Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has called for raising an emergency assistance fund by the United Nations to at least half a billion dollars.
Speaking to the General Assembly members on presentation of the blue-ribbon panel report to revamp the United Nations for development, as a co-chair with the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Luisa Dias, Prime Minister of Mozambique, Shaukat Aziz said that the UN should not be going for fundraising when a disaster hit some area and when people were dyeing and needing assistance in "every record, minute or hour".
He said that such a fund should be available at the disposal of the Secretary General of UN for immediate release. Prime Minister said that Pakistan had experienced a disaster in 2005, and the harrowing experience showed a dire need of such a fund.
He also stressed the need for better interaction and co-ordination between the UN development organisations with the Bretton-Woods Institutions. He said the donor countries in the blue-ribbon panel have assured that they do not aim to cut back their assistance on the programmes.
"Our recommendations are aimed to get better results under coherent and a more co-ordinated structure," he added.
AGENCIES ADD: Shaukat Aziz expressed the hope that recommendations prepared by the high-level panel would help improve efficiency of the world body in execution of its programmes in a coherent manner. Earlier, he told newsmen before going into a breakfast meeting of the panel here at the United Nations that the panel has endeavoured to finalise the recommendations for the betterment of the system and inculcate more co-ordination among various UN agencies for the benefit of the member states.
"Pakistan is proud to be part of the high-level panel and has made efforts in preparing the recommendations along with Norway and Mozambique," said Shaukat Aziz. Prime Minister said recommendations would also be helpful in integrating implementation efforts of the UN agencies as well as reduce expenses.
The ownership of recommendations will be with the UN administration after its presentation to the Secretary General later on the day, he said and expressed a hope that these would be implemented in letter and spirit.
Through these recommendations, the panel has provided a roadmap to the UN administration to improve efficiency, performance and ability of the world body to eradicate poverty and improve environment in the world.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, speaking on the occasion, said the recommendations would provide a single platform to the UN body to implement its decisions more effectively. "We are confident that these recommendations will make the UN more coherent and transparent," he said.
He appreciated Pakistan's efforts in preparation of recommendations. UN Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch Brown said the recommendations would be helpful in improving the working of the UN System. He appreciated Shaukat Aziz's leading efforts in preparation of these recommendations.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Luisa Dias Diogo of Mozambique and Jens Stoltenberg of Norway outlined the proposals of the panel they co-chair in the International Herald Tribune ahead of presenting them to UN chief Kofi Annan. "To maintain its legitimate position as a leader within the multilateral system, the UN system needs drastic changes," they wrote.
While "the UN and its specialised agencies have much to offer in the way of expertise, knowledge, resources and practical experience ... the system is failing widely," they concluded.
They pointed to a lack of institutional effectiveness, cost efficiency and focus. Poor governance, unpredictable funding, and outdated practices, as well as an often fragmented and weak UN presence on the ground were also cited.
They put the blame on "policy incoherence, programme duplication and vested interests in the status quo," with attempts by UN staff to remedy the situation "thwarted by inappropriate administrative procedures, mediocre management and ill-conceived loyalties."
To remedy such weaknesses, the panel was set to recommend "a system where the UN delivers as one on all levels, whether country, regional or headquarters." At the country level this "One UN" approach would mean appointing a single leader to co-ordinate and represent the work of all UN agencies as part of a single overall budget.
Such an approach would hopefully reduce duplication and ensure better performance, as well helping host governments reach its own priorities more effectively.
"These reforms will ensure national ownership of the development process and challenge donor countries to provide funding based on developing countries' own priorities," they wrote. The panel, set up on the request of Annan, was also to recommend multi-year financing of country programmes, as well as more appropriate management and financial mechanisms including a complete overhaul of UN business practices.
The panel will suggest that the "One UN" approach be tested on a pilot basis in five countries in 2007, with a progressive unifying of all UN country programmes by 2012.
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