R-UNDG Meeting: Strategy of Support to Middle Income Countries in Africa July 2015

Transcription

1 R-UNDG Meeting: Strategy f Supprt t Middle Incme Cuntries in Africa July 2015 Key Actins Actins t update the R-UNDG strategy dcument 1. General The fllwing general pints need t be incrprated int the strategy dcument: Plicy engagement The critical imprtance f plicy engagement: Africa is n the mve, and the trend is tward MICs, hence it is critical fr the UN t be well-psitined t prvide the right plicy advice t cuntries t sustain grwth and MICs path and ensure that develpment is sustainable and has psitive impact n the lives f peple. Key themes Clear articulatin f the fllwing key issues: Paradx f high ecnmic grwth and pckets f pverty Increasing and high level f inequality Gaps in human capital Undiversified ecnmies and grwth nt driven by technlgy, innvatin, and structural transfrmatin Hw t expand fiscal space, address MIC traps, and avid MIC blues. Yuth bulge and prductive emplyment t respnd t demgraphic changes Gvernment perspectives including: the emphasis n investment in infrastructure, services and human capital, the imprtance f technlgy and innvatin in changing cntexts, rle f natinal and sub-natinal structures particularly in achieving equity and reaching mst vulnerable, the rle f business and imprtance f a balanced apprach t engagement with the private sectr, the imprtance f natinal wnership, the imprtance f capacity building at the lcal level, the value f cntinued and practive plicy dialgue between gvernment and the UN. The five elements that the UN Chief Executives Bard set ut that the UN will need t deliver t effectively supprt implementatin f the SDGs are valid fr Middle Incme Cuntries: Universality all cuntries will need t implement, mnitr, and reprt n the SDG gals and the UN has a key rle t supprt in this regard. 1

2 Human Rights the UN will need t help cuntries build their capacity t implement their human rights cmmitments and mre fully integrate human rights int develpment effrts at all levels. Inequalities the UN will need t supprt all cuntries t address inequalities and tackle the exclusin and discriminatin that we knw hinders prgress twards sustainable develpment. Integratin a much mre hrizntal and integrated pst-2015 develpment agenda really requires a UN system that can nt nly integrate the three dimensins f sustainable develpment, but als ensure plicy cherence n crss-cutting multisectral issues and ultimately, als ensure much greater integratin acrss the pillars f the UN system. Data Revlutin the UN needs t be able t supprt the Data Revlutin, including by prviding integrated capacity develpment supprt t Natinal Statistical Cmmissins. UN repsitining Imprtance f effectively repsitining the UN: Als key t ensure a fcus n having the apprpriate UN institutinal architecture t supprt the develpment and implementatin f relevant plicies and prgramme supprt in MICs. Imprtance f having clear, and well-planned, exit strategies particularly fr service delivery and prgrammes with reduced funding. The rle f the UN system in cuntries, including addressing the fllwing: Decreasing dnr presence and ODA High transactin csts fr peratins Increasing rati f nn-resident agencies Fragmented and wide range f appraches t resurce mbilisatin Perceptin that the UN is a dnr, nting that the real value f the UN is the value f its ideas. The rle f the UNCT in supprting MICs t translate GNI int develpmental utcmes, including supprting strengthening f institutins and systems. Emphasise the imprtance f Delivering as One as the basis f prgramming, partnerships, and UN presence in MICs, including accelerated implementatin f the Standard Operating Prcedures fr Delivering as One. Data and analysis Data and what it shws, and the imprtance f having a nuanced and brader view f data and data analysis. Imprtance f investing in plitical ecnmy, trends and envirnment scanning by the UN as a team, nt nly in five year increments in which the UN wrks, but with a wider year perspective. 2

3 Typlgies An updated criteria fr determining cuntry typlgy in the strategy dcument, t incrprate dimensins f human develpment, vulnerability, etc. The need fr a typlgy-based cuntry presence (ne size des nt fit all). Nn-negtiables The N-N s and G-G s : N-N: Business as usual; Getting stuck in ur sils r sectrs; Marketing UN as dnr; Sidestepping the thrny issues; Leaving data at the generic / average level; Ask dn t tell; Over-prmise / under-deliver. G-G: Use ur cnvening pwer; Cllect and share practices and lessns; Invest in KM; Frm crdinatin t integratin; Help cuntries interpret and cntextualize data; Signature prgrammes/services crss-cutting and cuntry specific; Reduce transactin csts; Aggregate plicy supprt; Pl and deply technical and nrmative capacities; Shw results. 2. Prgramming in MICs The prgramming sectin f the strategy dcument needs t be updated t incrprate the fllwing: Key principles and cntext specific themes The implicatins f the SDGs fr MICs and HICs including the key principles (transfrmative, universality, rights-based) shuld be fully and clearly reflected in the strategic dcument. Hw MICs and HICs respnd t universal gals using differentiated and cntext-specific appraches. An integrated, cmprehensive and hlistic apprach Given there will be n develpment withut peace, incrprating human rights, humanitarian, peace and security as part f an integrated agenda. Imprtance f accelerating effrts acrss the pillars f the UN develpment system develpment, humanitarian, human rights and peace and security. Ecnmic and envirnmental crises impact cuntries acrss the spectrum f develpment and incme status, and middle-incme cuntries are ften particularly vulnerable t shcks and disasters that reverse hard wn develpment gains. Plicy and prgramming a balanced apprach (upstream, mid-stream and dwnstream) Advcacy and plicy/prgramme supprt fr cmpletin f unfinished MDG agenda while transitining t the SDGs. 3

