|
1. Description of major national events
The government of Peru declared the year 2008 as the Year of the World Summits in Peru. In May, the fifth Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union Summit (LAC-EU) was held in Lima. The major topics discussed at the summit were free trade, food prices and poverty, and sustainable development. In November, the APEC Peru 2008 summit gathered 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders in a series of political-economic meetings. The Lima Declaration underscored a commitment with free markets and an openness of the international economy. The Declaration also proposed concrete measures to implement further actions to help the involved countries in dealing with the financial crisis, such as the regulation and supervision of financial systems, as well as the need to develop more effective standards of corporate administration.
The year 2008 was also declared the International Year of the Potato by the United Nations, noting that the potato is a staple food in the diet of the world’s population, and affirming the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty. In the food and financial crisis context, this designation was particularly important for Peru, since the country hosts the International Potato Centre, which helps to reduce poverty and hunger while preserving the environment through the sustainable use of potato, sweet potato and other Andean roots and tubers. The Government seized this international observance to obtain global recognition of Peru’s legacy to the world (potatoes were first domesticated in a zone near Lake Titicaca and the Andean region is one of the major centres of biodiversity of potatoes) and to promote the massive consumption of these crops, which have a great economic and nutritional importance.
The world-wide phenomenon of increase in food prices, and the global financial crisis have also affected the country, with price increases which for foods reached a peak towards the middle of the year. This affected mainly the poorest portion of the population. In turn, these increases worsen the food security and nutrition situation, and result in increased poverty. In order to deal with this inflationary surge, the Government launched a budget revision to lower expenditures and prioritize budget allocations. These measures were revised towards the end of the year as the Government launched an anti-crisis package with an increase in public expenditure.
In spite of the global financial crisis, Peru’s 9,8% GDP growth in 2008 was the highest in the region, with increased activity in the exporting sector, and balanced monetary and fiscal accounts, among others. Foreign investors continued to perceive Peru as a market with great growth expectations and favourable to the arrival of new capital. The recently approved “United States - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement” is expected to fuel more growth in the country’s export sectors and is likely to encourage additional foreign direct investment. A China–Peru Free Trade Agreement was also proposed by the Peruvian government in order to eliminate obstacles to trade and investment between both countries. After three rounds of negotiation, President Alan Garcia announced that both sides have concluded trade pact talks and that the deal would be signed in 2009.
The positive environment was partially eclipsed by the protests and marches in different regions of the country (as a result of different social groups demanding a share of the benefits derived from the economic prosperity) and a corruption scandal that forced the resignation of the Cabinet. Nonetheless, Peruvian authorities have taken hold of the international agenda advocated by the UN in terms of human development, the MDGs, and the need to build a more integrated society. Summary on progress towards UNDAF outcomes
2. Highlights on progress towards UNDAF outcomes
The production of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in Peru was a process of joint reflection and coordinated work of the UN System, in close collaboration with representatives of the government, civil society, private sector, academia, and international cooperation. The UNDAF is an approach to shared programming that establishes three areas of development assistance, based on national priorities and on strengths and comparative advantages of the UN System, which works together to improve effective delivery of development assistance.
Being 2008 the second UNDAF programmatic cycle year, the UNCT approved a mid-term review, as anticipated in the M&E Guidelines. The RCO guided the selection process of an international consultant, who would facilitate the adequate carrying out of the review process on the UNDAF, on its Areas of Assistance and on the Results Matrix. Also, this consultancy would assist the Country Team and the UNDAF Work Group in assessing the impact of the UNDAF priorities and goals, in compliance with the settled Areas of Assistance, in order to make adjustments if considered necessary.
Under the supervision of the multiagency UNDAF Work Group, the consultant established the work methodology and the information compilation processes in order to compile information obtained from the Agencies individual monitoring indicators, from the governmental sectors, Civil Society Organizations, the donors and other key counterparts
A first draft of the UNDAF Mid-term Review Report has been prepared and will be shared with the Government. The document will reflect the UN coordinated work on several initiatives that have been executed (either if they are present or not in the results matrix), namely:
2.1. HIV/AIDS.- By supporting the National response to AIDS (strengthening the Three Ones), the Joint UN program on AIDS (UNAIDS, PAHO/WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA) has supported the efforts of the Multisectorial National Health Coordinator (CONAMUSA). Also, a joint project between UNODC and UNICEF, with resources allocated by UNAIDS, was developed to promote public policies for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS among young people in conflict with the law.
