Economic and Social Council: 17th plenary meeting - 2026 Operational Activities for Development Segment

De I call to order the 17th meeting of the Economic and Social Council, and I declare open the operational Activities for Development segment of its 2026 session.
I now invite the council to begin its consideration of Agenda Item seven, operational activities of the United Nations for international development cooperation.
I will now deliver some opening remarks.
Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, dear colleagues, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Operational Activities for Development segment of the Economic and Social Council.
I am pleased to see all delegations, UN agencies, and resident coordinators and civil society representatives who have gathered here to engage in this critical dialogue.
But especially I am grateful for the presence of the Secretary-General Antonio Gutierrez, who has been a champion for reform since he took office nearly a decade ago.
As this will be his last operational activity segment in his current capacity, I wish to take this opportunity to salute him for his diplomatic excellences, tenacity, and grit.
Which he has approached the many challenges before the organization and his commitment to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and our collective resolve and improve the lives of all peoples, in particular the most vulnerable.
I would also like to my sincere appreciation to the Deputy Secretary-General, miss Amina Mohammed, for his steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the United Nations development agenda.
As chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, she has been a driving force for innovation and result across the UN development system.
Her dedication to strengthening coordination and ensuring that our collective efforts translate into tangible impact on the ground has been instrumental in guiding the system through the complex and evolving challenges.
We are deeply grateful for her vision and her tireless efforts to ensure that no one is left behind.
The theme this year is from Innovation to Im, a United Nations development system that delivers transformative and equitable results for all towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
Accelerating progress towards the SDGs will require countries to foster innovation across many dimensions, including innovative financing approaches, stronger use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, enhanced data capabilities.
Innovation partnerships across the United Nations development system can act as system wide enablers of more coherent, accountable, and results driven support at country level.
With support from the United Nations country team, real time digital data systems are strengthening health governance, enabling faster decision making.
More than 182,000 secondary students are now learning English through digital platforms, opening pathways to jobs and inclusion.
Innovation is also reaching productive sectors from agriculture to fisheries, through digital tools and new methodologies that strengthen value chains and livelihoods.
In the face of growing climate risk, digital platforms such as Ana Kona in the Dominican Republic are threatethning, monitoring, and crisis response, ensuring that when emergency strikes, systems respond faster and more effectively.
Excellencies.
This segment is one of the most important platforms for reviewing the coordination, cohereence and effectiveness and efficiency of the United Nations operational activities for development.
It is also where we shape this future.
We meet at a moment of profound urgency.
Development gains are under pressure, official development assistance is declining, while demand on the multilateral system continue to grow.
This segment provides us with the opportunity not only to assess progress made by the United Nations Development system in implementing the mandates of the quadrannum Comprehensive Policy Review, but also to confirm where gaps remain and how we move forward through ambitions and collective action.
This year's segment is also an opportunity to build upon last year's sessions as a meaningful space to reflect on key elements of the UNA initiative that support better UN development system delivery and what this means in practice for country level delivery, governance, and financing.
Distinguished delegates.
Our discussions are informed by three reports.
Do E forward slash 2026 forward slash 61, the report of the Secretary-General on implementation of the General Assembly Resolution 79 forward slash 226 on the Quadrannial Comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for development of the United Nations systems and its founding analysis addendum.
Document E forward slash 2026 forward slash 67, the 2026 report of the chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development on the Development Coordination Office and resident coordinator System.
Document E forward slash 2026 forward slash 56, the 2026 annual report of the Executive Director of the UNDG Systemwide Evaluation Office.
The segment sections will provide key entry point for all member states to engage on the development systems institutional reform agenda, financing and emerging issues, consider the operational reality faced by countries on the ground and review system wide accountability.
Today, we have a unique opportunity for high level dialogue on the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General respective reports and recommendations.
Tomorrow, the segment will feature discussions with executive heads on system wide accountability and delivery of the reforms in the context of the UN 80, keeping poverty eradication and leaving no one behind at the center.
Thematic dialogues will cover UN development funding trends and the funding compact implementation, means of implementation, including data, innovation, and domestic and external financing, and UN system evaluation findings on development impact.
Further discussions on Wednesday we'll address how the UN tailor supports national needs and priority, including country team configuration, regional architecture, as well as support to countries in a specific situation in complex settings, including the least developing countries, landlocked developing countries, small island development states, and middle income countries.
The segment will conclude with a dialogue on governance, oversight, and coordination among governing bodies with EcoSc at the core.
I also encourage you to take advantage of the side events organized during the launch tomorrow and Wednesday, covering pressing issues from internal displacements and human rights based approaches to quality funding and shaping the future of multilateralism.
Excellencies.
We are not starting from zero in countries where we are already seeing important innovations, reforms, and practical solutions that are delivering results on the ground.
Our task now is to build on the foundation and guide the development system to recalibrate and scale up its effective delivery and accelerate what is already underway so the impact is faster, more equitable, and more visible when it matters the most.
I look forward to our deliberations.
I thank you.
Excellencies, Distingleg Distinguished delegates.
I now invite the council to begin its consideration of sub Item A of Agenda Item seven.
Follow up to policy recommendations of the General Assembly and the Council.
I am pleased that we are joined this morning by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Ecellcy António Guterres, who will be presenting his report on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 79 slash 226 on the Quadrannial Comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system.
Before I give the floor to the Secretary-General, I invite delegations to indicate their wish to participate in the ensuing dialogue by pressing the microphone button on the console before them.
Those speaking on behalf of a group should inform the Secretariat in order to be given priority in the speaking order.
I now invite the Secretary-General to present the report as contained in document E slash 2026 slash 61 and addendum one.
Secretary-General, you have the floor.
The President excellencies.
The report I present today reflects a shared journey over nearly a decade, a journey marked by change, by difficult choices, and by steady determined transformation.
We began in 2017 with a clear objective to ensure that the UN development system could support countries in achieving the sustainable development goals.
The reports I presented at that time provided the candid diagnosis.
The system was too fragmented when coherence was required, too internally competitive when collaboration was essential, too limited in structure and capacity to effectively respond to the needs of countries and people.
Reaching our objective required ambition.
It required closely aligning the UN development system with the sustainable development goals themselves, using the Pact for the future to guide us, particularly its emphasis on better use of digital technology and artificial intelligence, better aligning functions to country priorities, strengthening capacities to deliver on country needs, enabling UNDP to focus on operational delivery, and ensuring effective leadership and coordination within UN country teams.
Together, with a strong support and guidance of member states and colleagues across the system, we have reshaped how we operate.
At the center stands a strengthened resident coordinator system, empowered, independent, accountable, and equipped to meet member states expectations.
Cooperation frameworks are enabling the system to work more closely around national priorities.
The UN development system has strengthened its coordination and responses and we have reinforced accountability and transparency across the system.
Together, the UN and member states agreed on the funding compact to provide more flexibility and predictability of resources to allow the system to work better together.
The report I'm presenting today demonstrates the results of these reforms.
Recent surveys show that 94% of governments now assess UN development system support as effective.
The share of host governments recognizing resident coordinators as efficient entry points to the UN system increased from 62% in 2019 to 90% in 2025.
And 80% of most governments report solid event support in transformative areas from food, health and education to digital learning and climate action.
These results are reflected in people's lives.
More people receiving food assistance, more children gaining access to education, more individuals and families benefiting from social protection, and non national institutions better able to deliver on development.
We have also made progress on efficiency.
In 2025 alone, UN entities reported well over 900 million in efficiency gains, including by streamlining services and supply chains, increasing the use of shared services, and other measures.
We'll continue to relentlessly ensure sound financial stewardship of funds in the most effective and impactful way possible.
Excellencies.
The United Nations development system today is more coherent, more accountable, and more closely aligned with national priorities than it has ever been before.
But with less than 1,700 days until the 2030 deadline, many countries face growing pressure, slowing growth, rising vulnerabilities and depths, greater exposure to shocks and shrinking fiscal space.
At the same time, development financing is declining at an unprecedented pace.
The system is better equipped, but increasingly under resourced, and this is a defining moment.
The direction we choose will determine whether the progress of the past decade holds or unravels.
I see four areas where action is essential to ensure the UN can deliver with the scale and urgency needed.
First, more effective alignment with country and regional priorities.
Despite best efforts, the UN development system remains fragmented.
This limits the ability of UN country teams to provide integrated responses.
Capacities present in country are not always the capacities needed to deliver the support required, including because country teams are responding to earmarked funding and project based approaches.
The work of regional teams often remains disconnected from needs on the ground.
Missed opportunities persist to unlock development resources by working together more efficiently.
That is why we must bring reforms to the finish line and raise their ambition.
At the country level, we'll continue reconfigurating country teams around cooperation frameworks with clear sequence targets and strategic funding pathways.
This also means more and better expertise that is easily accessible and better able to support governments in their development efforts.
At regional level, we will bridge the gap between regional capabilities and country level impact.
Regional platforms for integration, we unite capacities across the development, humanitarian and peace and security into light responsive mechanisms built to provide timely, agile support to countries.
This means no change in or confusion of mandates.
Our goal is to ensure countries can access assets across the UN system to deal with complex challenges.
To do this, we are recalibrating the leadership and capacities of the resident coordinator system.
We must ensure that sent coordinators can optimally lead country teams in fast evolving contexts and apply the full extent of the UN development system support on key issues including climate change.
We are also assessing potential mergers between UDP and UNO, the UNFPA and UN Women to strengthen our ability to advance sustainable development and gender equality while advocating for the rights of women, girls, and youth.
At every step, we will respect mandates, consult with member states, and ensure that reforms do not affect ongoing UN operations.
Second, we are continuing the next phase of reform and the UNAT initiatives.
UN AT contains key proposals to identify efficiencies and ensure a great share of our resources, human and financial are allocated for development results.
These include joint knowledge hubs to streamline knowledge in priority areas, an expertise on demand mechanism for countries to access specialized UN capacity, a unified service roadmap to expand shared services, and the technology accelerator platform, and the system wide data commons so countries can access the tools and information they need.
These are practical measures designed to channel more resources and capacity towards results on the ground.
As we push forward on these important reforms, we'll continue counting on the full engagement and support of member states.
Third, funding.
Contributions to the UN development system suffered the highest cuts among all development partners and are projected to decline further this year.
Core funding remains well below agreed targets.
Most funding continues to be short term and tightly earmarked, limiting flexibility and undermining collective priorities.
The RC system remains underfunded and dependent mostly on voluntary contributions, facing a $46 million shortfall in 2025.
This places coordinated delivery at risk.
While the provision of $53 million from the regular budget for the SE system was a step in the right direction, it is not sufficient.
Sustainable structural change cannot rely on temporary measures.
We need more stable, predictable, and flexible funding.
I urge member states to reach the 30% core funding target called for by the Funding Compact and help equip the system to deliver and succeed.
Excellence, Excellencies.
Fourth, in these final years towards 2030, we need member states themselves to continue the push to achieve sustainable development goals.
While the United Nations is reforming, member states need to give coherent guidance across governing bodies of the United Nations development system.
They also need to ensure that their national budgets are targeted to development, job creation, education, and poverty eradication.
In the context of today's out of control military spending, countries need to reprioritize and spend more on the instruments of peace and development and less on the instruments of destruction and death.
I renew my call to member states to support our efforts to reform the global financial architecture and deliver meaningful debt relief to countries swamped by debt.
The world financial architecture that we created in 1945 no longer corresponds to the current situation, and there is clear underrepresentation of developing countries.
The severe commitment adopted last year pointed the way forward, and I call on all countries to translate its great promise into reality for developing countries.
Excellencies.
Our experience over the past decade has shown that change is possible.
The system we have built is stronger, but its success depends on continued effort, commitment, and support.
In short, In order for the reform to work, we must continue to work together.
Let's continue building a stronger and more development, effective system that delivers for countries and people everywhere.
Thank you.
I thank the Secretary-General for his statement.
I understand that the Secretary-General needs to leave for other commitments.
On behalf of the council, I would like to thank him for joining us this morning.
We will now take a short pause What? Much better, sir.
The civilsion will remain with us for a while.
Okay.
We will now hear the comments of those who are present in anticipation of a long list of delegations wishing to intervene.
And in order to allow all those wishing to speak the opportunity to do so, I kindly request delegations to observe the time limits of 5 minutes for interventions on behalf of groups and 3 minutes for national statements.
Because of the limited time available, if speakers exceed their time limit, the microphone will be automatically deactivated.
I apologize in advance if speakers are cut off.
This measure is being taken to ensure that as many speakers as possible can deliver their statements in the limited time available.
Nonetheless, I would like to request speakers to deliver statements at normal speaking speed for purposes of interpretation.
Longer versions of statements may be sent for circulation through Es estates at un.org is the email address for publication.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay on behalf of the G 77 and China, followed by the distinguished representative of Palau, and Philippines on behalf of M.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General Excellency's Distinguished delegates.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the group of 77 and China.
The group thanks the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 79 slash 2026 on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system.
We also thank the Deputy Secretary-General and through her the ASG for Development coordination and all entities of the United Nations Development System for their continued engagement with member states in advancing the implementation of the QCPR mandates.
The group reiterates that the QCPR remains the primary policy instrument through which the General Assembly provides system wide guidance to the United Nations development system.
Reaffirmed the central role of the General Assembly in setting broad policy orientations for operational activities for development while ECOSOC serves as the principal platform for coordination, guidance, oversight and accountability in the follow up to QCPR implementation.
The group recognizes the efforts undertaken across the United Nations development system since 2018 in the context of the implementation of Resolution 72 slash 279 and during the first year of implementation of the current QCPR cycle through Resolution 79 slash 2026, particularly in supporting program countries in advancing the 2030 agenda and national priorities in a context marked by multiple and interlinked global crisis, constrained fiscal space, growing debt burdens, climate impacts, and persistent inequalities.
