Throughout 2014, under the leadership of the Secretary-General as Chair of CEB, the Board contributed to efforts by the UN system to enhance coordination and coherence across a range of programmatic, management and operational issues in support of inter-governmental mandates and priorities.
Please note: only publishing dates after March 2013 may be considered reliable.
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CEB and the Joint Inspection Unit continued to collaborate, particularly during the preparation of reports by the Joint Inspection Unit with a system-wide focus. During 2014, consultations between the Joint Inspection Unit and the CEB took place on a regular basis. For example during the drafting of the JIU report on a "System-wide review of results-based management - phase II" the CEB Secretariat shared all the documentation, training material and tools produced by the Results-Based Management Community of Practice of the High-Level Committee on Management.
Coherent implementation of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of United Nations operational activities continued to be of highest priority to the United Nations Development Group. As called for in General Assembly resolution 67/226, the United Nations Development Group has systematically increased its focus on South-South and triangular cooperation.
In line with the growing momentum for climate action, the UN system has stepped up its efforts to support Member States in addressing climate change, identified by Member States in General Assembly resolution 68/212 as “one of the greatest challenges of our time”. The High-Level Committee on Programmes, through its Working Group on Climate Change, expanded its efforts in 2014 to make the UN system’s climate-related expertise and services more accessible to Member States and other partners.
Adopted by the General Assembly in 1995, the World Programme of Action for Youth provides the policy framework and practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve the well-being of young people around the world. Member States have repeatedly requested the United Nations system to continue its coordination towards a more coherent, comprehensive and integrated approach to youth development, most recently in General Assembly resolution 68/130.
In 2014, CEB pursued a number of initiatives for advancing policy coherence and programmatic coordination, in particular in the areas of youth employment, cybercrime and cybersecurity, and climate change. Those system-wide activities were carried out in response to intergovernmental mandates, including General Assembly resolutions 68/130, 68/243, 68/212.
As the international community became increasingly engaged in with the formulation of a new development framework, the General Assembly in its resolution 69/17 emphasized the key role to be played by CEB in ensuring coordinated United Nations system-wide support in the preparation of and follow-up to the post-2015 development agenda, in accordance with relevant intergovernmental mandates.
With the 2015 deadline to meet the Millennium Development Goals on the horizon, CEB had decided, at its second regular session of 2012, to include a review of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals at each of its forthcoming sessions through 2015, beginning at its first regular session of 2013, with a view to helping to accelerate progress within countries that experience difficulties achieving one or more of the goals.
Throughout 2014, CEB responded to calls by the General Assembly for system-wide coordination in the follow-up to United Nations conferences and summits, including the Millennium Summit and the Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, as well as in the preparation of the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, the third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, and the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development.
Pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2008 (LX), the present report provides an overview of the annual work of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).
Coherence in the delivery of services by organizations of the United Nations system at the country level, particularly in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals, was high on the agenda of CEB during the year, and is expected to remain so in the follow-up to General Assembly resolution 59/250 on the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development, and the September 2005 High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly.
In the Summit Outcome, Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the global partnership for development set out in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey Consensus and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. They further stressed that each country must take primary responsibility for its own development, and that the role of national policies and development strategies is critical in the achievement of sustainable development. Such national efforts should be complemented by supportive global programmes, measures and policies.
The Summit invited the Secretary-General to develop proposals for “more tightly managed entities in the field of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment” (General Assembly resolution 60/1). Accordingly, in February 2006, the Secretary-General set up the High-level Panel on United Nations System-wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance and the Environment to undertake a study on United Nations system-wide coherence, with the participation of the Chairs of HLCP and the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) in an ex officio capacity.
The High-level Panel on United Nations System-wide Coherence in the Areas of Development, Humanitarian Assistance and the Environment; Increasing the effectiveness and coherence of United Nations system activities at the country level.
In One United Nations, the organizations of the system committed themselves to a more unified, purposeful United Nations system working towards shared goals in a common endeavour to maximize the impact of their support to Member States. The setting up of the High-level Panel on United Nations System-wide Coherence is timely. It dovetails with the system’s own efforts and comes at a time of renewal and change within the system.
Staff security and safety; Enhancing governance and accountability; Enhancing financial resources management; Enhancing human resources management; Coordinating United Nations system response to the threat of avian influenza; Inter-agency collaboration in information and communication technology.
The United Nations system is unique in the range and coverage of its structures and mandates and in the diversity of the means of action that are at its disposal. These characteristics can be a unique source of strength in addressing the increasingly complex and interrelated challenges that the international community is facing.