Another joint project implemented by UNFPA and UNICEF, aimed at promoting a gender approach, will help reduce the exclusion of women in the access to HIV/AIDS prevention, diagnosis and treatment programmes. The project’s partners include CONAMUSA, the consortium of NGOs responsible for executing the project for PMTCT of the Fifth Round of the GFAMT, youngsters’ organizations, organizations of people living with HIV/AIDS and NGOs.
In April 2008 a regional workshop was carried-out to show the advances in the region on AIDS epidemiology and the challenges of strategic information in LAC. More than 70 representatives of Ministries of Health from 10 countries and some specialists attended this meeting. This workshop was implemented in the framework of South to South cooperation, and with the support of the Andean Organism of Health and the Regional Offices of UNAIDS, PAHO, UNICEF. Also, the UN system gave technical and financial support to the preparation of Peruvian proposal for 8 Round of GFATM, which unfortunately was not accepted.
Under the leadership of UNFPA, UNAIDS and ILO, the Thematic Group on HIV/AIDS has promoted a project to implement a system of sustainable condom procurement in the workplace as part of the UN Learning Strategy on HIV/AIDS and the UN Care Programme. This project has included the development of learning sessions with employees and the distribution of educational materials on HIV and AIDS in the workplace. At present all the UN agencies have male condom dispensaries in the workplace favouring the access of male and female employees to condoms and information on HIV/AIDS and preventive practices has been spread.
2.2. Nutrition: The Peruvian government initiative on nutrition has been actively supported by the joint collaboration of several UN agencies (PAHO/WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, FAO, and WB). The government’s main goal is to reduce malnutrition by at least in 5 percentage points in 5 years. Likewise, the Thematic Group on Nutrition and Food Security, which was formed in 2006, has continued its work.
Also, the UNCT continues to support to the improvement in health, nutrition, agricultural/fisheries and food production and quality of life within the framework of the MDGs. The UNCT strengthened actions in the Thematic Group on Food Security and Nutrition, under whose context the proposal for the Spanish MDG Fund proposal on nutrition and food security was prepared.
2.3. Gender: There is a Gender Group, chaired by UNFPA and involving UN and other cooperation organizations (MESAGEN). The Gender Group monitors the implementation of gender-related international agreements. Likewise, the UN System works closely with the Ministry of Women and Social Development (MIMDES) and in coordination with civil society organizations (CSO’s).
There is also an agreement between UNDP and UNIFEM for establishing a UNIFEM focal point on gender issues. UNIFEM collaborated with technical assistance to strengthen local governments’ capacities for the elaboration of participative budgets with a gender component.
2.4. Education: UNESCO’s Regional Office for Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (ORELAC) carried out research on Education Quality. The Lima Office of UNESCO coordinated with the Ministry of Education to better education quality and increment primary and secondary education retention.
Also, UNICEF’s Report on the Situation of Childhood in Peru has allowed to appreciating the weight and relevance that the intercultural issue has, as does the necessity of expanding and strengthening Bilingual-Intercultural Education. Visits to schools in Apurimac, Ayacucho or Ucayali where one can see girls and boys able to read and express themselves with fluidity in their mother tongue, has positively influenced those who have seen it.
2.5. Strengthening of National Capacities: UNDP has supported the Coordination Committee for the Fight against Poverty since its creation in 2001, which has become a permanent forum for follow up on the accords on governability and a space of agreement with active participation from political parties, multilateral organisms, grassroots organizations and government. Summary on progress in UN Reform
3. Highlights on progress in UN Reform
3.1. Aid effectiveness: Peru participated in the 2008 Survey on Monitoring the Paris Declaration to establish the baseline against which future progress will be measured on a country-by-country basis.
Through the financing of UNDP, WB and OECD, the RCO coordinated the participation of Peruvian government representatives in the OECD-DAC Survey Orientation workshop (Managua - Nicaragua), the Regional Preparatory Meeting for Latin America and the Caribbean leading up to the High Level Forum in Accra (Santa Marta - Colombia) and the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (Accra - Ghana). Two national CSO representatives were also sponsored to attend the Ghana Civil Society Aid Effectiveness Parallel Forum.