At the same time, the group agrees with the report that major challenges remain in ensuring that the United Nations development system, including the resident coordinator system, is adequately funded, responsive to national priorities, and fully aligned with the principles established by member states in the QCPR.
The group reiterates that eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty remains the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.
In this regard, the United Nations development system must continue to support program countries upon their request in accordance with national development plans, priorities, and needs.
The group stresses that operational activities for development must remain objective, transparent, accountable, non conditional, and free from politicization.
The group takes note of the progress reported in strengthening coordination at country level, including through the resident coordinator system and implementation of the national cooperation frameworks.
We recognize the important contribution of resident coordinators in supporting coherent and responsive assistance to program countries in line with national priorities and needs.
The group also underscores the importance of addressing the financial sustainability of the resilient coordinator system in a transparent, predictable, adequate, and equitable manner without negatively affecting developing countries and resources available for program activities at the country level.
The Resilient coordinator system should continue to strengthen support to program countries while preserving effective country level coordination capacities.
The resident coordinator system and the wider United Nations development system must operate in full conformity with national development priorities and mandates established by intergovernmental bodies.
The group remains concerned about the persistent imbalance between core and non core resources of the United Nations development system.
The continued decline in predictable and flexible core funding undermines the multilateral nature, effectiveness, and strategic coherence of the operational activities for development.
In this regard, we reiterate the need for member states to substantially increase core contributions to the United Nations development system and to improve the quality, predictability, and adequacy of funding.
We further stress the earmarked and tightly conditioned funding should not distort mandates, priorities, or governance processes established by member states.
Mr.
President, the United Nations Development System should continue and hence Thank you.
Thank you.
Can we give you one more minute to finish your statement? Please go ahead.
Give us a second.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
The United Nations development system should continue enhancing its tailored and differentiated support to developing countries, including countries in special situations consistent with their national circumstances and priorities.
The group stresses the importance of determining the presence and composition of UN country teams based on national priorities.
Country needs and the cooperation framework in line with General Assembly Resolution 72 slash 279.
The group also notes the need of ensuring access to the full range of expertise available across the UN development system, including through strengthened complementarities between country, regional and global capacities in support of national priorities and needs.
As we approach the final years for implementation of the 2030 agenda, the group stresses that the United Nations development system must intensify support to program countries to accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals and national priorities.
This requires strengthened multilateral cooperation, fulfillment of official development assistance commitments, and hence access to concessional financing, debt sustainability measures, technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, and capacity building support.
The group further stresses the need to strengthen the development dimension throughout the United Nations system and to ensure that development remains a central pillar of the organization worked.
Efforts aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness across the system must fully respect intergovernmental mandates and distinct mandate of individual entities.
The group notes the report's references to system wide efficiency efforts and ongoing discussions related to the future functioning of the United Nations system.
In this regard, we reiterate that all reform initiatives, including in the context of the UNAT initiative, must be member state led, transparent, and inclusive and must deliver greater impact on the ground for member states and the people we serve.
And preserve the development focus and operational capacities of the United Nations development system, particularly at the country level.
The group will continue to engage constructively in all relevant UNAT deliberations, while wishes to reiterate that any reform proposal should put the views, needs and priorities of program countries at the center nor jeopardize longstanding country level work carried out by the UN development entities.
The group also reiterates the importance of adequate representation of developing countries in the staffing of the United Nations development system, including at senior levels and calls for enhanced geographical diversity and gender balance throughout the system.
Mr.
Prescientt, finally, the group remains committed to engaging constructively in the ecosyste Now, I do thank the distinguished representative of Uruguay.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Palau on behalf of the Alliance for small Island states.
Mr.
Vice President, Mr.
Secretary-General, I have the honor to deliver these remarks on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, AOS.
AOS extends its gratitude to the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the implementation of the mandates set out in Resolution 79 slash 226 on the adrilinenal comprehensive Policy Review of operational activities for Development.
We fully agree with the Secretary-General statement, the world is facing a development emergency.
Official development assistance is contracting.
Fiscal pressures are reshaping priorities and crisis multiply while development resources diminish.
Across the multilateral system, institutions are being asked to do more with less at precisely the moment the world demands more of multilaterlism, not less.
However, there is an old truth that sits no intimately.
When the tide recedes, it reveals what was built to endure and what was not strong enough to withstand pressure.
Today, development cooperation is experiencing its own retreat tide.
Cuts in development aid and assistance have fallen heavily on those who rely on it the most.
Classrooms are left underfunded, hospitals and clinics stretch beyond capacity.
Hard won developments gains made increasingly fragile.
This is why through this operational activities segment and the UN 80 initiative, we are considering how the United Nations remain fit for purpose under increasing constraint.
But at the core of our discussions, we are asking one fundamental question.
Are countries receiving support that is more responsive, more effective, and better able to deliver results on the ground? AOCS looks to the United Nations as a reliable and steadfast partner in our efforts toward development and resilient prosperity.
That will not change.
However, effectiveness will ultimately be measured not by how efficiently the system structures itself, but on how concretely it helps developing countries navigate a world where development challenges are becoming more complex, interconnected, and difficult to address in isolation.
As such, the discussions advancing under QCPR implementation and UN AD, we see important opportunities.
Efforts to build more agile, integrated, and responsive approaches create opportunity to better align the system to national priorities and evolving development needs, including approaches that more effectively support multi country office settings and the unique circumstances of sits.
The resident coordinated system remains central to delivering coherent support at country level and must continue to be adequately resourced and strengthened.
However, there is a need to improve the pool of resident coordinators with the necessary skill sets and expertise, especially for those serving within the SETS context.
Mr.
Vice President, Mr.
Secretary-General, small island developing states understand what it means to do more with less.
For decades, our countries have navigated constraints with determination, and we have learned that effectiveness is not measured solely by resources available, but by how strategically those resources are deployed and how strongly institutions remain focused on those they serve.
And so we recognize the pressure facing the UN development system today and the efforts to make it more effective in delivering impact on the ground.
However, these efforts cannot come at the expense of support for those facing the greatest structural challenges.
Reform must strengthen delivery, not narrow it.
Efficiency must reinforce effectiveness, and modernization must ensure that SITS continue to receive the tailored country responsive support needed to advance sustainable development and build resilience for the future.
AUSC stands ready to work with you to help shape a UN development system that remains ambitious while remaining steadfast in its commitment to support those countries navigating this complex and challenging time.
I thank you.
Roya Gracios, I thank the representative of Palau, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Philippines, on behalf of the like minded group of middle income countries.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair, Mr.
Secretary-General, Madam Deputy Secretary-General.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the like minded group for middle income countries, the LMG mix composed of Armenia, Belarus, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, and Uruguay.
The group welcomes the Secretary-General report on the implementation of the adrenalial Comprehensive Policy Review or QCPR and the continued efforts to strengthen the responsiveness, coherence, and effectiveness of the United Nations Development System, or UNDS in support of developing countries.
We also recognize the important contribution of resident coordinators and the UN country teams in advancing nationally and sustainable development efforts across middle income countries.
As reaffirmed in the Mahati Declaration, the repositioned UNDS continues to play an important role in supporting the development pathways and transitions of middle income countries.
We count on UNDS to leverage its convening role, partnerships, and expertise to help sustain development gains, address structural vulnerabilities, and accelerate progress towards the sustainable development goals.
In this regard, the group continues to advance two key priorities, the development of a comprehensive system wide response plan for middle income countries and the elaboration of a strategic plan of action for MIX.
We look forward to concrete progress on both tracks.
While expectations of UNDS continue to grow, including in the context of UN AT process, these expectations must be matched by adequate capacities and resources, and we firmly believe that reform should not come at the cost of the UN's development pillar.
Against this backdrop, allow me to emphasize the following.
Firstly, we support continued efforts to strengthen coordination and coherence at the country level through the resident coordinator system and to ensure that the UN sustainable development cooperation frameworks remain the central strategic instrument for UN development support fully aligned with national ownership and leadership.
Secondly, we attach particular importance to ensuring that country configurations remain responsive to the evolving realities and specific needs of middle income countries and avoid a one size fits all approach.
We therefore support continued work towards transparent and objective criteria developed in consultation with host governments that respond to national priorities, capacities, and development contexts.
Thirdly, we note ongoing efforts to strengthen regional support arrangements and resident coordinator offices to better connect country level demand with regional and global expertise.
For middle income countries, access to high quality policy advice, technical expertise, innovation, partnerships, and financing solutions remains essential to addressing increasingly complex development challenges and advancing sustainable development transitions.
Fourthly, we underscore the importance of ensuring adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for the resident coordinator system, including through pooled funding mechanisms and collaborative approaches under the funding compact.
This remains essential to promoting greater coherence, efficiency and effectiveness across the UN development system.
And finally, middle income countries expect the system to remain focused on enabling access to concessional financing, innovative and green technologies, renewable energy, infrastructure, climate action, and digital transformation.
We also underscore the catalytic role of South South and triangular cooperation in advancing these priorities.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
V G.
I thank the distinguished representative of the Philippines and I now give the floor to distinguished representative of the European Union, followed by Norway and New Zealand.
Chair, Secretary-General, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its member states.
The Euroan Union thanks the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the QCPR's implementation.
This report is not just a stock taking exercise, it is a critical roadmap for accelerating UN development system reform as part of UNADI.
For the European Union, UN AD is a pivotal opportunity to shape a more agile, coherent, and results driven UN system in lined with our commitment to effective multilateralsm.
As the UN's largest financial contributor, we reiterate our support for ambitious transparent reform because now is the time to act.
In this spirit, we highlight three key priorities.
First, the QCPR and UNAD must align to deliver a less fragmented, more effective UN system, particularly where change is most urgent.
Reforms must translate into tangible improvements in supporting countries to achieve the SDGs are shared priority.
For instance, the call for simplified business practices, shared services, and reduced duplication must be fast tracked under UNAD.
Reducing the fragmentation of the development system through more than 40 entities is essential and the EU supports consolidation efforts through possible mergers.
This includes case by case evaluation provided there is a clear merger dividend supported by detailed, clear data and robust evidence that the mergers would strengthen delivery on the ground, preserve core mandates, and generate clear efficiencies.
Second, the emphasis on country ownership, integrated planning, and rules based management must underpin UN country team reconfiguration.
A cornerstone of UN AD.
This is a transformative opportunity to enhance impact, accountability, and efficiency, especially in fragile context.
The shift from assessing individual agencies in isolation To evaluating the UN system's collective performance must be embedded in UNAD through, first, a stronger resident coordinator system with sustainable financing, greater authority, and adequate resources.
We await concrete proposals from the Secretariat.
Second, expertise on demand, ensuring country teams access tailored agile support.
Third, a regional reset to align priorities with national and sub regional needs.
Fourth, deeper engagement of specialized agencies in joint planning and delivery incentivized by robust mechanisms.
Fifth, joint knowledge hubs to bridge global regional and country level expertise.
Finally, colleagues, we support funding modalities that strengthened joint UN delivery.
The EU has politically and financially backed UNDS reform, including the RC system.
While urging member states to improve funding quality, we welcome voluntary reports on alignment with the funding compact.
The recommendations on better coordination among executive boards, EcoSoc alignment, and accountability mechanisms provide a blueprint for coherence critical for a member state driven UNAD.
In closing, Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General colleagues, the EU and its member states are committed to UNA success to meet the urgency of Agenda 2030.
We will continue a strong support, but need transparency, measurable progress, and clear results as well.
Reforms must lead to leaner operations, stronger country teams, and better outcomes for those we serve.
We must communicate this impact clearly to the public.
In this context, we would appreciate greater clarity on which key deliverables of the UNAD work packages require immediate member state attention based on the QCPR report and would most help the Secretariat to proceed.
Colleagues, let us work together to ensure this reform delivers on its ambition.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of the European Union and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.
Followed by New Zealand.
Vice President, Secretary-General, good morning, colleagues.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of Barbadas, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Senegal, and Singapore.
This informal group has been coming together over the last year to act as a sounding board for each other in support of UN reforms.
Secretary-General, we thank you for your comprehensive report on the implementation of the QCPR.
The urgency of the matters we will discuss in this meeting and your UNA initiative demonstrate that we are at a crossroads for multilateralism and for international development.
First, we want to underscore the importance of a United Nations development system that delivers results for people and leaves no one behind at a time when progress towards the sustainable development goals is seriously off track.
Impact on the ground must remain the ultimate measure of success for the UN development system and the UNAy initiative.
Our collective efforts must translate into meaningful, measurable improvements in people's lives, especially for those left the furthest behind.
We highly appreciate that the UN has supported access to education for millions of girls and boys, extended social protection to tens of millions of families, and provided lifesaving assistance on scale.
These are real changes that build resilience in our societies and lay the ground for equal opportunities and prosperity.
However, today's challenges demand a sharper focus.
We must ensure stronger alignment with national priorities and have cooperation frameworks that truly all UN activities.
We must see integrated approaches by the UN country teams, not individual non aligned programming by each entity.
An empowered resident coordinator plays a central role in ensuring system wide coherence and keeping the focus on collective results while respecting the mandates and governance structures of individual entities.
This must be matched by accountability frameworks at the country level that prioritizes joint impact over individual project outputs.
We will do our part to support resident coordinators to lead UN country teams in making operational activities for development more efficient and aligned with national priorities.
Second, we strongly support more effective and coherent UN country teams.
This is essential in a context where there are on average 23 UN agencies in recipient countries.
We must reduce fragmentation, leverage synergies between entities and focus efforts in a demand driven manner, not through supply driven approach.