4 Prviding much mre cherent plicy supprt including n critical and sensitive issues such as inequality and human rights t gvernments, and als supprting gvernments t wrk mre effectively as ne n crss-cutting, multi-sectral challenges, many f which are captured in the SDGs. Balancing between plicy and advcacy, and nrmative supprt (upstream wrk), and supprt t addressing inequities and pverty gaps (mid-stream and dwnstream), and having differentiated mdels fr cuntry supprt. Tgether with this, enabling and supprting greater innvatin and experimentatin in cuntry supprt arrangements nt n an agency by agency basis, but in a cherent and integrated manner. Unpacking the idea f signature prgrammes, identifying cre crss-cutting issues (data, evidence and M&E, gender, and advcacy) that apply t all cuntries and cuntry-specific issues (menu f ptins) that respnd t different cuntry cntexts. Gvernment emphasis n the imprtance f UN prgramming rle in the fllwing areas (particularly at the mid-stream and upstream levels): pverty and inequity reductin, prvisin f services, enhancing gd gvernance and accuntability, and facilitatin f suth-suth cperatin, resilience building and supprt in vulnerability reductin, knwledge management, fcussing n identificatin and cdificatin f gd practices. Paramunt emphasis frm gvernments n capacity building supprt. Data, statistics, analysis, mnitring and evaluatin Ensuring a much mre integrated, cmprehensive apprach t analysis, drawing n the wealth f data and expertise acrss the system n human rights, risk and vulnerability, climate change, plitical ecnmy t ensure plicy advice is prvided in an integrated manner acrss the scial, ecnmic and envirnmental dimensins f sustainable develpment. Emphasis n strengthening cllabratin with gvernments n reliability f data, fr plicy, advcacy and prgramming purpses. Prviding much mre jined up supprt t natinal statistical bdies, t ensure that data is available t mnitr and reprt n the SDGs, and that its disaggregated by sex, age, ethnicity, etc. UNCTs investing in rbust statistics and data analytics t guide plicy and investment dialgue and decisins. This includes: analysis f inequalities, giving that a data revlutin has assisted in generating data n averages. priritizing supprt fr strengthening natinal M&E capacity, including knwledge management and experience sharing. data n climate change, ppulatin mvements, and scial indicatrs tgether Risk management in prgramming Adpting mre integrated risk assessment, planning mechanisms and appraches, in particular in MICs cntexts where ptimal use needs t be made f available resurces (financial and human). 4

5 3. Strategic partnerships The partnerships sectin f the strategy dcument needs t be updated t incrprate the fllwing: Reinfrce the imprtance f prmting innvative partnerships, including engagement with nn-traditinal partners. Reinfrce the imprtance f partnerships being based n value that UN brings, and the range f experiences f the UN. Given the multi-dimensinality f the SDGs, an integrated multi-stakehlder apprach, and use f related platfrms, are key in MICs cntexts. The imprtance f strng partnerships between develpment and humanitarian, peace and security agencies. Better understanding f the rle, value and impact f the private sectr and civil sciety in natinal develpment and hw t engage them. The rle f the UN in prviding supprt t cuntries t establish cnducive, inclusive and efficient business envirnments including balancing facilitatin and regulatin f private sectr. Imprtance f fcussing Suth-Suth Cperatin n building systems, and facilitating exchanges f knwledge and experience frm a lnger term, slutin-riented, investment perspective. With clear prblem identificatin and bjective setting, partnership utreach and financing, design, implementatin and reprting (dcumentatin is key). Imprtance f gvernments t lead identificatin f Suth-Suth Cperatin needs, in rder fr initiatives t be sustained. Key rle f platfrms in supprt f Suth-Suth Cperatin and in the establishment building f netwrks acrss cuntries, regins and cntinents. Develpment partners view f the imprtance f basing strategic partnerships n expressed needs, including: Human capital fr emplyment, fstering reginal market integratin, sustainable NRM fr inclusive grwth, gvernance, Public Financial Management, Public Investment Management and fiscal risks, strengthening health and scial prtectin systems, SME grwth, financial inclusin and innvatin, and tackling infrastructure deficits. Gvernment perspectives n key areas f strategic partnerships: In terms f areas: cllabrating with UN n equitable access t scial services; pverty and inequality; enhancing gd gvernance; facilitatin f SS cperatin at glbal, reginal, and sub-reginal levels. 5