CEB considered that a principal determinant of the United Nations system’s image in donor as well as recipient countries was its work at the country level. The system could not, therefore, afford to be perceived as a disparate group of competing organizations. CEB members should instead strive to work as a coherent system devoted to bringing its diverse capacities to bear, in a concerted way, on the priorities defined by developing countries. How best to harness the limited resources available to United Nations organizations to maximize their impact remained a major challenge.
At its October 2006 retreat and in the framework of broader discussions on the reform of the United Nations, CEB began a reflection on the future challenges facing the multilateral system, as well as the need to improve system-wide coherence. In the course of a wide-ranging discussion, the central importance and potential of CEB as an instrument for improving coherence across the system was underlined. Executive heads agreed that a new opportunity existed to undertake a more ambitious approach to strengthening the relevance and functioning of CEB.
Over the 2006/07 period, CEB addressed a number of emerging and important programme issues with system-wide implications. Those included issues that required the development of a coordinated response from the United Nations, such as international migration and development, the midterm review of the Brussels Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, and the cross-cutting issue of employment and decent work.
A consistent focus of the work of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) over the years has been to capitalize on the unique legitimacy and combined strengths of the organizations of the United Nations system, in order to maximize the system’s responsiveness to the requirements of Member States and the international community.
At its 2007 spring session, the Chief Executives Board endorsed the recommendation for an evaluation of the eight pilot projects carried out at the country level under the One United Nations initiative and gave the United Nations Evaluation Group the task of establishing the substantive parameters and process for the evaluation. In response to that request, the United Nations Evaluation Group envisaged a three-stage process, as follows:
A climate-neutral United Nations; Evaluation; Triennial comprehensive policy review; Work methods of the Chief Executives Board.
The Board’s consideration of management issues during the period 2007/08 focused on enhanced coherence in the working modalities of member organizations. Inspired by the ongoing deliberations on system-wide coherence, which highlighted the key role that improved business practices could play in the United Nations system’s ability to deliver better results, a plan of action for the harmonization of business practices in the United Nations system was elaborated under the auspices of the High-Level Committee on Management.
The networks of the High-level Committee on Management and the working groups of the United Nations Development Group collaborated closely during the reporting period to strengthen the coordination and information-sharing mechanisms between their respective constituencies.
In April 2007, CEB had endorsed a proposal to establish the substantive parameters and process for a three-phased evaluation of the eight delivering-as-one pilot projects in Albania, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Pakistan, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay and Viet Nam. The first outcome of this process, a synthesis report of the assessments conducted by the United Nations Evaluation Group, was before the High-level Committee on Programmes during the reporting period.
At its second regular session 2008, CEB endorsed the management and accountability framework for the United Nations development and resident coordinator system, including a functional firewall for the resident coordinator system. The agreement contains a vision to guide the creation of a better-managed and more efficient United Nations development system.
During the period under review, CEB continued its efforts at furthering coordination and cooperation among the organizations of the United Nations system on a wide range of programme, management and operational issues. As pointed out by Member States during the consultations on system-wide coherence held by the General Assembly during its sixty-first to sixty-third sessions, coherence is not a goal in itself but a means of improving the delivery of support to those that need it most.
Evaluation; Regional coherence; Campaign to end violence against women and girls; Contribution of the United Nations system to the Economic and Social Council; Disaster risk reduction; Science and technology; International Public Sector Accounting Standards; Knowledge-sharing; Human resources; Procurement; Collaboration with the Joint Inspection Unit; Coordination among pillars of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination
Global financial and economic crisis; Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017); Climate change; United Nations development system working together; Working together in crisis and post-crisis countries; Security and safety of staff; Business practices
The increasing effectiveness of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) to engender common commitments and coherent responses to current challenges, based on collective mandates and responsibilities, was highlighted during the 2008/09 reporting period. During the year, the global community was exposed to multiple financial, economic and social crises, the consequences of which were compounded by vulnerability due to the earlier food and energy crises.
General Assembly resolution 63/311 on system-wide coherence covers a number of areas of significance for the ongoing work of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) and its three Committees. The Board’s work to enhance harmonization of business practices is, in this regard, expected to have a significant impact on streamlining administrative practices of United Nations system organizations, thereby helping ease the administrative burden on programmes.
During the reporting period, the management and accountability system of the United Nations development and resident coordinator system, including the functional firewall of the resident coordinator system, started its implementation. There are indications that the key guidance and operational tools put in place during 2008 are leading to positive results at the country level. Progress has been reported in a number of areas to further deepen the principle of mutual accountability in the delivery of development results.