Here, UN 80 proposals such as the expertise on demand and the knowledge hubs must complement reconfiguration efforts and ensure technical expertise and greater agility and impact on the ground.
Vice President Secretary-General said, we underscore the continued importance of the UN's normative role.
The UN's unique value lies not only in operational delivery, but in its role in setting standards, eradicating poverty and hunger, upholding human rights and gender equality, and ensuring that development is anchored in globally agreed principles, the 2030 agenda.
This normative function remains essential for legitimacy and long term impact and is through the QCPR linked to the operational work at country level.
Finally, we agree with you on the critical importance of core funding as well as pooled funding options.
The current funding landscape marked by a high degree of competitive fundraising by agencies funds and programs, and earmarking by donors undermines coherence and effectiveness.
The Funding compact is still not realized.
We welcome evidence and incentives to move the UN and the member states to more quality funding.
We need a UN which is seen as open, transparent, and accountable, a UN where donors and host countries alike feel that they have the necessary information and insight to make the right decisions.
Secretary-General, you have our very strong support for an ambitious UN reform that delivers on the promise of sustainable development while ensuring that reforms remain member state driven and fully consistent with intergovernmental mandates.
We will publish the full length of this statement electronically.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Norway and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of New Zealand.
On behalf of Cans.
Yeah.
Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, dear colleagues.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of Canada, Australia, and my own country, New Zealand.
CAS reaffirms its strong commitment to the UN sustainable development pillar.
We support a UN development system that is more effective, efficient, transparent, and accountable in delivering for people and planet and underscore the importance of using evidence to inform reforms.
We thank the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General for your reports.
Our response is based around three key points.
First, the report shows that reform can deliver both savings and results.
Projected savings of nearly $1 billion in 2025 are significant and demonstrate that common premises, common back offices, and shared services deliver real gains.
It is relevant to highlight the broadly positive feedback by member states on the UN development system, the risen coordinator system, and cooperation frameworks.
We welcome the achievement of gender parity among senior officials for the first time alongside cooperation frameworks that are mainstreaming gender equality or include dedicated gender outcomes.
We also recognize and commend the meaningful progress on climate and environmental outcomes, disability inclusion, and policies to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Second, while progress is clear, more can and must be done.
Survey feedback highlights ongoing duplication, opportunities to improve cost effectiveness and gaps in agencies completing reform commitments.
We are concerned that some agencies are deprioritizing cost sharing for the RC system.
This non compliance must be considered as part of efforts to address broader funding challenges.
We would welcome more information on this point and note the role that executive boards and governing bodies can play in supporting compliance.
We also request greater clarity on key reform initiatives, including on costing, funding sources, and the key timelines and pathways for implementation.
This includes more practical detail on the regional reset.
What will closer integration of development coordination offices with regional economic commissions and the regional platforms for integration entail and what are the intended benefits? We note with interest the DCO serge mechanism and the successful provision of specialized support such as gender, human rights, and peace and development advisors to RCs and country teams.
How will the surge mechanism link to the expertise on demand reforms and what role is envisaged for resident coordinators and their officers in steering deployments? Similarly, we welcome in principle, DCO recalibration, given its vital role in providing backbone support to the global network of resident coordinators, but we request more granular information on the proposed changes and expected outcomes.
Transparency on these issues is critical to build confidence, generate momentum, and ensure reforms deliver results.
Finally, we welcome the constructive reform proposals put forward for further consideration.
We agree that tailored RC offices and more modular country team configurations will better reflect unique country contexts and resource constraints.
Strengthening cooperation frameworks, including improved sequencing with country program documents, will enhance coherence and effectiveness.
Finally, we underscore the importance of working collaboratively to improve the financial sustainability of the RC system.
We note with concern the RC systems widening funding gap with it receiving the lowest level of voluntary contributions to date.
To achieve our collective reform goals, it is essential that we find paths to predictable and adequate funding for the RC system.
We look forward to contributing to forthcoming discussions in the Fifth Committee on financing and governance of the RC system, which present a critical opportunity to identify viable financing solutions.
Mr.
Chair, Can looks forward to working with all member states, including through the Alliance of Supporters on the UN Development System, to advance a coherent, well funded, and accountable development system, one that is fit for the challenges of our time.
I thank you.
I thank the Reative of New Zealand and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malawi on behalf of the Group of African states.
Mr.
President, Mr.
Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Excellence, Distinguished delegates, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African group.
The African group thanks the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of the QCPR and the continued repositioning of the United Nations Development System.
We also express our appreciation to the Development Coordination Office and resident coordinators for their dedicated support to developing countries, particularly across Africa.
At a time when the sustainable development goals remain significantly off track and many developing countries are confronted with mounting debt burdens, climate shocks, declining development assistance, and growing financing gaps, a strong and effective United Nations development system is more important than ever.
The African Group therefore welcomes the progress achieved since the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 70 2279.
In this context, we believe that the ongoing discussions under UN AG provide a crucial opportunity to complete the unfinished business and key elements of the reform agenda initiated by member states in 2018.
The rest coordinator system has strengthened coherence across the UN development system and enhanced its ability to respond to national priorities.
Likewise, cooperation frameworks have become important tools for aligning UN support with nationally owned development strategies.
In this regard, we support continued efforts to strengthen the role of the cooperation framework as the central strategic instrument for UN development system support at the country level.
We also support more flexible and responsive UN country teams that are tailored to national realities and worked in close consultation with host governments.
We recall in this regard that General Assembly Resolution 72 stroke 279 requested the development of shared criteria for determining the composition of UN country teams and country presence.
The African group welcomes the regular briefings by the DSG and your teams on the recalibration of the resident coordinator System and development Coordination Office, which will be an opportunity to further strengthen the capacity of the United Nations government system To respond to national priorities while preserving the core coordination functions necessary to sustain reform gains and accelerate progress towards sustainable development goals.
Mr.
President, for Africa, strengthening regional support is equally important.
Many of the challenges we face today transcend national borders, whether addressing food insecurity, climate resilience, digital transformation, regional integration or peace building, countries increasingly require access to expertise and solutions and integrated policy advice that operate across national and regional dimensions.
We therefore welcome efforts aimed at creating more integrated and effective regional support structures capable for connecting country level needs with the full range of expertise available across the UN United Nations system.
At the same time, we must ensure that growing expectations placed on the rest coordinator system are matched by the resources and capacities necessary to effectively deliver coordination functions and support impactful results on the ground.
Effective coordination cannot be achieved without adequate support.
Mr.
President, the African group remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating funding environment facing the UN development system.
This issue is of particular importance to Africa, which hosts the largest concentration of resint coordinator offices and UN country teams.
Ensuring the sustainability of the resident coordinator system is therefore essential to maintaining effective support for countries facing complex and interconnected development challenges.
The continued decline in core resources and the persistent underfunding of the recent coordinator system risk undermining the very reforms that member states have collectively endorsed.
We are also concerned by the volatility and declining sustainability of the current funding model, including the voluntary contributions and the coordination levy, which continues to create uncertainty for the functioning of the resident coordinator system.
We therefore support the Secretary-General call for adequate predictable and sustainable funding for the resident coordinator system, including through the forthcoming review of its funding model by the General Assembly.
We reiterate this coordination function of the UN development system, has benefited only from partial support for the regular budget and that this support should be consolidated at the appropriate level.
Resident coordinator offices constitute the backbone of coordination at country level.
Preserving their core capacities is essential if we are serious about delivering a more coherent, efficient, and impactful United Nations Denment system.
Simply put, we cannot expect further performance from the RSC system while there is no predictable nor sustainable resources to deliver on its mandate.
To conclude, the African group welcomes ongoing efforts to improve their system wide efficiencies through common press means, shared services, and digital transformation, while safeguarding country level capacities and development effectiveness.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Malawi.
I understand that the Secretary-General must now withdraw further commitments on behalf of the council.
We would like to thank the Secretary-General for having been with us this morning.
We'll now take a short pause to reset the podium.
Please remain in your seats.
Thank you.
Do Palara.
And I give the floor to distinguished representative of Angola, followed by Argentiria, Argentina, and Algeia.
Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, Angola aligns itself with a statement delivered by Malawi on behalf of the African group and by Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 plus China.
We thank the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of the adrenial comprehensive policy Review and the continued repositioning of the United Nations development system.
At the time when many developing countries continue to face fiscal constraints, debt vulnerabilities, climate related challenges, and growing development needs, a coherent, effective, and adequately resourced United Nations development system remains indispensable.
Angola welcomes the progress achieved since the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 72 slash 279.
The resident coordinator system has strengthened coordination across the UN development system and improved the alignment of UN support with national priorities.
For Angola, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework remains an important instrument for advancing the implementation of our National Development Plan 2023 27, as well as the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063.
We will also support ongoing efforts to enhance the responsiveness and the flexibility of DNA country teams while ensuring access to the expertise required to address national development priorities effectively.
Mr.
Vice President, my delegation remains concerned by the persistent funding challenges facing the resident coordinator system.
Increasing expectation must be matched by adequate, predictable, and sustainable resources.
We therefore support ongoing efforts to strengthen the funding model of the resident coordinator system and preserve the core capacities of the resident coordinator offices, which are essential for effective support and coordination at the country level.
As discussion on UN AI initiative advance, it's important that efforts to improve efficiency reinforce rather than weaken the development pillar of the United Nations Angolan remains committed to working with member states and the United Nations system to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals and sustainable development for all.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Angola.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Argentina, followed by Algeria, who is the Vice President of Ecosoc.
Buenos Dias.
Good morning, Mr.
Vice President.
Vice Secretary-General Deputy Secretary-General, Dingish colleague, Argentina believes the United Nations system and its resident coordinator system should adapt to the national development realities and priorities of each country rather than the other way around.
Our recent experience shows that this approach is feasible but also more effective.
Argentina has embarked on a transformation aimed at strengthening an open economy, promoting investment and trade while upholding the values of life, liberty, and private property.
With that in mind, We negotiated, together with the United Nations System, a new cooperation framework and a number of country programs.
The result allowed us to build a more strategic action oriented framework that is better aligned with national priorities.
Throughout the process, the resident coordinator's office was essential in coordinating the work of the system and steering it towards the objectives defined by our country.
This experience reinforces a fundamental conviction that the success of the United Nations system should be measur by its ability to deliver tangible results that are agreed upon with governments.
In terms of financing, Argentina recognizes the need to strengthen the sustainability of the system.
However, any reform must respect the voluntary nature of contributions, the equitable sharing of burdens, and countries' actual capacity to pay.
We will not support mechanisms that shift greater costs onto developing countries or increases in the regular assessed contributions of member states.
Any new proposal will require thorough discussion and viable alternatives that do not merely rely on expanding the regular budget.
Argentina remains committed to a constructive approach to the quest for solutions.
It is also essential that we review the system's effectiveness and efficiency.
As part of the UN 80 initiative, we must deliver tangible results while avoiding duplication, fragmentation, and unnecessary bureaucracy.
Mr.
Vice President, Argentina aspires to be a United Nations system that serves as an effective strategic partner, respects national sovereignty, and is capable of providing concrete value to the development of our countries.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Argentina.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria, Vice President of Ecosoc, followed by Cuba and Dibouti.
Allow me first to thank the Secretary-General for his insightful presentation and also for his continued efforts in tandem with Her Excellency Amina Mohammed to strengthen the impact of the UN development system on the ground.
Algeria aligned itself with the statement delivered by our colleagues from Uruguay and Malawi and reaffirm that this quadrenal comprehensive policy review remains the central instrument guiding the operational activities of the UN development system.
At this critical juncture, we must ensure that the UN development system is equipped politically, institutionally, and financially to better deliver.
In this regard, Algeria wishes to highlight the following points.
First, the UN development system must remain firmly anchored on national ownership.
UN support should be guided by cooperation frameworks and tailored to national realities and priorities.
Efficiency efforts should not come at the expense of a meaningful country level presence.
Second, funding remain essential.
Needless to stress that the resident coordinator system requires adequate, predictable, and sustainable financial financing.
Algeria support the Secretary-General call to increase core contributions toward the 30% target.
To expand multi year commitments and to channel a greater share of non core resources.
We also welcome efforts to strengthen national ownership of position within resident coordinator offices.
This approach strengthen local expenses and long term sustainability.
Third, We note with the shift towards more integrated regional support linking countries need with regional and global expertise.
This is particularly important for Africa.
In our continent, we need stronger UN support for SDGs financing, climate resilience, digital transformation, food system, and peace building.
Regional arrangement should complement and strengthen country level support, not replace it.
They must also remain responsive.
We thank the Vice President.
Thank you very much indeed, Vice President.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba, followed by Dibouti and China.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Cuba associate itself the declarations made by Uruguay on behalf of the Group 77 China and by Palau on behalf of AOs.
The report presented describes clearly the challenges facing the United Nations system and its operational activities for development.
Although we recognize the efforts made to increase the efficiency and align cooperation on the ground with national priorities, There are still significant shortcomings that prevent the system from reaching its potential.
The financial problems have become structural, characterized by an increase in conditional financing and failure to meet historical commitments, including the goal of not 0.7% of GDP for official development assistance.
The amount of resources dedicated to the United Nations development system means that it's even harder to implement the 2030 agenda and eradicate poverty as an essential goal.
It's therefore, particularly concerning that we've seen behavior from the main contributor to the organization, the United States that has continuously shown disdain for the principles on which the organization was founded.
It's continual threats to International peace and security have weakened development and the very foundations of the United Nations system.
Cuba, for its part, is still suffering from the devastating effects of the tightened blockade of the United States, the main obstacle to our sustainable development.
That pressure policy is today accompanied by threats of aggression whose consequences would be incalculable, not just for Cuba, but also for the United States and the whole region.
