Coordination Mechanisms
In the framework of the
United Nations System (UNS) and the reform process initiated by
Secretary-General Kofi ANNAN
in the late 90’s, a battery of measures aiming at more efficiency in
the system have been adopted. Particular emphasis has been put on
the improvement of cooperation among its various agencies in order to
ensure greater coherence and complementarity in their actions for
development. A number of common strategic objectives have been
defined and some administrative procedures have been harmonized; each
agency continuing to act according to the specificities of its
mandate.
For
this reason, the coordination mechanisms and in particular the
function of the Resident Coordinator assumed by the UNDP Resident
Representative have been reinforced.
The
UN country team is made up of the representatives of each
of the UN
Agencies present in Mali (FAO, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNESCO, UFP, UNDP),
and the Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF and the World Bank). This
country team meets at least once a month according to a rotating
chairmanship assumed by each Agency in turns, in order to coordinate
their actions and to adopt a common response to the Malian
Government’s needs. Besides the issues of general strategies, more
technical issues such as staff security or some administrative
procedures can be addressed.
Thematic and work groups
A
number of thematic and work groups created in response to specific
needs and priorities identified at the country level are presently
operational in Mali. The objectives of these groups are to ensure a
better exchange of information, to improve cooperation between the
different participating entities (UN agencies, development partners,
Government members, NGOs) and hence to improve the impact of their
interventions for populations.
For further
information on these groups, see the document in French
“Le mécanisme de mise en oeuvre de
l’UNDAF 2003-2007 au Mali".
The UNDAF 2003-2007
As
part of the implementation of the UN Secretary General's reform
program, the different UNS Agencies and Institutions have been able to synchronize
their cooperation programme with Mali and to determine a new planning
cycle starting January 1st 2003. The UNDAF 2003-2007 (UN
for Development Assistance Framework) will be the starting point for
the joint activities carried out by all Agencies of the system for the
benefit of the Malian population. This logical framework common to
the different Agencies mentions the overall objectives for the period
concerned but also the targeted impacts, the working assumptions the
indicators and means of verification. The UNDAF 2003-2007 has been a
wonderful exercise of sharing and harmonization of the work of the
different UNS Agencies and Institutions. This framework-plan has made provisions for a
steering system for its implementation as well as monitoring and
evaluation mechanisms. It also fits in the
Poverty Reduction Strategic Framework (CLSP in French)
adopted by the Malian Government on May 29, 2002 and which defines its
development policy in the short and medium term, making the fight
against poverty the main priority in the field of development in Mali.
In order to implement but also to ensure the monitoring and evaluation
of this UN Development Framework, a number of systems, mechanisms and
structures have been set up (see document in French
:
“Le mécanisme de mise en oeuvre de
l’UNDAF 2003-2007 au Mali".)
The Development Partners’ meeting
It is
to be noted tat the UNS generally supports the efforts aimed at the
reinforcement of the coordination mechanisms of assistance. In this
framework a monthly meeting of Technical and Financial Partners in
Mali (TFP) is organized, bringing together the different
development actors (bilateral and multilateral cooperation). These
consultative meetings are regularly held every three months and
extended to the Malian Government through a joint commission
Mali/Development partners; a preferred consultation organ on the
Poverty Reduction Strategic Framework (CLSP in French) and the
Assistance reform process in Mali.
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