United Nations Ambassadors and leaders recently reaffirmed their support for the Organization’s Resident Coordinators, who lead teams serving more than 160 countries and territories.
These 130 senior officials are the Secretary-General’s designated representatives on the field and coordinate the UN’s operational activities for development.
They are very important to achieve Sustainable development goals (SDGs), agreed seven years ago by 193 member states of the United Nations, promise a fairer, more equal and greener world by 2030.
A force for solutions
Resident Coordinators were at United Nations Headquarters this month for a series of interactive sessions with the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, UN Sustainable Development Group principals and representatives of Member States, to review progress and challenges during four years of reforming the United Nations development system.
This marked their first face-to-face meeting since the outbreak of the pandemic.
In his meeting with them, Secretary General António Guterres urge the Resident Coordinator to keep ambition high, as they are “The United Nations Development System’s Largest Convening Force to Create Solutions” in countries at a time of myriad challenges.
He also warned of another difficult year ahead and the need for UN support on a larger scale than ever before.
‘Long road ahead’
That message echoed throughout interactive dialogue between the Resident Coordinator and Member States, chaired by United Nations Under-Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.
She said reforms of the United Nations development system were bearing fruit, noting that 95% of Host Governments confirmed that the Resident Coordinator system was reconsolidated and that the new generation of UN country groups was more integrated and collaborative.
“At the same time, we are aware that there is still a long road ahead and the global crisis we face raise the bar even higher,” she more.
Ms. Mohammed highlighted the key priorities for the coming year that the Secretary-General outlined during a meeting with the Resident Coordinators.
They are mitigating the impact of the global cost of living crisis, driving climate action, and driving economic transition across energy, digital and food systems that empower people and protect the planet.
Speed up the conversion process
The UN Deputy Chief of Staff also listed actions needed to support these priorities, such as financing.
“Transformative change and equitable transformation cannot happen without financial investments at speed and scale – and without significant reforms to the economy,” she said. our global financial architecture”.
Ms. Mohammed emphasized that 2023 should be the year countries accelerate their transition to reshape and empower economies to realize the SDGs.
“Together, we must heighten the ambition and urgency needed to take the shortcuts out of the many crises we face and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals together.”
Praise for the reform
Several Member States representatives at the meeting commended the Resident Coordinators for their role in ensuring the implementation of key action plans supporting sustainable development in a number of countries. most vulnerable countries in the world.
Barbados Ambassador François Jackman also said the reform was “an unqualified success”, adding that Small Island Developing States are benefiting, including through integrated responses. natural disaster.
Munir Akram, Ambassador to Pakistan and chairman of Group 77 and the China Alliance of Developing Countries, said his government found that reforming the United Nations development system “has been a successful exercise.” “.
While in New York, Resident Coordinators from different regions also said United Nations News how national teams make a difference at a critical time for the international community.
View from Brazil
Silvia Rucks arrived in Brazil about a year and a half ago, at the height of the pandemic. The situation was difficult, but she was impressed with how well 25 UN agencies, funds and programs in the country have come together in the face of the crisis.
“When we think about reforming the United Nations, Brazil is a prime example of how these agencies work together,” she said.
The groups mobilized resources, supplies and medicine, specifically to support the hardest hit populations, such as indigenous communities.
Ms. Rucks added that the UN system in Brazil works in other important areas, such as humanitarian assistance and human rights, besides promoting sustainable development.