Unless respect for peace and the principles of multilateralism are re established, the 2030 agenda will become or runs the risk of becoming the great unkept promise of our times.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Cuba.
And I now give the floor to the representative of Dibouti, followed by China and France.
Distinguished delegates, Dibouti aligned itself with the statements delivered by the African group and the group of 77 in China and which is to highlight the following remarks in its national capacity.
My delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the you hold on wait No, I think we have an issue.
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My delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the implementation of the CPR.
We express our gratitude to Deputy Secretary-General as chair of the ANSDG for her continued engagement with member states.
Dibuti welcomes the theme of this year's segment from Innovation to Impact, a United Nations development system that delivers transformative and equitable results for all.
With only four years remaining before 2030, the international community must move from commitments to implementation from fragmentation to coherence and from reform on paper to concrete impact for people.
For Dibouti, the United Nations development system remains an essential partner in supporting national priorities, including those set out in Dibouti Vision 2025, accelerating progress towards the SDGs, strengthening resilience, and addressing structural vulnerabilities.
We therefore attach particular importance to the resident coordinated system, the cooperation framework, and the ability of the United Nations country system team to provide integrated, coherent, and demand driven support fully aligned with national development plans and priorities.
Dbbouti welcomes the progress achieved since the repositioning of the United Nations development system.
The Secretary-General report shows a system that is more coherent, more accountable, and better aligned with national priorities.
However, progress remains fragile.
The funding environment is increasingly unsustainable.
Core resources remain insufficient and earmark funding continues to limit predictability, strategic planning, and coherent responses to national priorities.
Dbbouti therefore reiterates the need for adequate, predictable, flexible, and sustainable funding for both the United Nations development system and the resident coordinator system.
A strong resident coordinator system is not an administrative luxury, it's a development necessity.
In conclusion, Dibutu reaffirms its strong support for the QCPR as a primary plus policy instrument through which the General Assembly provides system wide guidance to the United Nations development system.
We look forward to engaging constructively during this segment to ensure that the system remains focused on poverty eradication, national ownership, sustainable development, and leaving no one behind.
I thank you.
Congrats Representative.
I thank the representative of Djibouti and for your understanding of the technical problem.
I'd now like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of China, followed by France and Germany.
Good evening.
Mr.
President, China thanks Secretary-General Gutierrez for his report and alliances with the statement by Uruguay on behalf of the G 77 and China.
China commends the UN development system for actively implementing GA Resolution 72 slash 279 and steering the structural transformation towards positive progress.
At the same time, China expresses concerns over inadequate coordination and sharply declining resources among other challenges facing the development system.
Looking ahead, China wishes to suggest the following.
First, all parties should jointly safeguard the UN's development pillar.
Since its founding, the UN has enshrined promoting global development in its charter.
We should all preserve the hard won development gains.
As progress towards the SDGs is significantly lagging, the UN must fortify its development pillar, strengthen the development system, provide greater financial, technical, and intellectual support to countries in the South in such key areas as poverty reduction and push for developed countries to fulfill their FFD commitments.
Second, we should always uphold the principle of national ownership and leadership.
The UNDS should be guided by the urgent needs and priorities of developing countries.
Resident coordinators should stay focused on development, play a coordinating role, and bring UN cities work in line with the host country's national conditions and development strategies.
There should be more coherent policy making and implementation to ensure that sustainable development frameworks dovetail with the needs of program countries.
Third, reform should be result oriented.
China supports the early implementation of the UN initiative.
With the reform sticking to the right course towards greater quality effectiveness and efficiency, UN system wide reform has far reaching impacts and thus requires enhanced coordination, comprehensive planning, and careful evaluation while avoiding rush in the process, regional and country led reform measures should ultimately aim at greater coherence, more efficient, and impactful delivery instead of a one size fits all approach.
China has always supported and contributed to common development.
China put forward the Global Development Initiative five years since the initiative, it has mobilized over $23 billion and carried out over 1,800 corporation projects through the Global Development and South Corporation Fund.
China has implemented more than 100 trilateral projects in over 50 countries in partnership with over 20 international organizations.
The microphone is cut off China the Distinguished representative of China.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of France, followed by Germany and Brazil.
Microphone for France, please.
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Microphone for France, please.
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Thank you so much, Mr.
President, Deputy Secretary-General, Madam.
The UN development system is one of our most precious common goods in its normative and political function in terms of its operational function, and in a balanced report with international financial institutions for millions of people and in particular in LDCs, countries in conflict or post conflict, those most affected by climate change.
The system gives the promise of universal access to sustainable development.
Your report underscores the progress made in the area of healthcare, climate protection, access to education for the most vulnerable people, and what is the hallmark of the UN, particular attention being paid to fundamental rights and dignities of each and every person, in particular women and girls.
The UN AT initiative gives us an opportunity to confirm this progress the operational plan.
There are two points in particular for France.
Firstly, we need to clarify and shore up the resident coordinator role within the system.
The role of the RCs is called for by most host countries.
They coordinate work on the ground, but this needs to be improved.
France would encourage suggestions on the following areas.
Firstly, a reconfiguration of local teams give us a clear mandate for co decisions of the RCs with the host country so that they can adapt to the situation.
Now, a idea that's been put forward under the UN 80 is this, so it would help to make the system more agile.
The reality of local needs means that the RC system needs to be improved and we are looking forward to the Fifth Committee report on this.
Secondly, the RCs must be the guarantee.
By asking for local people's opinions and bringing together local teams and agencies.
There needs to be local innovative finances, local partnerships with special agencies and international financial institutions and the private sector.
We also need to renew our trust in the RC in order to pool efforts.
For us, this is absolutely crucial.
We support all proposals made by the SG to lift the obstacles and the microphone has been cut off.
We thank the distinguished representative of France and once again, our apologies for these technical problems, and we hope that we don't have these reappearing this morning.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany, followed by Brazil.
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Bass, Mr.
Chair.
Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, Germany fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union.
We would like to add the following points in our national capacity.
Let me begin by thanking the Secretariat for the 2026 report on the implementation of the QCPR and for the UN 80 Initiative Progress Report.
We would like to highlight four points.
First, Germany remains committed to supporting the UN AT initiative.
As stated in last week's report, there is no credible alternative.
The UN system and the member states need to work in close cooperation throughout all phases of the UN 80 reform.
I would also like to underline the remarks made by the Secretary-General earlier that we should use the Pact for the future we agreed upon as a basis for the UN Ay reforms.
Second, Germany welcomes the proposals to make the cooperation framework the real strategic anchor of the country level delivery.
Anyti specific country program documents should be clearly derived from the cooperation framework, including approval of CPDs in the executive boards.
Before creating entirely new processes, we should make better use of what already exists.
One strategic framework, per sequencing, and less parallel planning for governments and UN country teams.
Third, the current funding environment continues to require strategic guidance from governing bodies.
Last year, strategic plans and budgets of UN entities for the coming years were adopted.
The resource outlook continues to be constrained.
We therefore encourage boards and entities to reflect early on how agreed priorities, available resources, and delivery expectations can remain realistically aligned.
This would help preserve mandate critical work and avoid purely reactive adjustments later on.
Fourth, alliances across regions matter more than ever.
Germany is proud to be a funding member of the Alliance supporters of the UN development system.
This cross regional group of donor and program countries sends a strong signal in support of the UN development system in challenging times while advocating for shared reform priorities to make the system more impactful and fit for the future.
Germany will continue to support a strong, accountable, and adequately resourced to I thank the representative of Germany and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil, followed by Namibia and Japan.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General.
My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the G 77 in China.
Brazil thanks the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the implementation of the QCPR and for his continued leadership in strengthening the UN development system at a critical moment for multilateralism and for the 2030 agenda.
We recognize the important progress achieved since the repositioning of the UN development system.
The strengthened resident coordinator system has played, at least in the case of Brazil, a central role in improving coherence at country level, supporting national priorities and mobilizing the UN system in a more integrated manner.
We also welcome the gains in operational efficiency, including through common premises, shared services, and common back offices.
Two years ago, the UN system in Brazil launched its new and expanded common back office.
The initiative now offers 70 service lines across three areas, common services at the UN House, procurement and travel, and administration and protocol.
National ownership must remain the organizing principle of operational activities for development.
In this regard, Brazil's own experience with the preparation of its 2023 2027 cooperation framework was very positive.
It involved extensive consultations with federal public institutions and a broad range of national stakeholders, including civil society and resulted in a document fully aligned with national development priorities.
We believe such experiences can inform broader discussions on tailored delivering country level planning.
Financing remains a matter of deep concern.
The continued decline in development funding, the insufficient level of core resources, and the predominance of earmarked contributions undermine the coherence that the reform was designed to achieve.
Brazil encourages renewed efforts to implement the funding Compact and to identify more predictable and sustainable funding arrangements, including for the resident coordinator system.
Mr.
Vice President, Brazil stands ready to engage constructively in the discussions on the QCPR the UN initiative, and the future of the UN development system.
Our common objective must be a more coherent, efficient, and adequately resourced the United Nations, one that is better equipped to support developing countries in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative and then Namibia, Japan, and Morocco.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Namibia Alliance with the statements delivered on behalf of the groups to which it belongs in which is to make the following additional remarks in its own national capacity.
We welcome the Secretary-General report on the implementation of the adrenial Comprehensive Police, which provides a comprehensive assessment of progress made by the United Nations development system.
In advancing the more coherent, efficient and effective, accountable approach to supporting program countries.
We take note that the overall progress made by the UNDS in implementing General Assembly Resolution 70 9226 on the QCPR.
In this regard, we welcome the continued efforts to strengthen the resident coordinator system, enhance cooperation among UN entities at the country level, and improve the alignment of UN support with national priorities and sustainable development objectives.
The 2026 Ecosur operational activities for Development segment provides a timely opportunity for advanced implementation of the PEC for the future by strengthening the more effective, coherent, and responsive United Nations development system.
The UNDS has an important role to play in supporting countries to harness innovation in ways that respond to national circumstances and priorities.
We therefore underscore the importance of a well coordinated, adequately funded, and country focused UNDS that delivers integrated support across the humanitarian development and peace nexus where appropriate.
Mr.
Vice President, Madam DSG, while encouraging progress has been achieved, further efforts are required to address persistent funding challenges, reduce representation, strengthen transparency, and results based management, and ensure that the repositioned UNDS is fully equipped to support countries in achieving the sustainable development goals.
In this regard, we appreciate the efforts of the RCs and UN country teams in promoting greater coherence, efficiency, and partnerships at country level.
In conclusion, Namibia remains committed to working with all partners to build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
We thank the representative of Namibia.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.
By Morocco and Guatemala.
Thank you, Chair.
Japan echoes the Secretary-General report in emphasizing the UN development system needs decalibration as national circumstances and needs diversify.
Japan consistently puts the SDGs as a global guiding principles and considers the RC system as a means of strengthening the effective and coherence of the UN development system.
In this regard, I'd like to point out the following three elements to operate the RC system.
First, the the challenges countries face are complex and varied.
The necessity for RC's role also differs by country.
What is required is flexibility to respond to each country's needs, including how RCOs are configurated, not a fit for all format.
Deform measures such as regional reset and country team configuration should reflect the respective needs on the ground while appropriately rationalizing the system.
Second, it's essential to enhance the RC's coordination and brokering role for the UN system wide effectiveness and efficiency.
The strength of this RC system should lie in providing host country with the expertise and support they need across and beyond the UN system.
As agencies reviewed their field presence, the RSC system should help address duplication and excessive competition while preserving each entity mandate.
Third, the goal of strengthening the RSC system should be clearly defined.
In this regard, such crosscutting concepts of HDP nexus and human security must be recognized as guiding principle for the RC system.
In conclusion, Japan will remain a constructive partner in ensuring that DC system and the UN development system evolves in an effective way that delivers tangible values on the ground through UNAAT process, and that development continue to be one of the pillars of the United Nations.
I thank you.
I thank the Representative of Japan, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco, followed by Guatemala and Peru.
May I assume so.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, and I'd first of all, like to congratulate the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General on the quality of the report on the QCBR which reflects the progress made and is a true wake up call regarding the scale of the remaining challenges.
The vision that you have in this report, which has been endorsed by the member states, is essential to the implementation of the 2030 agenda and the support for national development priorities.
In that regard, the UN 80 Initiative, in particular, its Workstream three, is not just a reform, it's a new opportunity to complete the unfinished business related to the commitments of 2018.
Morocco welcomes the tangible results obtained despite the difficult international common text, in particular, the efficiency gains of $1 billion and the enhance role of the resident coordinator is recognized by 93% of host governments.
These results show that the architecture of the reform is functioning, it's adapting, and even more, it has developed resilience.
In the face of the various shocks and fluctuations of the current international climate.
However, there are major challenges remaining.
The RC system must have resources commensurate with its increased responsibilities.
The financing gap of $45 million shows the limits of the current model.
It's urgent that we examine all the options to ensure predictable and sustainable financing, including increased use of the regular budget.
That is a model that Morocco has been supporting since the start of the reform in 2018.
Two, the recalibration of the RC system, which we support, must be based on a sustainable financing system solution, and it must attempt to consolidate what's been achieved through the reform.
Three, regarding the funding compact, we share your concerns, in particular about core resources.
These core resources are continuing to be reduced and they remain far below the goals that we set.
We cannot call for more coherence, while what we're actually financing is fragmentation.
Lastly, we calibrated regional architecture is essential and we need to avoid duplication and make full use of the expertise and synergies offered by the regional economic commissions and all the regional offices.
Mr.
President, less than five years from the 2030 deadline, our position is clear.
