprojecthasalsoledtolastinghumanimpact:522entrepreneursand33trainerstookpartintheentrepreneurshiptrainingprogramme.Withaccesstomicrofinance,53newbusinesseshavebeenestablishedintheconstructionsector;766microenterpriseshavebeensetupfocusingondebrisrecyclingandprocessing.Theseenterpriseswerealsoresponsiblefordemolishingmorethan7,000damagedbuildings,removingmorethan800,000m3ofthedebris,producedmorethan207,000adoquins(buildingblocksforreconstruction)andgenerated102,060hoursofwork.TheinfrastructurewasstrengthenedinaffectedregionsofHaiti.Forexample,morethan9kilometresofroadshavebeenrepavedusingtherecycleddebris;andmorewomennowhaveaccesstojobopportunitiesinconstruction,whichisasectortraditionallydominatedbymen.

UNOPS:AsacentralresourceforinfrastructurewithintheUNsystem,UNOPSfacilitatesandassistspartnersinthedeliveryofinfrastructuretosecureanddrivesustainabledevelopment.Weprovidetechnicalassistanceandtechnicaldeliveryservicesthroughoutthewholeprojectcycle,fromfeasibilitystudiesandmasterplanningthroughdesign,constructionandoperations,tomaintenance,decommissionandrehabilitation.Frombuildingroadsinconflict-affectedcountriessuchasAfghanistan,toconstructinghospitalsandmedicalfacilitiesinpost-disastercountriessuchasHaiti,UNOPSoperatesinsomeoftheworld’smostchallengingenvironmentsmanyofthembeingLDCs.

UNCDF:UNCDF’sLocalFinanceInitiative(LFI)supportsLDCstounlocktheirdomesticcapitalmarketsforcatalyticinfrastructureinvestmentinlocaleconomicdevelopment,andismonitoredbyindicatorsthatmeasurethetransformativeeffectonthelocaleconomy.TheLFIisoperationalinfiveLDCs,andismostdevelopedinTanzaniawitha$100million+pipelineofinvestmentprojectsforwhichdomesticfinancingisunlockedbyUNCDFseedcapital.During2014thescalingupofthisprogrammebeganthroughthetrainingof120bankers,localgovernmentprojectsponsorsandprivateprojectdevelopers.Anumberofthesekeynationalpartnerswillplayaroleinthenationalplatformforlocaleconomicdevelopmentthatwillprovideasustainablemechanismforlocalinfrastructurefinancetobeestablishedin2015.Overall,25projectsareintheUNCDFpipelineandaredistributedinto5mainsub-sectors:3inagro-processing,16inenergy,3incommunityservicedelivery,2intelecommunication,and1inindustrial-manufacturing.Partnershipstrategiesaredevelopedwithcommercialbanksandtechnicalsupportisprovidedtominimizetheprojectrisksandthelevelsofduediligencethatlendershavetodoandmakethemattractivetolocalcommercialbanks.


UNCDFalsoprovidessupporttoexpandthefinancialinfrastructureofLDCs,inparticularbranchlessandmobilefinancialservicesthroughitsMobileMoneyforthePoor(MM4P)Programme.UNCDFcurrentlysupportsanumberofLDCstodemonstratehowthecorrectmixoffinancial,technicalandpolicysupportcanbuildarobustbranchlessandmobilefinancialservicesecosystem.

EachoftheLDCsisintheearlystagesofbranchlessandmobilefinancialservicesandpresentsuniquechallenges.However,servicessuchastransfers,billpayment,savings,ormicroinsurancecangreatlyimprovethefinancialsecurityofmillionsofhouseholds.

ESCWAprovidestechnicalsupporttoallitsmemberscountriesonissuesrelatedtodevelopingtraderelated infrastructures through training workshops, studies and formulation of policies,identificationofbankableprojectsandfinancingoptions.

Since1999,ESCWAhasdevelopedanIntegratedTransportSystemintheArabMashreqincludingthethree LDCs (Yemen, Sudan and Palestine). The system includes two International TransportAgreements on roads and railways, and one Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on MaritimeCooperation,whichESCWAhasbeencloselymonitoring.TechnicalsupportandadvisoryservicesinthisregardhavebeenconductedmainlytoSudanandYemen.Moreover,ESCWAissupportingSudanandYemenastoestablishandactivatetheirNationalTransportandTradeFacilitationCommittees.AclosecoordinationandfollowuptakesplaceyearlythroughthemeetingsoftheIntergovernmentalCommittee on Transport (last onewas the 15th Session of the transport Committee, Rabat, 27-28January2015)whereSudanwasrepresentedwithSeniorOfficials.

OSSC:TheLDC,LLDCandSIDSFacilitiesareinnovativeinitiativesthatarepilotingnewinter-agencycollaborations.Atthehigh-level,theFacilitiesaregivenpoliticalsupportfromtheUNOfficeforSouth-SouthCooperation(UNOSSC)andtheUN-OHRLLS.TheFacilitiesaresupportedbytheimplementingagency,SS-GATE,whichisamarketplacelaunchedanddevelopedbytheUNOSSC.Moreover,partnershipsareformedonthegroundwithlocalNGOsaswellasUNaffiliatedorganizations(e.g.UNDPcountryoffices,WIPO)tohelpcoordinateimplementation.

Theinnovationofthisapproachisthatittakesexistinginfrastructure(politicalpartnerships,technicalplatforms,knowledgebanks,etc.)andappropriatesthemtomorefocusedsupportforLDCs,LLDCs,andSIDS.Workinginthiswayreducesthecostsoflaunchinganewinitiativefromscratchandleveragessystemsthathavebeeninplaceforsomeyears.

WFP:Inlinewithitsmandatetoeradicatehungerandpoverty,andimplementedthroughSpecialOperationsactivities,WFPengagesintheconstructionoftransportandtransitcorridorstospeed-upthemovementoffoodassistance,regardlessofwhetherthefoodisprovidedbytheAgencyitself.Typically,theseoperationsinvolvelogisticsandinfrastructureworkandaredesignedtoovercomeoperationalbottlenecks.AstheUN’sleadinglogisticsagency,WFPiswellplacedtoresolvetheseproblems.SpecialOperationsareshort-terminnatureandusuallycomplementemergencyoperationsorlongerrehabilitationprojects.

TheSouthSudanFeederRoadsSpecialOperation,launchedinMarch2011insupportoftheWFP’sSouthSudanemergencyoperation,isanexampleofhowtheAgency’sworkontransportandtransitcorridorscontributestothefightagainsthungerandsupportssustainableeconomicgrowth.ThemaingoaloftheFeederRoadsSpecialOperationistocreatefarm-to-marketaccessbyrehabilitating


ruralroadsinareaswithanagriculturalpotential.ThisisonewayWFPaimstoimprovefoodsecurityandthelivelihoodsoftheruralpopulationinSouthSudanandtocontributetoimprovedgeneraltransportinfrastructureacrossSouthSudan.

ITU:TheIPoArecognizesthatICTNetworksareaninfrastructurepriorityonparwithwater,electricity,transport,aswellasinstitutionalcapacityforbuildingviableproductivecapacityintheLDCs(Declaration8a);andtoachieveproductivecapacityforICTswithintheLDCsto“significantlyincreaseaccesstotelecommunicationservicesandstrivetoprovide100percentaccesstotheInternetby2020”.ThisrecognitionelevatestheimportanceofICTstothelevelofafundamentaldriverofdevelopment.ITUhelpstheLDCstoimprovetheinformationandcommunicationinfrastructureandapplicationsforgraduation.Forexample,ITUhascontributedtoSamoa’sgraduationfromtheLDCstatus.Thisexperiencecanbesharedasoneofthebestpracticestoenhanceinter-agencycollaborationandcanbereplicatedinotherLDCs.

UNIDO:AcceleratedAgribusinessandAgro-industriesDevelopmentInitiative(3ADI):The3ADIisajointInitiativebetweentheFAO,IFADandUNIDOwhichaimsatenhancingcountries’resourcebasedcomparativeadvantagesthroughtheimplementationofcompetitiveagrovaluechains.The3ADIcontributestoinfrastructuredevelopmentandmarketaccess(e.g.boostingexportcapacitieswhilereducingrelianceoncommodities).Forinstance,inUganda,throughthe“ResilienceBuildingthroughBananaValueAddition”project(USD10,934,933)UNIDOisstrengtheninglocalcommunities’capacitiestoengageintheproductionofprocessedgoodsforexports.Morerecently,anewagro-industrialcenterhasbeenestablishedintheDemocraticRepublicofCongo(Kimpese)withthesupportoftheJapanesegovernment($1.3million).Asaresult,morethan2.000individualshavereceivedtrainingsinmanufacturingandfoodhygienebestpractices,andwereintroducedtoentrepreneurshipandmanagement;amongstthem,82%arewomenand60%youth.Thiscenterishousingtrainingfacilitiesforruralpopulations,foodprocessingactivitiesandwillenablethecontroloffoodqualityforproductssuchascassavaandfruits.Theultimategoalofthe3ADIistheconversionofLDCs’resourcebasedcomparativeadvantagesintocompetitivenessthroughvalue-additiontoprimarycommoditiesandvaluechainsimplementation.

A. 2PRODUCTIVECAPACITY:ENERGY

1) DoesyourorganizationprovideenhancedfinancialandtechnicalsupporttoLDCstoimproveefficiencyinthegeneration,thetransmissionanddistribution,andthesustainableuseofenergyresources,withtheaimofensuringaccesstoenergyforall?

UNESCO,OPS,ESCWA,ESCAP,UNCDF,OSSC,SE4ALL,UNEP,UNDP,IAEA,UNWOMEN,UNIDO,WIPO,ITU,WMO,UNHABITAT,WorldBank,IFAD

2) Doesyourorganizationsprovidefinancial/technicalassistanceand/orfacilitateprivatesectorinvestmenttosupportLDCs’effortstodeveloptheenergysectoringeneration,distributionandenergyefficiency,includinginrenewableenergy,othercleanenergysourcesandnaturalgas?

OSAA,OPS,ILO,CFC,ESCWA,ESCAP,OSSC,SE4ALL,UNEP,UNDP,UNWOMEN,UNIDO,WIPO,ITU,WMO,UNHABITAT,WorldBank,IAEA


3) Doesyourorganizationhelpfacilitatethetransferofappropriatetechnologyforthedevelopmentofcleanandrenewableenergytechnologies?

UNESCO,FAO,IAEA,ESCWA,ESCAP,UNCDF,OSSC,SE4ALL,UNEP,UNDP,UNWOMEN,UNIDO,WIPO,ITU,WMO,HABITAT,WorldBank,CFC,IFAD

Selectedactivitiesintheareaofenergy

GreenJobsProgramme(ILO)whichincludespromotionofjobsintherenewableenergysector,especiallyinruralareas/involvingtrainingandpromotionofentrepreneurs(ILO,UNESCO)

Capacitybuilding/Workshopsonsolarenergyinwaterpumping,promotionofinvestmentinrenewableenergyandenergyefficiency,trainingoftrainersonmainstreamingrenewableenergytechnologyinruralproductivesectors(ESCWA),buildingcapacityofAfricanLDCstoattractinvestmentinenergyefficiencyprojects(ECA),appropriatetechnologyuseinbuildingsandtransport(Habitat),meteorologyasappliedtowindenergy(WMO),lowemissioncapacitybuilding(UNDP)

Supporttolow-incomeconsumerstotransitiontocleanerandmoreefficientenergythroughmicrofinance(UNCDF).

Technicalassistance:biofuelsdevelopment(ECA),sustainableformsofdomesticenergyinbuildingsandtransport(Habitat),developmentofnationalnuclearpowerinfrastructure(IAEA)

Policyrecommendationstoaddressgrowthimpedimentsandmacro-relevantissueslinkedtoenergy(IMF),forinstitutionalstrengthening(UNEP),toincorporatewaterconstraintsintoenergydevelopmentplansandinvestments(WorldBank)

Researchonenergysubsidies(IMF),EnergySectorDirectionsPaper(WorldBank)

Transferoftechnology–biofuelsinthetransportsectorandinhouseholds(ECA),fishdryingtechnology(FAO,UNIDO),forweather/wind(WMO),renewableenergy-basedmini-gridsforruralelectrificationandproductiveuses(UNIDO),solarphotovoltaic,solardryingandbiomassgasificationtechnologies,ricehuskgasifier(UNIDO)

Advocacyandoutreachonsustainableenergyforallincludingmobilizationoffinance(UNOPS,UNEP)


SUSTAINABLEENERGYFORALL(SE4ALL)

InthethreeyearssincethelaunchofSustainableEnergyforAllin2011,morethan85developingcountrieshavejoinedtheglobalpartnership,indicatingtheirinterestinworkingwithSE4All.ThelistofLDCpartnersincludes:Afghanistan,Angola,Bangladesh,Benin,Bhutan,BurkinaFaso,Burundi,Cambodia,CentralAfricanRepublic,Chad,DemocraticRepublicofCongo,EquatorialGuinea,Ethiopia,theGambia,Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Haiti,Laos,Lesotho,Liberia,Malawi,Mali,Mauritania,Mozambique,Myanmar,Nepal,Niger,Rwanda,SãoToméandPríncipe,Senegal,SierraLeone,Somalia,Sudan,Tanzania,Togo,UgandaandZambia.

In2014,thefirstphaseoftheSE4Allcountryactionprocesshasfocusedon30initialcountries,includingproductionofSE4AllCountryActionAgendasandInvestmentProspectusesforeachofthem.Thecountrieswereidentifiedbasedontheavailabilityofprogrammesandfunding,geographicalmix,existingenablingenvironmentsandreadinesstostartworkingimmediately.TheLDCsincludedinthefirstphaseare:Bangladesh,Bhutan,BurkinaFaso,Burundi,Cambodia,Ethiopia,theGambia,Guinea,Liberia,Mozambique,Myanmar,Nepal,Rwanda,Senegal,SierraLeone,TanzaniaandUganda.Inmanymorecountries,SE4Allpartnersareworkingtoimplementandfinancetransformativeenergyprojects,includingthroughthedevelopmentofSE4AllCountryActionAgendasandInvestmentProspectuses,butalsoenergypolicies,ruralelectrificationplans,andstrategiesforscalinguprenewableenergy,energyefficiencyandcleancookingsolutions.

Assuch,variousLDCshavealreadyembarkedontheSE4AllCountryActionProcess,whichbuildsonmulti-stakeholderconsultationsandimprovesinstitutionalcoordinationaswellasstimulatingadditionalprivatesectorinvestments.Theprocessisconnectedtosupportforinstitutionalcapacitybuildingaswellasfinancialsupportfortheimplementationofthecountries’SE4AllActionAgendas,suchastheEUSE4AllTechnicalAssistanceFacility,ElectriFI,ortheSEFAGMGProgrammeandmore.FormoreinformationontheProcesspleasereviewtheSE4AllCountryActionReferenceDocument(CARD):http://www.se4all.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CARD.pdf

TheProcessisfurthersupportbytheSE4AllEnergyAccessPractitionersNetworkwhichlinksupmorethan2000practitionersaroundtheglobe,workingtogethertocatalyzethescale-upofrenewableandlow-carbontechnologiesandspurthemarkettowarduniversalenergyaccess.TheNetwork’sparticularfocusisontheremovalofmarketbarrierstotheeffectivedeliveryofenergyservicesbypromotingtheadoptionofnewtechnologiesandinnovativefinancialandbusinessmodels,aswellastheidentificationanddisseminationofbestpracticesandadvocacyforuniversalenergyaccess.ThisincludessupportforSMEcapacitybuilding.

Furthersupportforcapacitybuilding,researchandthedisseminationoftechnologiesisprovidedbytheSE4AllKnowledgeHub,theWorldBank,andtheSE4AllCapacityBuildingHub,theEnergyandResourcesInstitute(TERI).

On2October2015,aG20EnergyAccessActionPlanwasannouncedundertheTurkishG20Presidency,withthesupportofSE4All,Africanstakeholdersandotherinternationalorganizations.ItwasadoptedatthefirstevermeetingofG20EnergyMinisters.TheActionPlanfocusesonimprovingcoordinationofassistance,publicandprivateinvestment,capacitybuildingandtechnologydissemination,withaspecialfocusonSub-SaharanAfrica.SE4AllismandatedtosupportcollaborationundertheActionPlan,involvingalsootherrelevantorganizations.

Source:www.se4all.org


UNESCO:AsacontributiontotheUNInitiativeon“SustainableEnergyforAll,”aprojectconcerningthe“solarelectrificationofruralschools”waslaunchedinsub-SaharanAfricancountries.Theprojectconcernsthesolarelectrificationof75ruralschoolsin5sub-Saharancountries(Benin,Madagascar,Mauritania,NigerandTogo).Theprojectaddressesenergyaccessinruralareaswiththeaimofimprovingthequalityofeducationbyusingsolarenergypoweredsystems.TheprojectalsoincludesanICTcomponentandacapacitybuildingelementtoensurethesustainabilityoftheprojectandtherelatedinfrastructureandequipment.

Recognizingthatthesupplyofskilledmanpowerisacriticalelementinthetransferoftechnology,UNESCOlaunchedtheGlobalRenewableEnergyEducationandTraining(GREET)Programmeasaconceptualandorganizationalframeworkforpromotinghumanandinstitutionalcapacitybuilding,includingintheareaofenergypolicyandthroughrelatedexchangeofknow-howandbestpractice.UndertheGREETProgramme,regionalsummerschoolsareorganizedonanannualbasisforAfricaandSouthEastAsia.Trainingactivitiesonrenewableenergyandrelatedlearning/teachingmaterialsarealsobeingdeveloped.

WMO:ThenationalMeteorologicalandHydrologicalServices(NMHSs)havehistoricaldatathatcanbeusedtomakeanassessmentandmappingofWindEnergyPotentialinacountryorregiontoenableproperinstallationofwindpowergenerators;theRegionalClimateOutlookForums(RCOFs)forSeasonalWeatherOutlooksbytheWMOdesignatedRegionalClimateCentres(RCC)andNMHSsprovidecrucialinformationforHydropowergeneration&distribution;theGlobalFrameworkofClimateServices(GFC)hasfivepillarsoneofwhichistheUser-InterfacePlatform(UIP)whichaddressestheconcernsoftheProvidersofClimateinformationandservicesandUsersofthesameinformationandservicesinkeysectorexemplarsthatincludeAgriculture,Water,Health,DRRandEnergy;NMHSsprovidedataonwindspeed&direction(windload)fordevelopmentofWindFarmsinRAI.TechnologytomeasureweatherelementsisbeingimprovedthroughuseoftheAutomaticWeatherStations(AWSs).

UNEPsupportsLDCsanddevelopingcountriesingeneraltoimproveenergyefficiencyandincreaseuseofrenewableenergyaspartoftheirefforttoachievelow-carbonandclimateresilientdevelopmentpathways.Itdoessobyprovidingguidanceonsoundpolicy,technologyandinvestmentchoicesandtherebyassistscountriestoreduceemissionsanddrivesustainabledevelopment.Withitsteamofexpertsandanetworkofpartners,itsupportsthedeploymentandscalingupofcutting-edgecleanenergytechnologies,andremovaloffinancialandotherbarrierstorenewableenergyandenergyefficiency.UNEPsupportscountriesthroughthecombinationoffourareasoffocusedintervention:improvingunderstandingofscience;providingsoundpolicyadviceforstrengtheningpolicyandinstitutionalframeworkpolicies;catalyzingpublicandprivatefinanceforcleanenergy;andstimulatingtheuptakeoflowGHGandclimatefriendlytechnologies.

UNIDO:Renewableenergymini-grids:InChad,theGlobalEnvironmentFacility(GEF)hasapprovedin2012aUSD1.8millionprojectpromotingrenewableenergy-basedmini-gridsforruralelectrificationandproductiveuses.Inthisregard,UNIDOissupportinginfrastructuredevelopmentandaccesstoinnovativeandsmartfinancialmechanismsthroughmini-hydropowerbasedgridsdevelopmentinruralareas.Consequently,UNIDO’sapproachintendstobridgethegapintheproductionofcleanenergyinruralareasthrough:(i)trainingskilledandknowledgeabletechnicians


andpublicofficers,(ii)raisingawarenessabouttheappropriatetechnologieswhileusingthebestpracticestomaximizeeffectiveness;and(iii)puttinginplacepoliciesencouragingtheinvolvementoftheprivatesector(iv).ThisprojectisexpectedtobereplicatedinRwanda,UgandaandotherLLDCs.

IFAD:BiogasisbecomingincreasinglymorepopularasaformofenergytopowerruralcommunitiesinAfricawholivefarawayfromtheelectricitygrid.Asalow-costintegratedsystemprovidingalternativeenergyaswellasorganicmanure,italsoprovidesananswertoreducinggasemissionsandimprovingsoilfertility.

InRwanda,theInternationalFundforAgriculturalDevelopment(IFAD)issupportingbiogasaspartofanenvironmentalsolutiontoreducethecuttingandburningofwood,stillprevalentinruralareasaswellashelprehabilitatedegradedland.SomeinnovativebiogassystemsarebeingimplementedundertheIFAD-supportedKireheCommunity-basedWatershedManagementProject(KWAMP)intheKireheDistrictinthesouth-eastofthecountry."Underthisproject,IFADispilotinganewbiogastechnologycalled"Flexibiogas"developedinKenya,whichiswellsuitedtosmallfarmerswithlimitedlivestock.

UNCDF:TheCleanStartProgrammesupportslow-incomeconsumerstotransitiontocleanerandmoreefficientenergythroughmicrofinance.CleanStartisaglobalUNCDFprogrammehelpingtoliftatleast2.5millionpeopleoutofenergypovertyby2017.Thiswillhelpcontributetoachievingdevelopmentgoalsonpovertyandhunger,education,gender,health,andenvironmentalsustainability.Toachievethisvision,theprogrammeprovidesriskcapitalandtechnicalassistancetocompetitivelyselectedfinancialserviceprovidersandenergyenterprisesto:developandrefinescalableconsumerfinancingmodels(FinanceforCleanEnergy);increasethe‘scale’potentialofthesemodelsbytacklingcriticalbottlenecksinthevaluechain,fore.g.distribution,consumerawareness(TechnicalAssistanceforCleanEnergy);makeresearchandtoolsgeneratedintheprocesswidelyavailabletotheindustry(Output3:GlobalKnowledgeandLearning);advocateforpositiveindustry-widechangesandbrokerpartnershipswithupstreamvaluechainactors,forexamplee.g.investors,policymakers(Output4:AdvocacyandPartnerships).

A. 3PRODUCTIVECAPACITY:SCIENCEANDTECHNOLOGY

1) IsyourorganizationactivelysupportingeffortstoestablishaTechnologyBankand

Science,TechnologyandInformationsupportingmechanism?

UNESCO,OSSC,UNWOMEN,UNESCO,ILO,ITU,WIPO,UNIDO,WMO,UNEP,UNCTAD,ESCWA,SE4ALL,WorldBank,IAEA

2) Doesyourorganizationprovideenhancedfinancialand/ortechnicalsupporttoLDCresearchanddevelopment,scienceandtechnology,includingstrengtheningofnationalinstitutions?

UNESCO,ESCAP,FAO,UNESCO,UNCDF,ILO,ITU,WIPO,UNIDO,WMO,UNEP,UNCTAD,ESCWA,SE4ALL,WorldBank,IAEA


Selectedactivitiesinscienceandtechnology:

Strengtheningofinstitutions:formeteorology(WMO),forfoodsafetylaboratories(FAO),forICTs/broadband(ITU),forinvestmentsintechnology(UNIDO),fordigitalfinanceandmobilefinancialservices(UNCDF),foradvancededucationinmathematics,science,engineering,andICT(WorldBank)

Curriculumdevelopment(ILO)

PolicysupportinSTI(UNESCO,ECA),foodsafetyrisks(FAO/WHO),ICTs/broadband(ITU)

Knowledgeplatforms,publicationsandtools:UNESCOGlobalObservatoryofSTIPolicyInstruments,ScienceandTechnologyDataBankforscienceandtechnologymonitoring(ECA),ClimatePolicyCentre(ECA/UNDP/UNEP/WMO/UNOPS),GlobalDatabaseonFoodConsumptionData(FAO/WHO),WSISStocktakingPlatform(ITU),GlobalEnvironmentOutlookandUNEPLive(UNEP),InvestmentandTechnologyPromotionOffices(UNIDO)

Capacitybuilding/training:UNESCO,ESCWA,IAEA

Technologytransfer:ICTs/broadband(ITU),applicationsfornucleartechnology(IAEA)

UNITEDNATIONSTECHNOLOGYBANKFORTHELDCS

TheIstanbulProgrammeofActionhighlightedtheimportanceofscience,technologyandinnovation(STI)asakeydriverofproductivecapacitybuildinginLDCs,andcallsfortheimprovementofSTIcapacitiesofLDCsasavehicleforstructuraltransformation.Withinthiscontext,theUNGeneralAssembly,initsresolution67/220,requestedtheSecretary-Generalto“undertakeajointgapandcapacityanalysiswiththeaimofestablishingaTechnologyBankandascience,technologyandinnovation-supportingmechanismdedicatedtotheleastdevelopedcountries.”Amongthefindingsofthisanalysiswasthattherewasnodedicatedmechanismtoaddresstheparticularproblemsidentifiedinacomprehensiveandintegratedmanner.ThereportoftheSecretary-Generaltothe68thsessionoftheAssemblyproposedtheconceptofaTechnologyBankwiththreeinterrelatedfunctionsaimingtoimprovethescientificresearchandinnovationbaseofLDCs,helpLDCsaccessandutilizetechnologiesrelevanttotheirdevelopment;andfacilitateknowledgeaccessandnetworkingamongtheSTIcommunityinLDCs.

TheAssemblycalledontheSecretary-General,onthebasisofvoluntarycontributions,toconstituteahigh-levelpanelofexpertsdrawnfromtheLDCsandtheirdevelopmentpartners,theUNsystemandotherrelevantstakeholderstocarryoutafeasibilitystudy,withsecretariatsupportfromOHRLLS,inordertoexaminetheTechnologyBank’sscope,functions,institutionallinkagewiththeUNandorganizationalaspects.TheUNGeneralAssemblyprovidedforoperationalizingtheBankduringits70thsession.Significantly,target17.8ofthe2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopmentisto“fullyoperationalizethetechnologybankandscience,technologyandinnovationcapacity-buildingmechanismforLDCsby2017andenhancetheuseofenablingtechnology,inparticularinformationandcommunicationstechnology.”TheGovernmentofTurkeyhasofferedtohosttheTechnologyBank.

Source:OHRLLS


TheILO’sEmploymentIntensiveInvestmentProgramme(EIIP)hascollaboratedwithandsupporteduniversities(some14inAfricaand12inAsia)toraisetheawarenessofyoungprofessionalsontheuseofappropriatetechnologieswithanaimtocreatecapabilitiesandincreasetheemploymentcontentofinfrastructure-relatedactivities.Itprovidessupporttotheseinstitutions´throughthedevelopmentoftrainingmaterial,research,developmentandimplementationbyprovidingcurriculumdevelopmentandready-mademodulesfortraining.Similarexchangeandsupportisprovidedthroughdevelopingandnetworkingnationaltraininginstitutesforcapacitybuildingofpublicandprivatesectoroperators.

UNESCOhasbeenactivelysupportingLDCs,mainlyinAfrica,toformulate,revieworprovidemethodologiestomonitorandevaluatetheimplementationoftheirSTIpolicies.Todate,14AfricanLDCshavereceivedtechnicalsupportinthisarea(Benin,BurkinaFaso,Burundi,Gambia,Malawi,Mauritania,Mozambique,Niger,RDC,Rwanda,Senegal,Tanzania,Togo,Zambia).AnumberofthesecountriesalsoparticipatedintheUNESCOGlobalObservatoryofSTIPolicyInstruments(GO-SPIN)project-anopenaccessdatabasehelpingcountriestoreformandupgradetheirnationalSTIsystemsandtoenablepolicymakersandresearcherstomonitorandevaluatetheirpoliciesandprogrammes.TechnicalsupportisalsoprovidedtotheLDCstobuildtheirhumanandinstitutionalcapacitiestoimprovethegovernanceoftheirSTIsystems.Furthermore,UNESCOisalsoworkingwithuniversitiesintheLDCstoestablishsustainableSTIpolicytrainingandresearchprogrammesthatcanaddressthelackofhumanexpertiseandinstitutionalcapacitiesinSTIpolicyandinnovationmanagement,andissupportingtheestablishmentofinternationalinter-universitynetworksforcapacity-buildinginSTIpolicy.

UNEPfacilitatespolicymakingatglobal,regionalandnationallevelsthroughthedevelopmentofintegratedassessmentsthatprovidesoundscienceasabasisfordecision-makingthroughtheGlobalEnvironmentOutlook(GEO)seriesofreports.UNEPLive,launchedinearly2014,providesasystem-wideapproachtokeepingtheenvironmentunderreviewandfacilitatestheexchangeandsharingoflatestdataintoanintegratedtapestrythatsupportsassessmentsofthestate,trendsandoutlooksoftheenvironment.Theplatformallowscountries,researchers,communitiesofpracticeandotherUNEPstakeholderstoaccessandsharedataandknowledgefromglobal,regionalandnationalsources.Nearreal-timedataofairqualityindexes,volcanicactivity,sea-levelriseaswellasspatialvisualizationofred-listspeciesandfreshwatertreatiesarealreadyavailable.Nationaldata-setsfromover100countriesarealsoonline.Countrycontributionsareparticularlyimportant,asministries,especiallyinLDCsandotherdevelopingcountries,oftenholdvastandusefulamountsofdatathatarenoteasilyaccessible.

UNCDF’sMobileMoneyforthePoor(MM4P)programmehassupportedbranchlessandmobilefinancialservicesinaselectgroupofLDCssince2012.In2014,UNCDFhasexpandedtheMM4Pprogrammeanditwillnowbeabletoincreasemobile-enableddeliverychannelsforfinancialservicestoserve17.75millionactivedigitalfinancialclients,representinganetincreaseof11.58millionusersacrosseightLDCs(Benin,Lao-PDR,Liberia,Malawi,Nepal,Senegal,Uganda,andZambia).Thesetargetsaimtocatalyzetheuptakeneededforthemarkettohavesufficientmomentumtoultimatelyreachthemajorityoftheadultpopulation.


TheBetterthanCashAlliance(BTCA)waslaunchedinSeptember2012inresponsetopublicandprivatesectordemandformorestrategicadvocacy,researchandguidanceondigitizingthesecashpayments.TheBetterthanCashAllianceisanallianceofgovernments,privatesectoranddevelopmentorganizationscommittedtoacceleratingtheshiftfromcashtoelectronicpayments.TheBetterthanCashAllianceisfundedbytheBill&MelindaGatesFoundation,Citi,FordFoundation,MasterCard,OmidyarNetwork,USAIDandVisaInc.TheUNCapitalDevelopmentFundservesasthesecretariat.

WorldBank:TheWorldBank’snew$150millionAfricaHigher-EducationCentersofExcellenceProjectisfunding19university-basedcentersforadvancededucationinWestandCentralAfrica.Itwillsupportregionalspecializationamongparticipatinguniversitiesinmathematics,science,engineering,andICTtoaddressregionalchallenges.TheBankhassetoutavisionofachievinguniversalfinancialaccessby2020throughtheconcertedeffortsofcountriesleadingtheirownreformsandthroughtheharnessingoftechnologyanddatatoreducethecostsandrisksoffinancialservices.Inrecentyears,theBank’sinvestmentshavehelpedtosupport1.8millionfarmersinadoptingimprovedagriculturaltechnology.

IAEA:Actingasarepositoryforknowledgeandafacilitatorfortechnologytransfer,theIAEAinseveralLDCsaimstoleveragethedifferencesamongMemberStatesinthesameregionbyenablingcooperationbetweenthem,creatingsynergiesthroughnetworking,knowledgetransferandcapacitybuildinginspecializedareaswherenucleartechnologieshaveanapplication,namelyintheareasof:foodandagriculture;humanhealth;environmentalprotection;watermanagement;sustainableenergydevelopment;industrialapplications;radiation,wasteandrecycling.Throughtheuseoffellowshipsandscientificvisits,whichprovidespecifictrainingtoprofessionalsinenhancingtheirtechnicalskills,theIAEAiscontributingtopromotinginnovationinscienceandtechnology.TheIAEAwelcomesopportunitiestoestablishcooperationwithaccreditedinstitutionstoensurerecognitionoflong-termtrainingprovidedthroughitstechnicalcooperationprogramme.

WIPOworkswithLDCs’developmentpartnersfromgovernmentandprivatesectortoaffordenhancedaccessbyLDCstoglobalpatentinformationsystemaswellastofeefreeaccesstohighendtechnicalandscientificresourcesmaterials.IncooperationwithpublicandprivatesectorpartnersWIPOhasputinplaceanumberofknowledgesharingplatformssuchas:AccesstoResearchforDevelopmentandInnovation(ARDI)whichfocusesonimprovingLDCs’accesstoscholarlyliteraturefromdiversefieldsofscienceandtechnology;theAccesstoSpecializedPatentInformation(ASPI),whichisapublic-privatepartnershipadministeredbyWIPOandmadepossiblethroughcooperationwithleadingpatentinformationprovidersthatprovides,eligiblepatentofficesandacademicandresearchinstitutionsinleastdevelopedanddevelopingcountriesfreeorlow-costaccesstosophisticatedtoolsandservicesforretrievingandanalyzingpatentdata;andWIPORe:Searchwhichcatalyzesthedevelopmentofmedicalproductsforneglectedtropicaldiseases,malaria,andtuberculosisthroughinnovativeresearchpartnershipsandknowledgesharing.TheoverarchinggoaloftheseplatformsistocontributetoeffortsbyLDCstoenhancescience,technologyandinnovationcapacityandstrengthenmeaningfulintegrationintotheglobalknowledgearchitecture.WIPOhasalsojoinedwithotherpartnerstosupportLDCstoaddresstheirgreentechnologyneedsthroughtheestablishmentofWIPOGREEN-aninteractivemarketplacethatpromotesinnovationanddiffusionofgreentechnologies.Itdoesthisbyconnectingtechnologyandserviceproviderswiththoseseekinginnovativesolutions.InthecontextofSTI,infrastructure-relatedchallengesintheareaofinnovation


capacitybuildingareaddressedthroughtheestablishmentofTechnologyandInnovationSupportCenters(TISCs).Thesecentersareestablishedthroughanationalmulti-stakeholders’participatoryprocesswhichfacilitatescoordinatedfunctioningandpromotionoftheuseofthesecentersinLDCs.WIPOalsosupportLDCstoestablishstart-upacademytofacilitateindigenouscapacitydevelopmentinIPteachingtowardsbuildingnationalknowledgebasedininnovation,scienceandtechnology.

A4PRODUCTIVECAPACITY:PRIVATESECTOR

1) DoesyourorganizationprovideorsupporttheprovisionofenhancedfinancialandtechnicalsupportandthefacilitationoftechnologytoLDCstoremovestructuralandinstitutionalconstraintsontheprivatesector?

UNEP,UNIDO,ILO,WIPO,FAO,ITU,WMO,UNCDF,ESCAP,ESCWA,CFC,OSSC,SE4ALL,UNWOMEN,UNDP,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD

2) Doesyourorganizationsupportinitiativestostrengthentheinstitutionalandmanagerialcapacitiesandtheproductivityofsmallandmedium-sizedenterprisesinLDCstoimprovetheircompetitiveness?

ITC,UNIDO,ILO,WIPO,FAO,ITU,WMO,UNCDF,ESCAP,ESCWA,CFC,OSSC,SE4ALL,UNWOMEN,UNDP,UNCTAD,WorldBank,DESA,IFAD

Selectedactivitiesintheareaofprivatesector

Capacitydevelopmentactivitiesanddevelopmentoftheso-calledePingelectronictoolkit(www.ePingAlert.org)tofacilitateprivatesectoraccesstoinformationonchangesintrade-relatedmeasuresof(potential)tradingpartners(DESA).Theseactivitiesarepartofacapacitydevelopmentprojectforremovingconstraintsinutilizingtrade-relatedinternationalsupportmeasuresforLDCs.TheobjectiveoftheprojectistoincreasenationalcapacityinthegovernmentsandexportsectorsofparticipatingLDCstoaccessandeffectivelyusethetrade-relatedinternationalsupportmeasuresforadvancingdevelopmentstrategiesofLDCsinovercomingstructuralandeconomicvulnerability.