During the reporting period, CEB and its three pillars have made advances in the coordination and coherence of the United Nations system on system-wide issues. The Board also devoted increasing attention to operational issues at the country level and to alignment of the work of the United Nations system at the global, regional and country levels.
System-wide coherence; Enhancing the contribution of the United Nations system to the Economic and Social Council; Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017); Science and technology; Support to staff in emergency situations; Human resources; International Public Sector Accounting Standards; Financial management; Procurement; Information and communications technology; Collaboration with the Joint Inspection Unit.
During 2009/10, the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) continued its ongoing efforts to align the strengths of the United Nations system in support of countries’ efforts to deal with the challenges confronting the international community. Throughout the reporting period, CEB has played a key role in ensuring a coherent approach by the United Nations system in addressing the needs of the international community and delivering as one at the global, regional and country levels.
Effective and coordinated action across a wide range of issue areas is essential if the United Nations system is to deliver results that address the global challenges that confront the international community. The Chief Executives Board, the apex coordination mechanism of the United Nations system under the leadership of the Secretary-General, strives to ensure that the system aligns its collective strengths to meet the mandates established by Member States.
Policy coherence among the organizations of the decentralized United Nations system of specialized expertise and operational experience is a key success factor for increasing efficiency and improving development outcomes. Advancing policy coherence and programmatic coordination is a key function of CEB, which is systematically carried out by the High-level Committee on Programmes on behalf of the Board.
Harmonization and simplification of business practices; International Public Sector Accounting Standards.
Quadrennial comprehensive policy review of United Nations operational activities for development; Strengthening coordination at the country level.
System-wide preparation and follow-up to United Nations conferences and summits; Strengthening policy coherence and coordination.
Through its subsidiary bodies, CEB continues to substantially contribute to the processes of both ICSC and the Joint Inspection Unit.
Since the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in 2006 by the United Nations system through High-level Committee on Management (CEB/2006/3), 21 organizations have completed their IPSAS implementation successfully, with 10 of them issuing their first IPSAS-compliant financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 and obtaining unqualified audit opinions in 2013.
In response to General Assembly resolution 67/226 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of United Nations operational activities for development of the United Nations system, the United Nations Development Group placed the highest priority on ensuring coherent implementation of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review across the system with a firm focus on high-impact areas.
Promoting action on climate change features high on the agenda of Member States as well as the Secretary-General. The United Nations system, through the High-level Committee on Programmes Working Group on Climate Change, intensified its work in 2013 to facilitate United Nations system-wide coordination and coherence on climate change-related activities.
The interconnected nature of modern society accelerates commerce, opens vast opportunities for development and connects individuals across the globe on an unprecedented scale. However, the same technologies that Governments, private-sector enterprises and a growing proportion of the world’s population depend upon every day also bring risks for security and privacy.
In 2013, CEB pursued a number of initiatives for advancing policy coherence and programmatic coordination, in particular in the areas of international migration and development, youth, human rights, cybercrime and cybersecurity, and climate change.
Throughout 2013, CEB responded to calls by the General Assembly for system-wide coordination in the preparation and follow-up to United Nations conferences and summits, including the Millennium Summit, post-2015 development agenda, Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, and the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States. In support of those conferences and summits, CEB developed joint contributions and enhanced United Nations system-wide coherence in the implementation of conference outcomes.
Pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2008 (LX), the present report provides an overview of the annual work of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).
The least developed countries, representing the poorest group of developing countries, face unique economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities. The commitment of CEB to least developed countries and to the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2011-2020 (Istanbul Programme of Action) followed from the Board’s endorsement of a statement of support to the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held from 9 to 13 May 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Since the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in 2006 by the United Nations system through High-level Committee on Management (CEB/2006/3), 21 organizations have completed their IPSAS implementation successfully, with 10 of them issuing their first IPSAS-compliant financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 and obtaining unqualified audit opinions in 2013.
In response to General Assembly resolution 67/226 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of United Nations operational activities for development of the United Nations system, the United Nations Development Group placed the highest priority on ensuring coherent implementation of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review across the system with a firm focus on high-impact areas.
Promoting action on climate change features high on the agenda of Member States as well as the Secretary-General. The United Nations system, through the High-level Committee on Programmes Working Group on Climate Change, intensified its work in 2013 to facilitate United Nations system-wide coordination and coherence on climate change-related activities.