Morocco supports the enhancement of the development pillar through the UNAT initiative, remains committed to better system coherence, and it supports the durable and predictable financing of that system.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Morocco.
I will now give the floor to Distinguished representative of Guatemala, followed by Peru and Sweden.
Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General Guatemala aligned itself with the declarations of the G 77 and Meeks.
We thank the Secretary-General for his reports on the implementation of the QCPR and the DCO for its leadership in strengthening the RC system.
Guatemala appears today as a concrete example of the value of effective coordination on the ground.
During the 2021 to 2025 cooperation cycle, the UN system has implemented development systems and has mobilized more than $923 million in support of national priorities.
On that basis and on the principle of national ownership, we have put our cooperation system for 2020 2030 in place in accordance with the government's priorities and the 2037 32 plan.
We have a number of priorities to consolidate the reform.
First, we need to have an approach related to fragmentation.
The reform must continue to strengthen the RE system with a capacity to align entities, reduce duplication, and enhance accountability.
Always fully respecting the leadership of the state.
In Guatemala, this function has been essential to articulating 28 agencies funds and programs based on national policies and through a clear state vision through that plan.
Secondly, the sustainability of the funding compact, coordinated system requires sustainable financing and accountability between the government, the private sector civil society and international financial institutions facilitating partnerships and financial solutions for development.
We thus observe with concern the challenges in terms of budget that the RC system is facing and we urge the member states to meet their financial contributions in order to preserve in middle income countries their strategic orientation and capacities that make that work possible.
Third, the territorialization with results based focus.
The success of the reform will be measured on its ability to achieve measurable results close to the population.
The RC system requires cross cutting systems in terms of climate change and we need to look at rural and indigenous communities in particular.
Guatemala reaffirms that the RC system is not an administrative cost, it's additional, but it's a strategic multiplier to bring together national priorities with global capacities.
The microphone is cut off.
I thank the distinguished representative of Guatemala.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru.
Followed by Sweden and Mozambique.
Mr.
Vice President, many thanks.
My delegation awed itself with the statements made by the delegations of Urugua the Philippines, and in our national capacity, we would like to thank Savilar General for his report on the quadrannial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, and we want to recognize the progress made.
In particular, we had emphasize the progress made in coordination among the United Nations systems bodies, the strengthening of accountability and the consolidation of the RC system.
All of this is essential to providing more coherent support that is aligned with national priorities.
In that framework and with regard to the 2027 2031 cooperation framework between Peru and the United Nations, it is essential that we enhance climate action and the circular economy, that we reaffirm the modernization of public administration and statistical systems, that we enhance the health sector and the water and sanitation sectors, and that we promote citizen security, we fight illegal economies, and we ensure that there's a productive, sustainable and inclusive transformation.
As a middle income country, Peru thinks it's also important to invest in system capacities in terms of mobilizing investment, innovation, and South South cooperation.
We also value the initiatives included in the report, such as the expertise on demand mechanisms and the joint Knowledge hubs that will help to adapt the capacities of the system more effectively to the national needs and priorities, and that will also facilitate access to specialized technical assistance.
Mr.
Vice President, Peru reiterate its commitment to the achievement of the sustainable development goals and its readiness to participate constructively initiatives that define the development of the multilateral development system beyond 2030 with the aim of enhancing the collective capacity to face up to current and future global challenges.
Many thanks.
I thank the representative of Peru, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sweden, followed by Mozambique and Poland.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies.
Sweden aligns itself with a statement by the European Union and would like to add the following in our national capacity.
Sweden recognizes the progress reported in 2025, despite the significant financial and geopolitical challenges facing the UN development system.
High ratings for support to health, human rights, and gender equality illustrate the UN's comparative advantages firmly anchored in its normative mandates.
Sweden remains a firm supporter of the UN 80 initiative to complete implementation of Resolution 79 slash 226 and 72 slash 279.
With country level impact as the primary measure of success.
Efficient and effective delivery at country level should continue to be at the core of all UN reform efforts.
In this regard, we welcome the efficiency gains of $981 million, as well as the expansion of common premises and global shared services.
These are important steps to safeguard funding for programmatic activities.
Last year, we took note of your call for member states to engage coherently with the UN sustainable development group entities, a call reiterated in this year's report.
In response, we have continued to stress our expectation for all UN entities to show ownership and adherence to UN coordination and to engage proactively in the UN AT process.
We have furthermore instructed our embassies to support resident coordinators and UN country teams in advancing the unfinished elements of the repositioning of the UN development system, including UN country team configuration, strengthened RCA system, and more strategic cooperation frameworks.
On UN country team configuration, we take note of your proposals on qualitative and quantitative metrics to guide a more strategic UN country presence.
What are the next steps in this process and how can member states support them? Finally, Let me turn to a core challenge, funding.
As noted, the system remains overly reliant on a small number of donors while funding behavior has become more restrictive.
We welcome further collective reflection on how flexible funding can also meet the needs that earmarking often responds to, including enabling donors to clearly communicate to domestic constituencies how their contributions have been used.
Let me conclude by reiterating Sweden's full commitment to the repositioning of the UN development system.
Thank you very much.
I thank the representative of Sweden.
I now give the floor to distinguished representative of Mozambique.
Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Mozambique welcomes the presentation of the QCPR implementation report.
The reforms launched since 2018 have produced measurable progress.
A stronger and independent resident coordinator system, more coherent country teams, improved accountability, regional collaboration, and significant operational efficiencies.
Mozambique can confirm the value of these reforms.
Since the strengthening of the independent resident coordinator system, coordination has improved significantly.
The UN system is more unified engaging government through clear channels around national priorities.
Let me provide a concrete example.
We recently conducted a three day UN government strategic alignment and validation workshop for the new cooperation framework, 2027 20.
Under RCO coordination, the process validated the results framework and theory of change.
More importantly, five UN agencies, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UnidO and WFP presented their country programs in a harmonized format, demonstrating how they derive from the cooperation framework.
This single workshop achieved what might have the required month of parallel processes.
It avoided duplication, reduced cost, prevented parallel steering structures, and reduced the burden on our limited government resources.
This is what UN coherence looks like operationally and what is needed at scale.
Cooperation frameworks have not everywhere become the central strategic instrument.
Funding remains fragmented, earmarked, and unpredictable, constraining our ability to plan.
Resident coordinators office continue facing capacity constraints despite growing expectations.
Mozambique face rising needs, climate shocks intensify, conflict displaced hundreds of thousands in and off of the country, poverty persists and fiscal space shrinks.
Better coordination of insufficient resources still leaves us insufficient.
The test is whether it helps Mozambique escape poverty, transform our economy, and achieve development trajectories that benefit our people.
UN 80 should strengthen the cooperation framework as the strategic anchor, improve access to expertise on demand, preserve country level capacity, and ensure that efficiencies translate into Roya.
I thank the representative of Mozambique.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland, followed by the Russian Federation and Tim.
Mr.
Vice President, Madam DG, Poland aligned itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and of course, Poland supports continued efforts under the UNA initiative to reduce fragmentation, strengthen coordination, and better align UN country teams with national priorities and cooperation frameworks.
We commend the initiatives overreaching goal of making the UN system, including the UNDS simplified, more effective, and more coherent.
Poland is a member of the alliance of supporters of the UNDS, advocates for a more accountable and impact oriented United Nations development system capable of delivering concrete results at the country level and accelerating implementation of the 2030 agenda.
We should carefully assess proposed mergers of entities, ensuring that their mandates are preserved.
Our shared objectives are to achieve stronger coordination, greater efficiency, and enhance impact on the ground, creating stronger delivery and normative capacity within country teams.
In the current context of the decline development financing, we see particular value in strengthening coordination with the framework development system and in reducing its fragmentation.
Poland strongly supports the call contained in the QCPR report for simplified policies, expansion of common back offices and shared services, and the consolidation of common premises.
Poland reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and underscores the need to strengthen the UN development system as a y instrument for predictable, coherent, and integrated support to countries in line with the QCPR recommendations.
Mr.
Vice President, conflicts, instability, and human rights crises continue to undermine development gains and slow progress towards the SDGs, making a strong coordinated UNDS more critical than ever.
Poland consistently underlined at the UN fora that without peace, security, and strong institutions, effective implementation of the sustainable development goals is not possible.
Poland remains committed to advancing integrated approaches, linking development, humanitarian action, and peace building, particularly in the least developed, landlocked, and crisis affected countries.
With less than five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, the world faces a development emergency as it is described in the SG report.
The goals are off track and the scaled up global development response is needed now more than ever.
Poland will continue its current efforts in development cooperation and will further advocate for a strong United Nations development system.
I think I thank the representative of Poland and I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of the Russian Federation, followed by Timor-Leste and South Africa.
Distinguish Mr.
Vice President, Distinguished Deputy Secretary-General.
Discussions on the work of the UN development system and the outcome of the implementation of the quadrennial review of the operational activities is taking place at the background of an unprecedented global economic an unstable situation, the energy crisis and an overall trend to cut financing for UN structures, we're convinced that the acute problem today of the provision of resources to the RCs as one of the key components of the development system should not be resolved by increasing the financial burden for member states, but rather by optimizing expenditure on the maintenance of the bureaucratic machinery.
During the period when the RC system functioned within UNDP, expenditure on maintenance was two times less and its effectiveness, however, was higher.
We believe that the resident coordinators must, of course, be subordinate to the governments of the host countries and their work should be transparent in that regard.
We are categorically against transforming them into political emissaries who are trying to evaluate the actions of sovereign states.
Governments, the primary goal of the resident coordinator system is to service requests from member states and development issues and not govern them.
The work of the resident coordinators should also not lead to establishing barriers or hamper direct assistance with relevant agencies funds and UN programs with national governments and ministerial branches.
The job descriptions of the RCs must stick strictly to sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty eradication and also monitoring artificial barriers for development, one of which in line with the GA mandates is unilateral coercive measures against sovereign governments.
There is finally a worrisome trend within the RC system of using them as an instrument for lobbying for often a global politicized liberal agenda, such as climate change, gender, or human rights topics, to the detriment of the real economic interests and priorities of the coordinate countries rather.
We are carefully monitoring the development of discussions on the so called regional reboot rule.
In our opinion, the regional economic commissions should bolster their status as an area for taking intergovernmental decisions and as the main supplier of regional expertise.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of the Russian Federation.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste, followed by Switzerland and Austria.
Mr.
President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, to more or less aligned itself with a statement delivered on behalf of the group of 77 in China and the Alliance of small Island states.
We thank the Secretary-General for the comprehensive report and commend the United Nations Development System for its continued support to program countries in an increasingly complex global environment.
As a small island developing states and least developed country, to more or less values the United Nations that remains responsive to national priorities and capable of delivering integrated support on the ground.
The QCPR remains the central framework for ensuring that operational activities for development are country driven and aligned with national ownership.
We recognize the progress made in the strengthening system wide coordination, particularly through the residence coordinator system and cooperation framework.
These mechanisms are essential to improve as partnership, and support for national development efforts.
At the same time, the development financing landscape is becoming increasingly constrained.
As countries strive to accelerate implementation of the 2030 agenda, predictable and adequate support remains essential to sustain development gains.
Strengthen reliance and address emerging challenges.
In this context, the United Nations development system has an important role in maximizing impact through coordinated integrated support.
Tulsi also underscores the importance of recognizing multidimensional vulnerability in the design and delivery of development support, capturing the challenges associated with climate vulnerability, geographic isolation, external shocks and capacity constraints.
Development cooperation should therefore remain responsive to the specific circumstances of each countries as discussions continue on the future evolution of the United Nations system and Including through the UNA initiative, we encouraged the enforcement of the development pillar and strengthening of the organization's capacity to deliver for those most in need.
Mr.
President, allow me to conclude by highlighting the following points.
First, strengthening country ownership and national determined priorities, development plans, and the specific needs.
Second, maintaining a strong and adequately resourced resident coordinator system capable of mobilizing expertise, fostering clients across the United Nations system, and supporting effective delivery at the country level.
Third, advancing a more tailored Approach to development cooperation takes into account multidimensional vulnerabilities.
I thank you.
Our thanks to the representative of Tim and I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Switzerland, followed by Austria and South Africa.
Monsieur Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, we thank the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of the QCPR and the chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group for the report on development coordination and the resident coordinator system.
Switzerland welcomes the progress made.
The resident coordinator RC system is independent and it has expanded powers.
It's well established and it's helping to make the development system more coherent, efficient and effective.
We welcome the clear presentation of the challenges facing us, the links made with the UN 80 initiative, and the measures taken to further readjust the RC system.
We supported these measures which complement and accelerate the 2018.
Permit me to underline the following.
First, we support efforts to enhance coherence among the national, regional, and central levels, as well as the integrated regional platforms and on demand expertise at the national level, shared services, common administrative structures, and colocalization must become the norm.
The United Nations country teams must become lighter, more adapted to the context, and configured on the basis of cooperation frameworks that reflect national priorities.
Second, in a word in which fragility is only increasing, the pillars of the UNDS must function as an integrated system under the direction of the RCs.
The RCs must therefore be able to have boards, advice, guidelines, and integrated support.
The Common platform Initiative is a step in the right direction in this regard.
We encourage you to go further and to examine the possibilities for closer institutional alignment between OCHA and the DCO.
And also at the central level.
Third, Switzerland continues to work to attain the objectives set in the financing in the Funding compact and is committed to continuing to co finance substantially and substantially the RC system.
We encourage other member states to do likewise.
Lastly, we believe that an Ecosoc and executive board that are more effective, relevant, and influential would enhance accountability and control so that the reforms result in a UNDS that is able to meet the challenges of our time.
I thank you.
Thank you very much to the representative of Switzerland.
I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Austria.