Trainingprogramforentrepreneurs(ILO,UNCTAD,FAO,UNDP-youthorientation,UNIDO-youthandwomen,UNWomen)

Advocacyandoperationalsupportonintellectualpropertyrightprotectionandexploitation,andinestablishinglinkagesbetweeninnovatorsandinvestors(ECA)

Policyrecommendationsonimprovingthebusinessenvironmentoftheprivatesector,includingthefinancialsector(IMF,UNIDO),regulatoryframeworks,intellectualpropertyandfinancingmechanismsforresearchanddevelopment(ECA),creativeindustries(UNIDO),inclusivefinance(UNCDF)

Knowledgeplatformsandtools:SS-GATE,Women’sEmpowermentPrinciples


Promotionofpublic-privatepartnerships(ITUinICTs/broadband)(UNEPtopromotelinkagesbetweensustainabilityandfinancialperformance)

Curriculumonentrepreneurshipforsecondaryandvocationalschools(UNIDO)

Directsupportforinclusivefinancialservicesandproducts(UNCDF)

Supportinglocalpipelineofbankableprojects(UNCDF)

Financingforprivatesectordevelopment(WorldBank)

OSSC:SS-Gate,amarketplatform,facilitatestheSouth-Southtransferoftechnology-basedsolutionsbetweensmallandmedium-sizedenterprisesbasedindevelopingcountries.Thesetechnologiesboostproductivecapacities,employmentcreationandinfrastructuredevelopmentintheSME/privatesectorofdevelopingcountries.SS-Gatealsosupportspublicprivatepartnershipsinsupportoflocalgovernmenteffortsandinclusivedevelopment.SS-GATEhascreatedanopensourceplatformthatisavailableforusebySMEsindevelopingcountries.SS-GATEcreatesinstitutionalpartnershipswithlocalagencieswhohaveanexistingmandatetosupportlocalSMEsandSMEnetworksandtocoordinateforeigndirectinvestmentforthatpurpose.SS-GATEaddsvaluetothisworkbylinkingtheselocalagencies(turnedintoSS-GATE“countrycenters”)withotheragenciesintheGlobalSouththroughtheSS-GATEglobalplatform,throughdirectlinkagesandlistingofselectedappropriateprojects/technologies.ThisisdesignedtosupporttechnologytransferonaSouthtoSouthcorridor.SS-GATEwasestablishedasanot-for-profitandindependententityundertheguidanceofUNOSSC,with50countrycentresperformingastheconduitofprojectsandtechnologysourcing,therebynotduplicatingeffortsandreducingcosts.

UNCTAD:ThistypeofassistanceisprovidedthroughUNCTAD’sEmpretecprogramme.InEthiopia,UNCTADiscurrentlysupportingtheEntrepreneurshipDevelopmentProgram(EDP).TheEDPaimstounleashthegrowthpotentialofmicro-andsmall-scaleenterprisesthroughentrepreneurialskillstrainingandprovisionofbusinessadvisoryservices.Theprojectidentifiesandselectsgrowth-orientedenterprises,aswellaspotentialentrepreneurs,unemployedyouth,andwomenentrepreneurs,andprovidesthemwithentrepreneurshiptrainingandanintegratedrangeofbusinessdevelopmentservices.UNCTAD’sEmpretecmodelisthemainmethodologyforentrepreneurshiptraininginthecountryandisbeingimplementedthroughEmpretecGhana,whichhasbeendeliveringanumberofworkshopsinthecountry.LocaltrainerswillbecertifiedunderUNCTAD’ssupervisionin2015.UNCTADprovidedassistancetothe8establishedEMPRETECcentresinLDCsthroughadvisoryservices,policyworkshopsandseminarsbasedontheEPF,trainingtoentrepreneursandSMEsandsupporttoregionalnetworksandinitiatives.

TheBusinessLinkageProgrammeaimstoconnectlargecompanieswithdependablebusinesspartnersindevelopingcountries.In2014,ZambiaandtheUnitedRepublicofTanzaniabenefitedfromtheprogramme.Thereisagrowinginterestfromlargecompanies,bothdomesticandforeign,insourcinglocally.UNCTAD’seffortsareonprovidingaportfolioofservicesthatbuildthecapacityofselectedlocalsupplierstoenterthecompanies’valuechainsandbecomeenduringbusinesspartners.


ITU is an organization based on public-private partnership since its inception. It has a membership of 192 countries, over 700 private-sector entities and academic institutions, twelve regional and areas founded on the principle of international cooperation between governments and the private sector. Going forth it is clear that adoption of regulatory reforms, the development of ICTs/national broadband action plans and significant investment through public and private partnerships are essential for LDCs in order to fully benefit from the catalytic impact that ICTs can have in creating economic growth and efficiency across all socio-economic services and sectors. It is imperative to leverage ICT for development (ICT4D) to drive the development of the LDCs for building viable productive capacities. Achieving this goal will require concerted efforts, as well as forging smart partnerships for the implementation of the Special Programme for LDCs. Multilateral organizations and the private sector can help make a difference by accelerating the pace of telecommunication development in LDCs—This is an area on which ITU is working tirelessly to achieve tangible results for the benefits of the LDCs. Best practices and lessons learned for enhanced inter-agency collaboration can include many ITU’s achievements in the LDCs resulted from public-private partnerships.

ITC: Improving the international competitiveness of SMEs from LDCs is ITC’s raison d’être. The support ITC provides includes sharing knowledge, building productive capacity and implementing integrated solutions to help LDCs use trade as an engine for sustainable growth and jobs. ITC’s main focus is to facilitate SME success in international business. Having worked with SMEs for 50 years, ITC is familiar with the unique needs of SMEs, including women-owned enterprises, and has vast experience in improving their international competitiveness and connecting them with markets.

ITC works to boost SME competiveness and supply capacity by improving supply chain management, as well as marketing and branding. ITC also provides training and advisory services to improve production methodologies that help boosting productivity. It helps companies tap into international markets by facilitating business contacts and by enabling them to comply with standards and technical regulations. It also brings together public and private sector actors to jointly contribute to a conducive business environment. ITC also works with the private sector to support its capacity as buyers, investors, and providers of technical assistance.

UNDP:InthecontextoftheAfricanFacilityforInclusivemarketsinitiatives,UNDPhavesetupprojectstopromoteprivatesectorledgrowth.Forexample,Tanzaniahasexperiencedstrongeconomicgrowth,yetthelackofcapacitywithinmanyburgeoningenterpriseshindersthesustainabilityofthesegrowthrates.Someexistingbarrierstowardsthisachievementlieinidentifyingandattractingcompetentmanagers,whilesystemicinadequatetrainingleadstolowqualityproductoutput.Toenhancecompanies’managementandtechnicalproficiency,UNDP’sProjectAfricanTrainingManagementServices(ATMS),inpartnershipwiththeAfricanManagementServiceCompany(AMSCO),collaboratedwithSadolinPaintsandAARHealthInsurancetosupportthemincapacitydevelopment.Overall,thispartnershiphelpedgenerate4,838newjobsinTanzania,andmicrofinanceinstitutionswereabletoapproveover37,000newloanstoTanzanianbusinesses.

IFAD:IFAD’sapproachinsupporttosmallholderandmicro,smallandmediumenterprises(MSMEs)focusesoninclusivevaluechainsandbuildsonIFAD’sPublic-Private-ProducersPartnership(PPPP)model.Besidesworkingwithgovernmentstosupportenablingpolicyenvironmentsandpublic


investmentsininfrastructureandotherpublicgoods,IFADactsasanhonestbrokerbypromotingwin-winrelationshipsbetweensmall-scaleproducersandotherenterprisesthatmakeupthelocalprivatesector,buyers,inputsuppliers,Micro-financeinstitutions(MFIs)andcommercialbanks.

Inaddition,inmanycountriesIFADworkswithgovernmentstobuildthecapacityoflocalMFIsandlinkthemtoformalcommercialbanksinordertoenhancetheaccessibilityoffinancialservicesforpoorruralpeopleandenablethemtoraisetheirproductivityasfarmersandoperateasMSMEs.

Forexample,inEthiopiaIFADhasfocusedonruralsavingsandcreditcooperativesandMFIsastheonlyinstitutionsinthecountrywithacapacitytoprovidefinancialproductstargetedtotheneedsofsmallholdersinremoteruralareas.IFAD’sapproachhascombinedinstitutionalcapacity-building,improvementofregulationandacreditlinetoaddresstheliquiditygapsoftheseinstitutions.

UNCDF’sworkoninclusivefinanceengageswitharangeofcountry-basedinstitutionstodevelopinclusivefinancialsystemsandtoensurethatarangeoffinancialproductsisavailabletoallsegmentsofsociety,atareasonablecost,andonasustainablebasis.UNCDFsupportsawiderangeofprivatesectorproviders(suchasmicrofinanceinstitutions,banks,cooperatives,moneytransfercompanies)andavarietyoffinancialproductsandservices(suchassavings,credit,insurance,payments,andremittances).UNCDFalsosupportsnewerdeliverychannels(suchasmobilephonenetworks)thatofferrelevantpotentialforscale.UNCDF’sworkininclusivefinancecontinuestobuildonitssuccessinmobilizingmoney‘outofthemattresses’(or‘sleepingcapital’),providingpoorpeopleasafeplacetosave,whilealsointermediatingfundingformicro,smallandmediumenterprises-sizeenterprisestoinvestintherealeconomyoftheircountries.

Forinstance,MicroLeadsupportstheexpansionofFinancialServiceProviders(FSP)whichpursueasavings-ledapproachinthebeliefthatsavingswillallowlow-incomepopulationstotakecontroloftheircomplicatedfinanciallives.Inparticular,MicroleadseekstorespondtotheruralvacuumofservicesinLDCs.ItprovidesanexcellentexampleofhowUNCDFleveragesitsfundingtocatalysedomesticsavings:withaninitialcorecontributionofUSD5Million,UNCDFmobilizedUSD20millionfromtheBill&MelindaGatesFoundationtolaunchMicroLead.UNCDFinvestedthefundsinFSPsfromtheSouthwhobroughtaboutUSD100millionoftheirownequitytofundtheirexpansioninLDCs.After5yearsofoperations,theseFSPscombinedtoreachoveronemilliondepositors,withloanandsavingbalancesofUSD450Million.TheMicroLeadExpansionprogrammeisnowhalfwaythroughimplementationworkingwithavarietyofproviderswithtargetstoreachanadditional1.3millionclientsandmobilize$190millionindepositswhilemovingfurtherintoruralmarkets.MicroLead/MicroLeadExpansionwasimplementedinBhutan,Burundi,DRC,Ethiopia,Lao-PDR,Liberia,Malawi,Myanmar,Rwanda,Samoa,Sierra-Leone,Solomon-Islands,SouthSudan,Tanzania,Timor-Leste,Uganda,Vanuatu.

Inaddition,byprovidingtechnicalandfinancialsupportatthelocallevelforinfrastructure,UNCDFhelpstoimprovethecapacitiesofprivatesector.Improvingtheofferofroads,bridges,dams,electricity,investinginmarketsandeconomicinfrastructurehelpslocaleconomiesandopennewopportunitiesforwomen,youngandmen.Forexample,UNCDFhasinvestedmorethan$10millioninbasicservicesandinfrastructurethroughlocalgovernmentstotestinnovativefinancingthroughtheLocalDevelopmentFund(LDF)mechanism,oftenenhancedthroughperformance-basedgrantsandoperationalexpenditureblockgrants.ThelargestinvestmentswereinSomalia($3,634,015),


Bangladesh($2,140,000)andMali($1,737,906).InSomalia–whereUNCDFworkswithUNDP,theInternationalLabourOrganization,theUnitedNationsHumanSettlementsProgramme(UN-Habitat)andtheUnitedNationsChildren’sFund(UNICEF)ontheUnitedNationsJointProgrammeonLocalGovernanceandDecentralizedServiceDelivery–morethanhalfofallinvestmentsweremadeintransportinfrastructure,therebyimprovingaccesstomarketsandhelpinglocaleconomiesgrow.Thisprogrammealsostandsoutfortheproportionofprojectsithasimplementedusingpublic-privatepartnerships,throughwhichalmostonefifthofallinvestmentsweremade.

WorldBank:TheBank’sprivatesectorarmIFCanditspoliticalriskinsurancearmMIGAarerampinguptheireffortstoleverageprivatesectorinvestmentandcreatemorejobsandeconomicopportunitiesforthepoor.Thisyear,IFCprovidedmorethan$22billioninfinancingforprivatesectordevelopment,about$5billionofwhichwasmobilizedfrominvestmentpartners.MIGAissued$3.2billioninpoliticalriskandcreditenhancementguaranteesunderpinninginvestments,includingthoseintransformationalprojects.

B. Agriculture,FoodandNutritionalSecurityandRuralDevelopmentContext:Theagriculturesector,whichplaysacrucialroleinalmostallLDCs,bothinpromotingfoodsecurityandasthemajoreconomicactivityformuchofthepopulation,faceshugechallenges.Thesestemfromalackofadequateinvestmentinphysicalinfrastructure,scientificandtechnologicaldevelopment,researchandagriculturalextensionsservices,aswellasfromtheadverseimpactsofclimatechange,environmentaldegradation,desertification,andotherchallenges.Newinvestmentsarerequiredinregionalandnationalagriculturalandfisheryresearchandruralinfrastructure,extensionofbetterfarmingandfishingpracticesandinnovativeandsustainabletechnologies,aswellasmarketingadvice,structuredandeffectivefinanceandgreatertenuresecurity,includingaccesstoandcontroloverlandbyfemalefarmersirrespectiveoftheirmaritalstatus.

TheLDCsarehometo30percentoftheglobalpopulationlivingwithhunger,whileaccountingforonly12percentoftheworldpopulation.3


(a) Makesubstantialprogresstowardseradicatinghungerby2020;(b) Substantiallyincreaseinvestmentinruralinfrastructure;(c) Ensureaccesstosafefoodandemergencyfoodassistanceinallleastdeveloped

countries.

Questions:

Doesyourorganizationprovideenhancedfinancialand/ortechnicalsupporttoLDCsforthedevelopmentoftheagriculturalsector?

OSAA,OSSC,OPS,ESCAP,WFP,HABITAT,UNEP,UNWOMEN,UNDP,UNCDF,ODC,UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,WTO,EIF,ILO,WIPO,WMO,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

32014figures,sourceA/70/83-E/2015/75.


B.1AGRICULTURE,FOODANDNUTRITIONALSECURITYANDRURALDEVELOPMENT

1) Doesyourorganizationsupporteffortsaimedatincreasingagriculturalproductionandproductivity?

FAO,ITU,ODC,WIPO,ILO,WMO,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,OSSC,WFP,HABITAT,UNEP,UNWOMEN,UNDP,UNCDF,UNCTAD,CFC,EIF,OPS,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

2) DoesyourorganizationsupporttheeffortsofLDCstoestablishorstrengthensafetynetssuchasaccesstoagriculturalfinance,insuranceandotherrisk-mitigationtools?

FAO,ITU,ODC,UNDP,EIF,ILO,WMO,CFC,OSSC,WFP,UNWOMEN,WorldBank,IFAD,UNCDF

3) Doesyourorganizationprovidefoodassistanceandsafetynetprogrammestoaddresshungerandmalnutrition,basedonneeds?

FAO,ITU,ODC,ILO,ESCAP,WFP,UNICEF,UNWOMEN,UNDP,WorldBank

4) DoesyourorganizationprovidesupporttotheeffortsofLDCStoestablishorstrengthenagriculturaland/ormarineresearchanddevelopmentinstitutions?

FAO,ITU,ODC,UNESCO,WMO,HABITAT,UNEP,UNWOMEN,ESCAP,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

5) DoesyourorganizationsupporteffortstoprovideandsupportLDCswithhigh-yieldingandclimate-resilientcropvarieties,includingsaline-,drought-,andsubmersion-compatiblespecies,includingthroughthetransferofappropriatetechnologyandtechnicalknow-how?

FAO,ITU,ODC,ILO,UNDP,UNWOMEN,OSSC,CFC,WMO,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

6) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCstoestablishandupgradetheirownnationaltestingandcertificationinstitutionsandsupporttheparticipationofLDCsinregionalandglobalstandard-setting?

FAO,ITU,ODC,UNESCO,UNIDO,WTO,EIF,WMO,ESCAP,UNDP,CFC,UNCTAD,WorldBank

7) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCs’national,regionalandinternationalagriculturalandfisheryresearchinstitutions,helpbuildcapacitiesintropicalagriculturaltechnologiesandstrengthenagriculturalknowledgeandinformationsystemssupportedbyagriculturalextensionservices?FAO,ITU,ODC,WIPO,EIF,WMO,UNEP,UNDP,UNWOMEN,ESCAP,HABITAT,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

Selectedactivitiesintheareaofnutritionalsecurityandruraldevelopment


Investmentstoraiseagriculturalproductivityandresilience,especiallyforsmall-holderfamers(WorldBank)

Provisionofseedmoneytodevelopprojects/programmesandfacilitatefundmobilization:BoosterFundtofinancepartnershipsforfoodsecurityandclimateresilienceandtosupportagriculturefinancetoreachsmallholderfarmers(UNCDF)

Grantschemesforagriculture(EIF,food-andcashforassets,WTOontradeandinvestmentaspects)

Provisionofaid:food(WFP),cashtransfers(UNICEF)

Strategiesandplans(ruraldevelopment,socialprotection(ILO),landrights(ECA),fooddistributionandfood-securityandnutrition(WFP)

Developmentandimplementationofstand-aloneprojects(constructionandrehabilitationofruralroadsandmarkets(OPS),demining(OPS),ruralinfrastructureforwells,watercatchmentareasandwaterdistribution(OPS),droughtresistantseeds(UNDP),infrastructuredevelopmentandmarketaccess(UNIDO),improvingfoodsecurityforpoppygrowingfamilies(ODC),strengthening,developingandintensifyingurbanandperi-urbanagricultureandforestry(UNHabitat)

Advisoryservicesandpolicyadvice(povertyreductionandgrowthimpedimentslinkedtoagriculturaldevelopment(IMF,UNDP),mainstreaminglandpolicyandgovernanceissues,foodsecurity,assessmentsofimpactsoftrade-relatedpoliciesintheagriculturalsector(UNEP)

Organizationofglobalforums,conferences,EGMsandworkshops(FAOonimprovedcropproductivity,UNDPonstandardsforproducts)

Capacitybuildingandtraining:landrightsandplanning(ECA),foodsecurity(FAO/WFP),technologytransfer:agro-technologies(OSSC)greenhouseproduction(EIF),useofradiationtechnologyforfoodandagriculture,cropproductivity,bettersoilandwatermanagementandpestcontrol(IAEA/FAO)

Advocacyandoutreach:ruraldevelopment,landrights,governance,mainstreaminglandinnationalagriculturalinvestments,socialdialogue(ILO,ECA,Habitat)

PPP:GreenCommoditiesProgramme(UNEP),GlobalAgricultureandFoodSecurityProgram(WorldBank)

Knowledgeplatforms(weatherandclimaterelated(WMO)onfoodpricesandpolicy(FAO),vulnerabilityassessments(WFP),knowledgecentres(ODC)Knowledgedissemination(organicagriculture(UNCTAD,UNEP)

Publications/manuals(UNCTAD’sLDCReport2015on“transformingruraleconomies”,NEPADprogressreportsoncomprehensiveAfricaAgricultureDevelopmentProgramme(ECA),fisheriesandaquacultureemergencyresponseguidelines(FAO)

StandardsandTradeDevelopmentFacility,Foodstandards(FAO)

Dataandstatistics(UNICEF)


FAO:hasbeenhelpingtheGovernmentofBangladeshtoformulateandimplementacomprehensivenationalFoodPolicyandaCountryInvestmentPlan(CIP)foragriculture,foodsecurityandnutrition.TheCIP(2011-2015)hasbeeninstrumentaltomobilizeadditionalresourcestopursuethehigher-levelgoalofimprovingnutritionstatusofitspopulationinthefaceofclimatechangeandscarcenaturalresources(soilsandwater).Thetoolisalsousedtocoordinateandharmonizeinvestmentsbyvariouspartners,alignexternalfinances(loansandgrants)andasabasisforannualmonitoringasanaccountabilitymechanismtoassessprogress.TheCIPwasdevelopedinthewakeofthe2008foodpricecrisisandgreatlybenefittedfromtheUNSecretaryGeneralHighLevelTaskForce(HLTF)support,whichenabledtheentireUNcountryteamtosupporttheCIPprocess.Byprovidingitstechnicalsupport,FAOwasactingasacatalyzeronbehalfoftheentireUNsystem.Thiswasanexcellentexampleofinter-agencycollaboration,withvariousagenciesbringingtheirrespectiveareasofexpertise,e.g.UNICEFonnutritionissues,WFPonsafetynetsandfooddistributionprograms,etc.IFAD:Theagriculturalsectorisnotonlythemostimportantforruralpovertyreduction;itisalsoofcriticalimportancetotheeconomiesofmanydevelopingcountries,whichdependaboveallonagriculturalcommoditiesasthemainsourceofexportearnings.Around70percentofthepopulationofLDCsliveinruralareas,andmostdependonsmall-scaleagriculturefortheirlivesandlivelihoods.Inrecentyears,soaringfoodpriceshavehadnegativeshort-runeffectsondevelopingcountriesthatdependonimportsfortheirfoodsecurityandwherethevastmajorityofhouseholdsarenetfoodbuyers.Givenitsmandate,inallitsoperationsIFADinvestsinagricultureandruraldevelopment.Inaddition,IFADalsosupportsresearchtoincreaseproductivityandcropdiversification.Forexample,realizingthatcassavaisoneofthemostimportantsourcesoffoodenergyinthedrierareasofthedevelopingworldandithasanoutstandingperformanceunderharshconditionsofclimateandsoil,IFADissupportingappliedresearchonpost-harvesttechnologytoopenavenuesforcashincomegenerationthroughawholenewrangeofhighlymarketablecassavaproducts.

WFP: In2014,WFP-supportedactivitiesreached47.9millionpeoplein39LDCs,withdirectexpensestotalingUSD2.2billion(55%oftotaldirectexpenses).ButWFP’sfoodassistancehaspositiveeffectsformanymorepeople.Thissupportisdifficulttoquantifyintermsofbeneficiaryfigures:technicalassistancefordesigninganationalschoolfeedingprogramme,forexample,canultimatelybenefitmillionsofchildren.Innovativetechnologiesthatimprovetheefficiencyofpublicdistributionsystems,projectssupportinglocalproductionofsupplementaryfoodsandknowledgetransferstoimprovefoodsecurityanalysisareexamplesofWFP’ssupportthatcannotbequantifiedintermsofbeneficiariesofdirectfoodassistancetransfers.TheimpactofWFP’sworkclearlyextendsbeyondthenumberofpeoplereceivingdirectassistance,anditisreflectedintheincreasingdemandfromhostgovernmentsfortechnicalassistancetodevelopfood-securityandnutritionpoliciesandnationalsafety-netprogrammes,andtoincreasecapacitiesinministriestoimplementthem.

Inaddition,WFPsupportsinnovativefoodassistancetoolsincludingfood-andcash-for-assetsprogrammesandsupporttogovernmentsafetynetstargetingthemostvulnerableandusefoodassistanceasaninstrumenttobuildproductiveassets.Productiveassetsandbetterlandmanagementtechniqueshelphouseholdsandcommunitiesenhancetheirownfoodsecurityandbecomemoreresilient.WFPalsoprovidesgovernmentsandotherpartnerswithvulnerabilityand


analysismappingtoidentifytheunderlyingcausesofhungerandfoodinsecurityaswellastechnicalsupportforpolicydevelopmentinordertoeffectivelyaddressthem.

ThroughPurchaseforProgress(P4P),WFPisworkingwiththegovernmentsof14LDCsandpartnerswithotherUNagencies,non-governmentalorganizations,civilsocietyandtheprivatesectortoreducepost-harvestlossesandpromoteeconomicopportunityandagriculturalproductivitygainsbyprocuringcommoditiesandspecializednutritiousfoodslocallyandregionallywheneverfeasible,includingfromsmallholderfarmersandwarehousereceiptsystems.Forexample,intheDemocraticRepublicofCongo,theP4Pprogramme,jointlyimplementedwithFAO,focusesonrevivingagriculturalmarketsdamagedbyyearsofmismanagement,disruptionandarmedconflict.

WFPprovidesfoodassistancethroughactivitiesdesignedtoimprovethefoodsecurityandnutritionalstatusoffood-insecurehouseholds.Foodassistancehelpsmitigatingtransitoryfoodinsecurityandpreventingdeteriorationofthenutritionstatusofvulnerablepeople,especiallyduringtheagriculturalleanseasons.WFPalsosupportscommunities’capacitiesempoweringthemtoadoptsustainablelivelihoodsandbuildlong-termfoodsecurity.WFP'sprogrammeofworkincludesnationalcapacitydevelopmentandmodellinginnovationsinfoodassistance.

WFPsupportsandimplementssafetynetstoensurethatadequatefoodisavailabletovulnerablepeopleatcriticaltimes.InmanyLDCs,householdsheadedbywomenareoftenmorefood-insecurethanthoseheadedbymen:toaddressgendergapsinaccesstofoodandtoensurethatthemostvulnerablepeoplewerereached,WFPadapteditssafety-netprogrammestolocalcontexts.

FAO,IFADandWFParecollaboratingunderanewandinnovativejointprojecttoreducefoodlossesthrough a new global Community of Practice on food loss reduction andworking in threeAfricanCountries;BurkinaFaso,theDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,andUganda.

ILO:Strivingtounleashthepotentialofagricultureonasustainablebasis,theGermangovernment—togetherwithDeutscheBankandKfW—establishedtheAfricaAgricultureandTradeInvestmentFund(AATIF)in2011.TheFundisaninnovativepublic-privatepartnershipdedicatedtoupliftingAfrica'sagriculturalpotentialforthebenefitofthepoor.Itaimstoimprovefoodsecurityandprovideadditionalemploymentandincometofarmers,entrepreneursandlaborersalikebyinvestingpatientlyandresponsiblyinefficientlocalvaluechains.

TheILOhasjoinedforceswiththeAATIFinarangeofLDCs,includingBurundiandZambiaaimingtodevelopamethodologytoassessthesocialandenvironmentalriskofinvestmentsinagricultureinAfrica.InZambia,theAATIFfundsupportsinvestmentinmodernirrigationsystemstoensureproductioninthedryseason.Inordertocomplywiththesocialsafeguardrequirementsofthefund,theprojectcommittedtopayatleastminimumwagetoemployees,adjustregistrationformsinordertobeabletoidentifyminors,ensureschoolingoffarmchildrenbyexpandingschoolbuildings,providingtransportationbetweenthefarmandschool,improvetheoccupationalhealthandsafetymanagementsystemandprovidetreatedmosquitonetsforfarmworkersandtheirfamilieslivingonthefarm.Gender-sensitivetrainingmaterialshavebeendevelopedtothisendtobuildcapacitiesinreinforcingsocialcomplianceinagriculturalinvestments.Thematerialsaretargetednottowardsoneparticularcountry,butrathertowardsagriculturalfinancestakeholderswhowishtoinvestinAfrica.InthisworktheILOhasalsostrengtheneditstieswithUNEP.


UN-HabitatcollaboratedwiththeResourceCentersonUrbanAgricultureandFoodSecurity(RUAF)Foundationonapilotprojecttointegrateurbanandperi-urbanagricultureinthecityclimatechangeandurbandevelopmentstrategiesofthreecities:BoboDioulasso(BurkinaFaso),Kathmandu(Nepal)andKesbewa(SriLanka).Urbanagriculture,whenplannedandmanagedproperly,cancontributetoclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationeffortsbyloweringtheecologicalfootprintassociatedwithfoodproductionandbyincreasingvegetationcoverandreducingsurfacewaterrun-off,whileatthesametimeconservingbiodiversity.Theactivityaimedalsoatenhancingthesupplyoflocallyproducedfoodandthusreducesthecommunity’sdependencyonfoodimports,improvingurbanfoodsecurityandgeneratingincomeandjobcreation.Atthesametimeitsoughttoenhancethecollaborationbetweenlocalgovernmentsandstakeholdersinvolvedinhorticulture,livestock,agro-forestryandaquaculture.Theactivity’sco-benefitsincludethegreeningofurbanspaces.

UNEP:UNEPandFAOsignedanMOUinSeptember2014tocollaborateonthefollowingoverarchingpriorities:i)SustainableFoodSystems,ii)EcosystemServicesandBiodiversityinAgriculture,ForestryandFisheries,iii)DataandStatistics,iv)InternationalLegalInstruments,LegislationandRegulatoryMatters.

UNIDO:AcceleratedAgribusinessandAgro-industriesDevelopmentInitiative(3ADI):The3ADIisajointInitiativebetweentheFAO,IFADandUNIDOwhichaimsatenhancingcountries’resourcebasedcomparativeadvantagesthroughtheimplementationofcompetitiveagrovaluechains.The3ADIcontributestoinfrastructuredevelopmentandmarketaccess(e.g.boostingexportcapacitieswhilereducingrelianceoncommodities).Forinstance,inUganda,throughthe“ResilienceBuildingthroughBananaValueAddition”project(USD10,934,933)UNIDOisstrengtheninglocalcommunities’capacitiestoengageintheproductionofprocessedgoodsforexports.Inaddition,inMali,theSheaButtervaluechainprojectfundedbythegovernmentofLuxembourg(Euros1,000,000)addressedinfrastructureobsolescenceandhightransportcostsbyfacilitatingmarketaccessanddevelopingcompetitiveness.Intermofactivities,1,000womenacross100ofthepoorestvillageshaveseentheirlivelihoodincreaseandtheDioila’sWomenCooperativehasbeencreatedthroughUNIDO’ssupport.Moreover,theCooperativehassuppliedtheFrenchcosmeticscompanyChimitexwitharound140tonsofsheabuttersoap.Inthesameline,inEthiopia,UNIDOandtheOPECFundforInternationalDevelopment(OFID)supportedtheimplementationoftheBelesvaluechainproject(USD600,000).Consequently,UNIDOprovidedtechnicalassistancetofarmingcommunitiestoincreaseproductionofhighvaluegoodsforexports.FarmtoForktraceabilitytofacilitateseafoodexports-Bangladesh:Recognizingtraceabilitychallenges,UNIDO,incooperationwiththeEU,hasdevelopedBangladeshnationalcapacitytosetupatraceabilitysystemwhichwillreassurebuyersandensuretheindustry’scontinuedaccesstokeyexportmarkets,especiallywiththeEU.IncooperationwiththeInternationalTradeCentre(ITC),UNIDOhasintroducedits‘BetterWorkandStandardsProgramme(BEST)-BetterFisheriesQuality(BFQ)’throughaprojectamountingtoEUR13,525,000.Theprojectallowedtheoperationalizationofafulltraceabilityprocessalongthewholesupplychainfrom“farmtofork”,coupledwithimprovementsintesting,inspectionandhygienicpractices,notonlytoensuretheBangladeshseafoodindustry’scontinuedinternationalmarketaccessbutalsoassuresfoodqualityandsafetyforbothexportandlocalconsumers.Furthermore,30testinglaboratorieshavebeensetupandseveralhundredofficersandfarmerstrainedonGoodAquaculturePractices(GAP)andHazardanalysis


criticalcontrolpoints(HACCP).ItisworthmentioningthattheBangladeshFrozenFoodsExportersAssociationmainlycomposedofsmallholdershasseenitscapacitiesstrengthen.UNDP:TheInclusivemarketsinAgricultureandTradeinUgandaprogrammefinancedbyUNDPcontributestotheobjectivesofUganda’sAgriculturedevelopmentstrategyandInvestmentPlan,particularlytoincreasemarketaccessandvalueadditionforproducts.Theprojecthashelpedsmallfarmerstoorganize,improvetheirproductivityandqualityofproducts,andconnecttomarkets.Basedoncarefulvaluechainanalysesandtheassessmentofanumberofindicators,includingthemarketpotentialandinclusivenessofthepoor,threecommoditieswerechosen:rice,beansandcassava.Theprogrammefacilitatesaccesstogoodqualityseedstoplant.EquatorSeedsLimited,oneoftheleadingseedcompaniesinUganda,isfullyengagedintheproduction,processingandmarketingofqualityseedsandotherrelatedagroinputs.Throughcapacitybuilding,farmersaretaughtgoodagriculturalpracticestargetedatproduction,allthewayuptopostharvesthandlingpracticestoensurethatwhatevertheyproduceisofgoodqualityandguaranteedapremiumprice.ThesupplycontractssignedbyfarmerswithEquatorSeedsLtd,whichsecureanoutletfortheirproduce,arebeingusedasguaranteebyfarmerstoaccessfinancingthroughbanksandotherfinancialinstitutions.

UNCDF:InordertocapitalizeonthelessonslearnedUNCDFislaunchingin2015aglobalprogrammeonfoodsecuritycalled“FinanceforFood”,whichacknowledgestheneedexpressedbylocalauthoritiesforanimprovedmechanismforfinancingfoodsecurityatthelocallevelusingaLocalFoodSystems(LFS)approachthataddressesfoodsecurityproblemsbylookingatitsinstitutionalandeconomiccontextbeforeidentifyinggapsinpublicandprivateinvestments.Inaddition,usingintergovernmentalfiscaltransfersandothersourcesofpublicandprivatefinance,UNCDF’sLocalDevelopmentFundearmarksfundsforfoodsecuritytobechanneledfromthenationaltothelocallevel.Thefundsareinvestedinproductiveenterprisesandlocalinfrastructuretohelpimprovelocalresiliencetofoodshocks.Theseincludeinvestmentsinmicro-dams,productionfacilities,roads,storagefacilitiesandirrigationinfrastructure.

EIF:TheEIFfundsprojectsinLDCs.Morethanhalfofthealltheseprojectsarefocusedonsupportrelatedtothedevelopmentoftheagriculturesectorandrelatedvalueaddition.

WorldBank:Tohelpcountriesmeetfoodandnutritionneedsandraisetheincomesofsmall-holderfarmers,theWorldBankGroupisexpandingitssupporttoagricultureandrelatedsectorsreaching$8-$10billionduring2013-15.Thepredominantfocusisonraisingagriculturalproductivityandresilience,especiallyforsmall-holderfarmers,andbetterlinkingthesefarmerstomarkets.Additionalemphasisisbeinggiventotheareasofclimate-smartagriculture,privatesectorresponses,longer-termmanagement,gendermainstreaming,nutrition,andlandscapeapproaches.TheWorldBankalsocoordinatestheGlobalAgricultureandFoodSecurityProgram,aglobalpartnershipsupportinglong-term,country-ledagricultureandfood-securityplansandhelpingtopromoteinvestments,especiallyforsmall-holderfarmers.

IAEA:TheIAEAcomplementstheworkofotherUNagenciesdirectlymandatedwithimprovingfoodsecurityandnutrition,whereradiationtechnologiesmayhaveanapplication.Inthisregard,theIAEAtogetherwithFAO(throughthejointFAO/IAEADivision)providessupporttoLDCsinfoodand


agriculture,supportsnationalgoalsaimedatenhancingcropproductivity,bettersoilandwatermanagementaswellaspestcontrol.

InthemajorityofLDCs,nationalexpertiseandinfrastructurefortheuseofnucleartechniquesinfoodandagriculturearebeingestablished.Majorareascoveredundertheprogrammeinthissectorcontinuetobe:controllingmajorinsectpeststhatthreatenfoodcropsandspreaddisease;improvinglivestockproductionandhealth;improvingsoilandwatermanagementinordertomitigatetheeffectsofclimatechange,andenhancingfoodandbiofuelproduction;developingnewvarietiesofcrops,andsupportingresearchinareasofbiotechnologyandplantbreeding;upgradinglaboratorymanagementandqualitycontrolforfoodandagriculturalproduction;analyzingfoodsforcontaminantsintheinterestofpublichealthaswellasfoodsafetyandquality;andtofacilitatenationalcompliancewithinternationalstandardsforfoodexports.

Aregionalprojectentitled“SupportingInnovativeConservationAgriculturePracticestoCombatLandDegradationandEnhanceSoilProductivityforImprovedFoodSecurity”waslaunchedtoenhancetheuseofnucleartechniquesforassessingsoilerosionandsoilredistributionprocessesandtestingtheefficiencyofinnovativesoilconservationmethodsinAfrica.FiveLDCsparticipateinthisregionalproject,namelyBenin,Madagascar,Mali,SenegalandUganda.

Aregionalprojectentitled“EnhancingCropNutritionandSoilandWaterManagementandTechnologyTransferinIrrigatedSystemsforIncreasedFoodProductionandIncomeGeneration”waslaunchedtostrengthentheuseofnucleartechniquesforquantifyingefficiencyofwaterandnitrogenuseunderdifferentirrigatedcroppingsystems.TenLDCsparticipateinthisregionalAFRAproject,namelyBenin,BurkinaFaso,Ethiopia,Mali,Niger,SierraLeone,Sudan,Uganda,UnitedRepublicofTanzaniaandZambia.

AnationalTCprojectinMyanmar,“SupportingtheNationalFoot-and-MouthDiseaseControlProgramme”isincreasingproductivityinthelivestocksectorbyimplementingsustainablestrategiestocontrolanderadicateFoot-and-MouthDisease.


