Yearbook of the United Nations, 2003. Part 3, Economic and social questions. Chapter 2, Operational activities for development

Abstract

In 2003, the United Nations system continued to provide development assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the central United Nations funding body for technical assistance. UNDP's income in 2003 amounted to $3.2 billion, a 10 per cent increase over 2002. Total expenditure for all programme activities and support costs in 2003 was $2.6 billion as compared with $2.8 billion the previous year. Technical cooperation funded through other sources included $50.7 million provided through the programme executed by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, $73.7 million through the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships and $21.1 million through the United Nations Capital Development Fund. In July, the Economic and Social Council endorsed the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund, as a UNDP trust fund, for the eradication of poverty and the promotion of social and human development in developing countries. In April, the General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mark Malloch Brown as Administrator of UNDP for a further four-year term of office beginning on 1 July. The Administrator submitted an end-of-cycle assessment of the multi-year funding framework (MYFF), 20022003, which highlighted the progress achieved in meeting the MYFF goals, and the 2004-2007 MYFF, which set out the strategic goals and service lines to be pursued by UNDP. He also presented a review of the implementation of the UNDP Business Plans, 2002-2003. The Secretary-General reported in May on progress in implementing General Assembly resolution 56/201 on the triennial comprehensive policy review of UN operational activities for development. In July, the Economic and Social Council reviewed progress in implementing the resolution and called for continued reform of the UN development system. In particular, it noted that most UN organizations were realigning their policies, strategies, programmes and activities on the basis of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. In the context of his programme for strengthening the United Nations: an agenda for change, the Secretary-General submitted a report reviewing the functioning of UN technical cooperation and how the clarification of roles and responsibilities could help improve its overall impact. The United Nations Office for Project Services had a project delivery of $490.6 million, an increase of 1 per cent over its original target for the year. The United Nations Volunteers programme expanded for the seventh consecutive year, with over 5,600 volunteers carrying out more than 5,800 assignments in 150 countries. In December, the Assembly called for an intensification of efforts to mainstream technical and economic cooperation among developing countries and declared 19 December as the UN Day for South-South Cooperation.