Muchas Gracias.
Thank you, Madam Deputy Secretary-General.
Distinguished delegates, I would like at the outset to align myself with the statement of the European Union.
Let me begin by commending you, Deputy Secretary-General, for this comprehensive report.
Allow me to highlight three points.
First, our support to the work of the resident coordinators.
Are truly the backbone of the UN's work.
For this reason, we support strengthening their role as the UN systems center of gravity at country level, enabling a truly integrated one UN approach.
The report contains a number of promising ideas in this regard.
The second point I would like to highlight is the question of trust.
Trust in the UN's ability to deliver.
In this regard, we found the figures in the report, particularly striking.
They show that confidence among governments in the UN development system remains remarkably strong.
94% of governments rated its support as effective, while 86 assessed the RC system positively.
This trust, however, cannot be taken for granted, and it must continue to be earned through concrete results.
Building trust, both in the multilateral system and among one another has long been a cornerstone of our diplomacy.
Indeed, it is so central to our approach that we chose it as one of the defining elements of our campaign motto for a seat on the UN Security Council.
Partnership, dialogue, and trust.
This brings me to my third point, ensuring that the most vulnerable remain at the center of our efforts.
As we advance the UN 80 reform, we must do so in a way that preserves and strengthens the UN's ability to deliver for countries in special situations, including LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS.
This requires the full and effective implementation of the programs of action for these countries.
It also calls for approaches that are genuinely tailored to the diverse realities and needs of the countries.
We need to pursue development in a holistic manner, taking into account, for instance, the growing impact of climate change.
Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Distinguished colleagues, Austria will remain firmly committed to the UN's development agenda as a partner on an equal footing.
I thank the representative of Austria.
I now give the floor to the representative to Ts representative of South Africa, followed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Kenya.
Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Excellencies, my delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered by Malawi and Uruguay respectively on behalf of the African Group and the G 77 and China.
We thank the Secretary-General for his report on the implementation of the QCPR and welcome the significant progress achieved thus far in institutional reforms, including reinvigorating the resident coordinator system, establishing regional collaborative platforms, and advancing system wide evaluation.
These efforts are already yielding positive results reflected in enhanced efficiency, accountability, and measurable impact as noted by the Secretary-General.
This said, we believe that further work is required for these reforms to take full effect.
In this regard, South Africa wishes to highlight the following four key issues.
One, reforms aimed at strengthening the structural transformation of the UN development system should continue to address existing gaps, particularly fragmentation and the misalignment between system wide and agency level programming.
National priorities, ownership and leadership must remain central to all reform efforts.
Two, while the UN AT reforms are important, they must strengthen and not dilute or undermine the development pillar of the UN.
The reforms should reduce duplication, address overlaps, and ensure the strategic allocation of resources.
Three, sustainable funding remains one of the most persistent challenges facing the UN development system.
We remain concerned that the system continues to be underfunded and under resourced.
South Africa calls for adequate, predictable, sustainable, and long term funding for the UN development system.
It is for this reason that we reiterate that assess contributions should be made timelessly in full and without any condition at all by all member states.
Four, the cooperation framework should continue to serve as the primary planning instrument for UN engagement at both country and regional levels.
Finally, Mr.
Vice President South Africa will continue to participate constructively in deliberations aimed at advancing the objectives of the UN development system.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of South Africa.
I now give the floor to distinguished representative of the Netherlands, followed by Kenya and the United Kingdom.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the statement by the European Union and would like to add the following in its national capacity.
We thank the Secretary-General for his substantive quadrennial comprehensive policy review report.
We also welcome the update on the UN AT initiative and its work packages.
We see this as the necessary continuation of reforms of the UNDS begun in 2017.
Allow me also to offer some reflections and questions.
First, on the future of the UN development system, What in our opinion would make the UN AT initiative stronger is a clear and ambitious vision for the future of the UN development system, one that defines its comparative advantage, vis-à-vis the wider development ecosystem, reflects evolving program country priorities and clarifies how the UN relates to national and local actors as well as private sector and civil society now and in the future.
That vision would enable us to fundamentally rethink current structures, address overlap and duplication and interagency competition, and work together to make the UN easier to engage with at the country level.
While we support the rationalization of the 40 plus entities currently involved in development, any such proposals should derive from that vision and ideally not proceed it.
Secondly, we strongly agree with the Secretary-General that the cooperation framework must be the central strategic document with entity programs fully derived from and sequenced after it.
We ask the Secretary-General to be specific what concrete steps are being taken to enforce this and what is required of member states.
We also call for transparency on entity compliance to enable action in the appropriate bodies.
Thirdly, on UN country team reconfiguration and the regional reset, we welcome the shift to needs based country team configuration and the transition to regional platforms for integration.
Ending the RCO staffing blueprint in favor of cooperation framework aligned structures is the right step.
Crucially, decisions on country presence must be genuinely joint, taken by the entity, host government and resident coordinator together with the RC holding a formal role in decisions on team composition.
We ask the Secretary-General to clarify what is expected of member states in which processes and on what timeline.
Thank you.
I say? We thank the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya, followed by the United Kingdom and the United States.
Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Kenya Ryan with a statement delivered by Hw on behalf of 77 and China and Marawi on behalf of the African group.
We meet at a moment when the promise of the 2030 agenda is under severe strain.
Multiple crises from growing debt burdens and climate shocks to food and energy insecurity are advancing hard won development gain, especially in developing countries.
In this regard, Kenya would like to highlight the following.
First, the UN development system must be firmly anchored in national development priorities, including national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation framework.
For Kenya, this means support that is aligned with our long term development blueprint and with our effort to eradicate poverty, to tackle inequality, address climate change, and analog opportunities for our youth.
Second, on the reforms under the UNH initiative, Kenya supports efforts to build a simpler, more coherent and more effective UN that is fit for purpose in today's world.
As the UNH initiative advances, it will be essential that the reforms of governance, structures, and business models in the development Va remain guided by the needs and priorities of program countries and strengthen rather than the route the role of E and this segment as a system wide oversight and accountability platform.
We encourage inclusive and transparent engagement of member states, including host governments and restaurant coordinators in shaping and monitoring these reforms.
That on funding, The development system cannot deliver transformative results on the basis of unpredictive, highly earmarked and fragmented funding.
Kenya reiterates the importance of implementing the funding compact in full and calls for sustainable, adequate, and more predictable more resources for the for the UN development system, including at country level.
Fourth, on debt, climate vulnerability and structural challenges, many developing countries are confronting a toxic combination of high debt surveys, climate induced losses and damages, and the limited fiscal space to invest in the SDGs.
The UN development system has data.
It is support to these realities, including through res and coordinators and the UN countries teams that can help government access climate and development finance, strengthen debt and macro fiscal management capabilities, and design integrated policy responses that advance both stability and inclusive development.
In crossing, Kenya reiterated its strong support for ECSC and these operational activities for development segment as the core oversight platform for the UN development system and the rest and Coordinator system.
We count on We thank the representative of Kenya and we now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom, followed by the United States of America and Indonesia.
President, Vice President, Deputy Secretary-General.
The UN now faces some of the greatest global challenges in its history.
But in large part, thanks to the UN 80 initiative, we have the opportunity to shape a UN development system that can help accelerate delivery of our shared sustainable development goals.
The quadrennial comprehensive Policy Review provides the framework for reform.
It requires us to focus on reforms that improve the delivery on the ground, catalyzing development efforts, and leveraging the UN's unique offer to developing countries.
It also means we must ensure that important practical reforms are not overlooked because attention is focused elsewhere on higher profile priorities.
Indeed, we see UN 80 as an opportunity to deliver on important elements of the 2018 reforms that remain unfinished.
We therefore welcome reforms to the in country work undertaken by the UN development system and the range of measures set out in the Secretary-General report aimed at getting this done.
We expect UN leadership to use UN 80 to address remaining barriers and deliver these reforms in full.
For the UN development system, this means focusing on a few key priorities, reconfiguring UN country teams to achieve a leaner, context specific and more efficient, yet impactful footprint, strengthening the authority and status of resident coordinators so they can fully deliver on their leadership role, and making the sustainable development cooperation framework the main guide for UN work at country level.
Many of these changes are within your gift, and we urge UN leadership to push hard to bring these to fruition.
Member states must also play our part in support.
While more must be done to create the efficient, effective and coherent system we all desire, we should not overlook the important progress already made on efficiency savings with the SDs report showing over $981 million in efficiency gains in 2025 alone.
Okay.
Conclusion, we welcome the SG and DSG's continued focus and leadership on reform efforts.
We encourage you to go further and faster to leave behind a stronger system, one that can better support those who need it most.
I thank you.
Very I thank the representative of the United Kingdom.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United States of America, followed by Indonesia and Pakistan.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Good afternoon, Madam DSG and we want to also thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and its concrete actionable suggestions to course correct.
We appreciate the system wide operational efficiencies already achieved.
However, as the report candidly notes, significant work remains.
The UN system has a responsibility to optimize every dollar, and to do so, we must dismantle persistent fragmentation, untangle layered mandates, and eliminate overlapping programs.
A recalibrated resident coordinator system should be the cornerstone for delivering on this.
We have long called for the RC system to move away from a one size fits all approach and endorse the transition to a differentiated model that matches coordination capacity directly to specific country contexts with tailored relevant expertise.
The shift toward a modular UN country team structure, Combining optimized in country presence with non resident entity capacity guided by clear shared criteria aligned with national priorities and needs rather than agency specific footprints is the type of smart, actionable suggestions member states need.
We would like to learn more about the operationalization of the regional reset.
We note the report's assessment that a merger between new NDP and UNPS is a potential vehicle to consolidate overlapping functions and create a stronger engine for development.
However, as we have previously stressed, member states require independent analysis, data, and insights to make informed evidence based decisions, and we have not yet received this information.
We agree the operational activities segment is vital to providing the rigorous intergovernmental oversight necessary for the UN development system and the RC system specifically.
Member states must use this platform to provide clear system wide guidance and reduce duplicative resolutions in other fora.
Finally, for the United States, getting back to basics also means fundamentally shifting how we think about development.
The United States is moving away from traditional outdated aid models that create permanent dependency.
Sovereign nations must chart their own development trajectories.
True sustainability is not found in endless transactional assistance.
It is achieved through trade over aid.
The UN system must focus on helping countries build pro business grow governance models, unlocking domestic resource mobilization and leveraging innovative private sector partnerships that foster long term economic independence.
I thank you.
We thank the representative of the United States of America, and we now give the floor to the Ching's Repent of Indonesia, followed by Pakistan and Ethiopia.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Madam Deputy Secretary-General, Excellency's Distinguished delegates.
Indonesia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Uruguay on behalf of the group of 77 in China and by Norway on behalf of the like minded group.
We thank the Secretary-General for his report and his leadership in promoting a more impactful UNDS.
As we enter the final years of the 2030 agenda, the UNDS must demonstrate that reform translates into real development impact on the ground.
In this regard, Indonesia wishes to highlight four points.
First, national ownership must remain at the center of all UNDS support.
Cooperation frameworks should be firmly anchored in national development plans, priorities, and circumstances, including in support of poverty eradication, human capital development, social protection, food and energy security, digital transformation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.
Second, reform must strengthen not weaken the development pillar.
We recognize progress in the RC system, UN CT coordination, evaluation, and efficiency gains.
However, the work of the UNDS remains fragmented, making it difficult to deliver integrated and concerted support at scale.
UN AD initiative should address this challenge while remaining member state led, transparent, inclusive, and guided by governmental mandates.
Efficiency should not reduce country level delivery, dilute mandates, or diminish technical support for program countries.
Third, tools and platforms such as joint Knowledge Hubs, the expertise on demand mechanism, the technology accelerator platform, and others should help channel more capacity, knowledge, and resources to countries, as well as identify and mobilize local expertise, not only external expertise, so that UN support is more practical, context specific, and sustainable.
Fourth, adequate, predictable and quality funding is essential.
Programmatic and thematic funding can support national priorities, but such funding should be aligned with cooperation frameworks, predictable, transparent, and avoid excessive fragmentation.
To close, Indonesia remains committed to working constructively with all partners to ensure that the UNDS delivers transformative, equitable, and nationally owned results for all.
Thank you.
I thank the Representative of Indonesia and I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan, followed by Ethiopia and Armenia the Vice President of Eso.
Vice President, Madam DSG, Pakistan aligns itself with the G 77 and China's statement, and we thank the SG for his report.
As a country hosting 25 UN entities, Pakistan values the UN development system support for our national development efforts.
We welcome progress documented across QCPR's thematic mandates, but also note the lag in several areas that underscores the need for a more efficient, responsive, and adequately resourced system.
Against this backdrop, we offer the following comments on the UN AT structural proposals.
First, the QCPR must remain the guiding framework for the UN development system.
For any further reform proposals under UN 80.
Secondly, we concur with the need for reconfigured context specific country level presence and have noted the proposed shared criteria.
We require clarity on its operationalization, measurement, and impact.
We stress that program countries must have a significantly larger role in configuration decisions in order to ensure that the country level presence is truly demand driven an element which is lacking in the report.
Third, on the regional reset, we see value in co location where it leads to demonstrable efficiency gains.
However, we remain unconvinced on replacing RCPs with regional platforms for integration.
QCPR monitoring framework shows that only 16% consider RCPs to effectively support UN CTs.
It is unclear how RPIs will differ substantively from RCPs.
We need clarity on the scope, funding, and governance arrangements to ensure that we are not merely adding another regional institutional layer.
We also reiterate that DCO and the regional economic commissions must stay focused on development.
And not venture into cross pillar matters.
Finally, surge capacity is not always an adequate substitute for country level presence.