C. Trade

Context:TradehasanimportantroleinensuringthesustainableeconomicdevelopmentofLDCs.Asat2011,whentheIPoAwasadopted,thecollectiveshareininternationaltradeofLDCswasatjustover1percentofworldmerchandisetrade,andwashighlyconcentratedonafewexportproducts,halfofwhichflowtodevelopingcountries.LDCs,withsupportfromtheirdevelopmentpartners,shouldaddresssupply-sideconstraintsbyenhancingproductivecapacitiesandreducingconstraintsontheprivatesector,aswellasbuildinganddiversifyingtheirexportbase.ItisessentialtoseriouslyworktowardscreatingfavorablemarketaccessconditionsforallproductsoriginatinginLDCs,includingthroughthereductionoreliminationofarbitraryorunjustifiednon-tariffbarriersandothertrade-distortingmeasures.Regionalcooperation,includingthroughregionaltradeintegrationandotherarrangements,canfacilitateLDCs’developmentandtheirbeneficialintegrationintotheworldeconomyby,interalia,increasingthesizeofmarkets,improvingtheircompetitivenessandenhancingregionalconnectivity.

AttheNinthMinisterialConferenceofWTO,heldinBaliinDecember2013,WTOmembersreaffirmedtheircommitmenttoduty-free,quota-freemarketaccessforLDCs.WTOalsoagreedontheoperalizationofthe15-yearservicewaiverandtheprinciplethatthenewAidforTradeworkprogrammeshouldbeinformedbythepost-2015developmentagenda.WTOmembersalsoreachedagreementontradefacilitationthatmaybenefittheLDCS.

Significantprogresshasbeenmadeintheperiod2013-2014onissuesofinteresttoLDCs,includinginthecontextofthecommencementofworkonimplementationoftheLDCDecisionstakenattheNinthWTOMinisterialConference.InlinewiththeWTO'sHongKongMinisterialDFQFDecision,mostdevelopedMemberstodayprovidetherequired97%accesstotheLDCs.DevelopingcountrieshavealsotakenconcretestepstoincrementallyimprovemarketaccessopportunitiesforLDCexportsandanumberofthemhavenotifiedtheirLDCschemestotheWTOprovidinggreatertransparency.Asaresult,productexclusionsfromduty-freeaccesshavenarroweddownsignificantly.

IntheareaofRulesofOrigin,asmandatedbytheBaliDecision,MembershavestarteddiscussionsonPreferentialRulesofOriginintheCommitteeonRulesofOrigin.ItishopedthatmoreMemberswillbeforthcomingwithsubmissionsthatcanformthebasisofthesediscussions,therebycreatinginroadsintoimprovingPreferentialRulesofOrigin.

Ontheserviceswaiver,MembershavealreadyheldtheBalimandatedHigh-LevelMeetingatwhichindicationsweremadetoLDCsofthesectorsandmodesofsupplyinwhichsuchMemberswillbewillingtograntLDCspreferentialmarketaccesstoLDCservicesandservicesuppliers.Continueddiscussionsontheseissues,includingthesubmissionsofnotificationslinkedherewith,willassistLDCstobetterpreparethemselvestotakeadvantageofpreferentialmarketaccessintheareaofservicestrade.

Oncotton,therehasbeensustainedmomentuminaddressingthedevelopmentaspectsofcotton,includingthroughcontinuedengagementbytheDirector-GeneralinhisConsultativeFrameworkMechanismonCotton.Thishasbeenimportantinkeepingdonorengagementactiveonthesector.


Intheareaofintellectualproperty,WTOMembersextendedthetransitionperiodforLDCsuntil1January2021toprotectintellectualpropertyundertheWTO'sTRIPSAgreement.Thisisinrecognitionoftheirspecialrequirements,especiallytheireconomic,financialandadministrativeconstraintsandtheneedforflexibilitysothattheycancreateaviabletechnologicalbase.

TheobligationsfordevelopedcountriestoprovideincentivesfortechnologytransferareinArticle66.2oftheTRIPSAgreement.Inaddition,adecisionadoptedbyMembersin2003asksthedevelopedcountriestosupplyinformationonhowtheirincentivesarefunctioninginpractice.WTOorganizesannualworkshopsinvolvingdevelopedcountriesandLDCstodiscussthereportssubmittedbyMemberspursuanttothe2003decision,thushelpingLDCstounderstandthevariousactionstakenbydevelopedcountriestopromotetechnologytransfertoLDCs.

WithrespecttoAidforTrade,effortsareongoingtoenhancetheshareofassistancetoLDCs.TheFifthGlobalReview,onthethemeofreducingtradecostsforinclusive,sustainablegrowth,providedanopportunitytokeepaspotlightonthis.

TheSPSMarketAccessPrioritizationguide,developedbytheSTDF,aimstohelpcountriesprioritizedifferentSPSinvestmentoptionslinkingthemtotradeimpacts,basedonMCDA,andseekstoclarifythecostsandreturnsofinvestmentsinSPScapacitybuilding.PromisingresultshavebeenachievedintheapplicationoftheMCDAintheareaofSPSinvariousLDCsnotablyintermsof:(i)settingprioritiesamongvariousSPScapacity-buildingneedsformarketaccess;(ii)raisingawarenessabouttheimportanceofinvestinginSPScapacity;and(iii)contributingtoenhanceddialogue(public-publicandpublic-private)onSPScapacitybuildingatthecountrylevel.

TheEIFisassisting37LDCsinthedevelopmentandstrengtheningoftradecoordinationandsupportmechanisms.Thishasresultedinanincreasednationalandpoliticalconsiderationoftradeasatoolfordevelopment.78%ofEIFLDCsreportthattradeisincludedintheNationalDevelopmentPlan(upfrom56%reportedin2009).Nineteen(19)countries(upfromeightin2009)haveup-to-datetradestrategiesinplace,withanincreasebothintheirqualityandreportedimplementation.

DTISshavebecomeanimportanttoolinsettingLDCstradeagendaaslinkedtothePovertyReductionStrategyPapers(PRSP)/nationaldevelopmentplansandindeterminingthedirectionofAidforTradeatcountrylevel.In2013,90%ofEIFTier1countriesreportedtwoormoreprojectsrelatedtotheDTISActionMatrix,asopposedtoonly42%ofthesamegroupin2009.

AsamechanismforbuildingtradecapacityofLDCs,theEIFhasbeenmakingamajorcontributionnotonlytowardstheirgraduationbutalsotofacilitateasmoothtransitionfromLDCstatus.DTISsidentifysourcesofgrowthandproposereformmeasuresforLDCstotakefulladvantageoftradeopportunities,thuscontributingtothe"incomepillar".TheEIFalsocontributestothe"vulnerabilitypillar"ofthegraduationindicatorsthroughtwosub-indices,namely,throughthereductionofmerchandiseexportconcentrationandbyalleviatinginstabilityofexportsofgoodsandservices

ThroughitsTier1andTier2projectstheEIFissupportingLDCsinadvancingtheirdeliveryinmanyofthekeypriorityareasoftheIPOAsuchas:productivecapacitydevelopment,mobilizingfinancialresourcesfordevelopmentandcapacitybuilding,andgoodgovernanceatalllevels.

GoalsandtargetsoftheIPoA:


(a) SignificantlyincreasetheshareofLDCs’tradeinglobaltradewiththeaimofdoublingtheshareofLDCs’exportsinglobalexportsby2020,includingbybroadeningLDCs’exportbase;

(b) MakesubstantialeffortsforanearlyandsuccessfulconclusionoftheDohaRoundoftradenegotiationswithanambitious,comprehensive,balancedanddevelopment-orientedoutcome.

Questions:

DoesyourorganizationprovideassistanceinincreasingtheshareandbroadeningthebaseofLDCs’exportswiththeaimofdoublingtheirshareofexportsinglobalexportsby2020?

UNIDO,WTO,EIF,ITC,FAO,ITU,WMO,UNWOMEN,UNDP,UNEP,OPS,ESCWA,OSAA,OSSC,UNCTAD,WorldBank,DESA

C1.TRADE

1. DoesyourorganizationsupporttheeffortsofLDCstostrengthentheirhuman,institutionalandregulatorycapacitiesintradepolicyandtradenegotiationsinareassuchasmarketentryandaccess,tariffs,customs,competition,investmentandtechnology,andregionalintegration?

UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,ESCAP,ESCWA,ILO,WIPO,WTO,EIF,ITC,UNWOMEN,UNDP,UNCDF,OPS,WorldBank,DESA

2. Doesyourorganizationprovidetechnicaland/orfinancialsupporttonationalandregionalprojectsthatareaimedatincreasingtheproductivity,competitivenessanddiversificationofLDCeconomics,includingthroughstrengtheningthecapacityoftheirtradeingoodsandservicesandofLDCs’firmstointegrateintointernationalvaluechains?

UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,ESCAP,ESCWA,ILO,WIPO,EIF,ITC,UNDP,UNEP,UNWOMEN,OSAA,OSSC,CFC,WorldBank

3. Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalsupportaimedatthediversificationofLDCeconomieswhileprovidingfinancialandtechnicalassistancethroughappropriatedeliverymechanismstomeettheirimplementationobligations,includingfulfillingSanitaryandPhytosanitaryAgreementandAgreementonTechnicalBarrierstoTraderequirements,andtoassisttheminmanagingtheiradjustmentprocesses,includingthosenecessarytofacetheresultsofmostfavourednationmultilateraltradeliberalization?

UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,ESCAP,ESCWA,WIPO,WTO,EIF,WMO,UNDP,UNWOMEN,WorldBank,DESA


4. DoesyourorganizationassistinensuringthatpreferentialrulesoforiginapplicabletoimportsfromLDCsaresimple,transparentandpredictableandcontributetofacilitatingmarketaccess?

UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,ESCAP,ESCWA,WTO,ITC,WFP,CFC,IPU

5. Doesyourorganizationassistintheimplementationofeffectivetrade-relatedtechnicalassistanceandcapacity-buildingtoLDCsonaprioritybasis,includingbyenhancingtheshareofassistancetoLDCsforAidforTradeandsupportfortheEnhancedIntegratedFramework,asappropriate,andstrengtheningtheircapacitytoaccessavailableresources?

UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,ESCAP,ESCWA,ILO,WTO,EIF,ITC,IMF,UNDP,UNWOMEN,OPS,OSSC,WorldBank

6. DoesyourorganizationsupporttheprovisionofincentivestoenterprisesandinstitutionsindevelopedcountriestopromoteandencouragetechnologytransfertoLDCstoenablethemtocreateasoundandviabletechnologicalbases?

UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,ESCAP,ESCWA,WIPO,WMO,WTO,EIF,UNWOMEN,OSSC

7. DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCs’effortsinpromotingsubregionalandregionalcooperation,includingexportpromotionandimprovingregionalconnectivitythroughtrade-facilitatingmeasures,suchasjointprojectsoncustomsandborderproceduresandinsofaraspossible,transportinfrastructureandlinkages,telecommunicationsfacilitiesandenergy?

UNCTAD,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,ESCAP,ESCWA,WTO,ITC,WMO,UNDP,WFP,HABITAT,UNWOMEN,OPS,OSAA,OSSC,WorldBank

Selectedactivitiesintheareaoftrade

Supporttotradecapacityinfrastructure(UNIDO),tradeandexportcapacitybuildingthroughtourism(UNIDO),policyadviceandtechnicalassistanceonrulesoforigin(UNCTAD),onweather/climaterelatedaspectsoftrade(WMO),onprotectionofwomeninformalcross-bordertraders(UNWomen)

Studiesforcapacitybuildingtoimplementpoliciesfordiversificationofeconomies(OSAA),ontradeandgender(UNCTAD)

ExportDiversificationtoolkit(IMF),InvestmentPolicyReviews(UNCTAD),Balanceofpaymentstatistics(IMF),

Dataharmonizationandprovision(includingonbalanceofpaymentsanddirectionsoftrade)(IMF)

SpecialanddifferentialtreatmentflexibilitiesforLDCsinrules(WTO)

CapacitybuildingontradenegotiationsandA4T(ECA),marketaccessandfisheriestrade(FAO),non-tariffmeasures(UNCTAD),workshoponmainstreamingtradeintonationalpolicies(UNCTAD)


AdvisoryservicesandtrainingworkshopsonBalipackage(ESCWA),ontradenegotiationswithafocusonagriculture,foodsecurityandruraldevelopment(FAO),oninvestmenttreaties(UNCTAD),onwomeninformaltraders(UNWomen)

MainstreamingStandardsandcodesofpractice,suchasCodexAlimentariusandinternationalrequirementsinfishsafetyandqualityandscalingupofvalue-additionaswellaspromotionof“madein”initiatives(FAO,UNCTAD),regulationssupport(UNIDO)

Mainstreamingtheenvironmentaleffectsofmacro-economictradeandfinancialpolicies,includingtechnicalassistanceandpolicyadvice,includingthroughtheGreenEconomyInitiative(UNEP)andNationalGreenExportReview(UNCTAD)

Loanandgrants(WBasreportedbyUNOPS)oncustomsreform,youth-to-youthgrantsschemes(UNIDO)

Regionalintegrationandthedevelopmentofregionaltradestrategies(UNDP,WorldBank)

Advocacyforemploymentandgender-responsivetradeandtradepolicies(UNDP),oneconomicdiversification(OSAA),ongreatermarketaccess(IPU),duty-freeandquota-free(WTO)

Constructionoftransportandtransitcorridorstospeedfoodassistance(WFP)

DESA:DESAisimplementingaprojectoncapacity-buildingforremovingconstraintsinutilizingtrade-relatedinternationalsupportmeasuresforLDCs.LDC-specifictrade-relatedmeasuresareoftendifficulttoaccessduetothelackofawarenessinLDCs,thecomplexityintheprocessforgainingaccesstothesemeasures,andtheirdispersionacrossarangeofdevelopmentandtradingpartners.Moreover,institutionalconstraintsarepreventingLDCsfromutilizingthesupportmeasurestothefullestextent.InanefforttoassistLDCsinaddressingtheseconstraints,UNDESAhasinitiatedaprojectwiththeobjectiveofincreasinginstitutionalcapacityinthegovernmentsandexportsectorsofLDCstoaccessandeffectivelyusethetrade-relatedsupport.TheprojectfocusesonidentifyingthoseLDC-specificsupportmeasuresaddressingthelimitationsaffectingexportgrowthinanumberofpriorityexportsandonevaluatingexistinginstitutionalcapacityconstraintswithrespecttousingthosemeasuresinselectedcountries.Givenlimitedresourcesfromnationalbudgetsandthedonorcommunity,LDCsneedtoprioritizewhichparticularinstitutionalcapacityconstraintsshouldbeaddressedforimprovingaccesstothevarioussupportmeasuresidentifiedbytheproject.Forthispurpose,apriorityselectionmechanismbasedonaCost-BenefitAnalysis(CBA)methodologyhasbeendevelopedbyUNDESA.TheCBApresentsanapproachtoidentifykeyinstitutionalconstraintsinaccessinginternationalsupportmeasuresandamethodologyforprioritizingsupportbasedoninformationcollecteddirectlyfrompublicandprivatesectorstakeholders.Theprojectisalsodevelopingtheso-calledePingtoolkit(seepilotversionatwww.epingalert.org)allowingpublicandprivatesectorstakeholderstoretrieveinformationaboutchangesintechnicalbarrierstotrade(TBT)andsanitaryandphytosanitary(SPS)measuresof(potential)tradingpartners.Theprojectisimplementedin4pilotcountries.Furtherdetailsabouttheprojectcanbeaccessedatwww.un.org/ldcportal

Underasubsequentcapacity-buildingprojectDESAwillworkwithselectedLDCstocollectdataandinformationonavailableISMsandthedegreetowhichtheyareusedindifferentsectors,andtouse


thisinformationinimpactassessmentandevidence-basedpolicies.TheprojectwillsupportthesecountriesinidentifyingkeyproductivesectorswhereISMsandnationalpoliciescouldhavethegreatestimpacttosupportsmoothtransition,andwillworkwithgovernmentstakeholders,chambersofcommerceandsectorassociationstodevelopsmoothtransitionstrategies.InadditiontheprojectwillworkwithUNandbilateraldevelopmentpartnersineachcountrytodeveloplinkswiththeirfuturesupporttothetargetLDCsandpromotesustainability.

UNDP:InthecontextoftheEIF,UNDP’sactivitiesconcentrateonfourareas.Viatradediagnosticandneedsassessments,UNDPmapsthecurrentsituationinacountryandidentifiesprioritysectorsandpolicyreformsnecessarytoenhancetradeopportunitieswithanimpactonpovertyreduction.AssistancefortheformulationofdiagnosticstudieswasprovidedtoCambodia,Comoros,Chad,SouthSudanandYemenin2013-2014.UNDPhelpsLDCstomainstreamtradeinthenationaldevelopmentstrategy,enablingthecountrytousetradeasameansfordevelopment.Capacityassessmentsoftraderelatedinstitutionshelptoidentifyinstitutionalconstraintsthathampertradeandstrategiestotacklethese.Overthelasttwoyears,supportoncapacityassessmentwasprovidedtoMalawi,Samoa,SierraLeoneandSouthSudan.UNDPalsoassistsinsettingupstructurestocoordinateAidforTradeassistancefrombilateralandothermultilateraldevelopmentpartners.

ITC:ITengagesinaseriesofactivitiesrelatedtoconnectingdevelopingcountrybusinessestovaluechains,buildingsustainablemarketlinkagesanddeliveringpositivedevelopmentoutcomes.

ITCpromotesregionaleconomicintegrationinAfricainpartnershipwithregionaleconomiccommunitiesandtheAfricanUnion.ItalsoprovidesupporttoLDCstodesigntradestrategiesthatenablethetransformativechangenecessaryforSMEstobemorecompetitiveinternationally,facilitatinggrowthandemployment.ITCisrevampingandrollingoutitsValueAddedtoTradeprogrammebypackagingsolutionstohelpSMEsprovideadifferentiatedandvalue-addedofferandaddressproductionandlogistics-relateddifficultiesingettingproductstomarket.Thesolutionsofferedwithintheprogrammearemodularinnatureandarecustomisedtosuitclientneeds.Themainelementsoftheprogrammearelogisticandsupplychain,exportmarketing,meettechnicalandqualityrequirementsandfostermarketlinks,

FAOiscurrentlydevelopingastrategytoengagemorefullywiththeEnhancedIntegratedFramework(EIF)forTrade-relatedTechnicalAssistancewithaviewtostrengthenFAO’scapacitytomainstreamtradeandrelatedpoliciesandmechanismsintoagricultureandfoodsecuritystrategies.FAOengageswithcountriestofacilitateunderstandingoftheWTOSPSandTBTAgreements,includingtherelevanceofCodexstandardsasreferencestandards,anddevelopmentofofficialnationalcontrolscompliantwiththerequirementsoftheseAgreements.Thisincludescross-bordercontrolsforfood.WiththeTradeFacilitationAgreement,FAOwillcontinuetoengagewithrelevantstakeholdersatglobalandcountryleveltoensurethatconsiderationstoensurefoodsafetyandprotectconsumersaretakenintoaccountwhenanalyzingbordercontrols.


UNCTADorganizedaregionalworkshoponmainstreamingtradeintonationalpoliciestoreducepovertyinLDCsinMaseru,Lesotho,inMarch2015.TheworkshopreviewedthenationalstudiesofthethreecountriesinAfricatounderstandthemainstreamingoftrademeasuresintonationalpolicies,andtheconstraintsfacingthecountriesinmakingtradeanengineofhumandevelopment.Strategiestoaddressthesechallengeswereidentified.Buildingproductivecapacitieswasidentifiedasacriticalelementformainstreamingoftradepoliciesintopovertyreductionmeasures.

Outofthe38investmentpolicyreviews(IPRs)completedbyUNCTAD,16werepreparedforLDCs.Aroundfive-sixyearsafterthecompletionofanIPR,UNCTADpreparesareportthatassessestheextentoftheimplementedrecommendations.TheImplementationReportsforLDCsshowedgoodtostrongimplementationrecords,increasedinterestbyexistinginvestors,andincreasedcapacityformarketinvestmentopportunities.FollowingthereviewoftheirinvestmentpoliciesbyUNCTAD,mostbeneficiarycountriesrecordedincreasesinFDIinflows.

TheEnhancedIntegratedFramework(EIF)

EIFisamulti-donorprogramme,whichsupportsLDCstobemoreactiveplayersintheglobaltradingsystembyhelpingthemtacklesupply-sideconstraintstotrade.Inthisway,theprogrammeworkstowardsawidergoalofpromotingeconomicgrowthandsustainabledevelopmentandhelpingtoliftmorepeopleoutofpoverty.TheEIF'sglobalreachismatchedbythewiderangeofactiveengagementandcoordinationwithEIFCountriesfromPartnerAgencies(IMF,ITC,UNCTAD,UNDP,WB,WTO,UNIDO,UNWTO,withUNOPSasTrustFundManager).

TheEIF'ssupporttotheLDCs'tradeagendacomesintheformofcomprehensiveprojectsbuildinginstitutionalandproductivecapacity.Institutionalcapacity-buildingisthroughfundingfromtheEIF'sTier1window;forproductivecapacity-building,itisthroughtheTier2window.Tier1'SupporttoNIAs'projectstypicallyincludefourresultsaimingatenhancingcapacityto(1)managethecountry'stradeandAidforTradeagenda;(2)mainstreamingtradeintotheoveralldevelopmentplan;(3)coordinatingsupporttotheAidforTradeagenda;and(4)mobilizingresourcestofundprioritiesfortradedevelopment.Tier2projectsaddressawidevarietyofproductivecapacityfields,e.g.,agri-valuechains,textile/clothingvaluechains,tourism,tradefacilitationandstandardscompliance.

TheEIFisassistingLDCsinthedevelopmentandstrengtheningoftradecoordinationandsupportmechanisms,providingsupporttoministriesofcommerceandtrade.ThroughtheEIFNationalImplementationArrangements,theEIFdevelopsanin-countryplatformthatfomentsdonoranddevelopmentpartnercoordination.

Thishasresultedinanincreasednationalandpoliticalconsiderationoftradeasatoolfordevelopment.78%ofEIFLDCsreportthattradeisincludedintheNationalDevelopmentPlan(upfrom56%reportedin2009).Nineteen(19)countries(upfromeightin2009)haveup-to-datetradestrategiesinplace,withanincreasebothintheirqualityandreportedimplementation.

Sources:WTOandenhancedif.org


UNEPseekstoidentifyopportunitiesatthecrossroadsofGreenEconomyandTrade.Ifwearetoreversetheglobaldeclineofbiodiversity,mitigatethereleaseofgreenhousegases,haltthedegradationofterrestrialecosystemsandprotectouroceans,theninternationaltrademustbecomesustainableandresponsible.Furthermore,ifwearetosucceedineradicatingpoverty,wewillneedtoensurethattradebenefitsthepoor.

Whenaccompaniedbyappropriateregulation,internationaltradeandthegreeneconomycaninteractinabi-directional,mutuallybeneficialway.TheGreenEconomytransitionopensuprichnewopportunitiesforregionalandglobaltrade.Forexample,theglobalmarketinlow-carbonandenergyefficienttechnologiesisprojectedtonearlytripletoUS$2.2trillionby2020.Atthesametime,theRio+20conferenceidentifiedinternationaltradeasanenginefordevelopment,sustainedeconomicgrowthandthetransitiontoagreenereconomy.

UNEPaimstoenhancesynergiesbetweengreeneconomyandtradeby:informingtheinternationaldebatethroughcutting-edgeresearch;engagingwithawiderangeofnon-governmentalorganizations,businesses,researchplatforms,andUNpartnersinimplementingtheGreenEconomyInitiative;andprovidingdemand-drivenpolicyadvice,technicalassistanceandcapacity-buildingtocountrieswhowishtouseinternationaltradeasanengineforagreeneconomytransition.

UNEP’stradeworkisvestedinstrongpartnershipswithotherinternationalorganizations,andcontributestoaholisticandconcertedapproachtochallengesatthenexusofgreeneconomyandtrade.

ECA:,incollaborationwithUNEP,FAO,UNDPandUNIDO,producedthefiftheditionoftheSustainableDevelopmentReportonAfrica(SDRA-V)underthetheme,achievingsustainabledevelopmentinAfricathroughinclusivegreengrowth.AspartoftheSDRA-Vprocess,thesustainabledevelopmentindicatorsetthatwasproducedforthefourtheditionwasupdatedinconsultationwithmemberStates,partnersandotherstakeholders.PrimarydatawascollectedfromBotswana,BurkinaFaso,Cameroon,Ethiopia,Ghana,Kenya,Morocco,Nigeria,Rwanda,Senegal,SouthAfrica,TunisiaandUganda)usingtheupdatedindicatorset.Additionally,casestudiesoninclusivegreengrowthwereconductedinfourselectedcountries,namely,Ethiopia,Ghana,MoroccoandSouthAfrica.InadditiontoprovidingaholisticassessmentofprogresstowardssustainabledevelopmentinAfrica,thereporthighlightsthesignificanceofpromotinginclusivegreengrowthinselectedsectors(agriculture,ecosystemsgoodsandservices,energy,industryandtrade)tospurgreentransformationintheregion.Inthisregard,SDRA-VisexpectedtocontributetoenhancingthecapacityofmemberStatestoformulateandimplementpolicyreforms,andtomonitorprogresstowardsgreentransformation.

ECAhasconductedstudiesonthelinkagesbetweeninclusivegreeneconomypoliciesandstructuraltransformationinfivecountriesacrossthesubregionsofAfrica,namely;BurkinaFaso,Ethiopia,Gabon,Mozambique,andTunisia.Additionally,theCommissioncarriedoutquestionnairesurveysonthesameinCameroon,Ghana,Kenya,Mauritius,RepublicofCongo,Rwanda,SenegalandSouthAfrica.ThestudiesandsurveyssoughttoanalyzeinclusivegreeneconomyrelatedpoliciesinAfricaandexplorethelinkagestostructuraltransformationplans,andrelatednationaldevelopmentvisionsandstrategies.TheintentistoexaminetheroleandsignificanceofinclusivegreeneconomypoliciesinfosteringsustainablestructuraltransformationinAfrica.Thestudyreportsandcompleted


questionnairesformedthebasisforthepreparationofasynthesisreportonInclusivegreeneconomypoliciesandstructuraltransformationinselectedAfricancountries.Thereportaimstopromoteunderstandingandtheadoptionofinclusivegreeneconomypoliciesthatfostersustainablestructuraltransformationintheregion.

ECAhasalsoproduced,incollaborationwithUNEP,areporton“EnablingmeasuresforaninclusivegreeneconomyinAfrica”thatexaminesanddocumentstheroleandsignificanceofvariousenablersthatcouldfacilitateasmoothtransitiontoaninclusivegreeneconomyinAfrica,takingintoaccounttheimplicationsofsuchatransitionfortheregion.Enablersexaminedarepoliciesandinstitutions,policyinstruments,technologydevelopmentandtransfer,capacitydevelopmentandfinancing.Thereportrecognizestheroleandparticipationoftheprivatesectorascritical,thusthemainstreamingofthisaspectinallthechapters.

D. Commodities

Context:ManyLDCsremaincommodity-dependent,withasignificantnumberrelyingprimarilyonagricultureorontheextractionofveryfewnaturalresourcesandprimaryproductsforexport.Primarycommoditiesin2014madeup77percentoftheLDCs’exportsofgoods,mirroringtoalargeextentthestructureoftheLDCproductionbase.ThissituationmakesLDCsvulnerabletoexternaltradeshocksowingtovolatilityofcommodityprices,whichalsoimpactsdomesticresourcemobilization.ThereisaneedforconcertedmeasuresandactionstosupportLDCs’effortstoreducecommoditydependence,includingthroughthediversificationoftheirexportbase,andtomitigateandreducetheadverseeffectsofcommoditypricevolatility.


BroadenLDCs’economicbaseinordertoreducecommoditydependence.

Questions:

1)Doesyourorganizationprovideanyformofassistance,financialortechnical,tosupporteffortsofLDCstobroadentheireconomicbaseinordertoreducecommoditydependence?

IMF,FAO,ITU,UNIDO,EIF,ITC,UNEP,UNDP,UNWOMEN,ESCWA,ESCAP,CFC,OSAA,UNCTAD,WorldBank,UNCDF

D1COMMODITIES

1) DoesyourorganizationsupporteffortstoassistLDCstobettermitigateandmanagetherisksassociatedwiththevolatilityofcommoditypriceswithoutdistortingmarketbehaviorbystrengtheningandexpandingexistingfacilities,onamutuallyagreedbasis?

ITU,WMO,UNDP,ESCAP,IMF,WTO/EIF,ITCESCWA,WFP,UNWOMEN,CFC,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD


2) DoesyourorganizationsupportmeasuresbyLDCstoenhancecorporatetransparencyandaccountabilityofallcompanies?

ILO,ITU,WMO,UNDP,ESCAP,WorldBank

3) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCsinstrengtheningtheircapacitytomanagetheirnaturalresources,includingminerals,energyandagriculture,andtodiversifytheircommoditybase,includingthroughthetransferoftechnology?

ITU,WMO,UNDP,ESCAP,FAO,WIPO,UNIDO,EIF,UNEP,UNWOMEN,WFP,ESCWA,OSAA,CFC,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

4) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCsinstrengtheningeffectivemarketingsystemsandsupportframeworksforsmallcommodityproducersinleastdevelopedcountries?

ITU,WMO,UNDP,ESCAP,ILO,WIPO,FAO,UNIDO,EIF,ITC,CFC,WFP,UNWOMEN,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD

Selectedactivitiesintheareaofcommodities

Technical assistance and policy advice in managing natural resource wealth (IMF), incommercializationoftheagriculturalsectorandpromotionofagribusiness(FAO),indiversificationalongthefishvaluechain(FAO);vulnerabilityprofiles,tradeanddevelopmentstrategies,EmpretecProgramme (UNCTAD); on economic diversification (OSAA), vulnerability and analysis mapping(WFP), innationalqualitycontrolalong thesupplychain(UNIDO), reviewofpolicyandregulatoryframeworks to enhance corporate transparency and accountability in the mining sector (ECA),strategyforsupportingsustainableandequitablemanagementoftheextractiveindustries(UNDP)

Capacitydevelopmentandtraining:fishsafetymanagementprogrammeandfoodsafetyandqualityassurance(FAO),mainstreaminggreeneconomy(UNEP)andad-hocexpertgroupmeetingsinqualityandSPSstandards(FAO).

Environmentalcapacitybuildingandtechnologysupportfortransitioningtoagreeneconomy(UNEP)

Directprojectsupportandleveragingoffinancefornon-traditionalexportsectors(EIF)

IBRDfinancialproductstofunddevelopmentprogramsandmanagerisksrelatedtocurrency,interestrates,commodityprices,andnaturaldisasters(WorldBank)

Studies:DiagnosticTradeIntegrationStudies(EIF),Valuechainanalysisofinternationalfishtrade(FAO),CommodityandDevelopmentReport(UNCTAD),LDCReport(UNCTAD),CropandFoodSecurityAssessmentMissions(FAO/WFP)

Surveillanceandprogramdiscussionsinthecontextofbalanceofpaymentsneeds(IMF)

EIF:TheEIFspecificallyaimstoincreasetheshareof,anddiversificationin,non-oiltradeinLDCs.TheEIFalsoaimstoincreaseemploymentinnon-traditionalexportsectors.Thisisdoneboth


throughanalysisintheDiagnosticTradeIntegrationStudiesandthroughdirectprojectsupportandtheleveragingofadditionalfinancetosupporttheseinitiatives.

TheIMFdevelopednewmacro-fiscalframeworksandpolicyanalysistoolsforResourceRichDevelopingCountries(RRDCs)thatcouldenhanceFundpolicyadviceinitspolicypaperMacroeconomicPolicyFrameworkforResource-RichDevelopingCountries.Thepaperputsforwardfivekeyinnovations:afiscalsustainabilityframeworkthataccountsforthegrowth-andrevenueenhancingimpactofpublicinvestment;asustainableinvestmenttoolforRRDCstoanalyzethefiscalandmacroeconomicimplicationsofsaving/investmentscalingupscenarios;asetofproposedfiscalindicatorsforRRDCstaffreportstomeasurethesavingsfromanduse(consumptionorinvestment)ofresourceflows;anewtoolkitfordesigningfiscalrulesthatsmoothrevenuevolatilityandassesslong-termfiscalsustainability;andaframeworkthatgeneratescurrentaccountbenchmarksforexternalsustainabilityanalysisinRRDCs.

TheFundhastopicaltrustfundsthatfinancetechnicalassistanceonspecifictopicstolow-andlowermiddle-incomecountries.TheManagingNaturalResourceWealthandTaxPolicyandAdministrationtopicaltrustfunds,withfive-yearbudgetsof$25.3millionand$27million,respectively,completedthreeyearsofoperationsinFY2014.

ProvidinganalyticalworkthroughflagshippublicationsinApril2015toaddressvolatilityincommodityprices,suchastheimpactofoilpricesacrosstheFund’smembershiphadbroadimplicationsfortheworkoftheIMF.Bilateral,regional,andglobalsurveillanceactivitiesalladjustedtotherapidlychangingenvironment.ArticleIVconsultations,RegionalEconomicReports,andtheFund’sflagshippublications—theWorldEconomicOutlook(WEO),GlobalFinancialStabilityReport(GFSR)andFiscalMonitor—alldevotedconsiderableattentiontoissuesrelatedtooilpricevolatilityforinstance.

WorldBank:IBRDoffersfinancialproductsthatallowclientstoefficientlyfundtheirdevelopmentprogramsandmanagerisksrelatedtocurrency,interestrates,commodityprices,andnaturaldisasters.Infiscalyear2014,theBank’sTreasuryexecutedU.S.dollarequivalent(USDeq)4.3billioninhedgingtransactionsonbehalfofmembercountries,includingUSDeq.2.7billionininterestratehedges,USDeq1.1billionincurrencyhedges,USDeq52millioninhedgesagainstnon-IBRDobligations,andUSDeq547millionfordisasterriskmanagement.Inaddition,theBank’sTreasuryexecutedswaptransactionstotalingUSDeq33.1billiontomanagetherisksofIBRD’sbalancesheet.

TheWorldBankcontinuestobealeaderinglobaltransparencythroughitsAccesstoInformationPolicy.Thispolicy,implementedin2010,recognizestherighttoatwo-levelappealsprocesswhenarequestforinformationisdenied.Inkeepingwithitscommitmenttotransparency,accountability,andresults,theBankcontinuestoworkwithlocalstakeholderstomaximizetheoutreachandimpactofthispolicy.

ILO:TheinnovativeILO/IFCBetterFactoriesCambodia(BFC)programmemonitorsfactories,trainsmanagementandworkers,andprovidesguidanceandadviceonfactoryimprovementsthathelpenterprisespreserveprofitswhilerespectingworkers'rightsinthegarmentindustry.BFCiscommittedtosupportingthecompetitivenessoftheCambodiangarmentindustryandhelpingtomaintainthereputationofCambodiaasanethicalsourcingdestination.Thisisalsodoneby


maintainingaBetterFactoriesCambodia'sTransparencyDatabase.WithinthenextyearitisforeseenthatalltheBetterWorkProgrammeswillcreatetheirownTransparencyDatabases,whichwilllookataccountabilityandtransparencyinthegarmentsectorinthefollowingLDCs:Bangladesh,HaitiandLesotho.

FAO:ThroughFAO’sCropandFoodSecurityAssessmentsMissions(CFSAMS),whichareconductedjointlywithWFP,FAOmonitorsnationalandglobalmarketandtradedevelopmentsusingitswebportalinadditionwiththefollowing:

(i) CropProspectsandFoodSituation:publishedfourtimesayearandfocusesondevelopmentsaffectingthefoodsituationofdevelopingcountries,withaspecificsectiononAfrica.

(ii) CerealSupply/DemandBalanceSheetsforeachofSub-SaharanAfricacountriesisalsopublishedfourtimesayear.

(iii) GlobalFoodPriceMonitor:publishedmonthlyandfocusesoncurrentfoodpricesatworld,regionalandcountrylevelwith3sectionsdescribingthepricesituationinLDCs.

(iv) CountryBriefsforLDCs:over400wereupdatedduring2010-2014.

(v) DatabaseofInterpolatedEstimatedDekadalRainfallforLDCs:updatedtimelyandregularlyduring2010-2014.

(vi) FoodOutlook:publishedtwiceayearandfocusesondevelopmentsaffectingglobalfoodandfeedmarkets,withcomprehensiveassessmentsandforecastsonacommodity-by-commoditybasis.

FAORiceMarketMonitor:publishedfourtimesayearandprovidesananalysisofthemostrecentdevelopmentsintheglobalricemarket,includingashort-termoutlook.

