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What We Do - Programme Planning
The programme of ESCWA is shaped by the expressed needs of member countries and is an integral part of the United Nations development work in the economic and social fields.
In this section you can find more information on our:
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES & PRIORITIES
MANDATES
PROGRAMME RESULTS
RESOURCES
UNEG
The programme of work, comprising a mixture of normative, analytical and operational activities, is planned for a two-year period, based on projected resources. The main functions of PPTCD in programme planning are:
- Advice and support to the Executive Secretary for establishing overall strategic programme direction;
- Coordination of the work of the substantive Divisions for creating synergy and coherence;
- Monitoring the progress in achieving results and evaluation of results to promote a learning culture; and
- Staff capacity development in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
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PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES & PRIORITIES
The programme objective of ESCWA is to promote economic and social development policies and programmes that are consistent and coherent with the commitments of major United Nations conferences and summits aimed at achieving internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The programme of ESCWA focuses on the following four regional priorities central to MDGs:
- Promoting integrated social policies that protect the rights of the poor, women, youth and other vulnerable groups who are often denied access to productive employment and social safety nets;
The programme is also guided by the following three cross cutting issues: (a) effective participation and involvement of women and their advancement, especially in political arenas and economic activity; (b) special consideration for people living in conflict-stricken countries and territories; and (c) developing statistical capacities..
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MANDATES
The programme of ESCWA is governed by mandates given by the Commission, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. A mandate is defined as a request or direction for action given by the member countries in the form of resolutions.
ESCWA is mandated to initiate measures that promote the economic and social development in Western Asia and strengthen the economic and social relations of the countries in the region, both among themselves and with other countries of the world. Mandates are given, based on the following comparative advantages of ESCWA:
- Tackling tranboundary issues;
- Providing cost effective solutions by addressing the common challenges encountered by countries in the region; and
- Identifying good practices and lessons learned as part of knowledge sharing.
ESCWA is also mandated to take the lead in promoting, supporting and coordinating the implementation of global commitments that set the general framework and strategy for the United Nations development work. The main global agreements include:
- The Millennium Declaration;
- Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation;
- The World Summit for Social Development;
- Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and Implementation of the Convention.
Reflecting the prevailing regional situations, the Commission has mandated that the programme of ESCWA should increasingly focus on the special needs of countries emerging from conflict and national statistical capacity building.
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PROGRAMME RESULTS
In 1998, the United Nations introduced results based management (RBM) as an effective tool to strengthen results-focused programme planning and implementation with increased accountability.
ESCWA develops its programme, using the logical framework that identifies strategic elements, including the programme objective, expected results within the timeframe, indicators to measure the progress in achieving the results, and inputs and outputs required to deliver the results.
ESCWA carries out regular programme performance assessment to determine whether the programme managers are on the right track in achieving the expected results and to identify good practices and lessons learned for programme improvement.
The Executive Secretary shares the programme results with the member Governments through his annual reports. ESCWA's programme results are also incorporated in the Secretary-General's programme performance report of the United Nations in its entirety that is submitted to the General Assembly every two years. Program Performance Report 2006 - 2007
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RESOURCES
ESCWA receives its core funds from the global United Nations regular budget. The main source of funds for the regular budget is the contributions of member countries, which are assessed on a scale specified by the General Assembly. ESCWA regular budget is earmarked for core intergovernmental meetings and normative and operational work. From the regular budget allocation, ESCWA finances 110 professional and 145 local-level posts that are established by the General Assembly.
Additionally, ESCWA mobilizes voluntary contributions from donors, which are known as extrabudgetary funds (XB funds) and are normally earmarked to implement technical cooperation work. For the biennium 2008-2009, ESCWA's regular budget allocation is US$58.1 million and extrabudgetary estimate is US$9.1 million.
Follow the link for the recent budgetary trends.
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UNEG
In March 2006, ESCWA together with other regional commissions joined the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG). UNEG provides a useful platform for the discussion of evaluation issues within the United Nations system organizations and to promote simplification and harmonization of evaluation policies and practices among its members.
With increased importance attached to evaluation in promoting a learning culture, ESCWA is committed to increase evaluation activities in the biennium 2008-2009. For more information on UNEG, please click here.
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Programme Planning & Technical Cooperation
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All ESCWA Programmes
UN-ESCWA 2009.