Lastly, on system funding, we are deeply concerned by the report's findings, particularly on core resources.
We call on all member states to honor their funding compact commitments.
Reform without resources is ambition without means.
We will address remaining proposals in subsequent sessions.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Pakistan and now give the floor to the representative, distinguished Representative of Ethiopia, followed by Italy and St.
Kits and Neves.
Thank you, Mr.
President, for giving me the floor.
Ethiopia aligns with the statements delivered by Malawi on behalf of the Africa Group and by Uruguay on behalf of the g77 and China.
My delegation would like to highlight the following in our national capacity.
First, we express thanks to the Secretary-General for his important report on the implementation of the QCPR and to the Deputy Secretary-General for our hands on leadership of the UN development system.
We appreciate the UN development team for their continued commitment to the development pillar.
We also commend the Development Coordination Office and resident coordinators for their dedicated support to developing countries.
The report has rightly given emphasis to the substantial achievements made since 2017.
The system has delivered tangible support for people who most needed them even in the face of multiple global crisis and declining funding.
Equally important, the report also recognizes the multifaceted challenges including alignment between national priorities and cooperation frameworks.
Accountabilities and sustainable funding environment.
Ethiopia strongly supports the UN cooperation framework, must become the strategic anchor that's more impactful, coherent, accountable, and closely aligned with national priorities.
The resident coordinator system is a central pillar of country level delivery on SDGs.
The need for positioning the RC system on a sustainable financial footing, is of significant importance with less than five years to 2030 delivering on our shared commitments where they matter most is critically needed.
The focus on a regional reset and expanded regional collaboration for effective country level support is timely.
The report also crucially recognizes the role of science, technology, innovation, and the data driven.
The data divided in reshaping development policy.
Ethiopia supports the Secretary-General efforts in finding a more enduring solution to the unsustainable funding situation facing the RC system as demands and expectations on the system continue to rise.
Moving forward, Ethiopia supports ongoing system wide efforts aimed at optimizing efficiencies and effectiveness that strengthen shared services.
We thank, we do apologize.
We thank the representative of Ethiopia.
And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Italy, followed by Armenia and St.
Kitts and Nevis.
Excellency, Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and its member states and wishes to add the following remarks in national capacity.
We would like to thank the Secretary-General for the presentation of the report and highlight how the discussion is indeed very timely.
The path laid down in 2017 to reposition the UN development system finds in the UN AD Initiative its natural evolution in light of the new challenges facing global development.
Italy reiterates its support to the UN AD initiative and its objectives to enhance system wide efficiency and deliver greater impact on the ground.
On system reform, some concrete solutions have been presented to make the UNDS more agile, integrated, and result oriented.
In our view, this effort should be addressed to move forward rather than to lean inwards.
From the process, we expect an outcome that preserves agility, effectiveness, and readiness to embrace the new challenges in line with Agenda 2030, the Pact of the future, and the civilian commitments.
Reference to the merger proposal, we believe that such initiative must be evidence based, demonstrate added value, and be implemented without undue haste.
We also note with appreciation the intention to strengthen UN's training Hub and to harness the potential of the existing centers of excellence within the training and research pillars.
Excellency, priority shall be given to preserving impact and delivery.
On the ground, aligned with national priorities and where it is most needed, starting with countries in special situations.
We are playing our part to this common effort by scaling up our bilateral initiatives within the Mate Plan for Africa and pursuing synergy at the country level with the resin coordinators, UN agencies, and the country teams.
Also in these times of multiple crisis, Italy offers its full support to the multilateral system through the key asset represented by the UN hacks in Italy as in Rome and Brunsni.
We look forward to continuing to work to all of you and with all of you together in this spirit.
Thank you.
Italia.
Many thanks to the Representative of Italy, and I now give the floor to the two representative of Armenia, followed by St.
Kits and Neves and Nigeria.
Thank you, Mr.
President, distinguished colleagues.
I thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and continued efforts to advance a coherent, effective, responsive United Nations development system.
Reports presented to this segment demonstrate important progress since the launch of the UN development system reform.
We stress the key role of RCs in enhancing coordination, coherence, and efficiency of UN country teams to ensure the nexus between peace, humanitarian and development efforts and more integrated support at the country level.
We also note progress in joint planning, operational, efficiencies and system wide accountability.
For countries in special situations facing structural vulnerabilities, UN system wide action remains particularly important in addressing interconnected development challenges.
Ports make clear UN development system is operating in increasingly challenging global environment, declining development financing debt burden, climate change, et cetera In this context, Arma believes that adequate, predictable and flexible financing for the UN development system remains essential.
The continued predominance of tightly earmarked funding and high administrative cost limit flexibility and the ability to provide targeted support.
We're also concerned by the financial pressures affecting the resident coordinator system, which remains central to ensuring coherence across the UN development system.
We take note of ongoing discussion under the UN 80 initiative and the proposed The calibration of the development system architecture, these discussions should remain focused on strengthening the system's ability to respond to national priorities and country specific needs, especially those of countries in special situations and middle income countries and we align with Philippines statements earlier facing special development challenges.
We also welcome the growing emphasis on tailored support financing expertise, data, innovation, and investment mobilization to help countries accelerate SDG implementation.
And in this regard, the UN development system should focus on building the national capacities to address the development gaps.
Finally, we reiterate the importance of EcoScs operational activities segment as a platform for dialogue, oversight, and guidance on the functioning of the UN development system.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Armenia, Vice President of Ecosoc.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of St.
Kitts and Neves.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
At the 80th session of UNGA AT, high level week, the Prime Minister of San Caineivs doctor Terrence Du issued a call to and I quote, He convert initiative into instruments and to shift rhetoric into flowing capital for resilience.
The mission of the UN, he said, is not advanced by preserving an architecture that perpetuates fragility.
Rather, reform is justice, reform is prudence, reform is protection and equity.
Mr.
President, decisions emanating from the QCPR and dialogue around recalibrating the resident coordinator system should not be approached as generic institutional reviews.
Rather, they should be approached as a question of whether the UN can remain relevant, coherent, and cost effective in a small island multi country setting where capacities are dispersed, vulnerabilities are shared, and many of the most pressing development challenges are inherently regional as opposed to national.
In our sub regional context, the ICO should therefore not be seen as an added layer of bureaucracy, but as the platform for which a fragmented system can work as one.
This is especially true in supporting the implementation of the MSDCF, the country implementation plans, and joint programming with regional partners such as Com, the OECS CDMA, and related institutions.
Sync and neighbors wishes to reaffirm that the RC system has proven its value, but that the next phase of reform must be tailored to multicultural scenarios and SIDS realities take on board the MVI.
The system should also be able to convene, broker, and integrate expertise across countries and institutions rather than weaken field coordination in the name of efficiency.
The RCO should be positioned as the strategic backbone of a network UN presence, lighter in bureaucracy, stronger in analysis and partnerships, financing and regional integration, and be better able to mobilize non resident expertise around national and sub regional priorities.
This is consistent with the SG's broader reform direction and with the documented evidence that RCs add value to stronger coordination, joint programming, operational efficiencies, partnerships, and clearer accountability for results.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of St.
Kitson Nivas and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nigeria.
Thank you, Mr.
President and also greetings to Madame DSG.
Nigeria aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of both the African group and the G 77 on China, and wishes to highlight the following in its national capacity.
We acknowledge the Secretary-General comprehensive report and note with concern the profound structural consequences that any attempt by the General Assembly or the EcoSoc to renege on their shared oversight responsibilities will inevitably portend.
While we welcome efforts to ensure system wide performance and accountability and discourse on the UN 80 initiative, it is imperative that these initiatives do not inadvertently create institutional bottlenecks that stifle progress on development initiatives.
This institutional notice is underscored by the reality that the UN development system is currently navigating an acute fiscal crisis exacerbated by an escalation of complex compliance frameworks and rigid administrative conditionalities.
These excessive priorities prior to the disbursement of funds delay vital field initiatives and generate heavy transaction costs, which actively deplete resources originally intended for direct project implementation.
This internal operational strain is unfolding at a critical juncture when core financial support and official development assistance from donor countries are declining.
Mr.
Vice President, the global community faces a clear choice.
We either safeguard communities with the requisite structural support they require.
Or we risk an unsustainable escalation in global humanitarian budgets.
We therefore urge all member states to urgently renew their commitments to safeguarding UN country teams and reinforcing the development system to guarantee the collective security and progress of all peoples.
A predictable and sustainable funding mechanism for the United Nations development system is imperative.
Mr.
Vice President, in demonstrating clear political will and ownership, Nigeria has actively increased its national budgetary allocations towards aid and development frameworks.
We have also institutionalized the integrated national financing framework to not only optimize domestic resource mobilization, but also insulate key I thank the distinguished representative of Nigeria and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt, followed by Ukraine.
Mr.
President, allow me to express my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his opening remarks and for his continued leadership in advancing a more effective and responsive United Nations development system.
Egypt aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the group of 77 in China and the African group and would like to add the following remarks in our national capacity.
Egypt welcomes the efforts taken in the implementation of the QCPR and in strengthening the UN development system.
We believe that the operational activities segment provides an important opportunity to assess progress and identify areas where additional efforts are required to ensure that the United Nations development system delivers effectively for program countries.
The reform of the UN development system has generated important gains, particularly through enhanced coordination at the country level.
Resin coordinators and UN country teams have played a valuable role in supporting governments in responding to increasingly complex and interconnected challenges.
Preserving these achievements should remain a priority.
At the same time, the sustainability of these achievements depends on addressing the central challenge of financing.
The continued reliance on fragmented funding arrangements creates uncertainty and limits long term planning.
In order to ensure the ability of the resident coordinator system to undertake an expanding range of responsibilities, corresponding resources must be made available in a predictable and sustainable manner.
In this regard, Egypt underscores three priorities.
First, financing solutions should safeguard the development mandates and operational capacities of UN entities and avoid diverting resources away from program delivery.
Preserving core coordination capacities remains essential to effectively deliver coordination functions and sustain reform.
Second, reforms should continue to strengthen coherence, reduce fragmentation, and improve access to expertise for program countries.
Third, all proposals should be considered through transparent, inclusive, and member state led processes, consistent with intergovernmental oversight and accountability.
Mr.
President, Egypt remains committed to engaging constructively in discussions on the future of the resident coordinator system and broader development system reform, and we look forward to continue working with the DSG in We thank the Representative of Egypt.
I now give the floor to the distingt representative of Ukraine.
Mr.
Vice President, Ukraine thanks the Secretary-General for the presentation of the report on the implementation of QCPR.
We support the recognition that the world is facing a profound development crisis, conflict, economic instability, climate related disasters and growing inequalities continue to undermine progress towards SDGs.
Russia's full scale aggression against Ukraine is a stark manifestation of these challenges, having caused massive human suffering, destruction of infrastructure, displacement, and severe developmental setbacks.
Ukraine supports the report's emphasis on stronger coordination across the UN development system and the central role of resident coordinators and UN country teams.
We stress the importance of a coordinated and flexible UN presence capable of responding simultaneously to humanitarian recovery and long term development needs.
We also appreciate the report's focus on national ownership.
Recovery and development efforts must always be aligned with national priorities and driven by the needs of affected populations.
For Ukraine, this principle remains essential in the context of our recovery and reconstruction process.
Ukraine further shares the concern regarding the growing funding gaps facing the UN development system.
Predictable, flexible, and sustainable finance is necessary if the UN is to deliver effectively and maintain credibility on the ground.
We support continued efforts to improve efficiency, reduce fragmentation, and strengthen accountability across the system.
Mr.
Vice President, the achievement of SDGs is impossible without peace, respect for international law, and full adherence to the UN charter.
Sustainable development cannot flourish where aggression, occupation, and attacks against civilians persist.
Ukraine remains committed to constructive engagement with Eksook and the broader United Nations development system in support of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable recovery and development.
I thank you very much.
Roya Irasas represent the of Crimea.
I give thanks to the representative of Ukraine.
And now give the floor to the representative of the Islamic Repl of Iran followed by the Republic of Korea in Mexico.
Miss Maman I Rahim, the Islamic Repub of Iran aligns itself with the statement delivered by Uruguay on behalf of Group of G 77 and China.
My delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report and the Deputy Secretary-General, Madam Amina Mohammed and Under Secretary-General Lee Yang Hou for their valuable presence and carefully wrestling to member states.
Mr.
President, across the developing world, countries continue to face persistent challenges, including poverty, widening inequality, climate related impacts that burdens digital divides and growing development financing gaps.
Our world is witnessing dangerous contradictions that directly affect developing pillars, including unilateralism instead of genuine multilateralism.
Confrontation, instead of cooperation and coercive measures, instead of dialogue, diplomacy and fair trade.
By placing development at the center of our collective efforts and strengthening cooperation, solidarity and multilateralism, we can better address, share challenges, and advance a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
Mr.
President, unilateral coercive measures are contrary to the asperity of international cooperation and multilateralism.
Such measures must be firmly opposed and rejected.
Likewise, armed conflicts and wars continue to infct developing human, social and economic consequences and eroding development achievement accumulated for decades.
Mr.
President, QCPR together with the ongoing discussion under the UN ATN initiative, should deliver a United Nations that is more effective, responsible, and results oriented in supporting the developing priorities of program countries.
Three principles must continue to guide the work of the United Nations development system, national ownership, national leadership, and national priorities.
Development strategies must be defined by countries themselves reflecting their specific circumstances, needs and priorities.
At the same time, we remain deeply concerned by the continued decline and fragmentation of developing countries.
Furthermore, Discussion on development cannot be separate from the need to reform the international financial architecture and international financial institution.
Mr.