FAOhascorporativeprogramswithIFIssuchastheWorldBankandIFADininfoodsecurity,nutrition,agricultureandruraldevelopment(FSNARD),sustainablenaturalresourcemanagement(NRM)andclimatechangemitigationand/oradaptation(CCM/A)indevelopingcountriesandcountriesintransition,assistinggovernmentsandcountrystakeholders,maindevelopmentpartners,inparticularinternationalfinancinginstitutionswiththestrategicplanningandimplementationoftheirinvestmentstoachievegrowth,povertyalleviation,foodsecurityandnutritiongoals.IFAD:IFADprovidesfinancialandtechnicalsupporttoLDCsforthedevelopmentoflocalandcountry-levelmarkets,workingonbothstimulatingsupplyanddemand(viaincomeincrease)forlocalproducts.Inaddition,IFADworksonregionalmarketlinkages.Allthishelpsdecreasedependenceoncommunityexports.

UNEP:AnexampleofUNEP’sworkinstrengtheningLDCscapacityintheareaofagricultureistheUNEP-UNCTADCapacityBuildingTaskForceonTrade,EnvironmentandDevelopment(CBTF).ItlaunchedaninitiativecalledPromotingProductionandTradingOpportunitiesforOrganicAgriculturalProductsinEastAfricawhichwasanefforttogreenagricultureandopennewmarketaccessopportunitiesforEastAfricanregion.Atthetime,thereweremorethanfivedifferentpublicstandardsandseveralprivateandinternationalstandardsbeingusedintheregion.Theproliferation


ofstandardsposedsignificantproblemsforlocalfarmers,includinghighcompliancecosts.Moreover,thevariousschemescausedanobstacletoregionaltradeandlimitedcooperationamongorganictradersatatimewhendemandoutstrippedsupplies.Toaddressthesechallenges,itwasdecidedjointlybyEACmemberstates,UNEPandUNCTADthataregionalorganicstandardwouldbebeneficialforboostingproductionandtradeoforganicproducts.TheCBTFfacilitatedaregion-wideprocessoftechnicalcooperationbetweencountries,whichincludedintensivepublicconsultationswithabroadrangeofstakeholders.

Aregionalpublic-privatesectorworkinggroupwasalsoestablishedwithmembersfrombureausofnationalstandards,organicmovements(NGOs)andcertificationbodies(privatesector),whichfurtherdevelopedandtestedthedraftstandard.Finally,in2007,theEACCouncilofMinistersadoptedtheEastAfricaOrganicProductsStandard(EAOPS).ItwasthesecondregionalorganicstandardafterthatoftheEuropeanUnion,andthefirstevertobedevelopedthrougharegion-widepublic-private-NGOpartnership.Thesuccessoftheinitiativeislargelyattributedtotheinclusivenessoftheprocess.Itwasguidedbynationalgovernments,anditsdevelopmentandpilottestingwasledbynationalNGOsandtheprivatesector.

UNDP:UNDPadoptedtheStrategyforSupportingSustainableandEquitableManagementoftheExtractiveIndustriesin2012.TheStrategyintroducesabroadapproachinhelpingresource-dependentcountriesdeveloptheircapacities,institutionsandgovernancesystemstoenabletheirextractivesectorstocontributetosustainabledevelopmentprioritiesandtoserveascatalystsforeconomicdiversification.Since2012,UNDPhassupported17LDCswithextractiveindustryrelatedactivities.Forinstance,inLesothoandBurundi,UNDPactivelyengagedinsupportingthedevelopmentofcomprehensiveoil,gasandminingpolicieswithtransparentgovernancestructures.InCambodia,UNDPhassupportedthedevelopmentoftheminingandpetroleumsectorsthroughcapacitydevelopment,policydialogueandknowledgesharing.UNDPisalsocurrentlyprovidingpolicyadviceandtechnicalassistancetoLiberia,YemenandZambiaonissuesrangingfromrevenuemanagement,diversificationstrategiestostrengtheninglocalcontentprovisions.

E. HumanandSocialDevelopment

Context:Women,menandchildrenarethegreatestassetsofLDCs;theirpotentialbothasagentsandbeneficiariesofassistancemustbefullyrealized.About60percentofthepopulationofLDCsisundertheageof25.LDCsfaceseriouseconomic,humanandsocialdevelopmentchallenges.Theywillcontinuetofacethesignificantburdenofpovertyincomingyearsunlessconcretestepsaretakentotackleitsrootcausesinasustainableway,includingbybuildingproductiveandhumancapacity.PovertyandhungeraremultidimensionalproblemsthatposeseriousconstraintstoLDCs’effortstomakeprogressinhumanandsocialdevelopmentowingtoinabilitytoaccessessentialservicessuchaseducation,health,waterandsanitationandtoaccessproductiveresourcestoparticipateinsocial,economicandpoliticallifeandbenefitfromeconomicgrowth.LDCsarestarklylaggingbehindinmeetingmostoftheinternationallyagreeddevelopmentgoals.

GoalsandTargetsoftheIPoA:Specificgoalsandtargetswillbeenumeratedundertheareasencompassedbythispriorityarea,whichare:


1. Educationandtraining2. Populationandprimaryhealth3. YouthDevelopment4. Shelter5. Waterandsanitation6. Genderequalityandempowermentofwomen7. Socialprotection

DoesyourorganizationprovideassistancetoLDCswithrespecttohumanandsocialdevelopment?

ILO,IMF,EIF,ITC,ITU,FAO,UNESCO,UNIDO,WIPO,WMO,UNWOMEN,UNEP,UNICEF,WFP,HABITAT,UNDP,UNCDF,ODC,UNFPA,OPS,ESCWA,OSAA,OSSC,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

E.1.HUMANANDSOCIALDEVELOPMENT:EDUCATIONANDTRAINING

GoalsandTargets:

(a) EnsureuniversalaccesstofreeprimaryeducationinLDCsbyincreasingtheenrolmentandretentionrates,andalsoincreaseaccesstosecondary,tertiaryandvocationaleducationandskilldevelopmenttraining;(b) Increasethequalityofeducationandtrainingthatisofferedatalllevelsandincreaseliteracyandnumeracyratesofadultsandchildren;(c) Eliminategenderdisparitiesineducationandtrainingandensureequalqualityofeducationbetweenmalesandfemales.

Questions:

1) DoesyourorganizationprovidefinancialortechnicalsupportforLDCstoimplementtheirnationaleducationplansandprogrammes,includingincreasedaccessibilityinruralandremoteareas?

UNESCO,FAO,WMO,ILO,EIF,UNIDO,WIPO,ITU,ITC,UNICEF,UNWOMEN,WFP,UNFPA,ESCAP,OPS,WorldBank

2) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCstogobeyondMDGtargetsineducation,especiallyinincreasingenrolmentanddecreasingdropoutratesthroughmeasuressuchasabolishingschoolfees,providingschoolmealsandensuringthatschoolshaveseparatesanitationfacilitiesforboysandgirls?

UNESCO,FAO,WMO,WFP,UNICEF,UNWOMEN,OPS,ESCAP,WorldBank

3) DoesyourorganizationassistinprovidingsupporttoLDCs’effortstotrainandretainteachersandtrainers,particularlyinruralandunderservedareas?

UNESCO,FAO,WMO,UNIDO,ITU,EIF,UNWOMEN,UNICEF,UNFPA,ESCAP,WorldBank,IFAD


4) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCeffortstoimprovehighereducationalandtechnicalandvocationeducationandtraining?

UNESCO,FAO,WMO,ILO,UNIDO,EIF,ITU,WIPO,UNEP,UNCDF,UNICEF,WFP,HABITAT,UNWOMEN,OPS,OSSC,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

5) DoesyourorganizationsupporthighereducationinstitutesinallocatingplacesandscholarshipsforstudentsandtraineesfromLDCs,inparticularinthefieldsofscience,technology,businessmanagementandeconomics?

UNESCO,FAO,WMO,WIPO,ITU,OSSC,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IAEA

SelectedActivitiesineducationandtraining

Technicalandvocationaleducation(ILO,WMO,UNESCO,UNHabitat)

Rehabilitation,building,establishmentofschools(UNOPS,UNHabitat)

Curriculumdevelopment(UNFPA,UNIDO)

Professionaldevelopmentandtraining(UNFPA,UNESCO,FAO,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IAEA)

Capacitydevelopmentandtraining(UNESCO,WTO/EIF)

Policyadvice(UNESCO,UNEP,UNICEF)

FinancialliteracytrainingandyouthemploymentandentrepreneurshipinSub-SaharanAfrica(UNCDF)

Financialsupport(UNESCO,WorldBank)

Advocacy(UNESCO,FAO,UNICEF)

Highereducationexchanges/scholarship(ICT,OSSC)

Knowledgeplatformsandconnectivity(ITU,UNWomen,UNCTAD)

Schoolfeedingprogrammes(WFP)

UNESCOanditspartnersareworkingwiththeLDCstoaccelerateeffortstoachievetheEducationForAll(EFA)goalsbeforethe2015targetyear,andtocontributetothedevelopmentofthepost-2015educationagenda,includingthroughstock-takingexercisesandthroughtheparticipationoftheLDCsinregionalandglobalconferences,suchastherecentWorldEducationForum,heldinMay2015from19-22MayinIncheon,Korea.TheForumadoptedtheIncheonDeclaration,therebycommittingtopromotingeducationopportunitiesforallby2030withintheEducation2030FrameworkforAction(FFA),aroadmapforgovernmentstoachievetheEducation2030Agenda.TheFFAwaslaunchedandendorsedbytheglobaleducationcommunityduringahigh-levelevent,heldalongsidethe38thsessionofUNESCO’sGeneralConference.

Atcountrylevel,UNESCOisprovidingsupporttotheLDCsinthefollowingareas:


• TeachingandLearning:UNESCOissupportingthedevelopmentandimplementationofteacherpoliciesandprofessionaldevelopmentprogrammes.Atotalof17LDCshavethusfarbenefittedfromUNESCO’ssupportforinstitutionalcapacitydevelopment,withafocusondevelopmentorreviewofteachereducationcurriculumandqualificationframeworksandstrategies;

• TechnicalandVocationalEducationandTraining(TVET):SolidprogresswasregisteredinimplementingactivitiesinthethreecoreareasofUNESCO’sStrategyforTVET:upstreampolicyadviceandcapacitydevelopment,normativework,andknowledgesharing.Thusfar,atotalof14LDCsbenefittedfromTVETpolicyreviewsandcapacitydevelopment.

• Literacy:UNESCOisalsoprovidingtechnicalandfinancialsupporttoreinforceliteracypoliciesandplansintheLDCs,andtosupporttargetedliteracyinterventionsforyouthandadultswithlimitedliteracyskills,withaparticularfocusongirlsandwomen.Atotalof25LDCsbenefittedfromUNESCO’sworkinthisregardduringthebiennium.Thisalsoincludedsupporttomeetliteracylearningneedsofout-of-schoolchildrenandyouththroughstrengtheningnationaleducationsystemsandprovidingflexiblelearningopportunities.Atthegloballevel,UNICEFandtheUNESCOInstituteforStatistics(UIS)developedandlaunchedaglobalreportonout-of-schoolchildren,whichincludedkeydataandfindingsinthisareaforLDCs.UNESCOalsoadvocatedforintensifiedcollectiveeffortstopromoteliteracyinthepostUnitedNationsLiteracyDecade(UNLD,2003-2012)throughaneffectivemulti-stakeholderpartnershipinsupportofcountryactionattheUNGA,whichincludedthepreparationofkeyreportsonthisissue.

• Educationsector-widepoliciesandplanning:Aspartofitskeyroleinsupportingupstreameducationpolicyplanning,UNESCOissupportingLDCsincapacitydevelopmentonimproving,revising,preparingand/orimplementingeducationsector-widepoliciesandstrategies.15LDCshavebeenprovidedwithsupportforthisbiennium.UNESCO’sInternationalInstituteforEducationalPlanningisalsoprovidinglarge-scalecustomizedtrainingsinLDCsineducationalplanning,onspecifictopicssuchasdecentralizationofeducationortransparencyandanti-corruption.

WFP:WFP’sschoolmealsandtake-homerationsprovideanincentivetofamiliestosendtheirgirlstoschoolandtonourishthemwhilethere.Schoolmealsandtake-homerationshelpkeepgirlsinschools,andlowerdropoutrates.Keepingadolescentgirlsinschoolsgivesthemabettereducationandcontributestoraisingtheageatwhichtheymarryorhavechildren.

WFP’scontributiontotheeducationsectorisalsoalignedwiththeIPoA’scallonthedevelopmentpartnerstoimplementspecificactiontopromoteincreasedaccessibilityinruralandremoteareasaswellastoincreaseenrolmentanddecreasedrop-outratesthroughactivitiessuchschoolmeals,amongothers.In2013,WFPcarriedoutschoolfeedingprogrammesin39LDCs.Theschoolfeedingprogrammesactasasafetynetinsupportofvulnerableschoolchildrenandtheirfamiliesandcontributetobreakingtheintergenerationalcycleofchronichungerthroughbetteraccesstoeducation,betterlearningandbetternutritionandhealth.

Thebenefitsofschoolfeedingextendbeyondtheclassroomastheyareoftencombinedwithdewormingandmicronutrientfortification,especiallywhentailoredtospecificnutritionalneeds-suchasthoseforadolescentgirls-thatinvestmentismultiplied.Asoftenaspossible,foodisprocuredlocally,whichbenefitslocalfarmersandthewholecommunity,whileenhancingthesustainabilityoftheprogramme.


ITUhasdevelopedaninitiativetoConnectaSchool,ConnectaCommunitythatassistsitsMemberStatestoleveragetheirconnectedschoolsascommunityICTcentres,providingICTskillsforthesocialandeconomicdevelopmentofpeoplewithspecialneeds,includingwomen.WiththisinitiativeITUsharesbestpracticesoncommunityICTcentresforthesocialandeconomicempowermentofwomen.

ConnectaSchool,ConnectaCommunityInitiativeisanexampleofpublic-privatepartnershipeffortstopromotebroadbandschoolconnectivitytoservebothstudentsandtheircommunities.ConnectedschoolshavethepotentialtoserveascommunityICTcentrestoprovideaccesstoservicesforpersonslivinginrural,marginalurbanandisolatedareas,withemphasisondisadvantagedandvulnerablegroupssuchaswomenandgirls,indigenouspeople,personswithdisabilities,youthandchildren.Bestpracticescanbecompiledandsharedonpracticalexperiences.ITUprovidesalsoscholarshipsforgirlsinthetechnologyfieldintheLDCs.

ITC:ITC’sYouthandTradeProgrammeenablesyoungentrepreneurstointernationalizetheirbusinessandgainincreasedincomeopportunities.Theprogrammecoordinateswithrelevantpolicymakers,TradeandInvestmentSupportInstitutions(TISIs),aswellasdiverseactorsintheentrepreneurshipecosystemsatcountry,regionalandinternationallevelincludingchambersofcommerce,privatesector,universities,financialinstitutions,impactinvestorsandexistingincubators.TheYouthandTradeprogrammeisapragmaticresponsetoconnectyoungentrepreneurstointernationalmarketsandimprovetheirincomeopportunities.

YouthandTradeRoadmapAYouthandTradeRoadmapprovidespolicymakersanopportunitytorapidlyidentifygrowingsectorsthatcanreadilyintegrateyouth.Theroadmapoffersastrategicengagementwithtrade,allowingpolicymakers,privatesectorandotherkeystakeholderstoidentifymechanismswithwhichtoenhancetheabilityofyouthtoengagealonghighpotentialvaluechainswhileaddressingthemainconstraintstotradecompetitiveness.

TradeAcceleratorforyouth-ownedSMEsTheTradeAcceleratorforyoungentrepreneursisaninnovativeandsustainablemodeltofostertheintegrationofyouth-ownedSMEsintointernationalmarketsandvaluechains.Inpartnershipwithahostinstitution,theTradeAcceleratormodelinstallsinthecountryanecosystemofinstitutions,advisers,mentors,impactinvestorsandotheractorstosupportyouth-ownedSMEswithtailoredservicesasspringboardstoaccessinternationalmarkets.

E-LearningTheE-LearningcoursepackageforyoungentrepreneursavailablethroughtheITCSMETradeAcademyintroducesarangeofinternationalbusinessconceptsandbuildstheirtradecapacity.Theknowledgegainedwillassistyoungentrepreneurstoconsider,assess,andplanexpandingtheirbusinessinternationally.

UNWomen:ThejointprogrammeonEmpoweringAdolescentGirlsandYoungWomeninEducationwillbeimplementedbetween2015and2020initiallyin5countries,4ofwhichareLDCs(Nepal,Tanzania,MaliandNiger).TheinnovativeJointProgrammeisapartnershipbetweenUNESCO,UNFPA,andtheWorldBankasatechnicalpartner.TheProgrammelooksbeyondgenderparityand


theMDGfocusareasineducationtoaddresstheempowermentofgirlsandyoungwomentostayinschoolandtohaveopportunitiesforsecondchancesateducationeveniftheydropout.ItwillemphasizetheuseofICTsasatoolforachievingqualityteachingandlearning.Across-sectoralapproachallowstheprogrammepartnerstoaddresscapacitydevelopmentwithintheeducationsector,developanenablingenvironmentforgendersensitiveeducationpolicies,andaddressthelinkagesbetweenhealthandeducationbyprovidingsupportforvarioushealthservicesforadolescents.

E.2.HUMANANDSOCIALDEVELOPMENT:POPULATIONANDPRIMARYHEALTH


(a)AchievetargetsunderMDGs4and5by2015and,buildingonthese,furthersignificantlyreducetheinfant,under-fiveandmaternalmortalityratesandchildunder-nutritionby2020;

(b)Provideuniversalaccesstoreproductivehealthby2015,includingintegratingfamilyplanning,sexualhealthandhealth-careservicesinnationalstrategiesandprogrammes;

(c)AchievetargetsunderMDG6by2015and,buildingonthis,furtherreversethespreadofHIV/AIDSandtheincidenceofmalariaandothermajordiseases.

Questions:

1) DoesyourorganizationprovidefinancialortechnicalsupportforLDCstostrengthentheirnationalhealthsystems,inparticularhealth-financingsystemstoimproveaccesstoaffordablequalityprimaryhealth-careservices?

ITU,WMO,UNICEF,UNFPA,OSSC,ILO,WIPO,OPS,UNWOMEN,ESCAP,WorldBank,IAEA

2) DoesyourorganizationsupportworkwithLDCstoimproveaccesstomedicines,encouragethedevelopmentoftechnologyandthetransferoftechnology,theproductionofaffordable,safe,effectiveandgoodqualitymedicines,fosteringtheproductionofinnovativemedicines,generics,vaccinesandotherhealthcommodities?

ITU,WMO,UNICEF,UNFPA,OSSC,UNIDO,WIPO,UNDP,WorldBank,IAEA

3) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCstodeveloptheircapacitytosystematicallycollectandanalyzedemographicdatatobeused,interalia,fordesigningappropriatenationalpolicies?

ITU,WMO,UNICEF,UNFPA,OSSC,FAO,UNWOMEN,WFP,HABITAT,ESCWA,DESA,WorldBank,IAEA

SelectedActivitiesintheareaofpopulationandprimaryhealth

Public-privatepartnershipstotacklediseasesandempowerpeople(ILO,UNOSSC,ITU/WHO)

Traininginpublichealthrelatedissues(ILO,UNOPS,UNICEF,IAEA)


Construction/support/rehabilitationofhealthcareinfrastructure(UNOPS,UNIDO)

Policyadviceforstrengtheningpublichealthsystemsandservices(UNFPA,FAO,ITU/WHO,UNICEF)

Datacollectionandmanagement(UNFPA,WMO,UN-Habitat,UNICEF)

Supportformedicinal/pharmaceuticalsector(UNIDO,EIF)andnuclearmedicine(IAEA)

Knowledgeplatforms(WMO,UNOSSC,ITU/WHO,IAEA)

Advocacy(ScalingUpNutrition)(UNICEF),universalhealthcoverage(WorldBank)

InvestmentstowardsachievingtheMDGsinhealth(WorldBank)

UNICEFfocusesfirstandmostintentlyonthechildrenleftfurthestbehind–anequity-basedapproach–liesattheheartofthemissionandworkofUNICEF.Whetherchildrencomefromthepooresthomesorthemostmarginalizedethnicgroups,UNICEFhaslongbeencommittedtoputtingtherightsofthesechildrenatthetopofouragenda.IntheLDCs,UNICEFcontinuestostrengthenitseffortstoreducedisparities.In2014,UNICEFspent53%oftotalprogrammefundsinLDCs.UNICEFfocusesinvestmentinareasthatprovidethegreatestreturn–andthemostsustainableresults.Agreaterfocushasbeenmadetoreachthemostvulnerablepopulations,especiallywomenandchildren,especiallysinceweknowthatthataroundhalfthepopulationinLDCsisunder18.

ResultsreportedbyUNICEFOfficesin2014include35of59targetcountrieseliminatingmaternalandneonataltetanuswithUNICEFsupport;100countriesprocuring2.71billiondosesofvaccines,covering40percentoftheworld’schildren;measleseliminationandrubellacontrolin15countries,involvingmorethan160millionchildren;mainstreamingofriskreductionandresilience,includingclimatechange,innationalhealthstrategiesandplansin34countries;13.8millionpeoplegainingaccesstoimproveddrinkingwaterandmorethan11.3milliontosanitationinnon-emergencysettings,andmorethan19,000communitieshometo9.3millionpeoplecertifiedasopen-defecation-free.

UNOSSCinpartnershipwiththePanAmericanHealthOrganization(PAHO),theRegionalOfficefortheAmericasoftheWorldHealthOrganizationinitiatedin2011theSouth-SouthGlobalHealthExchange(SS-GHX).ItwasdevelopedtosupporttheUNSecretary-General’sglobalhealthagendas.SS-GHXpromotescooperation,sharingandexchangesofsuccessfulhealthpractices.Itaimstoidentifyhigh-impactpractices,policiesandresearchaswellasinnovativehealthtechnologiesandfundingresourcestofacilitatethetransferofappropriate,adaptableandaffordablesolutionsthateffectivelytacklethespecifichealthneedsofdevelopingcountries(withastrongemphasisonLDCs).SS-GHXworkstohelpscaleupanddisseminateSoutherninnovationsviaanonlineplatformandanofflinesupportandserviceplatform.

SS-GHXutilizesamulti-sectoralandpublic-privatepartnershipapproachtoenhanceimplementationeffortsatboththeglobalandlocallevels.Keyfocusareasincludematernalandchildhealth,non-communicablediseasesandHIV/AIDSinresponseto,amongothers,the2011GeneralAssemblyhigh-levelmeetingonnon-communicablediseasepreventionandcontrolandtheSecretary-General’sGlobalStrategyforWomen’sandChildren’sHealth.SS-GHXhasbeenendorsedbytheInnovation


WorkingGroupoftheUnitedNationsSecretary-General’sEveryWomanEveryChildmovementasasustainablebusinessmodelforscalingupdevelopmentsolutionsandfundingopportunitiesforLDCsandcountriesintheSouth.

ITUandWHOlaunchedon17October2012,anewandinnovativepartnershipprogrammeonNCDscalled‘BeHealthyBeMobile’“tounleashthepotentialofmobiletechnologiesfornon-communicablediseases,toempowerpeople,communitiesandnationsatlarge,byfacilitatingthetransformationofmobilephonesatthehandsofallintoenablingtoolsthatprovideaccesstorelevantinformationandservicesthataddressthepreventionandcontrolofNCDs.”

Amongnewtechnologies,mobileshavebeenthemostrapidlyadoptedtechnologyinhistory,andtheyarenowusedinconnectionwithawiderangeofpublichealthinitiatives,inbothdevelopedanddevelopingcountries.Bytheendof2013,therewerealmostasmanymobilecellularsubscriptionsastherearepeopleontheplanetwith6.8billion;andover90%oftheworld’spopulationisalreadycoveredbyamobilecellularnetwork.Mobilephoneshaveuniqueadvantagesinthehealthsector,inbeingavailable,accessible,affordable,portable,innovativeandempowering.Theyprovideaccesstoservicesforthosewhoarenoteasilyabletoengagewiththeformalhealthsystem.ExamplesinLDCsincludemDiabetesinitiativeinSenegaltoincreaseawarenessandpatienteducationaboutdiabetesthroughSMSmessages,usingcellphonestotrainhealthworkers,anddeliveringremoteconsultationservicesaswellasprovidingtreatmentandmanagementsupportfordiabetics.InZambiathemCancerprogramwasimplementedbecauseZambiahasoneofthehighestprevalenceofcervicalcancerintheworld;andmanychallengesremaintoensurescreeningofallwomendespitenationalefforts.Theinitiativeprovidesnationalsmsbasedservicestothecountry’swomen,encouragethemtogoforscreeningforcervicalcancerandprovidefollowupservicesviaphones.TheITU/WHOJointInitiativeincludesalsothedevelopmentofmHealthtools,thedevelopmentofmanualsor“PlanningandImplementationDocuments”thatarecreated,refined,usedincountriestobecometheblueprintforhowacountrycanrunanationalmHealthprogramme.Theycontainthebusinessandtechnologyrules,operationguides,aswellasthecontentforthespecificintervention.

UNDPhasfocusedonfacilitatingaccesstomedicinesbysupportingcountriestotakefulladvantageoftheflexibilitiespermittedundertheWTO’sAgreementontheTrade-RelatedAspectsofIntellectualPropertyRights(TRIPS)toincreasetreatmentaccess.ThisworktakesplaceinthecontextofincreasingnumbersofpeopleinneedoftreatmentcausedbytherevisionoftheWHOtreatmentguidelinesin2013.ThisworkisalsointhecontextofanincreasedrelianceondomesticfinancingforHIVtreatmentasmultilateralfundingbecomeslessavailableincertainregions.Forexample,UNDPco-hostedtwoconsultationsinpartnershipwithcivilsocietyattherequestofthegovernmentofUgandain2012,resultinginthedevelopmentofabookletusedforadvocacypurposedbycivilsociety.Asaresultoftheseconsultations,UNDPsupportedtheGovernmentofUgandatoreviseitsIndustrialPropertyBilltoincorporatepublichealthsensitiveflexibilitiesavailableintheTRIPSAgreement.TheBillwaspassedbyParliamentinAugust2013andsignedintolawbythePresidentinJanuary2014.UNDPhasprovidedsimilartechnicalsupporttoanumberofLDCs,andhasalsodevelopedanissuebriefinpartnershipwithUNAIDSadvocatingfortheextensionoftheLDCwaiverattheWTO.

UNFPA:“UNFPASupplies”,formerlycalled“UNFPAGPRHCS”isoneofUNFPA’sflagshipprogrammesthatprovidesearmarkedadditionalsupporttowidenaccesstoareliablesupplyofReproductive


Healthcommodities(includingcontraceptivesandlife-savingobstetricdrugs)in35LeastDevelopedCountriesgrapplingwithhighmaternaldeathrates,lowratesofcontraceptiveuseandagrowingunmetneedforfamilyplanning.In2007,theprogrammewaslaunchedin12countries.By2015,coveragehadexpandedto46countries(thatis,35LDCsand11LowerMICs).Cumulatively,UNFPAhasmobilizedatotalof$780.7millionfortheprogrammebetween2007and2014.Sixty-fivepercent(65%)ofavailableresourceshavebeeninvestedinprocurementofcommodities,while35%havebeeninvestedinstrengtheningnationalcapacitiesandhealthsystems.Overthecourseof2013and2014,theprogrammehasreachedanestimatedcumulativetotalof68millionusersofmodernfamilyplanning.Assuch,theprogrammemayhaveavertedupto17millionunintendedpregnancies,51,000maternaldeathsand3.1millionunsafeabortions.Moreover,duringthesameperiod,theprogrammehaspotentiallycontributedtoUS$750millionincumulativecostsavingsforfamiliesandnationsincludingthecostforantenatalcareandtreatmentforpregnancyrelatedcomplications.

UNFPAisamemberoftheH4+partnershipofUNagencies(WorldHealthOrganization(WHO),UNICEF,theJointUNProgrammeonHIV/AIDS(UNAIDS),UNWomenandtheWorldBank).H4+focusesonimprovingmaternalandchildhealthin75countriesofwhich44areLDCs.TheH4+advocatesforastrongerfocusonreproductive,maternal,newbornandchildhealth(RMNCH)withinthenationalhealthsectorplansandenabledsomegovernments,suchasBangladeshtoreducematernaldeathsbymorethantwothirdsandhalveneonataldeathsbetween2008and2014.ThesecondphaseoftheinitiativeaimstotranslatetheSDGsandtheUNSecretaryGeneral’s“everywoman,everychild,everyadolescentstrategy”intorealitywithafocusonqualityandsustainablematernalandnew-bornsolutionsincludingintroductionofacadreofmidwivesmeetinginternationalstandardsandtherevitalizationoffamilyplanningprogrammes.

IAEA:Aprojectentitled“DeterminingtheImpactofVitaminAandZincSupplementationonIntestineParasiteMorbidity,SchoolPerformanceandBodyCompositionAmongSchoolChildren”,whichwaslaunchedinBurkinaFasotodeterminetheimpactofvitaminAandzincsupplementationonintestineparasitemorbidity,schoolperformance,bodycompositionandVitaminAandzincstatusinschoolchildren.

Threeprojectsentitled“EnhancingEbolaDiagnosticCapacityusingnuclear-derivedtechniqueatWHO/NICDEVDLakkaLaboratory”,“EnhancingEbolaDiagnosticCapacityusingRT-PCRattheLiberianInstituteforBiomedicalResearch”and“StrengtheningHumanResourcesforEbolaVirusDiseaseDiagnosticinLiberiausingNuclear-derivedTechniques”forSierraLeoneandLiberia.Theprojectswerelaunchedin2014aspartoftheIAEAcontributiontotheinternationaleffortstofighttheoutbreakoftheEbolaVirusDisease(EVD).Theprojectsaimatenhancingdiagnosticcapabilitiesinthesecountries.

Aregionalprojectentitled“ApplyingNuclearTechniquestoDesignandEvaluateInterventionstoReduceObesityandRelatedHealthRisks”,whichwaslaunchedtosupporttheimprovementofrelevantinterventionstopreventandcontrolobesityinAfrica.Theprojectfocusesonthedevelopmentofhumanresourcesforusingstableisotopetechniquestoassessbodyfat,totalenergyexpenditureandphysicalactivity.Toaddressthisneed,regionalprofessionalsarebeingtrainedthroughaMaster’sDegreeinNuclearScienceandTechnology.TwelveLDCsparticipateinthisregionalproject.


TheIAEAissupportingYemenwiththeestablishmentofacentralizedhospitalradiopharmacyandpositronemissiontomographyatthenuclearmedicinecentreintheAl-ThawraModernGeneralHospital.TheaimofIAEAsupportis,ontheonehand,toenhanceexistingnuclearmedicineservicesinYementhroughthecentralizedproductionandqualitycontroloftechnetium-99mkits.TheIAEAthereforesupportstheprovisionofnecessaryequipmentforcentralizedradiopharmacy,suchasalyophilizer,laminarairflowcabinet,hotcellsanddosecalibratorforestimationoftheradioactivityofdosestomeettherequirementsofgoodmanufacturingpractice(GMP)andradiationprotectionregulations.Additionally,theIAEAsupportsYemenwiththeintroductionofmoreadvanceddiagnostictechniquesthroughtheintroductionofpositronemissiontomography(PET)whichisamoreaccuratediagnosticimagingtechniqueusedforearlydetectionofcancers.

TheIAEAissupportingBangladesh’sBangabandhuSheikhMujibMedicalUniversity,throughtheTCproject,“ImprovingtheManagementofOncological,CardiovascularandInfectiousDiseases,particularlyTuberculosis”,whichseekstoimprovetheintegrationofPET/computedtomography(CT)technologyindiagnosticmedicine.

E.3.HUMANANDSOCIALDEVELOPMENT:YOUTHDEVELOPMENT


(a)Strivetoensurethefullandeffectiveparticipationofyouthinthelifeofsocietyandindecision-makingprocesses;

(b)Buildtheeducationalandskillscapacityofyouthandachievefullandproductiveemploymentanddecentwork;

(c)Enhanceyouthparticipationintheeconomythroughimprovingaccesstovocationaleducation,volunteeringandemployment.

Context:LDCsingeneralhaveahigherfertilityrate,andthereforeattachgreatimportancetoyouthandyouthemployment.Peopleundertheageof25comprise61percentofthepopulationofLDCs,whichisoneofthehighestratesintheworld.Figuresfrom2013indicatethatmorethan10percentofliterateyouthbetweentheagesof15-24wereunemployedin24LDCs.Limitededucation,lackofworkingskillsandhighyouthunemploymentcontributestoconsiderableyouthunderemploymentandlow-incomeself-employment,oftenintheinformalsector.Employment-to-populationratiosforyouthaged15-24areconsiderablyandconsistentlylowerthanthoseforthepopulationasawholeacrossLDCs.Investmentineducation,skillssets,employmentandempowermentisfundamentaltoachievingasustainablefutureandensuringpeaceandsecurity.Youngpopulationsshouldbeinapositiontocontributetosuchaprocesssubstantiallyaschangeagents.4

Questions:

4SeeA/70/83-E/2015/75.


1) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalassistancetosupportLDCs’policiesandprogrammesthatprovideeconomicopportunitiesandproductiveemploymenttoyouth?

ILO,UNIDO,WTO/EIF,ESCWA,OPS,DESA,UNCTAD,UNDP,UNCDF,WMO,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

2) Doesyourorganizationsupportformalandnon-formaleducationsystemsinLDCsforcapacity-buildingandskilldevelopmentofyouthandadolescents?

ILO,UNIDO,WTO/EIF,UNEP,UNICEF,UNDP,OPS,DESA,OSSC,WMO,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD,UNCDF

3) Doesyourorganizationsupportthepromotionofyouthexchangeprogrammes,includingthroughvirtualcampusesandothernetworkingmechanisms?

UNICEF,DESA,WIPO,WMO,IAEA,IFAD

SelectedactivitiesonYouth

Policysupportonyouthemploymentandcivilparticipation(ILO,UNESCO,UNWomen)

Advisoryservicesontransitionfrominformaltoformaleconomy(ILO,FAO)

Institutionalcapacitybuildingforyouthemployment(EIF,FAO,UNIDO)

ICTinfrastructure,includingfortechnologyandinnovation(ITU)

E-training,includingyounggovernmentofficials(IMF),virtuallaboratories(WMO),academydistancelearning(WIPO)

Advocacyandoutreach(UNFPA,UNICEF,UNWomen)

Education/trainingforyouthinemployment-generatingareas(UNCDF,UN-Habitat,UNDP,UNIDO,WorldBank,IAEA)

Knowledgeandsocialmediaplatforms(ECA,UNDP,UNWomen)

Financialinclusiontargetedatyoungpeopletohelpthemmanagetheirfinanciallivesandstartsmallbusinesses(UNCDF)

SolutionsforYouthEmployment,aglobalcoalition(WorldBank)

WorldBank:Highereducationplaysakeyroleinpromotingeconomicgrowthanddevelopment,especiallyforAfrica’sfast-growingyouthpopulation.Asoneofthelargestfinanciersofhighereducationintheregion,theBankismobilizingitsknowledgeandleadershipbehindcountriestochampioneducation.TheWorldBank’snew$150millionAfricaHigher-EducationCentersofExcellenceProjectisfunding19university-basedcentersforadvancededucationinWestandCentralAfrica.Itwillsupportregionalspecializationamongparticipatinguniversitiesinmathematics,


science,engineering,andinformationandcommunicationtechnology(ICT)toaddressregionalchallenges.

Furthertothis,theWorldBankisundertakingmuchworkonyouthunemployment,withtherecentlaunchoftheSolutionsforYouthEmployment,aglobalcoalitionthatactstoaddressthepervasivechallengesofyouthemployment.


ECAdevelopedatool,aknowledgeplatformtoshareECA’sworkandbestpracticesonsocialpoliciesincludingyouthissues.Theplatformwasusedbybothpolicymakersandyoungpeopleandwasusedtofacilitatethesharingofgoodpracticesatindividualandcountrylevelonissuesofyouthemployment.Theplatformenhancedpeerlearning,informationsharingandknowledgecreationamongtencountriesincludingLDCsonhowtheircountrieswereaddressingyouthunemploymentissues.TheplatformwasalsousedtoobtaintheviewsandinputofyoungAfricansontheareaofthecreativeeconomyasanewdevelopmentpathwayforyouthemploymentinAfrica.

