Statement by Pakistan on Agenda Item 58 (a) Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations (b) South-South Cooperation for Development, 14 October 2009

Mr. Chairman,

Pakistan delegation welcomes the opportunity to contribute to discussions on Agenda Item 58 (a) Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations System, and 58 (b) South-South Cooperation for Development. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Sudan on behalf of the Group of 77 & China.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. In the context of System-wide Coherence, during the 63rd Session of the General Assembly, Member States made significant progress towards establishing a composite gender entity. We welcome this progress. It is our hope that the new entity would address gender inequalities and empower women around the world. Our delegation looks forward to consultations during the 64th General Assembly with a view to achieving substantive action in all areas.
  2. We strongly feel that the main objective of the System-wide Coherence is to develop an effective and coherent UN development cooperation system that is responsive to the national development plans and strategies of the programme countries. This objective may not be achieved without meaningfully addressing the assistance. The current economic crisis is projected to adversely impact the funding flows for UN operational activities. It is, therefore, all the more important to ensure that there is an expanding and adequate base of development assistance from the UN system and other resources.
  3. In the implementation of guidelines provided in the resolution 62/208, we welcome the steps taken with regard to enhanced coordination within the UN system at the country level and strengthened national participation in preparation of UN documents, including UNDAF. Progress is needed in the following areas:
    • The UN system should make optimal use of the available national expertise and national systems for support services. This would strengthen national capacities in programme countries and reduce transaction costs;
    • The range and level of skills and expertise assembled by the UN system at the country level should commensurate with the priorities specified in UNDAF and joint programme; and
    • At the same time, Resident Coordinator needs to be strengthened. The RC system must continue to work within the framework of national ownership and leadership of national development processes. RC and UN country teams should report to national authorities on progress made against results in the UNDAF and joint programmes. It is also essential to ensure that the cost of the RC system does not reduce the resources that are meant for development programmes in recipient countries.
  4. With regard to evaluation of pilot of ‘UN Delivering as One’, we feel it should be first and foremost a country-driven process, as stipulated in the TCPR resolution 62/208. We may also consider a second track of evaluation with broadly agreed yardsticks to facilitate intergovernmental consideration of results from the pilot countries.

(Now I turn to Agenda Item 58 (b)

  1. Pakistan accords high priority to South-South Cooperation. The South’s significance in global economy has enlarged, mainly due to emerging economies. Now many developing countries are engaged in extensive development cooperation. We need to make use of this potential optimally.
  2. Unfortunately, while on the one side there are dynamic economies in the South, on the other side, there is uneven growth and marginalization of vulnerable countries. A great number of them are confronted with extreme poverty. Lack of basic infrastructure, and limited financial support as well as access to global knowledge and technology are major obstacles in the development process of these countries. The string of current crises has exacerbated the vulnerabilities, causing rise in extreme poverty and reversal of MDG gains.
  3. The General Assembly has recently decided to convene a High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation to be held in Nairobi in December 2009. The Conference would be an important opportunity to discuss the role South-South and triangular cooperation can play in promoting development, especially the achievement of MDGs. We hope that the Conference would strengthen the role of the United Nations in promoting South-South and triangular cooperation.

I thank you.