6 In terms f levels: plicies and strategies; capacity develpment; advcacy arund internatinal agreed targets; knwledge management n id and cdificatin f best practices and facilitatin f access frm utside. In terms f mdality: Delivering as One, each UN agency wuld bring its cmpetitive strength/advantage, and mving away frm fragmented, prject appraches t prgramme and strategic planning appraches. Elements that are key t being strategic in partnership develpment in MICs are systematically taken int accunt: Prmtinal: Helps cuntries play a cntributing rle, in internatinal discussins. Knwledge-fcussed: Tp quality, evidence-based, Upper MIC and recent HIC cmparatrs. Depliticized: Rigrus apprach nt vertly supply driven r t crprate. Nt Fundatinal : Build n existing institutins, take their prgress t-date fully nbard, takes int accunt plitical ecnmy. Timely: Feeds int cuntry strategies, r respnds quickly t current events. Imprtance f a cherent UN apprach in implementatin f partnerships, including a clear partnership architecture, cmmn messaging, thrugh develpment partner grup meetings, peridic UNCT retreats, jint presentatins t gvernment. Ensuring UN strategic engagement with African MICs needs fcus: n strengthening: Vice bargaining pwer fr Africa (Nigeria and SA). Leadership fr cllective actin netwrking key institutins public gds, innvatins systems. Leadership in peer learning, experience sharing, capacity develpment. Imprtant rle f the increased investments in natural resurces (including il and extractives), infrastructure n grwth in MICs in Africa, and dynamics f strategic engagement relating t these investments. 6

7 4. Resurce mbilisatin and leveraging The resurce mbilisatin and leveraging sectin f the strategy dcument needs t be updated t incrprate the fllwing: Public and private sectr partnerships, and financing Mve beynd the ntin f the UN as a dnr, fcussing mre n the quality f the ideas and signature prgrammes/services. Appraches that can be intrduced in partnerships, resurce mbilisatin and leveraging in MICs cntexts (public-private partnerships, innvative financing, private sectr develpment, etc.) including issues t cnsider in resurce mbilisatin and partnerships strategy develpment in MICs cntexts. Implicatins f cntexts where gvernment is cst-sharing with the UN particularly in relatin t maintaining cre values f the UN (impartiality, independence, etc). Different mdalities and appraches f engagement with financing partners, and key parameters t be taken int accunt (in-cuntry, reginal and glbal engagement public sectr and private sectr financing partners/dnrs). Appraches that can be intrduced t ensure an agile, respnsive, UN team in explring, identifying and slidifying partnerships n the grund (based n the experiences in the UN system that have prven t be successful. The imprtance f UN s rle in budget analysis (PFM and public expenditure reviews) and innvative financing mechanisms alngside leveraging f resurces. Dmestic resurce mbilisatin, including strengthening tax intelligence and refrm f tax systems shuld be emphasized. Supprt t cuntries t assess quality financing including lng-term market-based financing instruments. The ptential and range f ways f cllabrating with the private sectr as a technical partner, beynd the traditinal resurce mbilisatin Implicatins f the Addis Ababa FfD cnference: Implicatins f AAAA n the partnerships, resurce mbilisatin and leveraging effrts f the UN: UN cntinuing t advcate fr dnrs t meet ODA targets and t ensure ODA is targeted t where it is mst needed. The UN can play an imprtant rle in supprting cuntries in accessing available financing, including thrugh capacity building f natinal institutins, supprt in 7

