Page 13 - DIVA_1_2015

major competence for development practices, more relevant institutio- them. I am glad to say that for some
problems and technical assistance nal reforms and more peer review countries and some programmes, I
on comprehensive specific issues. comparisons. What are your neigh- have noticed a positive tone in their
This concerns our resource allocation
programme
tool kits, like "ASY- and
CUDA", which is the support. We have
most widely used just signed a new
custom software programme setting
in the world, or up a centre of excel-
"DMFAS", a debt lence on trade faci-
management ins- litation for Africa,
trument for devel- which is going to be
oping countries, or funded by the Swe-
"EMPRETEC", a dish Government. I
programme which think this is the first
is very popular with fresh funding from
enterprise devel- the Swedish Govern-
opment support. ment to UNCTAD
We have developed in quite a few years.
competences that The Government of
are widely respected. Finland has retained
Similarly, we have substantial levels
developed a voice of funding for this
on investment. We are the world's bour's best practices? In this way year; it has slightly increased its
premium institution focusing on in- we will have a bigger impact than activities. The Netherlands is also
vestment trends in the world, both just inviting countries to attend our one of our major donors. Our pro-
through our publication World meetings in Geneva or giving them grammes for the least-developed
investment report and the bien- our publications -- as much as this countries (LDCs) have been sup-
nial World Investment Forum to be remains important. ported by non-traditional extra
held next in October 2014. budgetary sources. So, I do not
Lastly, since the narrative on deve- agree that there has been a decline
We are at the forefront of inter- lopment within the UN family for in resource support. We are looking
national mainstream leadership. the next thirty years is going to be at how to grow from where we are.
These pragmatic programmes substantially directed by sustain- If I believe in a cause enough, I en-
remain an important focus of the able development goals (SDGs), we gage the potential donors directly.
work we do -- how to improve them, have to find a niche within this dis-
how to keep the programmes with- course for our expertise. We are fin- Q: Most of the LDCs are found
in manageable limits, make them ding opportunities to demonstrate in Africa. What are your plans
relevant for developing countries the economic pillars of sustainable for them?
and to find the extra-budgetary development and also suggesting
resources to complement our own new ones: engaging new partners First of all, we are dealing directly
budget. These are some of the res- within the sustainable development with the African Union Commis-
ponsibilities I see for myself. process; private sector players; sion, which has a comprehensive
hedge funds; sovereign funds; in- road map and architecture for the
Thirdly, I am trying to shift some of vestor resources to compensate for continent. This was adopted by
the focus of the organization. I want the deficit on pledged international African presidents at the end of
greater policy influence through support for this SDGs. January 2012. We have signed a
interaction. What this means is that I Memorandum of Understanding
am cutting down some of our publi- Q: UNCTAD has been criticized with them and we are providing
cations, reducing their appearance in the past and some donors them with technical back-up and
to one annual edition, collapsing have reduced their extra- advice. We have been involved in
some publications into one, and budgetary funding. Are you dialogue with the African Union
putting some others online instead trying to win them back? Commission, as Africa is partici-
of hard copy. What we save in time pating at the European Union Sum-
and money we want to put into Every countryhas a right to decide on mit in Brussels in April 2014. In
direct interface policy with devel- its priority areas of programme sup- August the African presidents were
oping countries. For example, port. One of the challenges of a new in the United States. We are giving
we want more field offices, more Secretary-General in this organi- them some technical background
government meetings, more experts zation is to see what the priority on the challenges, the consisten-
on concrete challenges, more best areas are and which donors support cy of the message, and possible

International 1 1