EU Intervention: UNOPS Executive Board

06.02.2020
New York

6 February 2020, New York – European Union Intervention by H.E. Mr. Silvio Gonzato, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, in the UNOPS Executive Board

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Ms Faremo, Executive Director of UNOPS,

I am speaking on behalf of the EU as a donor. The European Union has a long-standing partnership with UNOPS in project implementation at the local level. In that context, we welcome the opportunity to exchange with you in this Meeting of the Executive Board.

In financial terms, in 2019 our partnership translated into a significant financial volume with UNOPS signing contracts with EU institutions for a total of EUR 147 million. One example of EU-UNOPS cooperation is the Joint Police Programme (JPP) in Somalia, which the EU Trust Fund for Africa supports with US$ 20 million. The project is implemented by UNDP and UNOPS, in coordination with the African Union Mission to Somalia. In addition to providing infrastructure support and procuring non-lethal items such as uniforms, vehicles and training materials, UNOPS is responsible for the effective delivery of stipends to policing personnel. Your role is therefore key for success.

We commend UNOPS’ role in trying to use technology and innovation for more flexibility and scalability to respond to partners’ needs. We also welcome UNOPS’ efforts to integrate business operations and move toward common premises.

As a strong supporter of UN Development System (UNDS) Reform, the EU seeks to promote collaboration between different UN agencies for shared results. To this end, the EU supports the UN Joint Fund for 2030 Agenda that requires multi-agency initiatives to accelerate SDG implementation. I would like to encourage UNOPS to join other UN entities in responding to the Call for Proposals under this Joint Fund.

UNOPS’ has an important contribution to make to the United Nations Development System reform. The success of the reform depends on the will to work in partnership with others in line with respective core strengths. We therefore urge UNOPS to keep working with other UN agencies in an effort to increase synergies and reduce overlaps. Finally, let me pass a message we have also shared with other agencies: We strongly encourage a system-wide approach to harmonisation in all possible areas, in line with the UN Funding Compact and urge agencies to strive for efficiency gains, ensuring a maximum of aid reaches final beneficiaries.

Thank you.