By the end of the year, the UNDP/BDP Capacity Development Group’s global Aid Effectiveness Team sponsored a Coordination Officer to attend the Community of Practice Meeting on Aid Effectiveness, which was held in Amman. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the UN joint strategy to implement the Accra Agenda for Action as well as UNDP commitments to support the process.
3.2. Alignment with national priorities: During 2008, UNICEF, PAHO/WHO and WFP, as part of the “Initiative in the Fight against Malnutrition”, continued to support the Government in the regional and local expansion and implementation of social Programme CRECER to fight against poverty and chronic malnutrition. UNICEF, WFP and PAHO/WHO succeeded in promoting the Ministerial Resolution of the MoH approving the drafting up of a “National Strategy for Micronutrients,” which will incorporate Sprinkles as an alternative for reducing anaemia in children.
At the request of Inter-Ministerial Commission on Social Affairs (CIAS), UNICEF and UNFPA developed a qualitative study on behaviour changes in beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer programme JUNTOS. This study, which gathered data in 7 districts of the area of intervention of the JUNTOS Programme, was finalised in January 2009 and showed that the JUNTOS programme effectively benefits the poorer and that the demand for basic services as health, nutrition, education and identity, has increased. On the other hand, no signs of widespread misuse of the Programme’s benefits were found.
3.3. Millennium Development Goals: Within the framework of the national campaign “No Excuses 2015 – Peru”, aimed at promoting the achievement of the MDG by the targeted year, the wining papers of the essay contest in which eight Peruvian universities participated (each one representing a specific MDG) were printed thanks to the financial support form UNDP. The participating university students were awarded in a public ceremony that included the reading of a congratulations note from the National Congress. Also, the former members of the special Committee of the National Congress for the achievement of the MDG’s were very enthusiastic in launching their activities with the UN support, and to replicate the essay contest and other related activities nationwide.
Complementing the joint efforts of the UNCT and the RCO, several UN organizations in Peru have successfully organized activities around the promotion of specific MDG’s with national, regional, and local governments on issues such as nutrition and food security, universal primary education, child and maternal health, eradication of HIV/AIDS and other contagious diseases, and environmental sustainability.
In 2004, the government of Peru released the first Millennium Development Goals Progress National Report, which assessed the progress made in implementing the specific MDG targets against the baseline of 1990. In 2008, the government of Peru and the UN System agreed to launch a new MDG National Report that will help guide decision making and future resource allocations towards the achievement of the MDGs. With this in mind, the UNCT decided the hiring of a special consultant to support the process, from the engagement of strategic national counterparts to the publications and distribution of the final product.
This second report will track progress on all eight MDGs, analysing data and trends (emanate from new surveys and census that have been carried out since the release of the first MDGR in 2004) in order to highlight areas that need more targeted attention from policy-makers and development practitioners in the coming years, to make better progress toward achieving the goals. The process is due to be concluded in the first quarter of 2009.
UNDP/Spain MDG Achievement Fund (MDGF)
The participatory mechanism that was installed within the UNCT kept preparing proposals and identifying lead agencies for each thematic window of the UNDP/Spain MDG Fund during 2008. Three new proposals were presented in 2008 involving the participation of fifteen UN agencies (three of them NRAs) - For more information see ADDITIONAL RCAR DOCUMENTS.
During 2008, the Project Documents corresponding to the “Environment and climate change” and “Youth, employment, and migration” thematic windows were approved and started their implementation.
3.4. Joint programmes:
HIV/AIDS: (see section 2.1)
Human Rights: The pilot project on HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination was a joint initiative by UNDP, UNFPA, and UNAIDS (with financial support from Action 2), which dealt with the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS. During its implementation the foundations for a permanent work with the Ombudsperson Office have been set to promote and protect the rights of people living with HIV and of the most vulnerable population groups in terms of exposure to the epidemic.
Human Security: The joint programme on Human Security for Women and Children between UNICEF, PAHO/WHO, and UNFPA (that began operations in 2007 with support of the Japanese Human Security Fund) continued its implementation in rural areas of the departments of Ayacucho and Apurimac. The project aims at developing the capacities of children, adolescents and women to promote, defend and exercise their rights in selected provinces in Ayacucho and Apurimac as a way to develop Human Security in these geographic areas.