8 accessing alternative financing, use f innvative instruments like the Blue Bnd, etc. The UN cnvening and leveraging rle, in supprting engagement in public finance management discussins, gender respnsive budgeting and discussins arund investments in infrastructure and revenues frm natural resurces. The rle f the UN in fstering and building issues-based calitins and partnerships managing and leveraging financing mechanisms and using a variety f channels, including pled funds/vertical funds, etc. Imprtance f the UN maximising the cmplementarities f the cuntry team, nting that differentiated funding appraches will be key in different cuntry cntexts, with mre emphasis n partnership appraches, leveraging the cmparative skills f the team, and greater emphasis n leveraging hst cuntry cntributins in lw and higher MICs nting the special rle the UN plays that cannt be carried ut by thers. Engagement with the extractive industry Given the presence and influence f extractive industries in MICs in Africa, the engagement shuld be driven by a visin aimed at ensuring sustainable develpment. Apprpriate gvernance structures and systems fr engaging with the extractive industries need t be in place and strengthened, with the UN system playing a key rle in this regard. Such systems shuld keep in mind the mandates and rles expected f all partners gvernment, privates sectr, civil sciety and cmmunities. Engagement with the extractive industry shuld build n the UN system s cmparative advantage, including cnvening pwer and existing relatinships with the gvernments and the efficiency prcesses within the private sectr. Engagement with the extractive industry shuld take int accunt the characteristics f the MICs, including the increasing yuth ppulatin, unemplyment, needs fr skills develpment amng thers as well as nging reginal/cntinental initiatives such as the Africa Mining Regin Plicy and AU Visin Engagement shuld ensure sustainable scial respnsibility services and initiatives last beynd the resurces invested. The UN system shuld als supprt cuntries in identifying, dcumenting and sharing f best practices in engaging with the extractive industries including sustainable scial respnsibility practices, facilitate technlgy and knwledge transfers and supprt establishment f centers f excellence. 8

9 5. Operatins The peratins sectin f the strategy dcument needs t be updated t incrprate the fllwing: Hw UNCTs can mbilize thrugh peratinal efficiencies, cmmn appraches and jint effrts t respnd t the transfrmatinal agenda envisaged under the SDGs, at the natinal level but als sub-natinally. Including reviewing functinal clustering ptins (including pling technical and advcacy capacities), integrated and standardized cmment services (including ICT, greening, fleet management and ther cmmn services) new service slutins, innvative funding slutins, transfrmatinal cmmunicatin, and related success factrs. Hw UNCTs can make better use f capacity f nn-resident agencies and reginal ffices. The imprtance f a rbust risk management apprach, fr the UN t be able t address evlving situatins in a mre agile and nimble way. Ways in which the UN team can leverage the wider system netwrk (beynd the cuntry) t supprt cuntries in peratinal areas. The types f changes that the UN needs t make in its business mdel and structures. The imprtance f accelerating the implementatin f the Standard Operating Prcedures fr Delivering as One. 9

10 Recmmendatins fr UNCTs Wrk n develping and finalising the actin plans fr cuntries in peratinalisatin f the Strategy f Supprt, linked t nging cuntry level prcesses. In ding s, review the unique value that the UN brings t MICs and HICs. T that end, each UNCT shuld have a clearer picture f the pprtunities and limitatins f engagement in the cuntry, t determine the signature prgramme areas and services. Each UNCT t review and unpack the UN s system capacity t respnd t cuntry needs as an input int the reginal picture f the verall UN supprt needs. UNCTs t update cuntry summaries (in the strategy) with mre current data. Recmmendatins fr R-UNDG Prvide mre structured, tailred and targeted supprt t help UNCTs t psitin the UN s wrk in MICs in the cntext f the cuntry adptin and implementatin f the SDGs. Strengthen the RDT supprt/respnse capacity at the reginal level, aviding fragmented supprt t cuntries. Crdinate the assessment f UNCT capacities and cnslidate int a reginal technical supprt plan. Cllabrate with the Suth-Suth Cllabratin Unit t identify pprtunities fr capacity building supprt t UNCTs and gvernments n key areas f interest (including explring use f science, technlgy and innvative appraches in MICs cntexts). Dcument and facilitate the sharing f experience n transitins t MICs (set up a Cmmunity f Practice). Fr cuntries graduating int MICs, supprt rientatin f cuntries t better understand the implicatins and put in place transitinal measures t minimize impact. Engage with AU (and RECs) n the MICs strategy, with specific targets and plicy/advcacy actins in supprt f the wrk at cuntry level (requires identificatin f clear issues in cnsultatin with cuntries). Engage with Africa Peer Review mechanism t allw fr the peer review f the intersectin f ecnmic, plitical, and scial spaces. Establish/supprt a reginal SSC mechanism fr Africa by build cnsensus amng African MIC plicy makers and experts, supprting frmulatin, implementatin and funding f SSC prgrammes, develping methdlgies fr the systematizatin f Suth-Suth Cperatin 10

11 and Triangular Cperatin experiences, supprting frmulatin f reginal psitins/agreement and with regular reprting n Suth-Suth Cperatin Recmmendatins fr Headquarters (DOCO and UNDG) Advcate fr, and supprt, develpment f a mre cmprehensive classificatin index (eg. equity index, vulnerability index, resilience index). Ensure availability f cre resurces fr the wrk in MICs (increased cre resurces, accessing assessed cntributins, reviewing ptins fr inter-cuntry and multi-cuntry prgrammes, and expanded/innvative use f glbal/reginal prgrammes funding surces). Review ptins fr innvative funding at the glbal level in supprt f MICs (pled mechanisms 11