IFAD:Oneofthechallengesfacingyoungruralpeopleislackofaccesstoinformationandnetworksthatwouldhelpthemtoshareskills,businessopportunitiesandcreatelinkswithdecision-makingprocessesthataffectthem.DuringIFAD’sCartagenaworkshoponruralyouthentrepreneurshipinNovember2010,participantswrestledwiththeseissues.Theydiscussedideasforconnectingyoungpeopletoenablethemtoshareinnovations,experiencesandideasandtomoreeffectivelyparticipateinkeydecision-makingprocesses.Oneoftheoutcomesofthesediscussionswascreationofthe

THEUNSYSTEMWIDEACTIONPLANONYOUTH

AspartofhisFive-yearActionAgendaforhissecondterminoffice,theSecretary-GeneralcalledforthedevelopmentofaSystem-wideActionPlan(Youth-SWAP)toenhancethecoherenceandsynergyofUNactivitiesinfivekeyareasrelatedtoyouth:employmentandentrepreneurship;protectionofrightsandcivicengagement;politicalinclusion;education,includingcomprehensivesexualityeducation;andhealth.

TheYouth-SWAPprovidesstrategicguidancetotheUNsystemasawholeinitsworkonyouth.Itprovidesanopportunitytobolsterinter-agencycollaborationonyouthissuesattheglobal,regionalandnationallevels.EnshrinedwithinthelargerframeworkoftheWorldProgrammeofActionforYouth,theYouth-SWAPbuildsonthespecificmandates,expertiseandcapacitiesofindividualUnitedNationsentities,poolingthestrengthsofthewholeUnitedNationssystemandpromotingjointprogrammaticwork.

TheInter-agencyNetworkonYouthDevelopment(IANYD),anetworkofmorethan40UNentities,developedtheYouth-SWAPin2012throughaconsultative andpreparatoryprocessconsistingofaglobalsurveytoobtaininputstotheYouth-SWAPframework.Over13,500youngpeoplefrom186countriesparticipated.TheYouth-SWAPwasendorsedbytheUnitedNationsSystemChiefExecutivesBoardforCoordinationinApril2013.ThefirstYouth-SWAPreportandwebsite(unyouthswap.org)werelaunchedinOctober2014.

In2014,aYouthSWAPMonitoringandEvaluationframeworkwasdeveloped.ThisframeworkisbasedontheimportantrolethattheYouth-SWAPplaysasareportingtooltomeasuretheprogrammaticstewardshipoftheUNsystem.ItwillallowtheUNsystemtoidentifythecountriesandtopicsforwhichadditionaleffortsareneededintermsofyouthdevelopmentsupportforevidence-baseddecisionmakingandprogramming.Itwillalsostrengthenaccountabilityvis-à-visMemberStatesbytrackingtheglobalUNeffortonyouthdevelopmentatthecountrylevel.Itisthereforenotatooltomeasuretheglobalsocio-demographicstatusofyouth.TheframeworkwasadoptedbytheIANYDinJanuary2015forthepurposeofapilotphaseaimedatapartialtestofthesurveyinstrumentonYouthEmploymentandEntrepreneurship.Theresultsofthepilotphasewillbemadeavailableinthelastquarterof2015.

Source:UNDepartmentforEconomicandSocialAffairs


GlobalYouthInnovationNetwork(GYIN),aplatforminspiredandledbyyouthandopentoyoungruralpeoplewiththepassiontoinspiretheircommunitiesandencouragechange.

GYINiscomprisedofrepresentativesfromyouthdevelopmentandleadershiporganizationsworkingforeconomicempowermentofyoungwomenandmenthroughouttheworld.Itsmembersincludeyoungentrepreneurs,farmers’organizations,NGOsandrepresentativesfromgovernmentsandinternationalorganizations.GYIN’smissionistoestablishaglobalnetworkofyoungentrepreneurs,withtheultimateaimofcontributingtopovertyreductionbyprovidingopportunitiesforyoungpeopletoserveasagentsofchangethroughinnovation,entrepreneurship,leadershipandself-employment.Throughitsmembersitworkstocreateaplatformforsharingskills,knowledgeandexperience.Italsosupportsyoungentrepreneursinimplementingandexpandingprojectsaimedatdevelopingtheirlocalcommunities.

EstablishedinOctober2011,GYINcreatesanopportunityforyoungpeopletonetworkandinteract.Italsomakesyouthaccessibletoplannersanddecision-makers,supportingtheirdirectinvolvementinpolicydiscussionsandinitiativestopromotetheireconomicempowerment.Theyoungpeoplereportthatwhentheyhaveanopportunitytodiscusspolicydirectlywithpolicymakersthroughsuchaforum,theirviewsarereceivedmorethoroughlyandsincerelythanhastraditionallybeenthecase.Inaddition,buildingoninteractionsfromyoungpeoplethroughGYIN,IFADisincreasinglywideningthespacesforruralyouthandtheirorganizationstobeheardatoflevels.

UNCDF:YouthStart(BuildingYouthInclusiveFinancialSectorsinSub-SaharanAfrica)aUNCDFinitiativeestablishedinpartnershipwithTheMasterCardFoundation,aimstoincreaseaccesstofinancialservicesforlow-incomeyouthinsub-SaharanAfrica,withanemphasisonsavingsandfinancialeducation.Afterworkingforfouryearswith10leadingFSPsineightcountriesinSub-SaharanAfrica(BurkinaFaso,DemocraticRepublicofCongo,Ethiopia,Malawi,Rwanda,Senegal,TogoandUganda),theinitialtargettoprovideaccesstofinanceto200,000youthbetweentheagesof12-24wasmorethandoubled,with450,000youthhavinggainedaccesstofinancialservices,whilethescopeofproductsofferedexpandedto17newyouthdemanddrivenproducts.AsofDecember2014,YouthStartFSPpartnersgrantedaccesstosavingsaccountstoalmost515,000youngpeople(46%youngwomen),trainedover500,000youthinfinancialeducation(54%youngwomen),andprovidedloanstoalmost72,000youngentrepreneurs.Theseyoungclientshaveaccumulated$14.8millioninsavingswhileyoungentrepreneursaccessed$7.3millioninloanstoeitherstartuporexpandtheirownbusinesses.

UNESCOisworkingtopromoteyouthdevelopmentintheLDCsintheframeworkofitsOperationalStrategyonYouth(2014-2021),whichdefinesthemainaxesoftheOrganization’sworkinthisarea:providingsupportfortheformulation,reviewandimplementationofyouthpolicieswiththeparticipationofyouth;capacitydevelopmentforthetransitiontoadulthood;andcivicengagementanddemocraticparticipationandsocialinnovation.AnexampleofUNESCO’sworkinthisareaistheinteragencyreviewprocessofZambia’sNationalYouthPolicyincoordinationwithILO,UNICEF,UNFPAandtheUNCountryTeam.Thepolicyreviewprocessappliedaparticipatoryandinclusivemethodologicalapproachbuildingon,andfeedingintonationalanddevelopmentpriorities.Thetwo-yearprocess(2012-2013)engagedconcernedstakeholders,fromgovernmenttocivilsociety,multilateraldonorsandagencies,academia,aswellasyoungwomenandmen.Youthengagementandparticipationwasenabledfromthedesignofthepolicyreviewprocess


throughoutitsimplementationandfinalization:thenationalYouthDevelopmentCouncil,aswellasrepresentativesofyouthNGOsandassociationweredirectlyinvolvedinallstagesoftheprocess,andextensiveconsultationswereconductedwithyoungwomenandmeninallprovincesofZambia.ThenewNationalPolicyonYouthisaccompaniedbyadetailedActionPlanidentifyingkeyactionsandrelatedresponsibilitiesamongallstakeholdersengagedintheprocessandconcernedbytheimplementationofthepolicy.

UNFPA,aspartoftheUNsystem,hasimplementedtheUnitedNationsSystem-wideActionPlanonYouth,andisaleadagencyforadvocacyandtechnicaloperationstobuildhumancapitalofyoungpeopleandharnessademographicdividend.In12countriesofEastandSouthernAfrica(includingDRC,Ethiopia,Eritrea,Lesotho,Malawi,Mozambique,Sudan,Uganda,TanzaniaandZambia),andsixcountriesoftheSahel(fiveofwhichareleastdeveloped),UNFPAhassupporteddemographicevaluationsofnationalprospectsforharnessingademographicdividend,andprovidedpolicyadvicetogovernmentsoncriticalinvestmentsneededforyouthempowerment,includingsexualandreproductivehealth,educationandemployment.UNFPA’sworkonthedemographicdividendspansleastdevelopedcountriesinAfrica,SouthandEastAsia,andLatinAmerica.ProjectsincludetheapplicationsofNationalTransferAccounts,theprovisionofsub-nationalanalysesofpolicyneedsandhealthandeducationprojectstoensurerights-basedhumancapitaldevelopmentofyoungpeople.

InYemen,ESCWAworkedinclosecoordinationwiththeUNCTtosupportthedevelopmentofagovernmentNationalYouthDevelopmentAgendaledbythetransitionalMinistryofYouthandSportsbetween2012and2014.Inparallel,ESCWAalsoprovidedtechnicalassistancetomainstreamyouthparticipationwithinrelevantoutcomesofYemen’sNationalDialogueConference.InSudan,ESCWAundertookinitialconsultationswiththeMinisterofYouthinlate2014tosupportnationaleffortsindesigningandimplementingnationalyouthpolicies,andfurtherengagementisplannedfor2015and2016incoordinationwithresidentUNagencies.

UN-Habitathastwoflagshipprogrammesthatfocusoncapacity-buildingandskilldevelopmentofyouth-theOneStopYouthResourceCentresandtheUrbanYouthFund.UN-Habitathasworkedwithlocalgovernment,theprivatesector,andyouthcivilsocietytoestablishmentfourOneStopcentresinthecapitalsofTanzania,Uganda,KenyaandRwanda.Theseyouthcentresprovidetraininginarangeofjobskillswiththefocusonassuringthatyouthhaveabetterchanceatachievingasustainablelivelihood.TheUrbanYouthFundhassupported270youth-ledagenciesin63developingcountrieswiththegoalofspurringyouthinnovationinarangeofurbansectors.

ITU:TheITU’sSecretary-General’snewGlobalICTEntrepreneurshipInitiativeaimingatconnectingICT-relatedentrepreneursandSMEsinemergingmarkets,suchastheLDCs,canbethebasisforenhancedinter-agencycollaborationthatcanyieldtangibleresultsandnarrowthegapofyouthunemployment.YouthrepresentthemajorityoftheLDCs’population;theinitiativewillsupportaglobalnetworkoftechnologyparks,innovationcentresandincubatorstoconnectmultipleplayersintheecosystemandyouththemselves.

UNDPdevelopeditsfirst-everCorporateStrategyonYouth(2014-2017),inalignmentwiththegoalsandobjectivessetinUNDP’sStrategicPlan2014-2017,andbuildingonthenumerousyouthinitiativesthattheorganizationhassupportedovertheyearsaroundtheglobe.Itcontains3outcomeareas:(i)enhancedeconomicempowerment;(ii)enhancedcivicengagementandpolitical


participation;and(iii)strengthenedengagementindisasterpreparedness,crisisresponse,resiliencebuildingincrisis/conflictcontext.Itincludesrecommendationsonpartnershipswithyouthorganizationsandpavesthewayfortheestablishmentofmoreformalmechanismsforyouthparticipation(youthpartnershipplatform,youthmainstreaming,establishmentofthefirstglobalyouthteam).UNDPinAfghanistanplayedanimportantroleintheformulationofthefirstNationalYouthPolicy,whichidentifiestheguidelinesformeaningful,inclusiveandactiveyouthparticipation.UNDPAfghanistannowsupportstheformulationoftheNationalYouthStrategythatwillpavethewaytodesignanewUNjointprogrammeonYouth.InlinewithUNDP’syouthstrategy,UNDPAfghanistaniscommittedtosupportinitiativestoenhancepoliticalparticipation,capacitydevelopment,economicempowerment,andtostrengthenyouthengagementinvolunteerismthroughjointprogrammingwithUNVandotherUNagencies.UNDPAPRCpartneredwiththeAsianBarometerSurvey,aregionalresearchnetworkthatconductsregularsurveysondemocracy.Thepurposeofthispartnershipwastoincreaseunderstandingonthelevelofyouthparticipationindemocraticandpoliticalprocesses,usingthefirsthanddatacollectedbytheAsianBarometerin11countries[1],aswellasinTaiwan(ProvinceofChina).Theinformationhasresultedinaregionalpublication“YouthandDemocraticCitizenshipinEastandSouth-EastAsia:ExploringpoliticalattitudesofEastandSouth-EastAsianyouththroughtheAsianBarometerSurvey”whichprovidesregionaloverviewsonkeytopicsrelatedtogovernanceandpoliticalprocesses,aswellaspolicyrecommendations.Theseareexpectedtobeastartingpointforfurtherworkatthecountrylevel.UNDPCambodiahasoneofthemostcomprehensiveprogrammesintheregionfortargetingandinvolvingyouth.The‘StrengtheningDemocracyProgramme’(2011-2015)hasstrongyouthcomponentsincludinganationwideyouthmultimediaciviceducationcampaign(‘Loy9’)thataimstoequipyoungCambodianswithcivicknowledgeandskillstoenhancetheirparticipationindemocraticprocesses.InBangladesh,underthe‘ChittagongHillTractDevelopmentProgramme’(CHTDF),youthfromdiverseethnicgroupsareengagedinlocaltolerancebuildingandpeacepromotionthroughinitiativessuchas'SportsforPeace'and'Debatingatschoolandcollegelevels’.The'NoViolenceCampaign'ledbytheCHTPeacemakersAlliancetargetyouthasactorofchangeinstrengtheningtolerance,socialcohesionandtrustandhasprovidedpeaceandtoleranceeducationinschoolsandcolleges.

UNIDO,withintheIPoAStrategy,particularlyfocusesonempoweringyouthbyprovidingthemthenecessaryskillstorevitalizetheircommunityandparticipateintheproductionofvaluableandtradablegoods.Amongotherprojects,the‘Innovation,DevelopmentandEntrepreneurshipforAll’project(IDEA)focusesonyouth-ledinnovationenterprises,thecreationofclustersandnetworksinhighgrowthpotentialsectorsinLDCs(IDEAiscurrentlybeingpilotedinSenegalandMaliandwillbeextendedinthecomingmonthstoBurkinaFaso,Togo,ZambiaandMyanmar.TheEntrepreneurshipCurriculumProgramme(ECP)alsoaimsatstimulatingentrepreneurialtalentsamongyoungpeoplebyenhancingtheirabilitytoidentifyeconomicopportunitiesandbydevelopingothercommercialskills(e.g.Timor-Leste,Angola).

E.4.HUMANANDSOCIALDEVELOPMENT:SHELTER



Increaseaccesstoaffordablehousing,landandhousing-relatedinfrastructureandbasicserviceswhileachievingasignificantimprovementinthelivesofslum-dwellersandruralpoor.

Context:TheshortfallofadequatehousinginLDCsispartlytheresultofincreaseddemandduetotherapidpaceofpopulationgrowthaswellastheneedsofrefugeesandinternallydisplacedpeopleduringandafterconflict.Itisalsoduetoinadequatesupplyofaffordablehousingresultingfromhighconstructioncosts,insufficientfinanceforhousingandinsecurelandtenurerights.Thissituationisparticularlyacuteinurbanareas,whichalsosufferfromlackofaccesstoimproveddrinkingwaterandsanitation,insecuretenure,non-durablehousingandovercrowding.Nineteenofthe25countrieswhereoverhalfoftheurbanpopulationslivesinslumsareLDCs.5

Questions:

1) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalsupporttotheeffortsofLDCstoimproveaccesstoland,housingandbasicservices,takingintoaccountthespecialneedsforreconstructionofLDCsdevastatedbynaturalandman-madedisastersandconflicts?

ILO,ITU,UNDP,HABITAT,OPS,FAO,WMO,UNICEF,UNWOMEN,ESCAP,WorldBank,IFAD

2) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCsindevelopingcapabilitiesandcapacitiesofnationalandlocalgovernmentsandinstitutions,includingforthedelivery,qualitymonitoring,financingandoperationandmaintenanceofhousingandbasicservices?

ILO,ITU,UNDP,UNCDF,HABITAT,OPS,WMO,UNICEF,WorldBank

3) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCs,includingthroughtechnologytransfer,aswellasfinancialandtechnicalassistance,forlow-costbuilding,utilizinglocalcontentsandmaterials?

ILO,ITU,UNDP,HABITAT,OPS,UNEP,UNCDF,OSSC,WorldBank

SelectedactivitiesonShelter

Technicalassistanceinrebuildinginfrastructurewithlocalemploymentcreationinruralareas(ILO)

Design/constructionofshelterinpostdisaster(OPS,UNDP)

Upgradingslums(UNHabitat)

Advisoryservicesforcityplanning,housingandrelatedinfrastructure(WMO,UNHabitat)

Reports,studies(ESCWA)

Technologytransferandinvestment(South-South)

5Ibid.


Public-privatepartnerships,includingSustainableBuildingandClimateInitiative(UNEP)

UNOPS:InHaitiin2011,UNOPShousingportfoliofocusedontheproductionandconstructionoftransitionalwoodenshelters,asamoredurablesolutiontothetentsbeingusedinmanycampsandthiswasfundedbyavarietyofdonors.UNOPShasestablishedaproductionsiteinPort-au-Prince.Onceproduced,shelterkitsaretransportedtotheareaidentifiedforconstruction.UNOPSishiringHaitiansfromearthquake-affectedandpoorneighbourhoodsinordertoprovideincomesandstabilizelivelihoodsasasecondaryoutcomeoftheproject.Aspartofthetransitionalshelterprogramme,UNOPSofferedtotestthedesignsadoptedbythevariousshelteragencies.Thiswindloadanalysisservicewasusedbyshelteragenciestotesttheirshelter’sstrength.Theshelterdesignistestedtoatotal174kilometresperhour,equivalenttothewindgustspeedofaCategory2hurricane.

OSSC:Throughpublic-privatepartnerships,SS-GATEhassupportedtechnologytransferandinvestmentinrealestatedevelopmentforlowtomediumcosthousingandrelatedinfrastructureinLDCs.Theseprojectsarenotaoneoffprojectsbutcontinuousmarketbasedphaseddevelopmentforplannedsettlementdevelopmentwithbasicamenities.

UN-Habitatsupportsnationalandlocalgovernmentstoassesstheirhousingsituationthroughnationalandlocalhousingprofiles;developandimplementnationalandlocalhousingstrategies;andimplementslumupgradingprogrammes.UN-Habitat’smostsignificantprogrammeistheParticipatorySlumUpgradingProgramme(PSUP),whichissupportedbytheEuropeanUnionandoperatinginAfrican,CaribbeanandPacificcountries,includingmanyLDCs.In2014,thePSUPcatalyzedgrowingactionandinvestmentinslumimprovementandpreventionin35countriesandover150citiesacrossAfrican,CaribbeanandPacificStates.Advocacyforslumupgradingandprevention,povertyreductionintandemwithsustainableurbandevelopmentcontributedtoimprovedknowledgeandvisibilityofthechallengeofslumsinternationallyandespeciallywithintheUnitedNationssystem.TheoutcomesofthesecondInternationalTripartiteConferenceonSustainableUrbanizationasaResponsetoUrbanPovertyEradicationinKigali,Rwanda,September2013,includingtheKigaliDeclarationonSustainableUrbanizationforPovertyReduction,demonstratedincreasedawarenessofthefivedeprivations,andstrengthenedinternationalcooperationandpartnershipswithcountries.TheseattractedfundingandrequestsfromMemberStatestojointhePSUP.

UN-Habitatalsopromotesthemainstreamingandimplementationofnationalhousing,slumupgradingandpreventionstrategiesintegratingGlobalHousingStrategyprinciplesatcityandcommunitylevels.Currentlylocalandnationalgovernmentpartnersin35countriesareimplementingcityandcommunitydevelopmentplans.Twenty-fourhavealreadybeenimplementedandarecurrentlydocumented.

UNEP:TheUnitedNation’sEnvironmentProgramme’sSustainableBuildingandClimateInitiative(UNEP-SBCI)isapartnershipofmajorpublicandprivatesectorstakeholdersinthebuildingsector,workingtopromotesustainablebuildingpoliciesandpracticesworldwide.Theinitiativeworkstopresentacommonvoiceforbuildingsectorstakeholdersonsustainablebuildingsandclimatechange.WhyBuildings?Buildingsuseabout40%ofglobalenergy,25%ofglobalwater,40%ofglobalresources,andtheyemitapproximatelypotentialforachievingsignificantGHGemission


reductions,atleastcost,indevelopedanddevelopingcountries.Furthermore,energyconsumptioninbuildingscanbereducedby30%to80%usingprovenandcommerciallyavailabletechnologies.

E.5.HUMANANDSOCIALDEVELOPMENT:WATERANDSANITATION


Halveby2015theproportionofpeoplewithoutsustainableaccesstosafedrinkingwaterandbasicsanitationandstrivetoprovidesustainableaccesstosafedrinkingwaterandbasicsanitationtoallby2020.

Questions:

1) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalsupporttoLDCstoimproveandexpandwaterandsanitationprovision,includingwaterpipelinesandsewagenetworks,aswellassupporttostrengthenthecapacityoflocalinstitutionsforservicedelivery,qualitymonitoring,financing,operationandmaintenance?

FAO,ITU,WMO,UNDP,HABITAT,ILO,UNESCO,UNEP,UNICEF,UNWOMEN,ESCWA,OPS,WorldBank,IAEA

2) DoesyourorganizationsupporttheeffortsofLDCstoprovideservicestotheun-served,utilizingappropriatetechnologiesandlevelsofservice,andstrengthenthecapacityofnationalandlocalinstitutionsforservicedelivery,qualitymonitoring,financing,operationsandmaintenance?

FAO,ITU,WMO,UNDP,UNHABITAT,ILO,WIPO,UNICEF,UNWOMEN,UNCDF,OPS,ESCWA,WorldBank,IAEA

3) DoesyourorganizationhelpLDCspreserveanddevelopwatersources,managewatershedsandenhancewaterproductivity,includingthroughsub-regionalandregionalcollaborations?

FAO,ITU,WMO,UNDP,UNHABITAT,ILO,UNESCO,UNEP,OPS,ESCWA,WorldBank,IAEA

4) Doesyourorganizationsupporttransferoftechnologyforwatertreatmentandwastemanagement?

FAO,ITU,WMO,UNDP,UNHABITAT,ILO,UNIDO,WIPO,UNEP,WorldBank,IAEA

5) DoesyourorganizationsupportpartnershipsandLDCs’initiativestoimprovehygieneandincreasethecoverageofbasicsanitation,especiallyforthepoor,includingtheSanitationandWaterforAllpartnership?

FAO,ITU,WMO,UNDP,UNHABITAT,WIPO,UNEP,UNICEF,WorldBank

Selectedactivitiesintheareaofwaterandsanitation


Capacitybuildingtostrengthensocialdialoguearoundreformsinwatersector(ILO)andfortheimplementationofreforms(UNDP)

Capacitybuildingandtechnicalsupportonrehabilitationofinfrastructure(UNOPS,ILO)

Advisoryservicesonclimateandweather(WMO)

Policyadvice(IMF,UNESCO,UNDP)

Technicalassistanceandtrainingforwaterresourcemanagement.

Education,trainingandcapacitybuildinginsustainablemanagementoffreshwaterresources(UNESCO,UNEP)

Financing:WaterandSanitationTrustFund(UN-Habitat),investmentone-waste(UNIDO),WorldBankGreenBonds,andIDAfinancingforwater,sanitationandfloodprotection(WorldBank)

Localfinanceforinfrastructureandservices(UNCDF)

Partnership:SanitationandWaterforAll(UNDP)

Advocacyonaccesstoimprovedwaterandsanitation(UNICEF)

ILO:ImprovingaccesstosafedrinkingwaterandadequatesanitationisoneofthegreatestdevelopmentchallengesinAngola.Intheperiod2003-2016,thegovernment’sobjectiveistoincreasetheproportionofpeoplehavingaccesstosafedrinkingwaterandadequatesanitationfrom33percentto81percentandfrom48percentto74percent,respectively.AJointProgramme–undertakenbytheILO,IOM,UNDP,UNICEFfrom2009-1013supportedthisaimwithinfrastructureimprovementsandbyenhancingthegovernanceofthesector.Themodelofgovernanceproposedentailedpromotinganetworkofautonomousunitsofsmallutilities,withthelocalgovernmentatthe‘centre’confiningitsroletomonitoringthenetwork,regulatingthesectorandpushingfortheautonomyofcommunitiesinthemanagementoftheirwaterscheme.

WMOsupportstheNMHSstogeneraterainfallforecastsupstreamofarivercatchmentoroverurbanareasandprovidethisinformationtocityfathersinmunicipalitiestostoresufficientwaterfordrinkingandsanitationbyurbanresidents.WMOsupportsRegionalClimateOutlookForums(RCOFs)bytheWMOdesignatedRegionalClimateCentres(RCCs)andNMHSS,toprovideseasonalweatherforecastsandappropriatedatesfortreeplantingoverwatercatchments,watertowers/sheds.

IMF:WithinitsmandatetheIMFisrecognizingthatwaterchallengesincreasinglyaffecteconomicstabilityandgrowth,publicfinances,andpoorandvulnerablesocialgroups.KeyrolesfortheIMFinlinewithitsmandateandexpertiseinclude:(i)assessingtheimpactofwaterchallengesongrowthandmacro-stabilityincollaborationwithinstitutionsthatspecializeinwater;(ii)supportingpoliciestoreplaceperversesubsidieswithtargetedsocialassistanceundertherightcircumstances;and(iii)ensuringfiscalsustainabilitytosupportwaterinfrastructureinvestmentandfinancing.TherecentIMFJuly2015StaffDiscussionNote(SDN)IstheGlassHalfEmptyorHalfFull?IssuesinManaging


WaterChallengesandPolicyInstrumentsaddressedhowtheIMFcan—andshould—playahelpfulroleinensuringthatmacroeconomicpoliciesareconducivetosoundwatermanagement.

UNESCOToassisttheLDCsinaddressingwatersecuritychallenges,UNESCOisprovidingeducation,trainingandcapacitybuildinginthesustainablemanagementoffreshwaterresourcesinthecontextofglobalchangesintheLDCsthroughitsInternationalHydrologicalProgramme(IHP),includingtheUNESCO-IHEInstituteforWaterEducation,locatedinDelft,theNetherlands,andthenumerouscentresandinstitutesundertheauspicesofUNESCOthatfocusonregionalwaterissues.TheIHPisalsoassistingwiththepreparationofnationalpoliciesregardingfreshwaterinseveralLDCs,andhasprovidedtrainingforthoseresponsiblefortheimplementationofsuchpolicies.

AnexampleisthetechnicalsupportthatIHPprovidedtotheGovernmentofKiribatitosupportthedevelopmentofitsnationalwaterresourcepolicyandimplementationplan,whicharedesignedtoprovidesafe,adequate,andaffordablewaterservicestoallcommunitiesinKiribati.Italsoaddressestheconservation,sustainableuseandefficientmanagementofKiribati’swaterresourcesandwillimprovethewelfareandlivelihoodofthepeopledespitethethreatsofclimatevariabilityandchange.ThepolicyandplanarecurrentlybeingimplementedbytheGovernment.

Habitat:TheWaterandSanitationTrustFundisafasttrackfinancingmechanismaimedatbringinginnewinvestmentandinnovativeideastotheurbanwaterandsanitationsector,expandingservicecoverageforpoorurbandwellers,andhelpinginbuildingmomentumbehindtheattainmentofwaterandsanitationMDGtargets.Sinceitsinceptionin2003,theTrustFundhasgeneratedUS$145millionfrombilateraldonors,theprivatesectorandfoundationsandenabledover1.5millionpeopledirectaccesstoimprovedwaterandsanitationthroughitsdemonstrationprojects.Ithasalsoleveragedsubstantialinvestmentsinthesectorthroughstrategicpartnershipswithdevelopmentbanksandtheprivatesector.

WorldBank:Some32millionpeoplewillbenefitfromaccesstocleanwaterandanother5.6millionfrombettersanitationfacilitiesduringIDA17.6.8millionpeoplewereprovidedwithaccesstoimprovedsanitationfacilitiesbetween2011-2013.ExamplesofprojectssupportedbyWorldBankGreenBondsincluderenewableenergyinstallations,energy-efficiencyprojects,newtechnologiesinwastemanagementandagriculturethatreducegreenhousegasemissionsandhelptofinancethetransitiontoalow-carboneconomy.Greenbondsalsofinanceforestandwatershedmanagement,andinfrastructuretopreventclimate-relatedflooddamageandbuildclimateresilience.2014IDAcommitmentsforinfrastructure—includingthesectorsEnergyandMining;Transportation;Water,Sanitation,andFloodProtection;andInformationandCommunications—reached$10.4billion.

UNDP:InAfghanistan,UNDPcontributionssupportedover200,000people–morethan40percentofthemwomen–withover985,000workdaysinshort-termlaborintransportationandinfrastructureprojects,providingimprovedaccesstomarketsto115,000households,cleandrinkingwatertoover161,000households,andcleandrinkingwaterandirrigationsystemsthatbenefittedover273,000households.

AnotherexampleisCap-Net,aglobalprogrammeunderUNDP,addressingtheneedforcapacitytoimplementreformsinthewatersector.Itisaninternationalnetworkforcapacitydevelopmentin


sustainablewatermanagement.Itismadeupofapartnershipofautonomousinternational,regionalandnationalinstitutionsandnetworkscommittedtocapacitydevelopmentinthewatersector.

IAEA:Afour-yearprojectonwaterresourcemanagementintheSahelregionwhichcoversfivemajoraquifersystemssharedbythirteenAfricanStates,ofwhichtenareLDCs.Significantprogresshasbeenachievedinmappingundergroundwaterresourcesintheregion,providingtechnicaladviceandsupportforimprovingmanagementpracticesatthenationalandregionallevel,anddevelopinghumanresourcesthroughtrainingandcapacity-buildingactivities.LDCsparticipatedinthisproject,benefittingfromaregionalandharmonizedapproachtomanagingtrans-boundarywaterresources.

Aprojectentitled“AssessingGroundwaterResourcesintheLowlandsUsingIsotopeMethods”waslaunchedtoenhancenationalcapacityinLesothoforcomprehensiveassessmentofwaterresourcesoftheMaputsoecatchmentwiththeintegrationofisotopehydrologyapproachesfordatacollectionandinterpretation.Anotherexampleisaprojectentitled“AssessingtheImpactofRainwaterHarvestingtechnologiesonRechargeandDynamicsofGroundwaterinanInlandValleySwampatNjala”,whichwaslaunchedtoassess–usingenvironmentalisotopes–theeffectofrainwaterharvestingonthedynamicsandrechargeofgroundwaterandtosubsequentlypromotethepracticeinSierraLeone.

TheIAEAissupportingBangladeshintheestablishmentofisotopicanalysisexpertiseforthedevelopmentofanationaldatabaseforintegratedwaterresourcemanagementincoastalareasofBangladesh.ThetechniqueenablesBangladeshtomapandanalyzeavailablegroundwaterresources,identifyingsourcesofdrinkingwaterandevaluatingaquifervulnerabilitiestoavoidover-exploitationandcontamination.ThestrongsupportprovidedbytheIAEAtoBangladeshinthisareaisatestimonytotheimportanceofensuringsustainableaccesstosafeandcleandrinkingwatertoensurethehealthofthepopulationandofitsmainsourceofincomeinruralareas-livestock.

Additionally,theIAEAissupportingMyanmarwiththemonitoringandassessmentofwatershedmanagementpracticesonwaterqualityandsedimentationrateoftheInleLake.Duetounsustainableagriculturalpracticesandanincreaseintourism,thedeteriorationofwaterqualityandalsothesedimentationrateintoInleLake,hassignificantlyaccelerated.TheIAEAprovidessupportintheapplicationofisotopebasedenvironmentalmonitoringandassessmenttechniques,whichprovidevaluableinformationforwaterandnitrogendynamics,aswellaserosionandsedimentationprocesses.ThisallowsMyanmartobettermonitorthequalityofwaterandtakeappropriateremedialactions.

E.6.HUMANANDSOCIALDEVELOPMENT:GENDEREQUALITYANDEMPOWERMENTOFWOMEN


a)Achieveequalaccessofwomenandgirlstoeducation,basicservices,healthcare,economicopportunities,anddecision-makingatalllevels;

b)Takestepstorealizetherightofeveryonetotheenjoymentofthehighestattainablestandardofphysicalandmentalhealth,includingsexualandreproductivehealth;


c)Accelerateeffortstopromotewomen’srightsandgenderequality,includingwomenwithdisabilities.

Context:Genderequalityandtheempowermentofwomenandgirlsarecentraltoachievingalldevelopmentgoals.Furthereffortsareneededtoendgenderinequalitiesinaccesstoeducation,healthcare,waterandsanitation,economicopportunitiesandproductiveresources,aswellastoendgender-basedviolence.ItisparticularlynotablethattheIPoAcallsforallpartnerstosupportrelevantUNagencieswithamandateingenderequalityandwomen’sempowerment,particularlyUNWomen,intheireffortstoimprovecoordinationandaccountabilityoftheUNsysteminthisarea.

Questions:

1) Doesyourorganizationcollaboratewith/supporttheeffortsofUN-WomentoimprovecoordinationandaccountabilityoftheUNsysteminthisarea?

ILO,UNESCO,UNIDO,WMO,WTO,ITC,ITU,FAO,WFP,UNWOMEN,HABITAT,UNDP,UNCDF,UNFPA,OPS,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,WIPO,IMF,UNICEF,UNEP,ODC,DESA,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD

2) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalsupportforLDCstoimplementpoliciesandprogrammesongenderequalityandempowermentofwomenandgirls,includingthosethatachievetheMDGs?

ILO,UNESCO,UNIDO,WMO,EIF,ITC,ITU,FAO,WFP,UNWOMEN,HABITAT,UNDP,UNCDF,UNFPA,OPS,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,UNICEF,ODC,UNCTAD,IPU,WorldBank,IFAD

3) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCsintheimplementationofpoliciesandprogrammesthatenhancewomen’seconomicandincome-generatingopportunities,productiveemploymentandaccesstoproductiveresources?

ILO,UNESCO,UNIDO,WMO,EIF,ITC,ITU,FAO,WFP,UNWOMEN,HABITAT,UNDP,UNFPA,OPS,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,WIPO,OSSC,WorldBank,IFAD,UNCDF

SelectedActivitiesonGenderEqualityandEmpowermentofWomen

Collaborativein-countryworkbyUNagenciesfortheempowermentofwomeneconomicallyandtheirfinancialinclusion(ILO,IMF,UNCDF,UNWomen,UNDP)includingintheminingsector(ECA)andconstruction(UNOPS)andinruralareas(FAO/IFAD/UNWomen/WFP)includingfood/nutritionandentrepreneurship(UNIDO)

Research,datacollectionandstudies(IMF,EIF,UNWomen,FAO,UNDP,UNODC,WorldBank)

Technicalandcapacitybuildingsupportandtraining(UNWomen,UNCDF,UNDP)includingforpolitical/decision-making/leadership(UNDP,IPU)

Policyadvicefornationalplanning(UNWomen/WB,UNDP)includingmining(ECA)environmentalprogramming(UNEP),combatingviolenceagainstwomenandaccesstocriminaljusticesystem(UNODC)


Standards:AfricanGenderEqualityandWomen’sEmpowermentScorecard(ECA/AU)

Partnershipsforgirls’education(UNESCO)

TeacherandschooladministratortrainingforSTEM(UNESCO)

Trainingmaterialsforjudges,courtpersonnelandpoliceconcerningviolenceagainstwomen(UNODC)

Trainingonwomen’sandgirls’health(IPU)

Knowledgemanagement:OneMillionBusinessWomenOnline(South-South)anddissemination(FAO)andICT(ITU),engenderImpactdatabaseandADePTGendersoftwareapplication(WorldBank)

Technicalassistancetofightmalnutritioninpregnant/lactatingwomen(WFP)

Advocacy(UN-Habitat,UNODC,UNICEF,IPU)


ILO:InEthiopia,theILO,UNWomen,UNDP,UNICEF,UNESCO,UNDPandUNFPAhavepartneredsince2011toensurewomen’sincreasedincomesinabidtoimprovetheirlivelihoods.ThisProgrammeisalignedwithEthiopia’sGrowthandTransformationPlan,theoverarchingnationaldevelopmentstrategy,andisgroundedintheUNDevelopmentAssistanceFrameworkforEthiopia.Sofar,someresultsinclude:Increasedaccessibilityoffinancialandnon-financialservicesforeconomicallydisadvantagedwomen;Enablingenvironmentcreatedandsupportprovidedforgirlsandwomentoimproveparticipationandaccesstosecondaryandtertiaryeducation;Strengthenedinstitutionalcapacityforgendermainstreaming,and;Increasedinstitutionalcapacityandcommunitylevelknowledgetopromoteandprotecttherightsofwomenandgirls.