Within the framework of the UN Emergency Team (UNETE), another UN Human Security Fund (UNTFHS) funded joint programme, Natural Disasters in Peru: from Damage Limitation to Risk Management, continued implementation in the southern Andean region of Peru, one of the poorest regions of the country that is frequently affected by natural disasters, with the participation of FAO, PAHO/WHO, WFP, UNICEF and UNDP. The project is monitored and coordinated from the UN decentralized office in Cusco, and aims at strengthening government capacities to prevent and manage situations of social risk and natural disasters through risk mitigation.
3.5. Joint Initiatives:
Nutrition and Food Security (see section 2.2)
National Census: With the technical assistance from UNFPA and support from UNDP, the National Institute of Statistics and Data Processing (INEI), presented the results of the 10th National Population Census, which was carried out in 2007. The technical assistance was expressed through the coordination of specialized technical missions and the support of the Latin American Demographic Centre and the ECLAC Population Division.
3.6. Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers: The Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) process has been led by the HACT Technical Group (HACT TG) composed of Operation Officers from UNICEF (lead Agency), UNFPA, UNDP, and WFP and with support from the RCO. The HACT process was extended by the RDT in June 2008, and the rollout plan which was sent to the RDT in order to carry on with the process started in June with meetings with the government to be able to start the Macroassessment, which started as soon as the government gave its consent.
After several meetings with the government at a high level, the HACT Task Force presented the Macroassessment to the APCI (Peruvian Agency of International Cooperation) and its reception was completely positive.
From that point the negotiations began to carry out the Microassessment process which began in January 2009. Furthermore, government counterparts have been very supportive and their involvement is a positive asset to be able to implement HACT at its best by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
3.7. Coordination on security issues: During 2008, the Security Management Team (SMT) continued its practice of meeting on a monthly basis, in compliance with the guidelines of a Security Phase I country. A detailed and comprehensive Security Risk Assessment (SRA) document, which clearly reflects the threats that UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes face in the field, was prepared by the SMT. This document served as platform for the revision of the country specific Security Plan. Both documents received very positive comments from UNDSS headquarters and have served as models for other countries in the region. Also, the Pandemic Influenza Contingency Plan in Peru was considered exemplary by UNDSS and the Designated Officer was invited to participate in the session to support the training for future DO’s (Turin, November 2008).
Special attention was given to security awareness training during the year. The UNDSS organized two SSAFE training modules for UN staff, designed especially for Security Focal Points, which focused on leadership building and response to security incidents.
Due to the complex of security conditions in the country, the MOSS and MORSS were considered a priority. The UNDSS conducted periodic evaluations of UN premises and staff residences to ensure compliance. During 2008, the level of MOSS compliance by UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes in Peru reached a level surpassing 95%.
In October, a PIC–UNSIC (Pandemic Influenza contingency – United Nations Influenza Coordination) mission carried out a simulation exercise on influenza pandemic responses for the UNCT in Peru. More than 40 UN Staff members participated in the exercise.
3.8. Common Services: The Operations Management Team (OMT), coordinated by (PAHO/WHO Jan –Jun ) and UNFPA (Jul- Dec), evaluated and renewed common services contracts for fuel suppliers, mobile phones and postal services during 2008.
Currently, the OMT reviewing common services options for: * Security and surveillance services. * Travel Agencies & Airlines – Due to the different requirements from the agencies, it has been agreed that this common service will be implemented after the consolidation of the common house. 3.9. Common House: Under the guidance of the RC, the UN House project made a substantial breakthrough in 2008. After reviewing several market options and submitted the documentation to the Premises Relocation Committee, negotiations have progressed with the Sociedad de Beneficencia de Lima Metropolitana (SBLM) that manages the governmental social assistance institutions within the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development. The MOA is expected to be signed during the first quarter 2009. UNDP, UNAIDS, IFAD, UNIFEM, UNLIREC, UNOPS and FAO are the agencies that will join the Common Premises.
Meanwhile, decentralized premises, like the UNICEF offices in Cusco with the UNETE team, and Ayacucho (UNFPA, UNICEF, and WFP), continue to function as common premises. In other cases, the UNDP has established new decentralized premises in La Libertad, Tacna, Junin and Tumbes and has selected the respective programme coordinators, in the framework of the agreements signed with the regional governments and has invited the rest of the UN System to utilize those premises as needed.
3.10. Advocacy Activities: In 2008, the UNCG/Peru jointly developed a country communications strategy. The three basic pillars of the work of the United Nations are development, human rights and peace and security. Accordingly, the communications strategies and activities aimed at supporting and advancing the work of the UN System in Peru in those areas.
