UNIDO and the UN System
A relationship agreement links UNIDO to the United Nations whereby UNIDO reports every two years to the UN General Assembly. Based on the UNIDO report, the General Assembly (GA) adopts a resolution on Industrial Development Cooperation. The most recent Report of the UNIDO Director-General was transmitted to the 61st session of the General Assembly on 1 September 2006 (GA document A/61/305). The subsequent resolution on Industrial Development Cooperation was adopted by the General Assembly on 8 March 2007 (GA document A/RES/61/215) based on the Report of the Second Committee (GA document A/61/426/Add.2 dated 12 December 2006). Another document relating to the resolution is the Report of the Second Committee on the Eradication of poverty and other development issues (GA document A/61/426, dated 12 December 2006).
UNIDO also reports to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and participates in its sessions. In addition, UNIDO takes an active role in the UN system with:
The Secretary-General: UNIDO continuously contributes to the reports of the Secretary-General, including the integrated and coordinated follow-up to, and implementation of the outcomes of UN Summits and Conferences.
The CEB: UNIDO is a member of the UN Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) and participates in:
- The High-Level Committee on Management, for management-related issues including issues related to the common system of pay and benefits
- The High-Level Committee on Programmes , for coordination towards the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals
- The Task Force on Economic Development , to promote collaborative efforts within the UN system toward the achievement of the MDGs (UNIDO is the lead agency)
The Global Compact: UNIDO is one of six core agencies and especially mandated to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to adhere to the principles of the Global Compact.
UNDP: In 2004, UNIDO and UNDP signed a cooperation framework for joint programming at country level; initially, 11 countries will benefit from the joint activities -- with other countries expected to follow very soon.
UNEP: Since the mid nineties, UNIDO and UNEP run a joint programme that established a network of more than 30 National Cleaner Production Centres to inter alia help industry clean up their production processes and transfer cleaner technologies to industry.
UNODC: In 2005, UNIDO and UNODC signed a memorandum of understanding that envisages joint programming in up to five countries, focusing on UNIDO’s SME and private sector development activities and UNODC’s sustainable livelihood programme.
WTO: In 2003, UNIDO and WTO signed an agreement during the Cancun Conference to develop joint programmes in initially 9 countries; other countries have requested to be included in the next round. In 2005, an integrated Cotton Sector Development programme for West Africa (which was formulated at the request of 12 producing countries) was presented during the Hong Kong Meeting.
NEPAD: Starting this year, UNIDO will initiate Trade Capacity Building activities under the Africa Productive Capacity Initiative (APCI) of NEPAD.
Similar partnerships (e.g. joint programme development and implementation) are being discussed with other UN agencies:
- With FAO, on agro-industry
- With IAEA, on energy security
- With UNESCO, on water for energy
In addition, UNIDO works closely with others that have complementary activities, including ISO for standards and metrology; REEEP for energy security issues; etc. Indeed, all previously mentioned activities underline UNIDO’s drive towards more effective inter-agency delivery .