UNSystem-wideActionPlanforImplementationoftheCEBUNSystem-widePolicyonGenderEqualityandtheEmpowermentofWomen

TheUNSystem-wideActionPlan(UN-SWAP)ongenderequalityandwomen’sempowerment,ledandcoordinatedbyUNWomen,comprisedof15performancestandardsclusteredintosixcommonfunctionalareas,wasestablishedastheinstitutionalresponsetoResolution1997/2,bywhichECOSOCcalledupontheUNsystemtomainstreamagenderperspectivethroughoutitswork.TheUN-SWAPwasendorsedbytheUnitedNationsChiefExecutivesBoard(CEB)forCoordinationinApril2012andset2017asatargetfortheUNSystemtomeetallitsPerformancestandards.

TheUN-SWAPconstitutesthefirstunifiedframeworktosystematicallymainstreamgenderintoallfunctionsofaninstitutionandmeasureprogressrelatedtogenderequalityandwomen’sempowermentacrosstheUNsystem.ItrepresentsamajorstepforwardinensuringtheaccountabilityoftheUNsystemforitsworkongenderequalityandwomen’sempowermentandrevitalizestheworkoftheUNsystemonit.Itrequiresannualreportingbyeachparticipantentity,departmentandofficeandhasyieldedaclearer,moresystematicanduniformpictureofareasofstrengthandweaknessacrosstheUN-Systeminitsworkongenderequalityandwomen’sempowerment.

UndertheActionPlan,almosttheentireUnitedNationssystem,62entities,departmentsandofficestobeexact,havereportedoverthreeconsecutiveyearsonacommonsetofperformanceindicators.TheActionPlanprovidesanannualsnapshotofperformanceandservesasanaspirationalframeworkofstandardstowhichtoaspire.Assuch,itpropelsprogressyieldingsubstantialimprovementintheperformanceoftheUnitedNationssystemongendermainstreaming.ThethirdyearofimplementationoftheActionPlanhasseenprogressin14ofthe15performanceindicators.ThesuccessesoftheUN-SWAPasasystem-wideaccountabilityframeworkmayalsobeunderscoredbynotingtheeffortstoreplicateandestablishsubsequent“SWAP”frameworksforadditionalareas,includingthoseofYouthandIndigenousPeoples.

Source:UNWomen


IMF:AStaffDiscussionNoteentitled“Fair Play: More Equal Laws Boost Female Labor Force Participation,”releasedinFebruary2015,examinedtheeffectofgender-basedlegalrestrictionsandotherpolicies,anddemographiccharacteristicsinlabormarkets.Drawingonalargedatasetofgender-relatedlegalrestrictions,thestudyfoundthatrestrictionsonwomen’srightstoinheritanceandproperty,aswellaslegalimpedimentstoundertakingeconomicactivitiessuchasopeningabankaccountorfreelypursuingaprofession,arestronglyassociatedwithlargergendergapsinlaborforceparticipation.

UNCDF:Recognizingthatablendofgender-sensitivepublicandprivateinvestmentwillberequiredtoadvancelocaldevelopment,in2014UNCDF,UNDPandUNWomendesignedtheInclusiveandEquitableLocalDevelopment(IELD)programme,totestwaysofunlockingprivatefinanceforpotentiallytransformativeinfrastructureprojectsthatbenefitwomen.IELDfocusesongender-sensitiveinfrastructureprojectsatthelocallevel,suchasfeederroads,bridges,andmicrohydrothathavepotentialtobesignificantdriversofwomen’seconomicempowerment.Theprogrammeusesavarietyofinvestmentforms,includingstructuredprojectfinance,public-privatepartnerships,andclusterfinancingforsmallandmediumenterprises.ThroughtheTransformativeImpactFinancing(TIF)approach,UNCDFputsitslocaldevelopmentfinanceinstrumentstoworktounlockdomesticcapitalforlocaleconomicdevelopmentandentrepreneurship,withaspecialemphasisonthedevelopmentimpactasameasureforsuccess.IELDlooksparticularlyattheinfrastructureinvestmentsthatconfrontandaddresscriticalbarrierstowomen’seconomicinclusion,notablythosethatproducegoodsandservicesthatrespondtotheneedsanddemandsofwomen.

Inaddition,UNCDFfocusesongenderequalityandempowermentofwomenthroughitsprogrammesonfinancialinclusion.UNCDFfundingfocusesonassistingFinancialServiceProviders(FSPs)toexpandtheiroutreachtowomen,withatargetofatleast50%ofclientsbeingwomen,providingpoorwomenasafeplacetosave,whilealsoexpandingaccesstocredit.

WorldBank:GenderintegrationinWorldBanklendinghasdeepened,withmorelendingoperationsincludingfollow-upactionstoaddressidentifiedgenderdisparities.Thisistrueacrossallgroupsofclientsandsectors.ThetotalshareofBanklendingthatwasgenderinformedrosefrom54percentto95percentbetweenfiscal2010andfiscal2014,ornearly$38billioninfiscal2014.Ninety-threepercentofoperationsinfragileandconflict-affectedsituationsweregenderinformedinfiscal2014,upfrom62percentinfiscal2010.Similarly,49outof54operations(over90percent)inconflict-affectedsituationsinAfricaweregenderinformedinfiscal2014.Inlate2013,theWorldBanklaunchedtwonewopentechnologyplatformsprovidingawealthofinformationaboutprogresstowardgenderequality.One,theenGenderImpactdatabase,isarepositoryofimpactevaluationswithkeyfindingsgatheredfromWorldBankandpartnerprojects.Another,theADePTGendersoftwareapplication,housesagrowingvolumeofgenderdataandproducesquick,standardizedreports,includingcross-countrylaborstatistics.

UNWomen:UNWomen,UNCDF,andUNDParepartnersonajointglobalprogrammeongenderresponsivelocaleconomicdevelopment.Thisinitiativebuildsonthestrategiccomparativeadvantageofeachorganizationtosupportlocalgovernmentsandprojectsinthedesign,planning,andimplementationofsustainablelocalinvestments,whichtakeintoaccountthedifferentiatedandspecificneedsandprioritiesofpoorwomenandmen.UNWomen’skeyresponsibilityhasbeenthedesign,elaboration,andapplicationofagender-responsivelocaleconomicassessmenttool,which


providesananalysisoflocalsocio-economicsituationstoidentifythekeyentrypointsforgender-equitableinterventions.

IFAD:Genderequalityandwomen’sempowermentareakeypartofallIFAD’soperations.IFAD’spolicyonGenderEqualityandWomen’sempowermentoutlinesavisionandroadmaptoensurethatgenderismainstreamedinalloftheorganization’sactivitiesandapproaches.Inadditiontospecificprojectsexplicitlytargetingwomen,suchastheFAO,IFAD,UNWomenandWFPjointprojectonAcceleratingProcesstowardstheEconomicEmpowermentofRuralWomen,IFADhassetgendergoalsandaspecificreportingframeworkforallitsunitsandprogrammesinordertosystematizeandscaleupitseffortstoclosegendergaps.Forexample,inwesternSudan,anIFAD-supportedprogrammepromotescommunityparticipationasadriverofsustainabledevelopment.Theprogrammehasformednearly700solidarity-based,self-sufficientsavingsandcreditgroups;morethan90percentofthegroups’membersarewomen.SincetheprogrammestartedworkinDecember2005,thegroupshavefosteredastrongsavingscultureamongruralwomen.Theyhavealsoenhancedwomen’sconfidenceinundertakingneweconomicactivities,andincreasedtheirdecision-makingpowerwithintheircommunities.

Anotherexamplecomesfromtherealizationthatwhilelandisoneofthekeystobuildingbetterlivesandequalityforpoorruralwomeninmostleastdevelopedcountries,womenoftenhaveweaklandrights,oraredeniedrightsentirely,resultinginincreasedpovertyforthemselvesandtheirfamilies.Inaddition,inpost-conflictcountrieslikeBurundiyearsofcivilconflict,insecurityanddisplacementofpeoplehaveexacerbatedthedisputeoverland,withsignificanteffectsonagricultureandfoodsecurity.Duetotheincreasingpressureonavailableland,womentendtobemoredeprivedofownershipandcontroloverit.Thisistheresultofgapsinnationallegislationregardinglandownershipandthepersistenceofcustomaryrulesthataretraditionallybasedonapatrilinealsystem.IFAD-supportedTransitionalProgrammeofPost-ConflictReconstructioninBurundiworkstorestorelivelihoods,buildsocialcapital,andpromotedignityandfoodsecurityinpoorcommunities.Theprogrammehasestablishedlegalclinics,runbywomenlawyers,thatdisseminatelegalinformation,encouragingruralwomentofightdiscriminationandexercisetheirrightsinlandcasesinvolvingfamilyrelationsandinheritance.Theclinicsaremobileandtraveltoruralcommunitiesinthehills,ensuringahigheroutreachtovulnerablecommunitymembers.Activitiesalsoincludevisitsbyjudgestothehillcommunitiestoensurecompliancewithjudicialdecisions,andifnecessary,enforcethem.Thelegalclinicscloselyinteractandcollaboratewithlocalinstitutions,includingcommunitydevelopmentcommitteesandtheBashingantahe,thetraditionalnotablesofthehillcommunities,tostrengthenthepre-existingstructurescommittedtoconflictresolutionatthelocallevel.

ECA:TheECAGenderandMiningProject,whichisbeingpartneredwiththeAfricanMineralsDevelopmentCentre(AMDC)andUNWomen,seekstocontributetothestrengtheningofgenderdimensionsinAfrica’sminingsector,inordertoadvancetheeconomicempowermentofwomenthroughthecreationofdecentjobsandthelongterminclusionofwomeninthemineralsvaluechain.Itfurtheraimstosupportthemainstreamingofgenderinmininglegislationandotherauxiliarylaws,whichsupportthesectorinLDCsandMiddleIncomeCountriesonthecontinent.


Asecondproject,whichwasoutsidethedomainofinter-agencycooperation,wasthedevelopmentoftheAfricanGenderEqualityandWomen’sEmpowermentScorecard.ThescorecardwasdevelopedbyECAinpartnershipwiththeAfricanUniontohelpmemberstatestomonitortheirprogressoncertaingendercommitmentsinkeysectorsforwomen’sempowerment.UsingtheAUparityprincipleof50:50,theaimofthescorecardwastoidentifywherecountriesstood(i.e.men’sandwomen’sstatus)ondevelopmentindicators-MDGs,toenhancewomen’sempowerment.ThisexampleistoshedlightonhowotherUNagenciescanaimtoworkwithotherorganizationstomeetglobalandregionalcommitmentsforthedevelopmentofAfrica.

UNFPAhaspartneredwiththeWorldBanktodesignandimplementthe“SahelWomen’sEmpowermentandDemographicDividend”(SWEDD)project,whichiscurrentlyunderwayinsix(6)countries,includingfiveleastdevelopedcountries:BurkinaFaso,Chad,Mali,MauritaniaandNiger.Theprojectfocusesonwomen’sempowermentandyouthdevelopmentandaddressesamyriadofissuessuchasgenderbasedviolence,earlypregnancies,andearlymarriages,whichpreventwomenandyouthfromfullyparticipatinginthesustainabledevelopmentoftheircommunitiesandcountries.

UNESCOispromotingaglobalpartnershipforGirls’educationcalled“BetterFuture,BetterLife.”Workingincooperationwithgovernments,internationalorganizations,civilsocietyorganizationsandNGOs,thepartnershipaimstoraiseawarenessandadvocatefortheimportanceofgirls’andwomen’seducationasabasichumanright,aglobalpriorityandanimperativedevelopmentobjective,sothatgirlsandwomencanaccessandbenefitfromgoodqualityeducation.ExamplesofprojectsimplementedintheLDCsthroughthispartnershipincludethe“Gender-SensitiveTrainingofTeachersandSchoolPrincipalsforGirls’andWomen’sAccess,ParticipationandAdvancementinMathematics,ScienceandTechnologyEducationproject”thatisbeingimplementedinLesothoinpartnershipwiththeGEMSFoundation.Theprojectfocusesonsettingupasupportiveenvironmentforteachersandschoolprincipalstobuildtheircapacitiestoattractandensureeffectiveparticipationofgirlsandyoungwomeninscientificfieldsofstudy,includingthroughpeerreview,mentoringandcounseling

FAO:ThejointFAO,IFAD,UNWomen,andWFPprojectAcceleratingProgresstowardstheEconomicEmpowermentofRuralWomen(RWEE),beingimplementedinEthiopia,Liberia,Nepal,Niger,andRwanda,aimstoimproveruralwomen’sfoodandnutritionsecurity,increasetheirincomes,enhancetheirdecision-makingpowerandencouragepolicyenvironmentsconducivetotheireconomicempowerment.Toreachtheseobjectives,theprojectleverageseachUNagency’scomparativeadvantagesandinstitutionalstrengthstogeneratemoresustainableandwider-scaleimprovementsinwomen’slivelihoodsandlives.

UNODCpromotesgenderequalityandempowermentofwomenthroughitsspecificworkongenderinthecriminaljusticesystem,focusingonviolenceagainstwomenandoneliminatingdiscriminationagainstwomenoffendersandprisoners.Agoodpracticeconcerningresponsestoviolenceagainstwomenisthedevelopmentofmechanismstoensurethatsuchresponsesarecomprehensive,multidisciplinary,coordinated,systematicandsustained,increasethelikelihoodofsuccessfulapprehension,prosecutionandconvictionofoffenders,contributetothewell-beingandsafetyofthevictimandpreventsecondaryvictimization.Forexample,UNODCissupportingVietNaminadoptingsuchresponses,workingunderthe“oneUN”frameworkwithUN-Womenandotherpartners.Ajoint


assessmentofthesituationofwomeninthenationalcriminaljusticesystemidentifiedgapsandpriorityareasforcooperation.UNODCsupportedthereviewofthenationallegalaidstrategytoincreaseaccessforwomenandchildren.Itcontributedtothedevelopmentofaministerialcircularongenderequalityinlegalaidservicesandtrainedlegalaidofficersandprobonolawyersprovidinglegalaidforvictimsofdomesticviolence.UNODCsupportedtherevisionofthepenalcodeandpenalprocedurecode,promotingtheincorporationofrelevantinternationalstandardsandnorms,especiallyconcerningviolenceagainstwomen.TheOfficedevelopedtrainingmaterialsondomesticviolenceforjudgesandcourtpersonnelandtrainedpoliceofficerstoenhancetheirresponsestodomesticviolence.Domesticviolenceresponsechecklistsandinformationcollectionformshelpedfront-lineofficersinidentifyingandactingonreportedcases.UNODCalsocontinuedproducingsuccessfultelevisionprogrammestoraisepublicawarenessondomesticviolenceinVietNam.

IPUhasastronggenderprogrammethatfocusesongenderequalityinparliamentsaskeyinstitutionsofgovernmentaswellasissuessuchasviolenceagainstwomen.ActivitiesundertheprogrammebenefitLDCsdirectly(whenactivitiesaretargetedtospecificLDCcountries)andindirectly(throughregionalorglobaldebateswhoseoutcomesimpactLDCspolicies).Inaddition,theIPUtracksthenumberofwomenparliamentariansinallcountriesoftheworld,includingLDCs,andworkswithUNWomenandothers,byexercisingpeerpressureandothertactics,tospurelectoralandotherreformsconducivetomorewomeninparliamentsanddecision-makingingeneral.

E.7.HUMANANDSOCIALDEVELOPMENT:SOCIALPROTECTION


Enhancesocialprotectionsystemstoimprovetheresilienceofall,includingpooranddisadvantagedgroups.

Context:Socialprotectionhasbothshort-andlong-termbenefitstosustainableeconomicgrowth,povertyeradicationandsocialstability.Socialprotectionsystems,includingcashtransfers,publicworkprogrammes,andunemploymentbenefits,protectthepoorandsupportgrowth,employmentandbroadereconomicresilience.Thesesystemsactasstabilizersfortheeconomy,bolstertheresilienceofthepoorandhelppreventpeoplefromfallingintopoverty.

Questions:

1) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalsupporttoLDCstodevelopandimplementsocialprotectionpoliciesandprogrammes,especiallyforpooranddisadvantagedgroups?

ILO,IMF,ITU,FAO,UNESCO,UNICEF,WFP,UNDP,UNWOMEN,UNFPA,ESCAP,CFC,WorldBank

Selectedactivitiesinsocialprotection

Capacitybuildingsupportofnationalpublicinstitutions(ILO,UNFPA,IMF),educationalsystems(UNESCO)andgovernmentinstitutionsandpersonnel(ESCWA),andemergencyprevention,preparednessandresponse(UNICEF)


Schoolfeeding,HIV/AIDsandTBprogrammesandothercapacitydevelopmentandaugmentationactivities(WFP),HIV/AIDsandjobs/livelihoods(UNDP)

Policyadviceandrecommendations(ILO,IMF,ESCWA)

Advocacyformarginalizedgroups(UNFPA)

TailoredStandardsonmaternalhealth,sexualandreproductivehealthservices(UNFPA)

Cashtransfersacrossarangeofareas(WorldBank),foreducation(UNESCO)andfood(WFPandUNICEF)

Toolkitondevelopingsocialprotectionpoliciesusingaparticipatoryapproach(ESCWA)

Jointprogrammelinkingdecentwork,childlaborinagriculture/fisheries,ruralemploymentandsocialprotection(ILO/FAO)

Workshops(ESCWA)

Datacollection,generationandanalysis(UNICEF)

Advocacy(UNICEF)

FAOhasjoinedtheRegionalSocialProtectionFloorInitiativeinAsia,andestablishedaclosepartnershipwithILO,whichresultedinajointactionplanthataddressedkeychallengesandissuesrelatedtodecentwork,childlaborinagricultureandfisheries,ruralemploymentandsocialprotection.InviewoftheimportanceofsocialprotectioninLDCsandtheneedforbetterestablishingthelinkageswithruralemploymentandagriculture,ILOandFAOconvenedaregionalconsultationin2014,whichdevelopedaRegionalPolicyFrameworkforcoordinatingsocialprotection,ruralemploymentandagriculture,andoutlinedkeyrecommendations.

WFPworkstosupportsocialprotectionthroughengagingwithgovernmentsandpartnersandbuildingtheircapacitytodevelopanutrition-sensitivesocialprotectionsystem.Thisworkonsafetynetsisdoneintwomainways:throughprovidingtransfersforfoodassistanceandthroughcapacitydevelopmentandaugmentationactivities.WFPtransfer-basedactivitiesthatmaybeemployedinsafetynetprogrammingconsistofgeneralfooddistributions;foodassistanceforassets;schoolfeeding;nutritioninterventions;andHIV/AIDSandtuberculosis(TB)programmes.

UNICEF:InUNICEF’sStrategicPlan2014–2017,“SocialInclusion”isoneofthe7OutcomeAreas.Theprioritiesinthisareaincludeare:monitoringchildpoverty(incomeandmulti-dimensionalpoverty)andidentifyingthemostvulnerablefamiliesandchildrentoreducedisparities.Workonbudgetsandalsooncashtransferschemesisacorepartofit.UNICEFalsosupportsGovernmentstoincludeemergencyprevention,preparednessandresponseintheirsocialprotectionprogrammes.Strategiesareadvocacy,policyadvice,technicalassistance,datacollection,generationandanalysis.

ESCWA:Throughseveralpublications,ESCWAexamineshowsocialprotectioncancontributetoachievingsocialjusticeandhighlightssomepositivestridesmadebyArabcountriesincludingYemenandSudantomaximizetheimpactofsocialprotectiononpovertyreduction.ESCWAresearcharguesthatsocialprotectionschemeswillonlybesustainableiftheyaregroundedinasocialcontractthat


cementssocialprotectionasacitizenshiprightandensuresthestate’sresponsibilityfordeliveringthisrightinaneffectiveandaccountablemanner.Intermsoftechnicalsupport,ESCWAhascompletedatoolkiton“developingsocialprotectionpoliciesusingaparticipatoryapproach”.Thetoolkitaimsatenhancingthecapacitiesofgovernmentofficialsandotherkeynationalstakeholdersincludingcivilsocietyinstitutionsconcernedwithsocialprotectionprogrammesandservicesindesigning,implementing,evaluatingandfinancingsocialprotectionpolicyinaparticipatoryandconsultativemanner,basedonsuccessfulexperiencesfromotherregions.Lookingatthefuture,severalsub-regionalworkshopsareplannedfor2015and2016-2017totrainrepresentativesfromMCsonthetoolkitandadoptitatnationallevel.

UNESCOisworkingtoprovidecapacitybuildingsupportondevelopingeffective,qualityeducationsystemsintheLDCs.Thisincludesidentifyinghowsocialprotectioncansupporteducationeitherdirectlyorindirectly.InLDCs,thecostsofschoolingrepresentabarriertoaccessingeducation,andsocialprotectioninterventionscanhaveanimportantdirectorindirectroletoplayinsupportingchildren’senrolmentandattendanceatschool.Feewaiversandschoolstipends/scholarshipssupporteducationdirectlybyremovingthecostofschoolfeesforhouseholds.Theyareoftentargetedatpoorhouseholdsandsometimesdirectlyatgirls.Feewaiversandstipendsaremorecommonatprimaryschoollevel.Unconditionalcashtransfersareanindirectwayofsupportingchildren’sschooling,asparentsandcaregivershaveachoiceoverwhattospendtheincomeon.Studiesinlow-incomestablecountrieshaveclearlydemonstratedthatschoolfeesandotherindirectcostssuchasbooksanduniformsareakeyexpenditureprioritywhenhouseholdsreceiveincomesupport.Conditionalcashtransfershavealsoimprovededucationoutcomeswhenlinkedtochildren’sschoolattendance.

WorldBank:Buildingsustainableandaffordablesocialsafetynetsisanothervitalcomponentofthecampaigntoeliminateextremepovertyandpromotesharedprosperity.Infiscal2014,theWorldBankinvestedmorethan$1.8billioninsocialprotectionandlaborprograms,anditmanagesa$9.9billionportfoliowith134operationsin72countries.Cashtransfersarebecominganincreasinglyimportantsafetynettool,particularlyinpost-conflictandfragilesocieties.

TheSocialProtectionandLaborStrategy2012–22aimstohelpcountriesmovefromfragmentedprogramstoaffordablesocialprotectionsystems,toenableindividualstomanagerisk,andtoimproveresiliencebyinvestinginhumancapitalandimprovingpeople’sabilitytoaccessjobs.Socialsafetynetshaveanimmediateimpactbyputtingresourcesintothehandsofthepoorestandmostvulnerablemembersofsociety.TheWorldBanksupportssafetynetprogramsthatprotectfamiliesfromshocks;helpensurethatchildrengrowuphealthyandwell-fed,andstayinschoolandlearn;empowerwomenandgirls;andcreatejobs.Examplesofsafetynetinterventionsarecashtransfers,labor-intensivepublicworks,andschoolfeedingprograms.


SOCIALPROTECTIONFLOORINITIATIVE

SocialProtectionFloors(SPF)arenationallydefinedsetsofatleastfourbasicsocialsecurityguaranteesthatensure:

• Essentialhealthcare,includingmaternitycare,atanationallydefinedminimumlevelthatmeetsthecriteriaofavailability,accessibility,acceptability,andquality;

• Basicincomesecurityforchildrenatanationallydefinedminimumlevel,includingaccesstonutrition,education,care,andanyothernecessarygoodsandservices;

• Basicincomesecurityatanationallydefinedminimumlevelforpersonsofactiveagewhoareunabletoearnsufficientincome,inparticularinthecaseofsickness,unemployment,maternity,anddisability;and

• Basicincomesecurityatanationallydefinedminimumlevelforolderpersons.

SocialProtectionFloorsshouldbenationallydefinedthroughsocialdialogueandallowpeopletolivealifewithdignity.Furthermore,theguaranteesshouldbeestablishedbylawandregularlymonitoredandevaluated.

TheSPFconceptwasformallyadoptedinApril2009whentheUnitedNationsSystemChiefExecutivesBoardforCoordination(CEB)endorsedtheSocialProtectionFloorInitiative(SPF-I)asoneofninejointinitiativestorespondtotheglobalfinancialandeconomiccrisisof2008.ILOandWHOwerenamedtheco-leadsoftheInitiative.

SincethedefinitionoftheSocialProtectionFloortranscendsthemandateofanyindividualagencyordevelopmentpartner,theSocialProtectionFloorInitiativewasestablishedasaframeworktohelpcoordinatetheactivitiesofallactorsworkingonsocialprotection,ensuringcoherenceofdifferentapproachesandpolicyadviceacrosssectors.TheSocialProtectionFloorInitiativehasmadesignificantprogressinthisregard,formingacoalitionof19UNbodies,internationalfinancialinstitutionsand14developmentpartners,includingbilateraldonors,developmentbanksandinternationalNGOsthatcooperateandcoordinatetheiractivitiesatnational,regionalandgloballevels.

Socialprotectionfloorsdonotdefinenewrights;rather,theycontributetotherealizationofthehumanrightstosocialsecurityandtosocialservices,asdelineatedinArticles22,25and26oftheUniversalDeclarationofHumanRightsandArticles26and27oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,amongotherinternationallegalinstruments.TheadoptionoftheSPF-IalsoencouragestheobservanceofConvention102onSocialSecurity(MinimumStandards)oftheInternationalLaborOrganization(ILO).Morerecently,in2012,theILORecommendation202,‘ConcerningNationalFloorsofSocialProtection’calledonILOMemberStatestoestablishnationalSPFs.

Source:http://www.socialprotectionfloor-gateway.org/132.htm


F. Multiplecrisesandotheremergingchallenges

Context:LDCscontinuetobevulnerabletoavarietyofshocks,includingfood,fuel,financialandeconomiccrises,andnaturaldisasters,withLDCshavingtoconfrontchallengesposedbyclimatechangeandsomebyconflictsthathaveerodedsomeofthedevelopmentgainsmadebyLDCsinthepreviousdecade.Securingequitable,inclusiveandsustainableeconomicgrowthanddevelopmentinLDCsrequiresbuildingtheirresiliencetowithstandcrisesandemergingchallengesandtheimpactofclimatechange.

Atpresent,althoughLDCsarehomefor12percentoftheworldpopulation,theyaccountfor67percentofclimate-relateddeaths.ThenineLDCsthatarealsosmallislanddevelopingStatesfaceanexistentialthreatfromnaturaldisasters.TheSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction2015-2030addressesthedisasterrisksituationoflocalitiesandmajorvulnerablegroups,andcallsforamulti-stakeholderapproachandstrongerandmorecoherentmechanismstobuildresilience.Persistentchallengesincludelimitedfinancialandhumanresources;weakcapacityatthelocallevel;poorcoordinationbetweenstakeholdersandalackofinformationonriskassessment,monitoringandevaluation,earlywarning,disasterresponseandotherdisasterriskmanagementactivities;andinsufficientpolicycoordinationonintegratingclimatechangerisksintodisasterriskmanagementstrategies.6


a)BuildtheresilienceofLDCstowithstandeconomicshocksandtomitigatetheiradverseeffects;

b)StrengthenLDCs’abilitytowithstandandovercometheadverseeffectsofclimatechange,enhancesustainablegrowthandprotectbiodiversity;

c)BuildtheresilienceofLDCstowithstandnaturalhazardsinordertoreducetheriskofdisasters.

F.1ECONOMICSHOCKS:

1) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalsupportforLDCs’riskmitigationstrategies,suchasnationalfacilitiesforcrisismitigationandresilience?

ITU,EIF,FAO,UNESCO,WMO,UNDP,UNEP,UNICEF,WFP,ESCAP,ESCWA,CFC,DESA,UNCTAD,WorldBank

2) DoesyourorganizationhelpsupporttheIMF,theWorldBankandregionaldevelopmentbanks’schemeandfacilitiestoprovideconcessionallendingandgrantstoLDCs?

IMF,ITU,UNIDO,WTO,WMO,UNDP,WorldBank

6SeeA/70/83-E/2015/75.


Additionalinformation:TheIMFdoesnotprovidefinancingforriskmitigationstrategies,butsurveillanceactivitiesandprogramdiscussionsinclude,whererelevant,policyrecommendationstomitigaterisksandpromotemacroeconomicresilience.

F.2CLIMATECHANGE:

1) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalassistanceandsupporttoLDCstoaccessappropriate,affordableandsustainabletechnologiesneededfortheimplementationofNAPAsandNAMAsandthetransferofsuchtechnologies?

UNFCCC,ITU,WMO,UNEP,UNDP,UNCDF,ILO,WIPO,UNIDO,EIF,FAO,ESCWA,ESCAP,HABITAT,WFP,OPS,WorldBank,IFAD

2) DoesyourorganizationhelpfacilitateLDCs’accesstorequiredresourcesfromdifferentenvironmentandclimatefunds,includingtheGlobalEnvironmentFacility(GEF)?

UNFCCC,ITU,WMO,UNEP,UNDP,UNCDF,ILO,UNESCO,FAO,WIPO,UNIDO,HABITAT,WFP,ESCAP,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD

3) Doesyourorganizationprovidefinancialand/ortechnicalassistanceandfacilitatetechnologytransfertoLDCs’effortstodevelopandimplementnationalstrategiesforsustainableuse,preservationandprotectionofthenationalenvironmentalresourcesandthesustainablemanagementofmarinebiodiversityandecosystems?

UNFCCC,ILO,ITU,WMO,UNEP,UNDP,UNCDF,UNESCO,FAO,UNIDO,EIF,WIPO,HABITAT,ESCAP,DESA,WorldBank,IAEA

4) DoesyourorganizationprovidesupportformeasurestopromoteandfacilitatecleandevelopmentmechanismprojectsinLDCstoenablethemtoharnessbenefitsofmitigationofclimatechangeforsustainabledevelopment?

UNFCCC,ITU,WMO,UNEP,UNDP,UNCDF,FAO,UNIDO,WIPO,EIF,WFP,OPS,DESA,ESCAP,ESCWA,UNCTAD,WorldBank

5) DoesyourorganizationhelpLDCsaddressthechallengesoflivelihoodandfoodsecurityandhealthofthepeopleaffectedbytheadverseimpactofclimatechangeandrespondtotheneedsofthepeopledisplacedasaresultofextremeweatherevents,whereappropriate,atnational,regionalandinternationallevels?

UNFCCC,ILO,ITU,WMO,UNEP,UNDP,UNCDF,IMF,EIF,FAO,UNFPA,OPS,WFP,UNHABITAT,UNWOMEN,UNICEF,CFC,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,WorldBank,IAEA

6) DoesyourorganizationsupportenhancingthecapacityofmeteorologicalandhydrologicalservicesofLDCs?

UNFCCC,ITU,WMO,UNEP,UNESCO,ESCWA,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

7) DoesyourorganizationassistLDCstoenhancecapacitiesincleanenergyproduction,tradeanddistribution,includingrenewableenergydevelopment?


UNFCCC,ITU,WMO,UNEP,UNDP,UNCDF,UNIDO,WIPO,UNESCO,EIF,ESCWA,ESCAP,SE4ALL,UNHABITAT,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

F.3DISASTERRISKREDUCTION

1) DoesyourorganizationprovidefinancialortechnicalassistancetoLDCstosupporttheirdisasterriskreduction,emergencypreparedness,andpost-disasterreconstructionefforts,and,inthisregard,strengthensharingofknowledgeandexpertiseaswellastransferoftechnologyundermutuallyagreedtermstoLDCs?

ILO,WMO,UNESCO,FAO,ITU,IMF,OPS,UNDP,UNWOMEN,WorldBank,UNEP,ESCWA,ESCAPWFP,UNICEF,UNHABITAT,IAEA,IFAD

2) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCstostrengthentheircapacitytoreducetheirvulnerabilitytonaturaldisastersandtobenefitfromregionalandinternationalearlywarningsystemsandotherinformation-sharingmechanisms?

WMO,UNESCO,FAO,ITU,IMF,OPS,UNDP,UNWOMEN,UNHABITAT,UNEP,ESCWA,ESCAPWFP,UNICEF,WorldBank,IAEA,IFAD

UNFCCCFOCUSONLDCS

ThreeinterconnectedinitiativesundertheUNFCCCareabestpractice:

1. EstablishmentofanLDCWorkProgramme(throughUNFCCCdecision5/CP.7)toidentifysixpriorityareasforsupportunderclimatechange;2. Establishmentofaspecialfund(LDCFund,managedbytheGEF),tosupportimplementationoftheLDCWorkProgramme;3. Establishmentofanexpertgroupdedicatedtosupporting,guidingandadvisingLDCsonmattersrelatedtoadaptationtoclimatechange(theLDCExpertGroup–LEG)inparticular,inrelationtotheLDCWorkProgramme.

Periodicreviewofthesethreeelementsupdates,revisesandaddsnewmandatestoenhancethesupporttotheLDCsandhelpsinaddressingnewemergingneedsovertime,withoutre-inventingthewholesolutionset.

Source:UNFCCC


Selectedactivitiesonmultiplecrisesandotheremergingchallenges

1CAPACITYBUILDING,ADVISORYSERVICES

InmainstreamingDRR(ECA,UNICEF)

Inagriculturalresilience(FAO,IAEA)

Addressingeconomicvulnerabilitiesandmitigatingmacroeconomicrisks(DESA)

Indevelopingnationalemergencytelecommunicationsplans(ITU)

CitiesandClimateChangeInitiative(Habitat)

LocalClimateAdaptiveLivingFacility(UNCDF)

Policyadviceforgovernmentalplanning(UNDP,UNWomen,UNEP)

AreasrelatedtoICTandnationalemergencytelecommunicationsplans(ITU)

Areasrelatedtogender,women’sempowermentandhumanrightsinrelationtoclimatechangeanddisasterriskreduction(UNWomen)areasrelatedtometeorologicalservices,useofrenewableenergy,water(WMO,UNESCO)

Areasrelatedtovulnerabilitymappingandriskassessment(ECA,WFP,WMO,UNESCO)

UNPLANOFACTIONONDISASTERRISKREDUCTION

In2013,CEBadoptedtheUNPlanofActiononDisasterRiskReduction,undertheleadershipoftheUNOfficeforDisasterRiskReduction(ISDR),toensurethatDRRconsiderationswouldbemainstreamedintotheprogrammesandactivitiesoforganizationsoftheUNsystem.In2014,CEBissuedastatementtotheThirdUNWorldConferenceonDisasterRiskReduction,inwhichtheBoardpledgedtoregularlymonitor,adjustandupscaleitscollectiveeffortsondisasterriskreduction,alsorecognizingtheopportunityofferedbytheconvergenceofinternationalagendasin2015and2016topromotecoherenceacrosssustainabledevelopment,peace-building,climatechange,disasterriskreductionandhumanitarianefforts.

TwelveUNsystemorganizations--FAO,UNDP,UNEP,UNFPA,UNHABITAT,UNICEF,UNOPS,WFP,WMO,WHO,UNESCOandtheWorldBank--haveprioritizeddisasterriskreductionintheir2014-2017strategicworkplans.TheyhaveincludeddisasterriskreductionintheirrespectiveResultsBasedMonitoringFrameworks,whichrepresentsa70%increaseincomparisontothepreviousworkplanningcycle.

Source:isdr.org


Areasrelatedtodisaster-resistantconstruction(ILO)

TechnicalcapacitythroughWarsawInternationalMechanismforLossandDamage(UNFCCC)

2.TRAINING

Trainingworkshopsonclimatechangeadaptationandmitigation,suchastrainingforLDCrepresentatives/stakeholdersfromWorldHeritageSites(UNESCO)

Vocationaltraining:forwomeninflood-proneareas(UNWomen)andconstructionworkers(ILO)

Tobuildexpertiseindisasterriskreductionstrategies,preparednessandresponse(UNESCO,FAO)

3.KNOWLEDGEPLATFORMSANDTOOLS

Capturingtraditionalknowledgeonclimatechangeadaptationstrategies(UNESCO)

VulnerabilityAnalysisandMapping,EarlyWarningSystems,EmergencyNeedsAssessments,Weather-basedInsuranceandFoodSecurityMonitoringSystems(WFP,UNESCO,FAO)

GenderandClimateChangeToolkit(UNWomen)

WeatherandClimateDataandDataProcessing/Mapping(WMO,ECA)

DisasterRiskReductionforResilience(UNOPS)

DisasterLossDatabases(ESCWA)

GuidelinesonFisheriesandaquacultureemergencyresponse(FAO)

StudiesonBioenergyandFoodSecurity(FAO)

4.STANDARDSANDAGREEMENTS

Designationofbiospherereservesasobservatoriesforclimatechangemitigationandadaptationandforthegenerationofclimateservices(UNESCO)

HyogoandSendaiFrameworks

5.TECHNICAL/FINANCIALASSISTANCE/TECHNOLOGYTRANSFER

Roadsandtransportrehabilitation(ILO,UNOPS)

Reconstructionofhousing,waterandsanitationinfrastructure(UNHabitat)

AcquisitionoffacilitiestoforecasthighimpactweatherforDRR(WMO)

Emergencytelecommunications(ITU)

Supportformonitoringandrespondingtoradiologicalemergencies(IAEA)

ClimateTechnologyCentreandNetwork(UNEP)


Environmentalrecoveryandreconstruction(UNEP)

GreenBonds(WorldBank)

6.PARTNERSHIPS/COLLABORATIVEEFFORTS

ClimateandCleanAirCoalition(UNEP)

CaribbeanandotherCoastalHazardsEarlyWarningSystem(UNESCO,CTBTO,UNDP)

LowCarbon,LivableCities(WorldBank)

GlobalFacilityforDisasterReductionandRecovery(WorldBank)

CollaborationwithInternationalRiceResearchInstitute(IAEA)

UNICEF:interventionshavebeen,increasingly,dedicatedtohumanitariancrises.Attheendof2014,theEbolaepidemicaffectedalmost10millionchildren—includingthreemillionundertheageoffive.Andasmanyas15millionchildrenhadtheirlivesupendedlastyearbyviolentconflictsinSyria,Iraq,CentralAfricanRepublic,SouthSudan,Ukraine,andtheStateofPalestine.Theresilienceworkonthosecountriestransitioningfromhumanitariantodevelopmentescalatedin2014.Asaresult,moreemphasisisneededonemergencypreparedness,whichiscriticaltomountingafaster,andmoreefficientandeffective,humanitarianresponse.