The work carried out together by the UN Country Team and the UN Communications Group in Peru brought about positive results. Some highlighting points of the joint work are the following:
UN Peru Web Site: Total number of views to the UN System web site in 2008: 913,968. Pages visited were 366,058, with 1,000 daily visits and an average of 30,505 visits per month. Compared to 2007 (132,184 visits) there was a 177% increase. Peaks occurred during observances, such as on the International Women’s Day, World Health Day, World Environment Day, International Youth Day, UN Day and World AIDS Day. Besides the thematic pages, visitors are also interested in the news section, the institutional section, both UN Peru and UN World, the MDGs section, and the publications section. The UN agencies are responsible for sending information for the web site, though systematic provision has not been constant, sometimes affecting the updating of information.
UN System’s bi-monthly Newsletter: 22 bi-monthly newsletters were published electronically, sent to all the UN agencies in Peru, as well as headquarters. The information is meant for internal communications, and its content is provided by the agencies.
Dissemination of the MDGs in Peru Video: the video, produced by the UNCG/Peru, depicts the work carried out by the UN System in Peru to support the Peruvian government in the completion of the Millennium Development Goals. Completed at the end of 2007, during 2008 the video was made available to all the UN agencies to disseminate among their counterparts. It was also used for programming and educational activities.
Annual workshop: the Resident Coordinator and UNIC Lima organized an annual workshop for the UNCG/Peru, to revise the communications strategy and gear it toward the identification of key messages to deliver jointly. “Investing in Women is Investing in Development”: the UNCG/Peru organized a contest for journalist, in the framework of the International Women’s Day, to highlight the work being carried out by journalists in Peru toward the empowerment of women.
Through FAO, the UNCT undertook national activities in the International Year of the Potato and the World Food Day, in which the Ministers of Agriculture, Environment and Woman and Social Development signed a declaration to fight against hunger, foster food security and protect the environment.
Additionally, the UNCT supported a series of other advocacy events related to the UN’s work in the country. These activities had the goal of projecting to the outside what the UN is doing daily and to reinforce the idea of “Delivering as One”.
3.11. Alignment with Humanitarian Reform:
In compliance with the UN Humanitarian Reform, the report on the CERF Fund was sent on 31 March 2008, and it showed how the fund was used for the response to the 15 August 2007 earthquake, and on the implementing actions carried out by UNDP, WFP, FAO, UNICEF, IOM, UNFPA and PAHO for a total amount of US$9,960,201.00.
In order to reduce the impact of emergencies and disasters, the National Humanitarian Network was created in October. This Network is the first to be formalized both at the directive and operative scopes in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its global reference is the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC). The National Humanitarian Network is a space where the Peruvian government and the International Cooperation will coordinate humanitarian work in order to raise the impact of humanitarian actions through the active coordination of all humanitarian actors, for the benefit of vulnerable population.
The Network composition: * Full Members: UN resident Agencies with humanitarian mandate, national and international NGOs with humanitarian mandate (a total of 27 Organizations); * Permanent guests: Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation Entities which contribute to humanitarian work in Peru, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation, the International Committee of the Red Cross (a total of 7 Organizations); * Special guests: Coordination Committee for the Fight against Poverty, Fire-fighters Corps, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peruvian Agency of International Cooperation.
The Network’s first products are: an Agreed Plan for Disaster Preparedness, an Initial Action Plan and a Basic Protocol of Action in case of a severe earthquake in Lima and Callao.
During the APEC CEO Summit 2008, the Civil Defence National Institute (INDECI)—Peru’s representation at the Emergency Preparedness Task Force (EPTF)—led the process to draft and reach an agreement on a Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Asia-Pacific Region (2009 – 2015). This was unanimously backed by the APEC members. UNDP and OCHA were part of the technical support group summoned by INDECI with the participation of IFRC, PREDECAN project, ISDR, among other individual experts. Additionally, UNDP contributed financially to the process of drafting the document as well as the consultation process with the members of the EPTF.
With the purpose of rebuilding and strengthening capacities in the provinces that were most affected by the 2007 earthquake, UNDP lead four on-site Coordination Centres which also host the other UN agencies operating in the area: PAHO/WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO, UN-HABITAT and FAO. Through this mechanism, both the interaction within the UN and with the authorities at different levels is being promoted. This institutional strengthening and coordination mechanisms are bringing a remarkable added value to the quality of the initiatives in practice and to the sustainability of the risk reduction and recovery process.
