2017 ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment

 

2017 ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment

FAO delivered by Ms. Mariangela Bagnardi, Programme Officer, on behalf of Ms. Carla Mucavi, Director of the FAO Liaison Office to the UN

2 March 2017

ECOSOC Chamber, Unied Nations Headquarters

 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development  is a historic commitment to tackle poverty and hunger, promote sustainable use of natural resources and address climate change through an interconnected set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing that issues concerning food, livelihoods, and the management of natural resources cannot be addressed separately.

• In this context, and as it is also mandated by the 2016 QCPR, FAO’s reviewed strategic framework^[1]  has been developed under the overall umbrella of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which includes the policy commitments and goals of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
• At the Strategic Objective level, FAO’s program of work and budget will measure progress exclusively using SDGs and targets. Looking into the program of work in greater detail, we can say that it contributes to the achievement of 40 targets of 15 SDGs, measured by 53 indicators. Special attention was given to the 25 SDG indicators for which FAO is a custodian or a contributing agency.
• In the context of the QCPR , I am pleased to inform you that FAO is one of the first Specialized Agencies who has been reporting on progress with respect to the QCPR to its governing bodies. The first progress report was submitted to the FAO Conference in 2007. The next report is due for July 2017, under the new 2016 QCPR, and will address: (a) funding of operational activities for development; (b) efficiency, effectiveness and FAO participation in UN System coordination mechanisms; and (c) other areas of relevance such as gender and capacity development.
• We are convinced that the 2030 development agenda requires new and dynamic partnerships, and new holistic approaches to ensure that the process “leaves no one behind”.
• Lot of positive examples can be offered in terms of partnerships, including the multi-stakeholder partnership approaches adopted by the Committee on Food Security (CFS) -- the foremost inclusive international and intergovernmental platform for all stakeholders to ensure food security and nutrition for all. As you are aware, the Committee reports to the UN General Assembly through the ECOSOC and to FAO Conference.
• FAO is convinced that UN institutions play a unique role: providing and upholding inter-governmentally agreed norms and standards, monitoring commitments and tracking results, promoting institutional development as a trusted and neutral facilitator.
• We would also like to support the important point made by the ILO - on the first day of this operational activities segment - that diversity and specialization are the strengths of the UN system.
• The wide range of specialized expertise that the system can offer to its member countries is a key asset to ensure the success of the 2030 agenda.
• FAO is ready to do its part – in coordination with the UN sister agencies – and in particular with the Rome-based agencies (IFAD and WFP) when it comes to zero hunger agenda.
• FAO will be seeking the guidance of its governing bodies in order to implement the QCPR and the 2030 agenda.
• Thank you.