Yearbook of the United Nations, 2009. Part 3, Economic and social questions. Chapter 2, Operational activities for development

Abstract

In 2009, the UN system continued to provide development assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)— the central UN body for technical assistance. During the year, UNDP income fell to $5.79 billion, while overall expenditure increased to $5.53 billion. Total income for the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) amounted to $36.2 million. At year's end, cumulative allocations to projects of the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships reached approximately $1.09 billion. In May, the Secretary-General reported on progress in the implementation of General Assembly resolution 60/208 on the 2006 triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the UN system. In June, the UNDP/United Nations Population Fund Executive Board extended the UNDP strategic plan, 2009–2011, until 2013. In 2009, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) delivered $1.1 billion through project implementation and spent $60.1 million administering it. The contribution to the operational reserve was $12 million, bringing the reserve to $42.1 million. In January, the Executive Board approved the revised UNOPS financial regulations and rules. In September, the Board endorsed the UNOPS strategic plan, 2010–2013, proposed by the UNOPS Executive Director in July. The High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation was held at the United Nations Office at Nairobi from 1 to 3 December on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the 1978 United Nations Conference on Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries. The Conference adopted the Nairobi outcome document, which reaffirmed the key role of the United Nations in supporting and promoting cooperation among developing countries, and reiterated that every country had the primary responsibility for its own development. The Assembly endorsed the Nairobi outcome document in December. In 2009, 7,545 volunteers working for the UNDP-administered United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme carried out 7,716 assignments in 128 countries. UNCDF conducted operations in 40 of the 49 least developed countries, with a particular focus on post-crisis countries. In March, the Assembly confirmed the appointment of Helen Clark (New Zealand) as UNDP Administrator for a four-year term of office ending in April 2013.