President, in conclusion, by placing development at the center of collective efforts and strengthening cooperation, solidarity and multilateralism, we can better address our shared challenges and advance a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
I now give the floor to the distuced representative of the Republic of Korea.
Followed by Mexico and Malaysia.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
The Republic of Korea expresses its appreciation for the Secretary-General leadership in building a more coherent, effective, and accountable UN development system.
The international community has made a meaningful stride toward achieving the SDGs.
The there is a progress main uneven across goals and regions.
It is vital to intensify our collective efforts, and I would like to highlight three points.
First, country ownership is crucial for development cooperation to generate greater impact.
The resident coordinator system has a continued role to play in serving this purpose.
RCs should deepen the alignment of UN development activities with national strategies and priorities while promoting harmonization among various partners.
Given today's constraining financing landscape, a sharper focus on leveraging sufficient and diverse resources for partner countries is where RCs can deliver result of genuine country ownership.
Second, the true test of UNDS IPO lies in impact on the ground.
UN country teams are requested to ensure coherence and demand responsive to country specific context, while poorly respecting the mandates and expertise of each UN entity.
We welcome the regional reset and look to see it gains reflected at the ground level.
Third, in complex settings, humanitarian development and peace tracks needed to move in tandem.
As multiple crises and fragilities continue to hamper SDG progress, stronger interlinkage across these pillars, not siloed actions are the need of our.
In this aspect, the ROK attaches great importance to the humanitarian development piece nexus and requests UNDS to maintain focus on this approach in the field.
I thank you.
Las? I thank the representative of the Republic of Korea, and I now give the floor to the Dtingued Representative of Mexico, followed by Malaysia.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Vice Chair.
Mexico takes note of the recommendations of the Secretary-General report with regard to the need to carry on working on the optimization of the configuration of the United Nations country teams, guided on the priorities of the cooperation framework in accordance with national policies and plans.
The documents of the country entities must be drafted, taking into account and genuinely derived from the cooperation frameworks.
In our country, the cooperation framework of 2026 to 2021 was constructed on the basis of long term common priorities.
I'd like to underline the fact that a crucial element of the document is its alignment with the development plan of Mexico for 2025 to 2030.
This framework reflects the interinstitutional coordination, coordination with various partners.
What's important is that there is accessible participative public consultations based on community voices as an essential tool of co construction, and that means that it is absolutely essential that we continue with those consultations throughout the cooperation framework for 2026 and its ination.
Mr.
Vice President.
In practice, a reformed UN must improve its capacity to support policies to fight poverty and inequality, promote financing for development and climate adaptation, social protection, gender equality, and cooperation with low and middle income countries.
Mexico is staunchly committed to the multilateral system as a legitimate forum to address global challenges, and it believes that the added value of the system is in the link with an institutional reform, with a social justice and distributive justice agenda.
The operational activities segment at Ecosoc is an opportunity to enhance coordination and the efficiency of the UNDS United Nations Development System.
My country recognizes the importance of this segment as a platform for accountability and management for the UNDS in order to accelerate the performance and the achievement of results system wide in support of the 2030 agenda and the SDGs.
What is addressed in the segment is a useful basis to guide the UNDS towards more coherent and effective results that have greater impact at the country level.
In particular, we value the fact that the segment is reaffirmed as a space for accountability and management of the development system and the RC system in accordance with the quadraum review of the operational activities for development, the repositioning of the system, and the UN 80 Initiative.
Thank you very much.
I thank the representative of Mexico, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, Madam Deputy Secretary-General and Distinguished delegates.
Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the group of 77 and China and wishes to provide the following remark.
Malaysia welcomes the comprehensive reports presented and the continued efforts to strengthen the United Nations development system in support of national development priorities and the implementation of the 2030 agenda.
We believe that a responsive, efficient, and a well coordinated UNDS remains essential in assisting developing countries to address increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, including climate change, economic uncertainties, and widening development gaps.
Malaysia welcomes the progress made in enhancing system wide coherence through the resident coordinated system and underscores the importance of maintaining country ownership and national leadership as guiding principles of UN development cooperation.
Development support must remain aligned with the specific needs and priorities of program countries.
We also stress the need for predictable and sustainable funding for development activities, including adequate support for the resident coordinate system while ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the use of resources.
As we approach 2013, Malaysia will continue its steadfast support and hopes to see renewed momentum in strengthening the UN development system.
Better support developing countries in achieving sustainable and inclusive development.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Mauria.
Excellency, distinguished delegates, we have heard the last speaker on my list.
I now invite the Deputy Secretary-General to respond to those comments and questions.
We've only got 5 minutes.
Thank you very much, Vice President and let me welcome and deeply appreciate the feedback, very rich feedback from all member states, especially from our group positions.
All of this will inform the work that we continue to do on the RC system and its review, but also on UN 80 and strengthening the work of the development system.
I want to thank the Vice President for the invite to have our RCs here in the room and throughout the week, it's an important interface.
They also get to hear from firsthand.
They're not all here, but there are 15 of them that represent all the regions and we'll take that feedback into the system.
Thank you for that, Vice President.
Thank you also to our agencies who are also in the room with us.
It's important that we hear what member states have to convey.
We do not lose factor.
Member states have said to me at the beginning, of this year, please don't lose sight of the day to day activities that we have that try to deliver on the 2030 agenda.
But more importantly, all the other conferences that we've had from Doha to Sevie to Baku and Tigam Barbuda, we are continuously succeeding in many of the convenings that we have and coming out with very clear items to deliver at the country level.
Um, Excellency, just a few reflections before this afternoon, we'll have more time to discuss some of this.
But what I'm hearing here and of course we completely in alignment, the centrality of the QCPR in this important session for the development pillar.
This is where we get guidance.
This is the North Star to also check where we have gaps, we're not succeeding.
You see the report, but very interesting for us to hear across the different constituencies, program countries, our donors.
And others in this.
The national priorities rule, absolutely.
In many cases, we are constantly getting fedback from member states here and we appreciate that where things have not gone so well and we have tried to remedy them.
In doing so, those countries have become some of our greatest allies in really helping to guide that, Indonesia, Morocco, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, many more on our list, and that's why it's important that RCs are here.
The RC system and its role, while appreciated, we're also hearing from you that it does need to be strengthened and given the complexities, we have to be more than just the core and a one size fits all.
I think you will see that in the review where we are looking at the different settings, where we are, by and large, trying to carry out the 2030 agenda, the SDGs, where we have MCOs and we've got to do better, and the complex settings which every year, there's even more complexity.
In how to deal with that many middle income countries as well.
We have a fourth one which is middle income high income countries.
How do we actually respond to that? This is going to be an important part of the discussion this week with you, given that there are resources there, but the complexities make it such that it is the UN that comes and is able to convene expertise and partners to the table.
Fourth, hearing the funding, key to addressing member states ambition.
It's really important that we keep the ambition, we keep the promise of the resolution that we have for 70 2279, but without fuel, the vehicle is not going to go very far.
I think it's amazing what we have been able to do as a UN system, our country teams, our resident coordinators who have not had the resources for circumstances that have often worse than what we had envisaged when we first put this together in 2017.
This is ten years later and we've not ever reached the minimum that we should have had to deliver on your ambition and things have gotten not better, but certainly worse in terms of the geopolitical and economic climate constraints that we have.
On UN 80, this is very clearly about the budget or the mandates and of course, the structure and the structures to the development and the tools 31 packages that we've given.
We want to see that reinforce.
It's really consolidating on what we have been able to record as success here, but it's also saying there are gaps, efficiencies, one looking for the resources that we can find just to say that the resources and the savings that we see are in the agencies.
What we want to see system wide.
While we have been able to get agencies to produce these savings and it goes into programming, we also want to see the efficiencies that we can gain across the system, and hopefully that will come through.
There have been a number of questions the SDGs of delivery.
It is really important that we keep focused on that.
This took four years to negotiate.
Member States took a long time to come to a conclusion.
Big agenda, but the agenda that should be, and I will keep saying it started in 1919, Latin America and the Caribbean came to fruition in 2015.
We've not yet landed that integrated approach to how we respond to this for a number of reasons and many of you see in the report.
I hope that we will continue to double down on it is an integrated agenda.
The economy and inclusive economy at the center of it that will deliver, hopefully revenues that will pay for basic rights of people, for health and on the social protection, education, and still take cognizance of what we normally speak to the climate agenda, but it's much more than the climate agenda.
We saw that in terms of the environment.
There is pollution and the environment that is important as well.
Let's not move away from the importance of governments and the institutions that we need to build for sustainability.
The scale at which we are asking, it's not so difficult to do the projects and we've been doing them for decades.
But when you say that this is programming for scale in very large populations, small populations, those complexities come to the fore when you have weak institutions.
The skill sets that the UN will need today are not what they have and for a number of reasons.
I've constantly talked about the discrepancy between core funding and earmarked and often the earmarked is towards focused interventions.
Often not a national priority, but certainly it's always good to have.
We always need more schools, we need more clinics, but are they the country priorities? I think we've found that with the misalignment between the corporation framework and some CPDs, it isn't.
We need more core funding to allow our agencies to be able to do that expertise on demand, to be able to have what it is that's needed at the country level and a country team to respond.
Um, and I hope that we will see that in the current discussion that we have.
What kind of skill sets are we talking about? We can be very specific in your conversations with the agency's funds and programs.
It is important that we are looking with UN 80, I think it's clear that the status quo does not serve, it will not serve.
If it did, we wouldn't be here talking about this.
We still are very far off track on the SDGs, and we're looking at UN 80 and a considerable amount um, as a caution towards UN AT as the SG has said.
We need to move rapidly.
When we talk about the disruptions, they're already happening.
They've been happening for the last year or so where we've had very deep cuts and it's not just a fiscal issue.
I mean, there are fiscal issues for countries, but it's just not that just with these deep cuts.
It's also about some of the principles and the values and leaning into those and not losing the gains that we've had over the years.
That's what you see with the report that you have before you and I hope that this is useful in continuing our discussions this afternoon.
I do have maybe a really big concern.
Again, the cooperation framework, CPDs, the common country assessments that we use to base these on I don't know the answer to how we get compliance.
I really don't know.
I thank very much the boards who have been incredibly helpful in getting what we have gotten in the alignment between a cooperation framework and a CPD, a country project document that should be derived from it.
70 2279 was explicit in what you expected from agencies funds, and programs.
This EcoSc of course, applies to our specialized agencies.
But there are no consequences.
For us, compliance comes at the board.
It comes in this space here of QCPR of Eco OS.
But what if it still doesn't happen? I'm reporting to you nine years later that it is not fulfilled, that agencies, even when we see some efficiencies, I can tell you in the last three, four weeks, we've had three, four agencies in a country step back from the efficiencies agenda.
And when one does it, the rest will follow and when the rest follow, there is no efficiency.
Now, there are upfront costs to many things and over a longer time, we will see some efficiency gains.
These have been expressed year in year in year out.
When I'm being asked for, can you see if we can work more efficiently together.
We've been doing that for nine years.
I don't know what point we will be able to say to you, what would be the consequences if your directives aren't taken up? Because we struggle with that as RCs who are trying to coordinate.
RCs can help to convene and to coordinate and to try to herd the cats, if you would, but they can't instruct them.
That comes from boards, that comes from intergonmental processes, that comes from spaces like this.
What are the consequences? Not always are those agencies also fully responsible because the funding piece, there is an accountability.
There's an accountability to funding.
There are commitments that are made to the funding compact.
The work that you see done in UN 80 on the funding compact, we have Oscar here and I'm not sure if Jen will be in the room, but it's really telling in what we need to do.
So there is a division of labor.
There are things that we're expected to do.
I did hear from a couple of our excellencies here on the one hand, maybe there's too much that we need to consider and we have to go into another longer process, and therefore, perhaps should go there are many things that will go to the next SG, I hope, just as you gave us a terms of reference when we came in to do QCPR.
But I also hope that we're not going back to 2015 or to 2017 to say, we relitigate There's too much that we've put into this, including financing of system wide evaluations of independent ones that have been done by our donors that all tell you how much we have gone forward and how much more we need to do.
I think that this week for me is to be far more concrete in the resolution about what you need to see for us, very specific.
The EU asked us and thank you for your presentation.
It was really, really constructive for us.
You asked us what were the four or five issues that we think you should take note of? It should be the country configuration.
We need your nod to go ahead with that.
We need the regional reset and the regional reset, it's not a replacement of the RCP.
It's learning lessons and building on it, what we need to do better to cement that relationship between the regional and the country level.
It is also about not saying we're bringing three pillars together and therefore we now have guidelines on how to work.
No, we must know that we are in those contexts, humanitarian settings, conflict, peace.
All of these are settings that we're in and that we have to respond to rollback on human rights.
To the EU country of configuration, regional reset, the RC funding.
The RC funding has to come to be and that's a discussion for member states, but I think nine years down the line, probably if we'd done what the SG had asked to begin with, you wouldn't have that problem.
Everyone would have paid their dues to a system that belongs to you.
That will deliver for you for member states.
Then the expertise on demand is really important, and the efficiencies agenda.
These are the five big issues when I think about what we need to move forward and pretty fast in the circumstances we're in, is that country configuration, the regional reset, funding expertise on demand and efficiencies.
I could go on, but I know that the interpreters have probably stopped to be continued this afternoon, Mr.
Vice President.
Thank you.
Secretariat.
Thank you very much.
Deputy Secretary-General, we have now come to the end of our morning session.
I thank the Secretary-General for her participation, and I thank the interpreters and to the delegations for their active participation in this morning's dialogue.
The council will meet this afternoon at 3:00 P.M.
In this room to carry on an interactive discussion with the Deputy Secretary-General on the annual report of the chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group.
The meeting is adjourned.
Thank you so much.