Sub-regional coordination mechanism: Review of progress 10 th RCM-Africa 5-6 November 2009 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Sub regional coordination: Current situation Current Situation: Non-existence of a system-wide coordination mechanism akin to RCM at regional level and UNDAFs at country level. Some level of inter-agency cooperation at activity level- - e.g, DESA and ECA on support to SADC in the area of statistics - DESA and ECA support to SADC-PF on ICT for for parliament.

Fostering Sub-regional coordination Need for sub-regional coordination were recognised in SG’s report to 61 st GA on SROs, mainly for: - Aligning the work of the UN to priorities of RECs and their member States -Monitoring the effectiveness and impact of theUN at the sub regional level RECs are seeking for more coordinated support, e.g. the SADC New Partnership Framework outlined in the Windhoek Declaration

Recommendations of Previous RCMs 7 th RCM recommended that: SROs should play a (lead) role in bringing UN agencies together in support of AU/NEPAD at sub regional level ECA should coordinate discussions towards developing a sub regional mechanism to better target UN support to RECs based on their priorities Each sub region should develop a knowledge and information management system Action plans should be developed with SROs for joint activities at the sub regional level.

Recommendations of Previous RCMs 8th RCM Proposed the review of existing sub regional arrangements, with ECA and the RECs taking the lead Identified ECA’s multi year programmes with RECs as possible entry points for establishing SRCMs Requested that MYPs be reviewed to provide opportunity for further consultation and consensus among UN agencies operating in Africa 9 th RCM Involve RECs in developing an SRCM SRCM should integrate into the RCM and build on existing RDT mechanism

Progress achieved Discussions on programme needs with some RECs eg SADC have been held and MoUs signed The multi year programme with some RECs have been initiated Informal discussions have been initiated with UN agencies operating in Africa, especially regional offices eg in southern Africa However tangible progress on developing an SRCM remains very slow. Further meetings to discuss an SRCM for coordinating UN support to RECs are planned eg in November 2009

Key issues to be addressed Decide on model for a sub regional framework Both RCM and UNDAFs are cluster based Sub regional framework likely to be similar Clusters to be based on priority REC work areas Decide on mode of working with RECs SGs report recommends a multiyear approach RCM also recommends an MYP approach Decide on roles and responsibilities Roles to be based on comparative advantages with cluster coordination by different agencies Decide on strategic coordinator or Secretariat role

Key issues to be addressed Monitoring, evaluation and reporting issues. Who coordinates reporting and to who? Roles of RECs and clusters Reports to intergovernmental bodies and headquarters Knowledge management, information sharing and communication issues Within the UN system With member States and RECs Roles of UN agencies Resources for the SRCM and how the Secretariat is supported Sources and form of coordination programme resources Role of ECA liaison offices in RECs

Expected outcomes from 10th RCM Agreement on generic model and possible structure of framework Agreement on how best to work with RECs Consensus on key actions required to develop the SRCM Agreement on processes beyond the framework and who should work out detailed modalities.

Thank you…