3.12. Strengthening UN Related Associations:
A LESA member was hired to support to the activities of the RC Office during the detailed mission of one Coordination Officer in NY. A LESA member also is currently supporting UNDP in the Common Premises project coordination. Such support is expected to go through the process.
The AEFNUP/AFICS website was launched in June. The site is located in the UN System website and holds members’ institutional information, registration forms and instructions, as well as information of their activities. They have also access to a corporate email account.
3.13. Strengthening the RC Office:
In June, the Coordination Officers of eighteen Latin America and the Caribbean countries met in Caracas to examine ways to improve inter-agency coordination, efficiency in the way their support is provided, and their respective Country Coordination Offices.
The RCO Venezuela (with the support of Colombia, Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago) conceived and designed the II LAC Coordination Officers Workshop, which was led by the officers themselves. Other participants included representatives of UNDOCO, OCHA and the MDGF Secretariat.
Following the commitments acquired during the 2007 Havana Workshop, the main objectives of the meeting were: * To discuss and find practical solutions to the RCO’s day to day challenges, aiming at strengthening the regional network and the exchange of good practices and lessons learned in common fields; * To formulate plans of action that can be implemented by the country offices and DOCO, in order to improve the RCO capacities; and * To strengthen the RCO personnel in the completion of their functions.
3.14. Green Office:
On April 2008 the Green Office initiative was reinstated in UNDP, UNAIDS and UNDSS. Furthermore, the whole OMT was briefed on this initiative and several Agencies joined with a paper recycling program of their own. Key aspects of the proposed 2009 workplan
4. Key aspects of the proposed 2008 work plan
4.1 Harmonized programming: The UNDAF Mid Term Review exercise will be finalized by April 2009. This will allow the UNCT to review with the Government the UNDAF initial scope, strengths, and weaknesses found during its implementation. In order to align the UN programme cycle to the national administrative processes, the UNCT is also foreseeing a one-year extension of the current UNDAF cycle (the process will be carried out in consultation with UNDOCO and the RDT).
Additionally, the establishment of two new Thematic Groups (Gender and Indigenous Peoples) is planned for 2009 (their chairs yet to be determined).
4.2. MDG Reporting and Monitoring: Under the guidance and support of the UNCT, the government of Peru will finalize its report on the national situation of the MDGs. Also, within the framework of joint activities, the UN System in Peru will support the government’s priorities on poverty reduction and the fight against infant and child malnutrition.
4.3. Common Premises: The UN House project will be executed under the implementation of two agreements between UNDP and the Sociedad de Beneficencia de Lima Metropolitana (SBLM). One agreement states that UNDP will donate US$ 300,000 earmarked at improving the infrastructure and implement educational and recreational activities for the children and adolescents at the adjacent orphanage. The second one is a long-term agreement that launches the value enhancement of the premises and its occupation by seven UN Agencies along the following 10 years.
4.5. UNDAF Mid-term Review: The Mid-term review exercise is due to be finalized in the first quarter of 2009. The final report will be presented to the Peruvian government and is expected to be ratified as the official framework in which the UN sets priorities and carries out activities in the country. Few adjustments to the UNDAF are foreseen in order to broaden its field of action and to make it more participatory for the non-resident agencies. Recommendations
A cost-sharing mechanism to support the activities of the RC Office has become utterly necessary. Funding for joint activities is very difficult due to limited available funds for the different organizations. It is imperative to start sharing costs among agencies for specific system activities that will result in visibility as a whole.
A very frequent obstacle for Coordination is the small amount of time and resources that the Agencies manage to devote to inter-agency issues. Coordination is often pushed into the background while the numerous requests the Agencies get from their respective headquarters take the lead in the Organizations’ priorities. This matter represents a day-to-day struggle to move forward the UN Reform, and most of the times only RCO resources are aimed at achieving the expected results.
The implementation of joint programmes has been difficult mainly due to two administrative constraints: (i) different cost recovery policies between the organizations and (ii) different trends of HQ clearances for the participating organizations.
Despite some prevailing limitations, which we highlight here in the most constructive spirit, the UNCT Peru is very proud with its achievements and remains fully committed to make the best coordinated contribution to the government and the people of Peru, bringing the comparative advantages each and every organization has to offer to this process.
| 