UN tests reform in additional countries

Aside from Vietnam, the United Nations has selected seven more countries in which to enhance the coherence of its development efforts: Albania, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uruguay. In the eight pilot countries altogether, the UN wants to organise the activities of all its specialised agencies under one common programme and one common budget (see E+Z/D+C 1/2007, p. 5). The aim of the initiative is to increase the efficiency of UN engagement. Kemal Dervis, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and chairman of the UN Development Group, said that the pilot countries reflect a broad spectrum with respect to size and level of development and are key countries of the world body. The “One UN” initiative was proposed by a High-Level Panel on UN Coherence in November 2006. (ell)