UNPOG – UNESCAP Joint Project Funded by Korea-UNESCAP Cooperation Fund (KECF) 9 December 2014 Keping Yao, Governance and Public Administration Expert, UNPOG UNDESA/DPADM

2 1. Overview of the Joint Project Presentation 18 November 2014 Presentation 18 November 2014 Research on good practices, serving as a basis to develop the policy toolbox and training workshops at later stages of the project Special Session during A&P Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review Training on E-Gov. and Women’s Empowerment & Launching of E-Gov. Toolbox in 3 Countries Research* August 2014 – April 2015 Research* August 2014 – April 2015 Project Title: e-Government for Women’s Empowerment Implementing Offices: SSD of UNESCAP & UNPOG Background on initiating the research* Timeframe of project implementation Training July 2015 Training July 2015 * The research of this joint project is based on UNPOG’s research titled “From Promoting Gender Equality to Empowering Women: Role of E-Government in Asia and the Pacific”, which adapts the methodology of the United Nations e-Government Development Index (EGDI) as the main analytical framework to explore the capacity and progress of e-Government programmes to promote gender equality.

MOFA Support to the Joint Project by UNPOG &UNESCAP Funding Source: Korea-ESCAP Cooperation Fund (KECF) KECF: Since 1987, KECF funding has been predominantly channeled to capacity development projects on environment (green growth), ICT, transport, gender, social protection, access to health care, disabilities, poverty alleviation, and disaster risk reduction. UNPOG has consulted with MOFA with regard to planning, implementation, and evaluation of the project in advance, so that the application and approval process could be expedited. After the project activities completed, UNPOG will seek advice and feedback from MOFA to further develop the project’s long-term strategy.

4 This joint project is the first project ever of UNESCAP to relate ICT and e-government to gender equality and women’s empowerment, so it is expected that this joint project would be the very starter which is timely, relevant, and significant, considering the trends of rapidly developing e-government. It shows promising prospect to contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and in turn, meet the end goal of sustainable development. The project also fulfils the purpose of KECF, which supports capacity development in ICT and gender. 3. Implications and Assessment

Current Progress  Completed Phase I Activities - Special session during Beijing+20 Review Conference was very successful and drew a lot of attention not only within UNESCAP but also from many participating governments and organisations. - The video documentary produced for the special session will be utilised in the national capacity building workshops during Phase II.  Remaining Activities of Phase I - Identifying countries for case studies is on-going: Korea, India, Philippines, Kazakhstan (or Kyrgyzstan), Fiji (or Solomon Islands) - Recruitment of 5 national consultants for country case studies would be completed by December The consultant for the special session during Beijing+20 Review Conference, Ms. Anita Gurumurthy, Executive Director, IT for Change, India, will provide framework and methodology for country case studies once 5 national consultants are selected. She will also coordinate the findings from case studies to draft the final report. - The final report will be completed by April 2015.

Future Plan  Application to KEFC for Phase II of the Joint Project - Once the final report of country case studies completed by April 2015, the application for phase II will be submitted. - The overview of phase II is already included as an attachment to the phase I application and more detailed description for the activities will be supplemented. - Phase II of the project will be conducted in continuum with the phase I so while the application to KECF is being evaluated, online toolbox for national capacity building workshops for phase II will be developed based on the country case studies.  Phase II of the Joint Project Drawing on the analysis on good practices, training modules will be developed into an online toolbox and national trainings will be conducted in 3 countries to enhance the capacity of senior government officials in identifying, developing and implementing policies and strategies to promote e-Government for women’s empowerment.

7 THANK YOU!