united nations development programme china the changing world of un development cooperation by...

United Nations Development Programme

China

The Changing World ofUN Development Cooperation

By

Kerstin Leitner

RC/RR UNDP, China

Kuala Lumpur Nov. 2002

United Nations Development Programme

China

The 20th Century a century of wars, civil strife, many conflicts, genocides and disasters, but as a redeeming feature there has been development cooperation.

(A retiring aid administration official in 2000)

United Nations Development Programme

China

1950ies/60ies: Post-colonialism and the Cold War

– setting up institutions and organizations

– respecting the chosen political structure– staying technical and neutral

United Nations Development Programme

China

1950ies/60ies:Delivery of UN Technical Assistance

– highly centralized – OPAS– long-term experts– tripartite system

United Nations Development Programme

China

1970ies: the Cold War heats up in Development Cooperation

- developed vs. developing countries

- political loyalty vs. development

needs and requirements

- multilateral vs. bilateral programmes

- 0.7 percent of GNI as a target

United Nations Development Programme

China

1970ies: Delivery of UN Technical Cooperation

- IPF system - government execution - mix of expert types - emphasis on training

United Nations Development Programme

China

1980ies: The Developing World comes politically into its own

– regional blocks– the Group of 77 and China – LDCs, threshold countries, regional

blocks– globalization – doubts and confusion

United Nations Development Programme

China

1980ies: Delivery of UN Development Cooperation

• IPF system crumbles• tripartite system breaks up• national execution emerges• capacity building the most urgent demand• consultants/sub-contracts increase

United Nations Development Programme

China

1990ies: the Cold War is over – now what?

– globalization– one system “wins”– the UN emerging as an indispensable

world forum– the UN system in a deep structural crisis

United Nations Development Programme

China

1990ies: Painful Adjustments to a New World Order

– the SG’s reform package of July 1997

– the emergence of new funds, e.g. GEF, Montreal Protocol, – and new funding modalities, e.g.

multi-bi, MSAs, cost-sharing

United Nations Development Programme

China

1990ies: Delivery of UN Development Cooperation

• policy support• followup to international conferences• TCDC• national professional experts• all previous modalities are used • emergency assistance vs. development cooperation

United Nations Development Programme

China

The New Millennium and the Challenges of the 21st Century

– combining poverty elimination and globalization– expanding trade and creating

domestic markets– raising living standards without

depleting natural resources

United Nations Development Programme

China

The New Millennium and the Challenges of the 21st Century

– protecting human rights and solving conflicts through negotiations– increasing ODA in exchange for policy adjustments– from dependence on governments to

partnerships with civil society

United Nations Development Programme

China

The New Millennium and the Challenges of the 21st Century

– working on the basis of comparative strength and as a team– working to the same script: MDGs– working on a global agenda in a national and regional context

United Nations Development Programme

China

The Role of UNDP– Responding to Challenges

– addressing imbalances and disparities: the quest for equity– tackling environmental threats: keeping the world safe for human habitation– democracy: allowing for participation and

inclusion– coordination: bringing partners together

United Nations Development Programme

China

The Role of UNDP – The Need for a Vision/Identity

• the business plan of the Admininstrator 2000-3• strategic choices on the basis of analysis• practice areas/service lines• prevention rather than repair• SRF/ROAR

United Nations Development Programme

China

The Role of UNDP - Responding to Challenges

- growing into a global organization

- being selective, gaining identity

- retaining our primary identity as a part of

the UN system

- responding to a diverse interest, staying

focused on global goals

United Nations Development Programme

China

From JPO to RC

- remember your roots

- enjoy the international environment

- impartial, but not neutral

- live, breathe and emulate the principles

of the UN Charter

United Nations Development Programme

China

Thank you!

For information on UNDP’s work in China, please visit our website:

www.unchina.org/undp