Technical cooperation programmes of the
United Nations secretariat
The focal point at United Nations Headquarters for technical cooperation for development efforts of developing
countries and countries in transition is the Department for Development Support and Management Services. Total
project expenditures for the Department in 1994 approximated $101 million for close to 1,044 projects in over a dozen
sectors. Of that amount, UNDP funded about $51 million. The Department disbursed 44 per cent of its expenditures in
Africa. In order to carry out its projects, over the past year the Department fielded over 900 international experts and
consultants to work in collaboration with national personnel. The Department calls on a worldwide roster of over 4,330
consultants, 2,350 consulting companies and 6,330 suppliers of equipment. The Department also helps Governments to
identify, select and purchase the most appropriate services and equipment for their development projects and supports
capacity-building for work in those areas. Training is a vital component of such activities; in 1994, training placements
were made for some 2,500 persons from over 130 countries.
With the approval of the General Assembly, the Secretariat has proceeded with the decentralization to the regional
commissions of staff and resources in the fields of natural resources and energy. These activities are managed by the
Management Board of the United Nations Technical Cooperation Programme in Natural Resources and Energy, chaired
by the Under-Secretary-General of the Department for Development Support and Management Services, with the
participation of the regional commissions. This coordinating body has enhanced the responsiveness and effectiveness of
assistance provided by the Organization in these areas.
Considerable progress has been made in forging closer links between the Department and UNDP. This strengthened
cooperation has resulted in an increased role by the Department in "upstream" advice in development planning and
management and in technical backstopping activities at the programme and project levels.
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