Secretary-General's message to Regional High-level Consultation on UN System-Wide Coherence

It is a priority for me for the United Nations to bring its many disparate strengths together to address the world's pressing development needs. This summer will mark the midpoint between the year 2000, when the Millennium Development Goals were first articulated and adopted, and the year by which they are meant to be achieved, 2015. At a time when donor countries are discussing increases in official development assistance, it is also essential that the United Nations demonstrates its ability to use those resources effectively.

That challenge was at the heart of the recommendations put forward late last year in the report of the High-level Panel on UN System-Wide Coherence. The Panel's report, “Delivering as One”, presents an ambitious yet achievable vision of a harmonized and accountable UN system. I intend to set out for Member States my views on the substance of the report, and how to approach its follow up, in close consultation with them.

But already I can say our intention is to keep implementing those proposals that build on existing inter-governmental processes and reform initiatives. Examples of these include the ongoing consultative process in the General Assembly on UN environmental activities; the reform UN business practices in the areas of human resources, common services and evaluation procedures; and the voluntary “One UN” pilot programmes recently launched by UNDP to unify UN operations in 8 countries.

I agree with the Panel's proposals to strengthen the UN's gender architecture, and I encourage Member States to study the possibility of replacing several current structures with a dynamic, consolidated UN entity. Member States also need to consider how to continue strengthening the UN Economic and Social Council, so that it can provide the governance, funding and management arrangements at headquarters needed to improve our country-level presence.

On these and other issues, leaders across the UN system are willing to embrace change and drive the reforms forward. But to succeed fully, we need strong political support from the Member States. I am highly encouraged by the attention you are giving this issue, and wish you a very successful meeting.