In2014,UNICEFcontinuedtosupportcountriestoachievebothhumanitariananddevelopmentresultsincooperationwithotherUnitedNationsentities,partnersincivilsocietyandtheprivatesector,andNationalCommitteesforUNICEF.UNICEFrespondedto294humanitariansituationsin98countries.UNICEFassistedmorethan18millionaffectedpeopletoaccessimprovedwatersources,4.4milliontoaccessdecentsanitation,and8.6millionchildrentoengageinformalandnon-formaleducation.UNICEFalsoprovidedpsychosocialsupportto3.1millionchildren.AmidtheSyrianconflictalone,2.8millionchildrenwereprovidedaccesstolearningmaterialsandmorethan600,000childrenreceivedpsychosocialsupportinEgypt,Iraq,Jordan,LebanonandTurkey,aspartoftheNoLostGenerationcampaign.

BeyondUNICEF’sdeepinvolvementinrespondingtothecrisesinSyriaandneighbouringcountries,UNICEFisactiveinsupportingmigrantandrefugeechildreninEuropeancountries.LookingaheadUNICEFestimatesthatasmanyas90,000refugeeandmigrantwomenandchildreninEuropecouldbeinneedofassistanceoverthenextsixmonths.UNICEF’sactionplanfocusesoncountrieswiththegreatestnumberofchildrenonthemove.UNICEFhasalreadyrampedupitssupportinCroatia,SerbiaandtheFormerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia,andisofferingitssupporttogovernmentsandlocalpartnerstoidentifyneedsinItaly,Greece,Hungary,Slovenia,AustriaandGermany.IncountrieswherechildrenareonthemovebutwithoutaUNICEFcountryprogramme,UNICEFisdesigningcountry-specificactionplansthatcanmeetgapsincareandsupportforchildren.Technicalsupportwillbeprovidedtogovernmentsandpartnersasrequested,drawingonateamofUNICEFexpertsinemergencycoordination,childprotection,water,sanitationandhygiene,education,policyguidanceandsupplyandlogistics.


DESA:providesmacroeconomicpolicyadviceandcapacitydevelopmentsupporttoanumberofLDCsintheAsiaPacificregion.Thepolicyadvicegenerallyfocusedonaddressingeconomicvulnerabilities,analysingtrade-offsbetweenvariouspolicyoptionsandmitigatingmacroeconomicrisks.DESA,forexample,advisedtheRoyalGovernmentofBhutanonhowtoresolveitscurrentaccountimbalance,andaloomingcurrencycrisis,whichcouldderailthegrowthprospectsoftheBhutaneseeconomy.Italsoorganizedaseriesofpolicydialoguesandcapacitydevelopmentworkshopsduring2012-2015forofficialsfromcentralbanks,ministriesofFinanceandPlanningfromAfghanistan,Bangladesh,Bhutan,Cambodia,LaoPDRandMyanmaronmitigatingvariousmacroeconomicrisks,includingrisksassociatedwithsovereignborrowingintheinternationalcapitalmarket,pro-cyclicalfiscalandmonetarypolicystancesduringeconomicdownturnsandmanagingnaturalresourcerevenues.ItalsoadvisedLDCgovernmentsonrisksassociatedwithweakmacro-prudentialandfinancialsectorpoliciesthatcancreateassetpricebubblesandimpederealinvestmentsintheleastdevelopedcountries.

IFAD:IFADhasestablishedtheworldwidelargestadaptationprogrammeforsmallholderfarmers,theAdaptationforSmallholderAgricultureProgramme(ASAP).ThroughASAP,IFADismakingearmarkedclimatefinanceavailabletoagriculturalinvestmentprojects,increasingtheresilienceofatleast8millionsmallholderfarmers.WiththehelpofASAP,IFADhasmaderapidprogressinclimatemainstreamingacrossitsinvestmentportfolio.Todate,aroundhalfofallnewcountryprogrammesandonethirdofallnewinvestmentdesignsintegrateclimatefinanceforspecificadaptationactions.ThroughitsexperienceIFADhasrealizedthatpooragrarianeconomieswithalargeruralpopulationaremoredependentonclimate-sensitiveresourcesandmorevulnerable.Inthesecountries,thereisahigherriskoflosingdevelopmentandpovertyreductiongainstoclimatehazards.ASAPbuildsontheawarenessthatsmallholderfarmersaremorethanvictimsofclimatechange;IFADseesthemaskeypartsofthesolutiontotheclimatechangepuzzle.Poorsmallholdersarethegroupthatismostexposedtotheimpactsofclimatechange,yettheyareleastrepresentedinnationalandglobalpolicymakingontheissue.Oneaspectthatisoftenoverlookedininternationaldebatesisthatsmallholdersareamongthebestpossibleclientsforclimatefinance.ASAPallowstoinvestmoreandbetterintheiraccesstoweatherinformation,disasterpreparedness,sociallearningandtechnologytransfer,soastoenablesmallholderstoberesilient,feedagrowingplanetwhileatthesametimerestoringdegradedecosystemsandreducingagriculture'scarbonfootprint.

UndertheumbrellaofASAP,IFADprovidesbetterclimateinformationtohelpfarmersbebetterpreparedforshocksandstressesanditreducesclimate-relatedrisksthroughagriculturaldiversificationstrategies.IFADalsomakesfinancialservicesavailableforclimateriskmanagementthroughsmallgrantprogrammesforfarmerinnovation,climateriskmanagementanddisasterriskreductioninanumberofleastdevelopedcountries,includingRwanda,Cambodia,NepalandMozambique.

Inaddition,itisworthflaggingthatIFADhostsandsupportsthePlatformforAgriculturalRiskManagement(PARM),aneffortpromotedundertheG20tobuildcapacityforriskmanagementinagricultureindevelopingcountriesthroughparticipatorydiagnostics,developmentofsolutions,knowledge-sharingandnetworkbuilding.PARMpartnerswithrelevantserviceproviderstodevelopstrategiestotacklethoserisksthatcanbemanagedandtofacilitatetheincorporationofsuchstrategiesintopublicpolicies,privatesectorpracticesandagriculturalinvestmentprogrammesofpartnercountries.TheNewPartnershipforAfrica'sDevelopment(NEPAD)isanintegralpartofthis


initiativebeingthemaincontributoronthepoliticallevel.PARMiscurrentlyfocusingonsub-SaharanAfrica,includingEthiopia,Liberia,Mozambique,Niger,Senegal,TheGambiaandUganda.

UNCDF:LoCALisanUNCDFfacilityforinvestmentinlocallevelclimateresiliencethatchannelsglobaladaptationfinancetolocalgovernments.LDCssitonitsBoard,andUNCDFoperatesasitssecretariat.LoCALprovidesamechanismtoenablethemainstreamingofclimatechangeadaptationintolocalgovernment’splanningandbudgetingsystems;increaseawarenessandresponsetoclimatechangeatthelocallevel;andincreasetheamountoffinanceavailabletolocalgovernmentsforclimatechangeadaptation.TheLoCALfacilityconnectstoexistingnationalintergovernmentalfiscaltransfersystemsandsupplementscapitalgrantstolocalgovernmentswithperformance-basedclimateadaptationfunding.Communitiesandtheirlocalgovernmentsjointlyidentifythemostpressingclimateadaptationneedstowhichthesupplementarytransfersshouldbeapplied.Thetransferscanalsobeusedforinvestmentsthatpromotefoodsecurity–suchaswatercatchmentsystemsthathelpfarmersmanagedroughts–orinvestmentsforclimate-relateddisasterriskreductionandpreparedness.Thisway,LoCALprovidesafastandeffectivemeanstochanneladaptationfinancetowhereitismostneeded,whileatthesametimeensuringlocalownership,accountabilityandresults.LoCalunfoldsinthreephases.Thefirstphase,piloting,involvesinitialscoping,followedbytestingintwotofourlocalgovernments.Thesecondphase,learningandconsolidating,takesplacein5%to10%oflocalgovernmentsinagivencountry.Thisinvolvescollectinglessons,leveragingadditionalinvestment,anddemonstratingtheeffectivenessoftheapproachatalargerscale.Thethirdphase,scaling-up,isafullnationalrolloutofLoCALbasedontheresultsandlessonsofthepreviousphases.IMF:TheFundprovidesquickconcessionalfinancialsupporttoLDCsaffectedbynaturaldisastersunderitsRapidCreditFacility.Inaddition,inFebruary2015,theIMFestablishedaCatastropheContainmentandReliefTrust(CCRT).ThisinstrumentallowstheFundtoprovidegrantsfordebtrelieftothepoorestandmostvulnerablecountrieshitbycatastrophicnaturaldisastersorpublichealthdisasters,includingepidemics.ThenewtrustisintendedtocomplementdonorfinancingandtheFund’sconcessionallending.

TheCCRTwascreatedbytransformingthePost-CatastropheDebtReliefTrust,whichwasestablishedin2010followingtheterribleearthquakeinHaiti.TheCCRThastwowindows:(1)aPost-CatastropheReliefwindow,toprovideexceptionalassistanceinthewakeofanaturaldisasterlikeanearthquakeortyphoon;and(2)aCatastropheContainmentwindow,toprovideassistanceincontainingthespreadofapublichealthdisaster.

TheintroductionofaCatastropheContainmentwindowacknowledgesthatpoorcountrieswithweakhealthsystemshavelimitedcapacitytocontainthewiderthreatposedbyapublichealthdisaster,andthattheinternationalcommunityhasastronginterestinprovidingextensivesupporttosuchcountries.Eligiblelow-incomecountriesthatarehitbypublichealthdisasterswouldreceiveup-frontgrantstoimmediatelypayoffupcomingdebtservicetotheIMF.Theamountofgrantsupportiscappedat20percentofacountry’squota.

AssistancethroughtheCCRTisavailableto38low-incomedevelopingcountrieseligibleforconcessionalborrowingandthatalsohaveeitherapercapitaincomebelow$1,215or,forsmallstateswithapopulationunder1.5million,apercapitaincomebelow$2,430.

ITUrespondstonaturaldisastersandprovidesemergencytelecommunications


equipmenttoseveralMemberswhendisasterstrikes.ITUsupportstheLDCsandcountriesinspecialneedinregardtoclimate-changeandadaptation,assistinemergencytelecommunicationattheaftermathofanaturaldisaster;providesworkshopsandforumsonclimatechangeadaptationanddisasterriskreduction,

helpstheLDCsfordevelopingUniversalaccessfundpolicies/legislation,emergency

telecommunicationplans,e-wastepoliciesandClimate-changeandadaptation.Moreover,newactivitiesplannedforsupportingtheimplementationoftheIstanbulPlanofAction(IPoA)includethefollowing:developinge-wastenationalandregionalpolicies,establishingemergencyoperationcenters,developingcybersecuritypolicies/legislation;establishingcriticalincidentresponseteam(CIRT)anddevelopingnationalemergencytelecommunicationplans.

UNESCOprovidessupporttotheLDCsthroughitsdedicatedclimatechangeinitiativeandactionplan,whichfocusesonstrengtheningtheclimatechangeknowledgebaseforscience,assessment,monitoringandearlywarningandonpromotingthemitigationofandadaptationtoclimatechange,notablythroughfreshwaterresearchandenhancededucationandpublicawareness.Trainingworkshopsarebeingorganizedonclimatechangeadaptationandmitigation,suchasthetrainingprovidedforLDCrepresentatives/stakeholdersfromWorldHeritageSitesonclimatechangeadaptationforWorldHeritagesitesinMay2014inNairobi(Kenya).Throughitsprogrammesontraditionalknowledge,UNESCOhasspearheadedworkonimprovingtheunderstandingofhowtraditionalsocieties,suchaspastorlistsinAfrica,havedevelopedclimatechangeadaptationstrategies.InadditiontoWorldHeritageSites,UNESCOdesignatedbiospherereserveshavebeenpromotedasobservatoriesforclimatechangemitigationandadaptationandforthegenerationofclimateservices.

UNESCOisprovidingpolicysupport,researchandtechnicalcapacity-buildingfordisasterprevention,preparednessandmitigationintheLDCsinlinewiththeSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction(2015-2030)andwillbesupportingtheLDCsinitsimplementation.TheOrganizationisprovidingsupporttotheLDCsinassessingriskfromnaturalhazardsviathedevelopmentofassessmenttoolsandhazardmappingexercises.Supportforpreparednessisfocusedmainlyonsupportingtheestablishmentofearlywarningsystems.TheOrganizationisalsoprovidingsupporttotheLDCsindevelopingdisasterriskreductionstrategiesandinestablishingstandardoperatingproceduresforvariousstagesofthedisastercycle.AwarenessraisingandtechnicaltrainingsessionsarealsobeingprovidedtoestablishacriticalmassofexpertstopracticeDRRatthenationallevel.CapacitybuildingworkshopsfordisasterriskpreparednessinworldheritagesitesarealsoorganizedincollaborationwiththeAfricanWorldHeritageFund.

AnexampleofUNESCO’sworkinthisareaisthecapacitybuildingsupportthattheOrganizationhasprovidedtoHaitianagenciestorecoverfromthedamagetotheirmonitoringandwarningcapabilitiesforcoastalhazards,andtolaythegroundforfurtherimprovements.Itisimportanttonotethatregardinghydrometeorologicalhazards,thisprojectseekstocomplementWMO'sworktoprovidecapacitydevelopmentfortheNationalMeteorologicalServiceandNationalWaterResourcesServiceofHaiti.Ontsunamiissues,UNESCOhaspartneredwithCTBTOandUNDPtogetHaitifullyintegratedintothenetworkoftheCaribbeanandotherCoastalHazardsEarlyWarningSystem(CARIBEEWS),coordinatedbyIOC/UNESCO.


WFPhashelpedcommunitiesre-establishfoodsecuritythroughfood-for-workprojectsthatbuildflooddefensesandsmall-scaleirrigationsystems,fixdunes,planttrees,harvestwaterorrehabilitatedepletedland–allarecrucialforclimatechangeadaptation.Wherefoodandnutritionsecurityemergenciesarise,WFPinterveneswithfoodassistanceandspecificsafetynets.WFPalsosupportsmedium-tolong-termstrategiesbyengagingwiththegovernmenttoaddressissuessuchasvolatilefoodprices,monitoringvulnerability,andintegratingfoodsecurityneedsofthepoorandvulnerableintopoliciesandprogrammes,includingstrengtheningsafetynetsandsharingofbestpractice.

Asacontinentalsovereignriskpool,theAfricanRiskCapacity(ARC)providescost-effectivecontingencyfundingtoAfricangovernmentstoexecutepre-approvedcontingencyplansintheeventofseverenaturaldisastersincludingthosedrivenbyclimatechange.Seventeenofthe25signatoriestoARCEstablishmentAgreementareLDCs.AsanAfricansolutiontooneofthecontinent’smostpressingchallenges,theARCtakesontheburdenofclimaterisktoreducethetollexperiencedbygovernmentsandthefarmersandpastoralistswhomtheyprotect.DevelopedasajointprojectoftheAfricanUnion(AU)andWFP,theARCbecameaSpecializedAgencyoftheAUinNovember2012.ARCprovidesMemberStatescapacitybuildingservicesforcontingencyplanningandoperations.Anationallyregulatedfinancialaffiliate,theARCInsuranceCompanyLimited(ARCLtd),wasestablishedtoexecutetherisktransferoperations.ARCLtdusesthesatelliteweathersurveillancesoftwareAfricaRiskView,developedbyWFPduringtheARCdesignphase,toestimatetheimpactofdroughtonvulnerablepopulations–andtheresponsecostsrequiredtoassistthem–beforeaseasonbegins,andasitprogresses,sothatindex-basedinsurancepayouts,basedonAfricaRiskView,aretriggeredatorbeforeharvesttimeiftherainsarepoor.

ECA:TheEconomicCommissionforAfrica(ECA)andtheUnitedNationsOfficeforDisasterRiskReduction(UNISDR)jointDevelopmentAccountProjectonStrengtheningCapacitiesofAfricanPolicymakerstoMainstreamNaturalDisasterRiskReductionintoNational,RegionalDevelopmentPolicies,andStrategiesinAfricaundertheSeventhTrancheoftheUNDevelopmentAccountProjectsisconsideredabestpracticeinthisarea.Theobjectiveoftheprojectwastostrengthenthecapacitiesofrelevantregional,sub-regionalandnationalentitiestomainstreamdisasterriskreduction(DRR)intoregional,sub-regionalandnationaldevelopmentstrategiestocontributetomeetingtheMDGsandtheattainmentofsustainabledevelopmentgoalsinAfrica.

ProjectactivitiesweremainlytargetedatthetwoRegionalEconomicCommunities(RECs),namelytheEconomicCommunityofWestAfricanStates(ECOWAS)andtheSouthernAfricaDevelopmentCommunity(SADC),andtheirmembersStates.Inaddition,projectactivitiesincludedaregionalstudyandresultsdisseminationtoinformDRRmainstreamingbeyondthetwotargetRECs.ThemainprojectpartnerswereECA,UNISDR,theUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),theSecretariatofSADC,theECOWASCommission,andtheAfricanUnionCommission(AUC).

UN-Habitat,throughitsCitiesandClimateChangeInitiative(CCCI),ishelpingcitiesindevelopingandleast-developedcountriestoaddresstheclimatechallenge,withemphasisonasoundassessmentofclimatevulnerabilitiesandrisks,planningresponsetoclimatechange,goodgovernanceandpracticalinitiativesformunicipalitiesandtheircitizens.Theentrypointforclimateactionvariesfromcitytocityaccordingtotheircapacities,resources,vulnerabilitiesandopportunities.


UNEP:UNEPassistsgovernments,businessesandindividualstoreduceemissionsinanefforttominimizethepaceandscaleofclimatechange,andassiststhosenationsandcommunitiesmostlikelytobeaffectedtobecomemoreresilienttochangingconditions.

TheClimateTechnologyCentreandNetwork(CTCN),partoftheUNFCCCTechnologyMechanismledbyUNEP,promotestheaccelerateddevelopmentandtransferofclimatetechnologiesforadaptationandmitigation.During2014,theCTCNrespondedtoover20requestsfortechnicalassistance,suchasprovidingguidanceonphotovoltaicsolarcelldesignandmanufacturing.

Alsoin2014,theClimateandCleanAirCoalition(CCAC)—a100-memberpartnershipactingtoreduceshort-livedclimatepollutants(SLCPs)includingblackcarbon,methane,troposphericozone,andhydrofluorocarbons—grewininfluence.TheCCACisworkingon16keymeasures,whichifimplementedby2030canreduceglobalwarmingby0.6°Cby2050.

UNOPScontributestoenvironmentalsustainabilitybymitigatingadverseimpactsontheenvironment;improvingbiodiversityandecologicalresilience;andusingrenewableresources,takingintoaccounttheinteractionsbetweenhumandevelopmentandenvironmentalsustainability.In2014,51percentofallprojectsreportedononeormoreactivitiesthatcontributedtoenvironmentalsustainabilityinthecourseoftheproject.InHaiti,forexample,withfundingfromtheInter-AmericanDevelopmentBankandtheWorldBank,UNOPSworkedwiththeMinistryofPublicWorks,TransportandCommunicationtorehabilitateroadsfollowingHurricaneSandy.Duringthoseprojects,debrisproducedfromtheworksiteswasdisposedofinalow-impactmanner,incooperationwithlocalauthorities.

WMOhasaprogrammeinDRRandliaiseswiththeUN-ISDRtoprovideanunderstandingonweatherandclimaterelateddisasters,whichnowconstituteabout90%ofallnaturaldisasters.WMOhasaVoluntaryCooperationProgramme(VCP)throughRMDPthatworkswithWB,AfDB,tosupportthestrategiesoftheGlobalFrameworkofClimateServices(GFCS),theWMOProgrammeonLDCsandSIDSincludingtheintegratedstrategyoftheAfricanMinisterialConferenceonMeteorology(AMCOMET)whichallsupport:systematicobservationthatsupportsthemonitoring,detection,attributionofclimatechange;theresearch,modelingandscenariopredictionofclimatechangeandassociatedimpacts.WMOsupportsNMHSswithnewtechnologyindataprocessingofclimatedatausingClimsoftsoftwareandarchivalofclimatedatausingClimateDatabaseManagementSystems(CDMS).WMOsupportsNMHSsofdevelopingandLDCsandSIDSretrieveclimatedatafromoldfilesinaprocesscalledDataRescue(DARE)usingmoderntechnologies.WMOsupportsLDCandSIDStoaccessGreenAdaptationfundstohelpbuildtheNMHSs’infrastructuretoenablethemprovideservicesthatsupportadaptationandresiliencebuildingofcommunitiesandeconomiestocopewithadverseimpactsofclimatechange.WMOworkswithNMHSstoprovideWeatherandClimatedatatoenablecompilationofwindpotentialforrenewableenergyfromwindpowergeneratorswindmills.

ILOconsidersdisasterriskreductionanintegralpartofsustainabledevelopmentandbelievesthatreducingrisksandbuildingbackbettercancreatedecentworkaswellassavelives.ILOresearchdemonstratesthatthereisacriticalconnectionbetweendecentjobsandresilientsocieties.Indeed,decentworkapproachestolocaleconomicrecovery,basedoninternationallabourstandards,canbedecisiveforsocio-economicresilienceinthefaceofmultiplehazards.ILO'sinitiativesintheareaof


DRRpromotecollectivepreparedness,worktowardspreventionandmitigationandaimtostrengthenthecapacityofcommunitiestorespondandrecover.

FollowingtheearthquakethathitHaitiin2010affectingmorethan3millionpeopleanddestroyingPort-au-Prince,theILOengagedincapacitybuildinginearthquake-andhurricane-resistantconstructiontechniques.ThetrainingprogrammeA.P.R.A.S.(LearningtoRebuildaSolidHaiti),developedincollaborationwiththeNationalInstituteofProfessionalTrainingofHaitiandbasedongovernmentstandardnormsinseismic-andcyclonic-resistantconstruction,strengthenedthetechnicalcapacityofforemen,skilledworkersandsemi-skilledworkersandqualifiedthemtoparticipateintherebuildingprocessoftheircountry.

ThroughtheA.P.R.A.S.trainingprogramme,whichwasthebackboneofthreelargereconstructionprojects,theILOanditspartnersprovidedsustainablehousingsolutionsandcontributedtoenhancethelivingconditionsinthetargetneighborhoods.ILO’seffortstoadvanceemploymentandeconomicopportunitiesultimatelyhelpedincreasesocialcohesionandimprovethesocio-economicsituationofthepopulation,reducingfuturevulnerabilityandpromotinggreaterresilience.

FAOhaspublishedguidelinesonFisheriesandaquacultureemergencyresponse(http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3432e.pdf).Theguidelinesdrawonbestpracticesandlessonslearnedduringresponsetodisastersthathaveaffectedfisheriesandaquaculturesector.Theycovergeneralandtechnicalareassuchas:fisheriesandaquaculturepolicyandmanagement;capturefisheriesgear,vesselsandengines;landingsites,harbors,andanchorages;aquacultureandpost-harvest,tradeandmarkets.Theguidelineswerepublishedin2014andafirstTrainingofTrainers(TOT)coursewasrolledinMarch23-282015with22participantsfromLDCswithaviewtostrengtheningregionalandnationalcapacitiesinemergencyresponseandpreparedness.

Improvingcapacitytorespondtofoodandagriculturalthreatsandemergencies:FAOassistedLDCmembercountriestoenhanceregionalcapacityfordisasterriskreductionandmanagement,preparednessfornaturaldisastersandeffectiveemergencyresponse.Thiswasachievedthrough:strengtheningmanagementinformationsystemsandcommunications;conductingstrategicplanningtoimplementdisasterriskreductionandmanagementincollaborationandpartnershipwithotherorganizations(e.g.effectiveinteragencycoordinationtopreventandcontroltrans-boundaryanimalandzoonoticdiseases);assessingapproachesandbestpracticesincrop,aquacultureandfisheriesinsurance;providingtechnicalandcapacity-buildingsupportonbiosecurityandfoodcontrolsystemsinlinewithinternationalrequirements;andimprovingproductivityonsmallfarmsandmakingthemresilienttoproductionriskstoimprovesafetynetsforsmall-scalefarmers,livestockownersandfisherfolk.

Additionally,someotherimportantissuesthatarebeingsupportedthroughprojectsaswellasregionalworkshops/consultations/trainingrelatingtofoodsafetypolicydevelopment,supportinestablishingcoordinationmechanismsbetweenMinistries/Departmentsincountries,safetyinthefoodretailsector,strengtheningfoodstandardsettingandparticipationinCodexactivities,traceability,foodsafetyemergencyresponseplanning,riskanalysis,goodagriculturalpractices–certificationandaccreditationaspects,strengtheninginspectionandtesting.


Developingcopingmechanismfortheimpactofclimatechangeonagricultureandfoodandnutritionalsecurity:FAOsupportsLDCmembercountriesinAsiaandthePacifictointegrateclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationintostrategiesforagricultureandruraldevelopmentwithappropriatepracticesforcopingwiththeadverseimpactsofclimatechangeontheagriculturalsector.Someofthemainoutputswere–RegionalStudieson:BioenergyandFoodSecurity;AnalyticalFrameworktoassistpolicy-makersmanagethetrade-offsassociatedwithbioenergydevelopmentandcompetitionbetweenbioenergyandfoodsecurity;sustainablebioenergyinAsiaforimprovingresiliencetohighfoodpricesandclimatechange;andastudyonclimatechangeimpactsonriceyieldsinLaoPDRtogatherinformationandknowledgeproductsforpolicy-makerstobettermanageclimateriskstothericesectorandidentifyadaptationneeds.

ControllingandPreventionofTransboundaryAnimalDiseases:FAOsupportedthestrengtheningofappliedinnovativeapproachestocontrolandpreventavianinfluenzaandotheremergingandre-emerginginfectiousdiseases(rEIDs)amonganimalsandhumans,inAsia.Inaddition,aregionalcoordinationmechanismtoaddressrEIDswasendorsedattheministeriallevelthroughahigh-levelconsultationwithASEAN.FAOEmergencyCentreofTransboundaryAnimalDiseases(ECTAD)hasbroadeneditsmandatefromHighlyPathogenicAvianInfluenza(HPAI)tootherdiseasesandhasadoptedamoreintegrated,multidisciplinaryapproachtopromotethedevelopmentofregionalandnationalOneHealthstrategiesandactionplansatregionalandcountrylevelswithWorldOrganizationforAnimalHealth(OIE)andWHOtosupportspecificdiseasecontrols(e.g.forrabies,Foot-and-mouthdisease(FMD)andH7N9).ECTADhasbecomeasignificantplatforminsupportingpreventionandcontrolofexistingandemerginghigh-impactanimalandhumaninfectiousdiseasesinthefaceofrapidlyevolvingdynamicsintheregion'slivestocksector.

WorldBank:Overthepast10years,theWorldBankhasemergedasthegloballeaderindisasterriskmanagement(DRM),supportingcountriestoprepareforandmanagedisasterrisks.Throughtechnicalandfinancialsupportforriskassessments,riskreduction,preparedness,financialprotection,andresilientrecoveryandreconstruction,theBankhelpscountriestoreducetheirvulnerabilitiesduetonaturalhazardsandclimatechange.TheWorldBank’sDRMportfolio,includingco-benefits,hasgrownabout20percentannuallyforthepastfouryearstoabout$5.3billioninfiscal2014.Duringtheyear,80percentofactiveWorldBankcountryassistancestrategiesincorporateddisasterandclimateriskanalysis,promotingacomprehensive,multisectorapproachtomanagingdisasterrisk.

TheGlobalFacilityforDisasterReductionandRecovery(GFDRR),agrowingpartnershipof21countries,istheWorldBank’sinstitutionalmechanismforDRM.Workingwithmorethan300national,community-level,andinternationalpartners,GFDRRhelpscountriestomainstreamDRMindevelopmentstrategiesandprocesses.

TheWorldBankisworkingtoleveragebothpublicandprivatesourcesofclimatefinancetosupportclimate-smartpoliciesandinvestmentsandtohelpcountriesandbusinessesadapttoachangingclimate.Infiscalyear2014,theWorldBankworkedwith62countriestotakeactiononclimatechange.TheWorldBankisoneoftheworld’slargestissuersofgreenbonds,whichfinanceclimate-relatedprojects.Sofar,theWorldBankTreasuryhasraisedover$6.3billionwithgreenbonds.IBRDhasissued66WorldBankGreenBondsin17currencies,supporting50projectsin17membercountries.ExamplesofprojectssupportedbyWorldBankGreenBondsincluderenewableenergy


installations,energy-efficiencyprojects,newtechnologiesinwastemanagementandagriculturethatreducegreenhousegasemissionsandhelptofinancethetransitiontoalow-carboneconomy.Greenbondsalsofinanceforestandwatershedmanagement,andinfrastructuretopreventclimate-relatedflooddamageandbuildclimateresilience.TheLow-Carbon,LivableCitiesinitiativeassistsrapidlygrowingcitiestoplanforlow-carbondevelopment,focusingondiagnosticsandtoolstoimproveplanningandonnewfinancinginstruments.

IAEA:TheIAEAandtheInternationalRiceResearchInstitute(IRRI)arecollaboratingintheareaoffoodandagriculturetoenhancericeproductivity.Thecollaborationaimstodevelopimprovedricevarietiesthatareadaptabletoadverseenvironmentalconditionsincludingclimatechange.LDCsareparticularlyvulnerabletoenvironmentalchangesandthereforegreatlybenefitfromenhancedsupportintheareaoffoodsecurity.AnAgreementwassignedinJune2015tooptimizethecollaborationbetweenIRRIandtheIAEAinriceproductionbyenablingIAEAtrainingactivitiestobehostedattheIRRItrainingcenteratadiscountedrate.ThiswillbenefitLDCswhonowcanreceivepreferentialaccesstotrainingatthiscenterofexcellence.

TheIAEAisprovidingsupporttoLDCsinstrengtheningtheircapabilitiesinemergencypreparednessandresponse.EvenforcountriesthatdonothaveNPPsinoperationitiscriticaltohavecapabilitiestoaddressradiologicalemergenciesincaseoneoccursintheregion.Forexample,Afghanistanwassupportedindevelopingcapabilitiesinmonitoringanddecontaminationofthepublic,responders,vehiclesandequipment,aswellastheestablishmentofcommandcontrolsystemsandresponseorganizationsfortheprotectionofthepublicincasesofemergencies.

Additionally,inresponsetotheFukushimaNPPaccidentandtheresultingreleasesofradioactivityintotheenvironment,theIAEAlaunchedaregionalprojecttosupportmemberstatesaffectedbytheaccidentinassessingthepossibleimpactofthereleasesofradioactivityfromtheFukushimaDaiichinuclearpowerplantintothemarineenvironmentandmakescientificassessmentsofthedata.TheAgencywillsupportNepalinenhancingthesafetyofpublicplacesinareasaffectedbytherecentearthquakes.ThiswillincludeassistingNepalintestingtheintegrityofcriticalbuildingssuchashospitals,schoolsandhistoricalattractions,usingnon-destructivetestingtechniques.

G. MobilizingfinancialresourcesfordevelopmentandcapacitybuildingContext:ThelackoffinancialresourcesisoneofthebiggestconstraintsfacingLDCstoachievingsustained,inclusiveandequitablegrowthandsustainabledevelopmentandprogresstowardsgraduation.Thelowlevelsofpercapitaincome,domesticsavingsandinvestmentandasmalltaxbaselimitdomesticresources.Thereisthereforeahighrelianceonexternalfinancialresources,includingODA,foreigndirectinvestment,concessionallendingandprivateflowssuchasremittances.ManyLDCshavebenefitedfromdebtreliefmeasuresundertheHIPCandMDRIInitiatives.Theimpactoftheworldeconomicandfinancialcrisis,combinedwithfoodandfuelcrises,hasundermineddevelopmenteffortsofLDCs.

G.1DOMESTICRESOURCEMOBILIZATION

1. DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCstobuildcapacityintheireffortstoraisedomesticresourcesthroughrevenue-generationandfinancialsectorreforms,inparticularthrough


thebuildingoftransparent,accountableandfairnationaltaxandfinancialmanagementsystems?

ODC,ILO,IMF,WMO,UNDP,UNCDF,UNEP,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,OSSC,SE4ALL, DESA,UNCTAD,WorldBank

2. DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCsinthedevelopmentofanefficient,effective,well-functioningandsociallyresponsibleprivatesectorandproductivecapacity,andsupportLDCstodeveloptheircapacitytobenefitfromprivatesectorinvestments,toreducetheresourcegap,throughtheprovisionoffinancial,technicalandinstitutionalassistance?

ODC,WIPO,ILO,WMO,IMF,UNIDO,EIF,UNDP,UNCDF,UNEP,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,WorldBank

3) Isyourorganizationinvolvedineffortstoeliminatesafehavensthatcreateincentivesfortransferabroadofstolenassetsandillicitfinancialflowsand/orassistintherecoveryandreturnofstolenassets?

ODC,IMF,OSAA,OSSC,WorldBank

4) Isyourorganizationinvolvedineffortstoenhancedisclosurepracticesandtransparencyinbothsourceanddestinationcountriesandcooperateineffortsinreduceillicitfinancialflows?

DESA,UNDP,ODC,IMF,WorldBank

Selectedactivitiesindomesticresourcemobilization

Surveillance,financialsupportandtechnicalassistanceactivities(IMF)

Capacitydevelopment(UNODC)

Improvementofassetrecoveryframeworks(UNODC/WB)

UNConventionagainstCorruption(UNODC)

UNConventionagainstTransnationalCrime(UNODC)

Researchandstudiesonstrategiestoenhancedomesticresourcesandinvestmentforstructuraltransformation,andonenhancingtheroleofthedomesticprivatesectorthroughpublic-privatepartnershipsinenergyandinfrastructure(ECA)

UNCDFoffers“lastmile”financemodelsthatunlockpublicandprivateresources,especiallyatthedomesticlevel,toreducepovertyandsupportlocaleconomicdevelopment.Throughthesefinancingmodels,publicresources-includingODA-laythegroundworkforprivateinvestment.UNCDF’sfinancingmodelsworkthroughtwochannels:1.Savings-ledfinancialinclusionthatexpandstheopportunitiesforindividuals,households,andsmallbusinessestoparticipateinthelocaleconomy,providingthemwiththetoolstheyneedtoclimboutofpovertyandmanagetheirfinanciallives.2.Byshowinghowlocalizedinvestments—throughfiscaldecentralization,innovativemunicipal


finance,andstructuredprojectfinance—candrivepublicandprivatefundingthatunderpinslocaleconomicexpansionandsustainabledevelopment.Investmentsinlocalproductiveinfrastructureinthepublicandprivatesectorsmobilizedomesticcapitalresourcesandrecyclethembackintolocaleconomies.

G.2MOBILIZINGFINANCIALRESOURCESFORDEVELOPMENTANDCAPACITY-BUILDING:OFFICIALDEVELOPMENTASSISTANCE


a)EnsurethefulfillmentofallODAcommitmentstoLDCs;

b)EnsurethealignmentofaidwithLDCs’nationalprioritiesandincreasethealignmentofaidwithLDCs’nationalsystemsandprocedures.

Questions:

1) Isyourorganizationinvolvedineffortstorealizethegoalsandtargetslistedabove?

UNIDO,WMO,WTO,EIF,IMF,UNICEF,UNDP,UNCDF,ESCAP,DESA, UNCTAD,IPU,WorldBank,IAEA,DESA

SelectedactivitiesonODA:

AidforTrade(WTO,EIF)

SustainableEnergyforAll(SE4ALL)

GreenEconomy(UNEP)

KnowledgePlatform(DESA)

Campaigns(UNICEF)

Monitoringandevaluation(WTO,OSAA)

Advocacy(OSAA,UNICEF,IPU,DESA)

Supportinglocalfinancesolutions(UNCDF)

Tools:Guidancenoteonaidpolicies(IPU)andInformationportalonODA,TradeandothersupportforLDCsavailableatwww.un.org/ldcportal.DESAisundertakingthecontinuedupdatingoftheLDCPortalasrequestedbyGeneralAssemblyresolution(A/RES/67/221)onSmoothtransitionforcountriesgraduatingfromthelistofleastdevelopedcountries.

