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


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)


China

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

– setting up institutions and organizations

– respecting the chosen political structure– staying technical and neutral


China

1950ies/60ies:Delivery of UN Technical Assistance

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


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


China

1970ies: Delivery of UN Technical Cooperation

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


China


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

partnerships with civil society


China


– 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


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


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


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


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


China

Thank you!

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

www.unchina.org/undp

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

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