The UN System and UNDP

Question 1

What does multilateralism represent?

Answer 1

• The UN System (North-South balance)
• Western industrial governments
• Governments of non-Western countries
• Regional trading and political blocs (regional UNs)

Question 2

ECOSOC Regional Commissions

Answer 2

• ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America)

- ECA (Economic Commission for Africa)

Question 3

Specialized Agencies

Answer 3

Intergovernmental treaty, own charters and governing bodies:

• ILO: International Labour Organization
• FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization
• UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization
• WHO: World Health Organization
• IMF and World Bank (but effectively independent)

Question 4

Programs or Funds

Answer 4

UN organs, direct arms of UN, report to GA, executive appointed by Secretary-General:

• UNDP: United Nations Development Programme
• UNICEF: United Nations Children’s Fund
• UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (originally alternative to the
  GATT/WTO)
• UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Question 5

Agencies under supervision of Secretary-General’s Office (humanitarian and peacekeeping tasks)

Answer 5

• DPKO: Department of Peacekeeping Operations

- OCHA: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Question 6

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Answer 6

• 17 goals

- 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Question 7

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Answer 7

• 8 goals

- 2015 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Question 8

Strengths of the UN and UNDP

Answer 8

• Close relationship with governments (resident representatives)
• Convening power (resident representatives)
• Trusted “interlocateur” (speaker/rep) for the South
• Focus on technical cooperation
• Moral agenda

Question 9

Weaknesses of the UN and UNDP

Answer 9

• Lack of focus and resources; oppositional in past
• Weak operational capacity
• Under-qualified staff

Question 10

Relationship with the World Bank

Answer 10

• The IMF and the World Bank are institutions in the UN system. They share the same goal of raising living standards in their member countries

Question 11

Human Development Report (HDR)

Answer 11

• First HDR published in 1990: Mahbub ul Haq; Amartya Sen; Paul Streeten
• Improved reputation of UNDP
• Source of moral guidance and advocacy

Question 12

Why is the UNDP is trusted by the South?

Answer 12

• Network of resident representatives (Res reps)
• Programs are “country-owned” (governance)
• Viewed as neutral: not very critical of authoritarian governments
• Viewed as more independent of United States
• Trusted at key moments by developing country governments
• Historically, some opposition to Bretton Woods agenda (e.g. structural adjustment in the 1980s)