UNICEFmobilizesthemajorpartofitsresourcesthroughnon-coreresourcesandthemobilizationisfocusedonLDCsasbeingthemostvulnerable.Throughitsallocativeprocesses,UNICEFguarantees60%ofcoreresourcesallocationtoLDCs.ThroughcampaignslikeAPromiseRenewed(health),


ScalingupNutrition(SUN),SanitationforAll,UNICEFadvocatesforandmobilizesresourcesforLDCs.

WTO:InlinewiththeNinthWTOMinisterialConferenceDecisiononAidforTrade,theAid-for-TradeWorkProgrammefortheperiod2014-2015,focusesonissuesidentifiedinglobalandregionalvaluechainworkasitimpactsondevelopingcountries'–andinparticularLDCs'–abilitytoconnecttovaluechains(i.e.tradefacilitation,tradefinance,labourskills,investmentenvironment,andinfrastructure).TheAid-for-TradeInitiativeiscontinuingtomobilizeresources.Themostrecentfiguresavailableshowthatin2012AfTcommitmentsreachedUS$53.8billion,representinga110%increasefromthe2002-05baselineperiod.OftheUS$53.8billion,24%,orUS$13.1billionwenttoLDCs.

G.3MOBILIZINGFINANCIALRESOURCESFORDEVELOPMENTANDCAPACITY-BUILDING:EXTERNALDEBT


a)AchievesustainabledebtlevelsinallLDCs,bearinginmindLDCs’specialdevelopmentneeds;

b)RemainvigilantinmonitoringthedebtsituationofLDCsandcontinuetotakeeffectivemeasureswithintheexistingframeworks;

c)ProvidespecificdebtreliefmeasuresforLDCsthatarenotHIPCcountriesonacase-by-casebasis.

Questions:

1) DoesyourorganizationsupporteffortstoprovidefullandtimelyfinancingfortheimplementationoftheHIPCInitiativeandMDRI,includingfortheremainingeligibleLDCsincompletingtheHIPCinitiativeprocess?

IMF,ITU,ESCAP,WMO,OSAA,WorldBank,IFAD

2) Doesyourorganizationsupporteffortstofurtherexploretheuseofnewandimproveddebtinstrumentsandinnovativemechanismssuchasdebtswaps?

IMF,ITU,ESCAP,WMO,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD

3) Isyourorganizationinvolvedineffortstoconsidertakingadditionalmeasuresandinitiativesaimedatensuringlong-termdebtsustainabilitythroughincreasedgrant-basedandotherformsofconcessionalfinancing,includingthroughmultilateralinstitutions?

IMF,ITU,ESCAP,UNDP,ESCWA,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD

4) Doesyourorganizationassistinemphasizingtheneedforcoordinatedpoliciesaimedatfosteringdebtfinancing,debtreliefanddebtrestructuring,asappropriate?

IMF,ITU,ESCAP,UNDP,ESCWA,OSAA,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD


Selectedactivitiesinexternaldebt

Surveillanceandprogramactivitiesthatcoverdebtsustainabilityanddebtmanagementinacomprehensivemanner.AnewPolicyonPublicDebtLimitsinFund-SupportedProgramstookeffectinJune2015(IMF)

G.4MOBILIZINGFINANCIALRESOURCESFORDEVELOPMENTANDCAPACITY-BUILDING:FOREIGNDIRECTINVESTMENT


a)AttractandretainincreasedforeigndirectinvestmentinLDCs,especiallywiththeaimofdiversifyingtheproductionbaseandenhancingproductivecapacity;

b)EnhanceinitiativestosupportinvestmentinLDCs.

Questions:

1) Doesyourorganizationpromotestrategicandregulatoryframeworksforforeigndirectinvestmentandotherresourceflowsinthissectorthatincludevitalpolicyareassuchasinfrastructuredevelopment,tradeandtradefacilitation,researchanddevelopmentandtransferoftechnology?

FAO,ITU,WTO/EIF,ITC,ESCWA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,ILO,IMF,WIPO,UNIDO,WMO,UNDP,ESCAP,OSAA,WorldBank

2) IsyourorganizationinvolvedineffortstosetupandstrengtheninitiativestosupportinvestmentinLDCssuchasinsurance,guaranteesandpreferentialfinancingprogrammesandprivateenterprisefundsfocusinginparticularonsectorsthatareneededtobuildupadiversifiedproductionbaseandencouragelinkageswithdomesticproductionactivitiesaswellasemploymentcreation?

FAO,ITU,EIF,ITC,ESCWA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,ILO,IMF,WMO,UNDP,UNCDF,OSSC,CFC,WorldBank

3) Doesyourorganizationsupportcapacity-buildinginLDCs,andattheregionallevel,aimedatimprovingtheirabilitiestoattractFDI,includingtheabilitytonegotiatemutuallybeneficialinvestmentagreementsanddisseminateinformationaboutinvestmentopportunitiestoLDCs?

FAO,ITU,EIF,ITC,ESCWA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,UNCDF,UNIDO,IMF,WMO,ESCAP,OSSC,WorldBank

4) DoesyourorganizationsupportandimplementinitiativesaimedatencouraginginvestmentinLDCs,suchasexportcredits,riskmanagementtools,co-financing,venturecapitalandotherlendinginstruments,businessdevelopmentservicesandfeasibilitystudies?

FAO,ITU,WTO/EIF,ITC,ESCWA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,UNDP,OSSC,CFC,UNCDF,WorldBank


5) Isyourorganizationinvolvedineffortstostrengthenpartnershipprogrammesfortechnologytransferbyfosteringlinkagesbetweenforeignanddomesticfirms?

FAO,ITU,EIF,ITC,ESCWA,SE4ALL,UNCTAD,ILO,WIPO,UNIDO,WMO, UNDP,CFC,OSSC,WorldBank

Selectedactivitiesinforeigndirectinvestment

TheFundcoremandatecoversissuesrelatedtocurrentaccountandcapitalaccountliberalization,anditssurveillance,financialsupport,andTAactivitiestopromotegrowthincludediscussionsandpolicyrecommendationsonregulatoryframeworksforcapitalflows.(IMF)

Capacitydevelopmentandtrainingrelatedtobilateralinvestmenttreaties(ESCWA)

Capacitybuildingofinvestmentpromotionagencies(UNIDO)

Partnerships(UNIDO)

G.5MOBILIZINGFINANCIALRESOURCESFORDEVELOPMENTANDCAPACITY-BUILDING:REMITTANCES


Reducethetransactioncostofremittanceflowsandfosterthedevelopmentimpactofremittances.

Question:

1) Isyourorganizationinvolvedineffortstomaximizethebenefitsofinternationalmigration,inaccordancewithallrelevantlegalframeworks?

ILO,UNWOMEN,UNDP,UNCDF,UNCTAD,ESCWA,ESCAP,WorldBank,IFAD

Selectedactivitiesinremittances

InternationalTransactionsinRemittances:GuideforCompilersandUsers(IMF)

FinancialEducationTrainingToolkit(ILO)

Financialinclusion(ILO,UNCTAD,UNCDF)

Mainstreamingmigrationissuesintodevelopmentplanning(UNDP,UN-Women)

Selectedexamplesofbestpracticesinareasrelatedtomobilizingfinancialresourcesfordevelopmentandcapacitybuilding

ILO:WiththehelpofitsInternationalTrainingCentreinTurin,theILOhasdevelopedafinancialeducationtrainingtoolkitwhichwillbeutilizedinaseriesofTrainingofTrainers(ToT)workshopstodeveloptheknowledgeandskillsrequiredforresponsiblebudgeting,spending,saving,borrowing,andinvestingformigrantworkersandtheirfamilies.Createdin2011,thistoolkithasbeenusedina


rangeofLDCcountries,includingCentralAfricanRepublic,DemocraticRepublicofCongo,MauritaniaandSenegal,Haiti,andCambodiatocontributetocomprehensiveactionstowardsfinancialsecurity.(http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-migration/policy-areas/remittances/lang--en/index.htm)

UNIDOestablishedtheAfricanInvestmentPromotionAgencyNetwork(AFrIPANet)inordertocoordinateinvestmentrelatedactivitiesandattractFDIintheSub-Saharanregion.Moreover,theAfrIPANetprovidescapacitybuildingtoregionalInvestmentPromotionAgencies(IPAs)throughtrainingsandnetworklinkagestotheInvestmentandTechnologyPromotionOffices(ITPOs).Todate,theProgrammehascoveredamongothers:BurkinaFaso,Burundi,Ethiopia,Lesotho,Malawi,Mali,Niger,Rwanda,UgandaandZambiaandisplannedtobereplicatedinotherLLDCs.Inthemeantime,anInvestmentMonitoringPlatform(IMP)hasbeencreatedandhostsadatabaseof7,000ForeignandDomesticcompaniesoperatinginAfrica.

IFAD:InseveralcountriesIFADtargetsarangeoffinancialproviderstoaddressissuesrelatedtoremittancetransferandremittance-basedfinancialservicesundertheumbrellaoftheIFAD-hostedmulti-donorFinancingFacilityforRemittances(FFR).TheFFRfinancesprojectsfocusedonthreemajorcategoriesofactivities:1)Improvingremittancetransmissionandaccesstoremittanceservices;2)Linkingremittancestofinancialservicesandproductsinruralareas;3)Developinginnovativeandproductiveruralinvestmentchannelsandopportunitiesformigrantsandcommunity-basedorganizations.TodatetheFFRhasfinancedalmost50projectsinover40countries,includingmanyleastdevelopedcountries.

EIFprovidesLDCswithresourcestodiagnosetheirneedsforfurthertradeintegrationandbenefittingfromtheglobaltradingsystem.Thetimingofthesestudies,so-calledDiagnosticTradeIntegrationStudies,issuchthattheirresultsfeedintotheformulationofnationaldevelopmentplansorstrategies.Thesestrategiesarethentypicallypresentedatadonorroundtableorconsultativegroupmeetingforfundingthroughthedevelopmentpartners.SuchaidcoordinationensuresthatLDCshavefullownershipoftheprioritiesfromtheAidforTradeagendathatgetfunded.Mobilizationofresources,bothwithinthedomesticandinternationalplatforms,isatthecoreoftheEIFmandate.TheEIFNationalSteeringCommitteesaredesignedtoincludemechanismsofleveragingin-countryinstitutionstoachievethenecessarylevelofresources.

TheEIFpartnershipcomprisessixCoreAgenciesandtwoObserverAgencies:theInternationalMonetaryFund(IMF),theInternationalTradeCentre(ITC),theUnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandDevelopment(UNCTAD),theUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),theWorldBankGroupandtheWorldTradeOrganization(WTO),withtheUnitedNationsIndustrialDevelopmentOrganization(UNIDO)andtheWorldTourismOrganization(UNWTO)asObserverAgencies.TheWTOisalsohosttotheExecutiveSecretariatfortheEIFinGeneva.

WorldBank:TheMultilateralInvestmentGuaranteeAgency(MIGA)armoftheWorldBankGroupprovidespoliticalriskinsuranceorguaranteesagainstlossescausedbynoncommercialriskstofacilitateforeigndirectinvestmentindevelopingcountries.Asawhole,theWorldBankhastwomaingoalsandseekstoachievethesegoalsprimarilybyprovidingloans,guarantees,riskmanagementproducts,andexpertiseondevelopment-relateddisciplines,aswellasbycoordinatingresponsestoregionalandglobalchallenges.Infiscalyear2014,theWorldBankraisedUSDeq51billionbyissuingbondsin22currencies.ItsstandinginthecapitalmarketsanditsfinancialstrengthallowedIBRDto


borrowtheselargevolumesonveryfavorabletermsdespitevolatilemarketconditions.Ofthefiscalyear2013allocablenetincome,theBoardofExecutiveDirectorsrecommendedtotheBoardofGovernorsthetransferof$621milliontoIDA,whichwouldcontinuetosupporttheongoingdevelopmentofLDCs.

UNCDF:ispartofanetworkofpartnerslookingatnewformsofremittancepaymentstobedeveloped.UNCDFworksonhouseholdsthatarereceivingtheremittances,tobeabletogetlessexpensiveaccesstothoseresources,andpromotese-walletsandotherdigitaltechnologies,tohelphouseholdsandindividualssavethoseresourcesandconnectthemtotheformalbankingsector.

H. Goodgovernanceatalllevels

Context:Goodgovernanceandtheruleoflawatthelocal,nationalandinternationallevelsareessentialforsustained,inclusiveandequitableeconomicgrowth,sustainabledevelopmentandtheeradicationofpovertyandhunger.TheyarealsoessentialfortheachievementofthecommitmentsembodiedintheProgrammeofAction.


a)Strengthengoodgovernance,theruleoflaw,humanrights,genderequalityandempowermentofwomen,anddemocraticparticipation,includingbyenhancingtheroleofparliaments;

b)Strengthenandeffectivelyimplementmeasurestopreventcorruptionandtoincreasetransparencyofbudgetsandexpenditure;

c)EnhancetheinstitutionalcapacityofLDCstoensuregoodgovernance;

d)EnsurethatresourcestoLDCsareprovidedandusedinapredictable,transparentandtimelymanner;

e)ProvidecontinuedsupportforstrengthenedandeffectivevoiceandparticipationofLDCsinrelevantinternationalforums;

f)Builddurablepeaceandensurestability,securityandsustainableandinclusivedevelopmentinLDCs.

Questions:

1) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCs’effortstodeveloptheirhumanandinstitutionalcapacitiesforgoodgovernance?

ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,UNCDF,ILO,UNIDO,WIPO,UNESCO,FAO,WMO,ODC,UNEP,UNFPA,UNICEF,UNWOMEN,OPS,UNFCCC,SE4ALL,DESA,ESCAP,ESCWA,OSAA,UNCTAD,IPU,WorldBank,IFAD

2) DoesyourorganizationsupportLDCstostrengthennationalstatisticalcapacitytodesignprogrammesandpoliciesforsustainabledevelopmentandeffectivelymonitortheimplementationofthisProgrammeofAction?


ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,ILO,UNIDO,UNESCO,WIPO,EIF,FAO,WMO, ESCAP,ESCWA,UNEP,UNICEF,OSAA,SE4ALL,DESA,UNCTAD,WorldBank

3) Doesyourorganizationhelppromotepolicycoherenceandcoordinationofinternationalfinancial,tradeanddevelopmentinstitutions,processesandmechanisms,takingintoaccountthediversifiedandspecialdevelopmentneedsandchallengesofLDCs?

ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,ILO,FAO,WTO,EIF,ITC,WIPO,UNEP,WFP,CFC,UNFCCC,ESCWA,SE4ALL,DESA,UNCTAD,WorldBank

4) DoesyourorganizationassistintheprovisionofsupportforstrengthenedandeffectivevoiceandparticipationofLDCsininternationaldialogueandactionondevelopment,aswellasindecision-andrule-makingandstandard-andnorm-settinginallareasaffectingtheirdevelopment?

ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,ILO,UNIDO,WIPO,UNESCO,EIF,WTO,WMO,UNFCCC,CFC,ESCAP,ESCWA,SE4ALL,DESA,UNCTAD,WorldBank,IFAD,OHCHR

5) IsyourorganizationinvolvedinadvocacyorothersupportwithregardtotheratificationoraccessionbycountriestotheUNConventionagainstCorruptionandtheimplementationofanti-corruptionlawsandregulationsconsistentwiththeConvention?

ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,UNIDO,ODC,DESA,OSAA,WorldBank

6) DoesyourorganizationsupporttheeffortsofLDCstostrengtheninstitutionalcapacityandregulatoryframeworksforpreventingcorruption,briberyandmoney-laundering,theillegaltransferoffundsandotherillicitactivitiesbybothpublicandprivateentities?

ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,UNCDF,UNIDO,WIPO,FAO,ODC,UNEP,DESA,UNCTAD,WorldBank

7) DoesyourorganizationprovideappropriateassistanceattherequestoftherecipientLDC,inaccordancewiththeUNCharter,tohelppreventionandresolution,throughpeacefulmeans,includingmediation,ofconflict,andsupportconfidence-building,post-conflictpeacebuilding,reintegration,reconstructionandrehabilitation?

ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,UNCDF,ILO,UNIDO,WIPO,UNESCO,FAO,WMO,UNEP,UNWOMEN,OPS,ESCWA,OSAA,WorldBank

8) DoesyourorganizationassistinstrengtheningsupportforLDCsaffectedbyconflicttoaddresscountry-specificneedsandsituations,includingbroad-based,inclusiveandrapidsocio-economicdevelopmentwithafocusonrebuildingnationalinstitutionsandcapacity,rebuildingcriticalinfrastructureandgeneratingproductiveemploymentanddecentworkforall?


ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,UNCDF,ILO,UNIDO,WIPO,UNESCO,FAO,WMO,EIF,UNWOMEN,WFP,UNEP,OPS,ESCWA,DESA,WorldBank,IFAD

9) DoesyourorganizationassistinharmonizingandaligningassistancewithnationalprioritiesofLDCsaffectedbyconflict?

ITU,IMF,HABITAT,UNDP,UNIDO,WIPO,UNESCO,FAO,UNIDO,WMO,EIF,UNEP,WFP,UNWOMEN,DESA,OSAA,UNCTAD,WorldBank

Selectedactivitiesintheareaofgovernance

AdvocacyandoutreachtoParliamentariansontheimplementationofIPoA(IPU)

AdvocacyfortheratificationandimplementationoftheUNConventionagainstCorruption(IMF)

Technicalassistanceinrecoveryandlong-termreconstructioninsituationsoffragility,includinggeneratingproductiveemploymentanddecentworkforall(ILO,UNDP,UNIDO),increatingandrestoringproductivecapacitiesandsupportingtrade(UNIDO)

Promotesthefinancialandfiscalaccountabilityofthelocalauthoritytothelocalcitizen(UNCDF),industrialcapacitybuilding,policysupportandstatistics,includingonrenewableenergy(UNIDO),onthepromotionoffreeandindependentmedia(UNESCO),onsustainablehumansettlementsdevelopment(UNHabitat),oneffectiveenvironmentalgovernanceandintegrationofenvironmentalsustainabilityindevelopment(UNEP),oflocalgovernancesystemstodeliverservices(UNDP),onjustice,policeandsecuritysystems(UNDP),publicadministrationintheaftermathofconflict(UNDP,UNWomen),electoralissues(UNOPS,UNWomen),buildingnationalcapacitiesforconflictpreventionandresolution,confidence-building,mediationanddialogue(UNDP),onCEDAWreportingandimplementationmechanisms(UNWomen),onmainstreaminggenderinallareasofgovernance,includingpursuanttoSecurityCouncilResolutions1325(UNWomen)

Policyadviceandresearchonbroadgovernanceissues(ESCWA,ECA),ongovernance-relatedissuesofmeteorologicalandhydrologicalservices(WMO)

Financingforgoodgovernancepracticesinthepublicsector(WorldBank)

Standardsforgoodgovernance:

VoluntaryGuidelinesforSecuringSustainableSmall-scaleFisheriesintheContextofFoodSecurityandPovertyAlleviation,2014(FAO)

VoluntaryGuidelinesfortheResponsibleGovernanceofTenureofLand,FisheriesandForestsintheContextofNationalFoodSecurity,2012(FAO)

PrinciplesforResponsibleInvestmentinAgricultureandFoodSystems,2014(FAO)

ConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationAgainstWomen(CEDAW)(1981)

DESA:DESAisprovidingLDCswithdetailedinformationontheLDCcriteriaandtheLDCgraduationprocessthroughvariousoutreachactivitiesatthegloballevelaswellasincooperationwith


UNESCAP,UNDPandOHRLLSattheregionalandnationallevel.Thereby,thecapacityofconcernedLDCstoprepareforgraduationandtoengagewithdevelopmentpartnersinthegraduationprocessisenhanced.

IMF:TheIMF’s2014vulnerabilityanalysisforlow-incomeanddevelopingcountries(LIDCs)assessedfragilestatestobethemostvulnerable.IdentifyingfragilitiesincountriesisimportanttotailorFundsupporttocountries’specificcharacteristics,which,inturn,canenhancetheeffectivenessofFundengagement.Characteristicsoffragilityinclude:institutionalweaknesses,politicaluncertainty,resourceconstraints,andvulnerabilitytoshocks.IMFengagementincountriesinfragilesituationsincludes:

- StaffGuidanceNoteontheFund'sEngagementwithCountriesinFragileSituations,www.imf.org/external/np/pp/.../042512.pdf

- MacroeconomicandOperationalChallengesinCountriesinFragileSituationswww.imf.org/external/np/pp/.../061511a.pd

- IMFEngagementwithCountriesinPost-ConflictandFragileSituations—Stocktaking(May2015).Thisreviewexaminesexperienceinimplementingthelessonsdrawninthe2011BoardpaperontheFund’sengagementwithcountriesinpost-conflictandfragilesituations(morecommonlyreferredtoasfragilestates(FS))andtheensuing2012GuidanceNote.Thefocusisoncapacitybuilding,Fundfacilitiesandprogramdesign,andpolicysupport.ThereviewidentifiesscopetoimprovetheFund’sengagementinselectedareas,namelycapacitybuilding,Fundfacilitiesandprogramdesignandpolicysupporttohelpindevelopingalternativepolicysolutionsappropriatetofragilestatescircumstancesandtheincreasedprovisionofstafftrainingonfragilestates-relatedpoliticaleconomyissues.

UNHabitat:providesthefoundationsforsustainablehumansettlementsdevelopment,withanemphasisonprovidingsolutionswithrelevanceforleastdevelopedcountries.Landistheprimaryassetforlocalgovernmentsinleastdevelopedcountriesanditseffectivemanagementhasprovedimpossibleusingorthodoxtools.Toaddressthis,UNHabitathasdevelopedalternativeframeworks,suchasfitforpurposelandadministrationandthecontinuumoflandrights,aswellastoolstoaddressspecificchallenges,suchasthesocialtenuredomainmodelandparticipatoryandinclusivelandreadjustment.Increasedsecurityoftenureisacentraltheme,asitpromotestheeffectiverecognitionofarangeofhumanrightsandgovernanceprinciplesandalsostimulateslivelihoodimprovementattheindividualandcommunitylevels.Habitatalsosupportsthecreationoflocallegalandinstitutionalframeworksthatincreaseaccountability,suchastransparencyinlocalgovernmentfinance.Itemphasizessystemsformoreeffectivemanagementandservicedelivery,suchascoordinatedmetropolitangovernanceandtheformulationofgoodqualitylegalframeworksthatareclearlyprioritizedandthataredesignedtofunctionintheirspecificcontexts.Finally,italsosupportstheengagementoflocalgovernmentsininternationaldevelopmentprocesses,toensurethattheirparticularneedsareunderstood.

UNEP:Governingtheplanet’srichanddiversenaturalresourcesandmanagingenvironmentalthreatsinaglobalizedworldofinterconnectednations,economiesandpeoplerequiresstrongerglobal,regional,nationalandlocalresponsesinvolvingawiderangeofactors.Effectiveenvironmentalgovernanceatalllevelsiscriticaltopromptandcoordinatedresponses.UNEP’smandateistobetheleadingglobalenvironmentalauthoritypromotingandstrengtheningthisgovernance.UNEPassistsmemberstatestoimplementtheirenvironmentalobligationsanddeveloptheirpolicies,lawsandinstitutionstoplaceenvironmentalsustainabilityattheheartof


development.Forexample,theUNEnvironmentAssemblyinJune2014,inaresolution,affirmeditsstrongdeterminationtoprevent,combatanderadicatetheillegaltradeinwildlifeandwildlifeproducts,includingtimberandmarinespeciesglobally.UNEPandpartners,includingInterpol,UNOfficeonDrugsandCrime,theWorldCustomsOrganizationandtheWorldBank,andotherrelevantinternationalorganizationsarenowprovidingvaluableassistancetocountriestocombatillegalwildlifetrade.Thisstreamofworkseekstorestorestheadversedamagetoecosystemsandrurallivelihoods,includingeco-tourismandwildlife-basedtourism.

UNDP:InconflictriddenLDCs,statelegitimacyandcapacitytogovernisweak.Confidenceinthestatecannotberestoredunlessitispresentandvisiblyworkingtoimprovepeople’slives–inanequal,fairandtransparentmannertothepopulation’sbenefit.Tocontributetolong-termpeaceandhelpsocietiestorecover,themulti-agencyJointProjectshelpthestatetodeliverlocallyinawaythatstrengthensstate-societyrelationsandrebuildstrust,legitimacyandaccountability.Suchjointprojectsbuildthecapacityoflocalgovernancesystemstodeliverbasicserviceinlinewithprioritiesexpressedbythepopulation,increaserepresentationandparticipationindecisionmakinginparticularofwomenandformerlyexcludedandmarginalizedgroups,andestablishcoordinationandcommunicationplatformstomanagecontestationsdrivenbylocalissuesandhelpavoidconflictescalations.Localgovernanceactors(civilservantsandcivilsociety)becomedriversofstabilityandpeopleenjoypeaceandsocio-economicpotentials:thisimpactsthequalityoflife,reducesinequalities,andcontributestomoreresilientstate-societyrelations.

The2013SGPolicyCommitteedecisiononCoreGovernmentFunctionsmandatingUNDPtoleadimprovementsinassistanceto"coregovernmentfunctionality"intheimmediateaftermathofcrisisledtothedevelopmentoftheRestoreorReform-UNSupporttoCorePublicAdministrationFunctionsintheImmediateAftermathofConflict.Thisresourceprovidesacomprehensivelessons-learnedreviewoftheUN’spost-conflictresponsein7countrycasestudies.BasedontheactionablerecommendationsinthatUN-widereview,ajointUN/WBpartnershiponCoreGovernmentFunctionswasdesignedandfundedbytheUN/WBTrustFund.Since2014,thispartnershiphasresultedinthedevelopmentofajointUN/WBdiagnosticonCoreGovernmentFunctionsintheimmediateaftermathofconflict.LedbyUNDP,theworkingdraftversionoftheUN/WBDiagnosticwascompletedandthepartnershipenteredanewphasewithjointUN/WBpilotinginCARandfinalizationofthediagnostic.

UNDPhasverymuchtargetedLDCsintheapplicationanduseofthisdiagnostictool.ThediagnostichasbeenpilotedinCentralAfricanRepublic,andagreementhadbeenreachedtodoitinSouthSudanandYemenbutdeterioratingpoliticalandsecurityconditionshaveforcedUNDPtopostponepilots.AstothesevencountrycasestudiesthatformedbasisforLesson-LearnedReview“RestoreorReform”,sixofthesevencountrieswereLDCs:Afghanistan,Burundi,Guinea-Bissau,Liberia,SierraLeoneandTimor-Leste.

WorldBank:NewlendingcommitmentsbyIBRDwere$18.6billioninfiscalyear2014for95operations.Ofthatamount,PublicAdministration,LawandJusticereceivedthelargestsectorcommitmentsof$4.8billion,whichincludespublicsectorgovernance.Inclusiveopportunitiesinsocietyaresupportedbygoodgovernancepracticesinthepublicsector,andtheWorldBankhasalonghistoryofhelpingcountriestodevelopsoundgovernanceandeffectiveinstitutions.IntheRepublicofYemen,thegovernmentbudgetisnowpreparedusingGovernmentFinanceStatistics


classificationsandispublishedonthegovernmentwebsitewhenitissubmittedtotheparliament.TheWorldBank’sAccesstoInformationPolicy,implementedin2010,recognizestherighttoatwo-levelappealsprocesswhenarequestforinformationisdenied.Inkeepingwithitscommitmenttotransparency,accountabilityandresults,theBankcontinuestoworkwithlocalstakeholderstomaximizetheoutreachandimpactofthispolicy.

IFAD:IFADworkswithlocalorganizationsadoptingapproachesthatpromoteself-organizingandinstitutionaltransformation.Inparticular,besidesfacilitatingthedevelopmentandtransformationoftheinstitutionallandscapetoempowerpoorpeople,IFADsupportscapacitybuildingforawiderangeoforganizationsofpoorruralpeople.Inaddition,IFADpromotesforumsfordialogueamongcommunities,grass-rootsorganizations,governments,civilsocietyanddonors,withtheaimtostrengthenpro-poorgovernanceandenablepro‑poorinstitutionaltransformation.

ECA:OnebestpracticebytheEconomicCommissionforAfrica(ECA),whichrelatestogoodgovernancehasbeentheAfricanGovernanceReport(AGR).Thisambitiousresearchprojectwasinitiatedin1999anditsmainobjectivesremainto:(a)monitorandassessprogressingovernanceontheAfricancontinent;(b)identifyandshowcasegoodpracticesaroundaselectedgovernance-relatedtheme;(c)givevoiceandpowertoAfricanpopulations;and(d)makeappropriatepolicyrecommendations.ECApartnerswithUNDPintheproductionoftheAGRnationalcountryreports.AGRIII(2013)covered40countriesandfocusedontheelectionsandthemanagementofdiversityinAfrica,whilemonitoringtheoverallgoodgovernancetrendsinthecontinent.TheupcomingfourtheditionoftheAGRwillfocusoncorruption,specificallybyprovidingacritiqueofcurrentcorruptionmeasurementsandacomprehensiveanalysisoftheinternationaldimensionofcorruption.SuchReportscontinuetobecriticalinprovidingAfricanpolicy-makerswitharealisticsnapshotoftheircountry’sperformanceintheareaofgovernance.Furthermore,infocusingonrelevanttopicalthemes,italsocontributesinsensitizingpopulationsandhelpingpolicymakersindesigningadequatepoliciesinordertoaddressspecificgovernance-relatedchallenges.

ESCWA:Intheareaofgovernance,ESCWA’sapproachfocusesonassistingmemberstatesinaddressinggovernancedeficitsandchallengesoftransitionbyprovidingsubstantiveanalysis,policyadviceandknowledgesharingattheregionallevel.ESCWAproducesevidence-basedanalysisandpolicyrecommendationsonthemainaspectsofgovernance,politicalreformsandtransitiontodemocracyinpublicationssuchastheArabGovernanceReport.ESCWA’sassistancealsoincludesanalysisandcapacitydevelopmentforcrisisandconflictmanagement,damageandlossassessment,whilehighlightingtheimportanceofdevelopingthefoundationsforresilient,responsiveandinclusivegovernanceinstitutions.Focusisalsoplacedintrackingandmonitoringtheimplementationofconsensusbuildingandnationaldialogueeffortsfromaconflictsensitiveperspective.Inparticular,ESCWAconvenedanExpertGroupMeetingontheNationalDialogueprocessforYemenin2014,whileremainingengagedinassistingYemendraftingworkablesocioeconomicscenariostomoveoutofconflict.

FAO:Twentyyearsafteritsadoption,theCodeofConductforResponsibleFisheries(theCode)remainsagroundbreaking,negotiateddocumentlayingforthprinciplesandstandardsfornationalandinternationaleffortstoensuresustainableexploitationofaquaticlivingresourcesinharmonywiththeenvironment.Draftedby170nations,negotiatedatFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO),andadoptedunanimouslybymemberstatesattheFAOConferenceon31


October1995,theCoderemainsaremarkablyrobustandforward-lookingdocumentandhasservedasthebasisforstrengtheninggoodgovernance,theruleoflaw,humanrights,genderequalityandempowermentofwomen,inclusionofartisanalandindigenouspeoples,andstakeholderparticipationinthefisheriesandaquaculturesector.

ThreeofthemostrecentinstrumentsregardingbestgovernanceprinciplesandpracticesaretheVoluntaryGuidelinesforSecuringSustainableSmall-scaleFisheriesintheContextofFoodSecurityandPovertyAlleviation(2014);theVoluntaryGuidelinesfortheResponsibleGovernanceofTenureofLand,FisheriesandForeststheContextofNationalFoodSecurity(2012);andthePrinciplesforResponsibleInvestmentinAgricultureandFoodSy

UNESCOisprovidingcapacitybuildingsupporttotheLDCstopromotefreeandindependentmediaasacrucialmeansofpromotinggoodgovernance.Allaspectsofgoodgovernancearefacilitatedbyastrongandindependentmedialandscapewithinasociety.Onlywhenjournalistsarefreetomonitor,investigateandcriticizethepublicadministration’spoliciesandactionscangoodgovernancetakehold.

Inthisarea,supportisbeingprovidedtotheLDCsingrowingtheirnationalICTindustriesanddevelopingself-generatedemploymentopportunitiesthroughUNESCO’sYouthMobiletrainingprogrammes.ComprehensiveUNESCOMediaICTProjectsarealsobeingsupportedtoincreasetheflowofinformationtopoor,marginalizedcommunities.IncooperationwiththeAfricanYouthNetwork,theUNESCOInformationforAllProgramme(IFAP)issupportingyouthinaselectnumberofLDCstoeffectivelyrespondtocontemporarychallengessuchasunemployment,desertificationandHIV/AIDS,aswellastopromoteinterculturalunderstandinganddialogueamongstethnicgroups.TheIFAPisalsoassistingsomeLDCsinpreparingnewNationalInformationStrategies.MediaandinformationliteracyisalsobeingpromotedintheLDCs,includingthroughsupportforthedevelopmentofPressHouses,teachertrainers,repositoriesandwebsites.UNESCOisalsoprovidingsupporttotheLDCsindevelopingandimplementingMediaDevelopmentAssessmentreports.Capacity-buildingprojectsforthemainstreamandcommunitymediaarealsobeingimplementedtoincreasejournalisticawarenessandapplicationoftheRighttoInformationAct.UNESCOisalsoconsultingwithgovernmentagenciesinvariousLDCs,includingthejudiciaryandsecuritypersonnel,toidentifytheirroleinpromotingfreedomofexpressionandthesafetyofjournalists,andincreasedpublicawarenessoftheRighttoInformationAct.

UNCDF:UNCDFworksinanumberoffragileandcrisis-affectedcountries,whereitstoolshelptostimulaterecovery.UNCDFlocaldevelopmentfinanceprogrammeshavehelpedtorebuildinstitutionsandtrustinlocalgovernancewhilealsokickstartinglocaldevelopmentinCambodia,Mozambique,Nepal,SolomonIslands,Somalia,andUganda.

UNCDFalsofostersdevelopmentinfragilesettings,wherelocalgovernmentsstruggletodeliverservices.TheLocalCrossBorderInitiative,forexample,providesafinancingmechanismforinfrastructureandservicesthathavecross-borderimpactandreach,supportingeconomicintegrationandhumansecurityinpartsofWestAfrica.


DuringtheEbolacrisis,workingcloselywithUNDPinGuinea,LiberiaandSierraLeone,UNCDFhelpednationalgovernmentsandotherpartnersintroducetechnologyforelectronicpaymentsandbiometricidentification,sothatemergencyworkerscouldbepaidreliablyandontime.

OHCHR:TheVoluntaryTechnicalAssistanceTrustFundtoSupporttheParticipationofLeastDevelopedCountries(LDCs)andSmallIslandDevelopingStates(SIDS)intheworkoftheHumanRightsCouncil(HRC)wasestablishedbytheHumanRightsCouncilthroughHRC/RES/19/26of23March2012.Itbecameoperationalin2014,supportingtheparticipationof7delegatesand2FellowsintheHRC.

In2015,theFund,whichisadministratedbyOHCHR,tripledthenumberofbeneficiariesbycoveringtheparticipationof17delegatesinaregularsessionoftheHRCand6Fellowsinathreemonthfellowshipprogramme.Ithassuccessfullyassisted32MemberStates:19LDCs,9SIDSand4LDCs/SIDSSomecountriesarebothLDCsandSIDS..ThosebenefittingcamefromAfrica(17),AsiaandPacific(8)andtheCaribbeanandSouthAmerica(7).ComparedtothetotalnumberofLDCs/SIDSthismeansthatmorethan40%ofthosecountriesbenefittedfromtheTrustFund.Whilein2014only3womendelegateswereabletoparticipate,in2015,duetoactiveoutreach,thenumberincreasedto10.APracticalGuideontheLDCs/SIDSTrustFund,intendedtobothbeneficiaryanddonorcountries,waslaunchedinGenevaandNewYork,inJuneandNovemberrespectively.ThisGuideisavailableinFrenchandEnglishandonOHCHR’swebsite.TheTrustFundhasalsobeentaskedtodevelopane-learningtoallowforthetrainingofGovernmentofficialswhocannotbenefitfromin-persontraining,aswellasforthoseworkinginPermanentMissions,orindifferentministriesinchargeofhumanrightsintheirrespectivecapitals.GoodprogresshasbeenmadeindevelopingamoduleontheHumanRightsCouncilanditsregularsessions.Itwillbelaunchedin2016.

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