The interconnected nature of modern society accelerates commerce, opens vast opportunities for development and connects individuals across the globe on an unprecedented scale. However, the same technologies that Governments, private-sector enterprises and a growing proportion of the world’s population depend upon every day also bring risks for security and privacy.
In 2013, CEB pursued a number of initiatives for advancing policy coherence and programmatic coordination, in particular in the areas of international migration and development, youth, human rights, cybercrime and cybersecurity, and climate change.
In 2013, Member States affirmed not only their commitment to intensify efforts to accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals but also their determination to craft a strong post-2015 development agenda that would build on the foundations laid by the Millennium Development Goals.
Throughout 2013, CEB responded to calls by the General Assembly for system-wide coordination in the preparation and follow-up to United Nations conferences and summits, including the Millennium Summit, post-2015 development agenda, Istanbul Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, and the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States. In support of those conferences and summits, CEB developed joint contributions and enhanced United Nations system-wide coherence in the implementation of conference outcomes.
Pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2008 (LX), the present report provides an overview of the annual work of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).
The United Nations Secretary‐General and the Executive Heads of several UN system organizations participated in an interactive discussion on UN system’s efforts to address climate change.
Parties to the Convention and United Nations system leaders shared experiences, highlighted best practices and identified further needs for implementation of the Cancún Agreements.
In his five year Action Plan, the Secretary General calls for the Launch of a second generation of "Delivering as one", which will focus on managing and monitoring for results, ensuring increased accountability and improved outcomes.
The HLCM Strategic Plan reflects the collective vision of the HLCM membership and intends to leverage its professional talent and expertise to formulate and put forward proposals – several of which are far-reaching – and foster its role as a source of inspiration and a catalyst for action towards UN system-wide management reform.
Following the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Brussels (May 2001), CEB expressed the system’s commitment to make an effective, concerted contribution to the implementation and monitoring of the Conference’s outcome.
The wide international agreement reached around three core principles to improve coordination of national responses to HIV/AIDS, known as the “Three Ones,” exemplifies a successful effort towards harmonization of donor policies, in the spirit of the Rome Declaration on Harmonization, the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Monterrey Consensus.
In 1946, the UN Secretary-General established the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC), at the request of the Economic and Social Council, to supervise the implementation of the relationship agreements between the UN and the specialized agencies. Over the following decades, as the system grew, ACC became the central body for coordination of the activities and programmes of the organizations of the UN system.
The UN system can only succeed in its mission to help countries implement the goals of the Millennium Declaration if its delivery of services at the country level is well managed, using all its resources and expertise.
Recognizing the need to build on progress underway to ensure a coherent, effective response to country needs, the CEB held a one-day retreat in October 2004, to consider further steps needed to maximize the collective impact and involvement of the UN system as a whole.
Given the rapidly changing international environment—particularly the spread of social movements accompanying the information revolution—the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society Relations called for the United Nations to become more attuned and responsive to citizens’ concerns and enlist greater public support.
CEB member organizations collaborated closely in the ITU-led preparatory and follow-up processes for the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Geneva on 10-12 December 2003. Their contributions were coordinated through the High-Level Summit Organizing Committee (HLSOC) led by ITU. At the second phase of the Summit in Tunis, the HLSOC is expected to monitor implementation of the Geneva Action Plan by organizations of the UN system and report on those efforts to the Summit process.
Work is underway within the framework of CEB to forge new directions and establish new channels for exchanging ideas and knowledge within the UN system. Underpinning these efforts is a UN System Information and Communication Technology Strategic Framework developed by the ICT Network of CEB. Building on past evaluations of ICT opportunities in the system, this Strategic Framework represents a collaborative initiative geared towards the improvement of communication channels and the development of common ICT infrastructure elements across organizations of the UN system.
The electoral assistance provided by the UN system can be grouped into three categories: technical assistance; the organization and conduct of elections; and observation or monitoring of elections and participation, where elections are expected to play a significant role in the peacebuilding phase of political negotiations. While technical assistance tends to be provided in politically stable contexts, the organization and conduct of elections takes place almost exclusively in post-conflict conditions.
Gender. Collaboration across the UN system on gender has grown in the context of system-wide preparations for the Beijing Conference and its aftermath. The focus has been on the advancement of women and on implementing the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. (See also Box 2.12, Inter-agency collaboration on gender equality and empowerment of women.)
This initiative is building on the 2010 experience in Tanzania and Mozambique where common ICT services were established with the objective to implement the country-level component of the recommendations resulting from the data communications study.