United Nations Office for Partnerships
Encyclopedia
The United Nations Office for Partnerships serves as a gateway for partnership opportunities with the United Nations family. It promotes new collaborations and alliances in furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and provides support to new initiatives of the Secretary-General. UNOP provides Partnership Advisory Services and Outreach to a variety of entities, as well as managing the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP), established by the Secretary-General in March 1998 to serve as the interface in the partnership between the UN system and the UN Foundation, and the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), established by the Secretary-General in July 2005 to support democratization throughout the world. The Office, headed by Mr. Amir Dossal, reports to the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. The Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro
, oversees the day-to-day operations of UNOP.
The United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)
was established by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan
in March 1998 to serve as the interface for the partnership between the United Nations system
and the United Nations Foundation
- the public charity responsible for administering Ted Turner
's $1 billion contribution in support of UN causes. UNFIP is responsible for administering and developing partnerships between the agencies, departments, and programmes of the United Nations and the private sector. UNFIP works with foundations and corporations that wish to support UN causes to identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration.
In particular, UNFIP facilitates the UN's work with the United Nations Foundation
, which Ted Turner established to donate $1 billion to the UN over the course of 15 years, though UNFIP has also worked closely with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
, the Ford Foundation
, the Rockefeller Foundation
, the Synergos Institute, and the LTB Foundation, among others. Some of the companies which UNFIP has engaged in partnerships include Google
, Microsoft
, and Ericsson
. The partnerships developed and managed by UNFIP all work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. UNFIP is supervised by Ms. Shari Klugman, the Chief Operating Officer.
Since 1998, the UN Foundation has contributed a total of $1.028 billion in grants to the United Nations through UNFIP. The contributions have been provided to fund 413 projects in 123 countries implemented by 39 UN agencies. The UN Foundation is working to leverage another $1 billion for UN causes within the next few years.
in July 2005, supports democratization throughout the world by focusing on democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and ensuring the participation of all groups in democratic processes. UNDEF provides assistance to governmental, non-governmental, national, regional, and international organizations, including relevant United Nations departments, offices, funds, programmes and agencies. UNDEF complements current UN efforts to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. UNDEF is overseen by Mr. Roland Rich, the Executive Head.
As of June 2009, the Democracy Fund had received over US$ 96 million in pledges or contributions from 36 Member States.
UNDEF launched the second round of project applications from November to December 2008 and received over 1,800 applications. In early 2008, UNDEF conducted assessments of these projects with a team of assessors using a score scale, which resulted in a short list of 360 projects. The Programme Consultative Group (PCG) members consist of the UN Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Department of Political Affairs (UNDPA) (with the Peacebuilding Commission as an observer). UN Resident Coordinators participate in a quality control process of reviewing projects and produce a list of 86 projects totaling a project cost of about US$ 25 million. UNDEF held its 7th Advisory Board meeting with the Secretary-General on 28 March 2008. In May, all 86 projects were approved by the Secretary-General and in June 2008, UNDEF forwarded letters to all Permanent Representatives informing them of projects which will take place in their countries. In parallel to this effort, UNDEF initiated negotiation of project documents with implementing agencies of 86 projects. Upon approval by the UN Controller’s Office, UNDEF will initiate disbursements of grants in July and August 2008.
to further promote and implement partnership advisory services and outreach initiatives, and foster innovative strategies for engaging non-state actors with the UN System. The Office has also brokered and coordinated strategies to strengthen the Organization's expertise and capacity to engage corporations, foundations, and individuals in UN causes and to support the United Nations system in its advocacy and outreach efforts through partnership building.
In the last decade the number of private sector entities who approached the UN seeking advice on how to engage and provide assistance has increased significantly. Different sized companies, producing a wide spectrum of goods and services, have approached the Office to offer help or to seek advice on how to join the UN in finding sustainable solutions to some of the world's most challenging problems.
Although most of the private sector companies and foundations interested in increased engagement with the UN System are based in developed countries, those with origins in developing countries has been increasing steadily. The Office has received strong interest in partnering in United Nations-led poverty reduction, disaster prevention, education, health and environmental programmes, as well as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, in the least developed countries.
Asha-Rose Migiro
Asha-Rose Mtengeti Migiro is a Tanzanian lawyer and politician. On January 5, 2007, she was named as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. She was formally appointed and assumed office on February 1. She is married to Cleophas Migiro, and the couple has two daughters...
, oversees the day-to-day operations of UNOP.
UN Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)
United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)
The United Nations Fund for International Partnerships was established in March 1998 by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan. UNFIP is responsible for administering and developing partnerships between UN agencies, departments, and programmes and the private sector...
was established by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
in March 1998 to serve as the interface for the partnership between the United Nations system
United Nations System
The United Nations system consists of the United Nations, its subsidiary organs , the specialized agencies, and affiliated organizations...
and the United Nations Foundation
United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation started up in 1998 with a $1 billion grant from Ted Turner in order to support the United Nations in executing its programs worldwide. The creation of the Foundation was intended to encourage other donors to also support the UN in its activities...
- the public charity responsible for administering Ted Turner
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
's $1 billion contribution in support of UN causes. UNFIP is responsible for administering and developing partnerships between the agencies, departments, and programmes of the United Nations and the private sector. UNFIP works with foundations and corporations that wish to support UN causes to identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration.
In particular, UNFIP facilitates the UN's work with the United Nations Foundation
United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation started up in 1998 with a $1 billion grant from Ted Turner in order to support the United Nations in executing its programs worldwide. The creation of the Foundation was intended to encourage other donors to also support the UN in its activities...
, which Ted Turner established to donate $1 billion to the UN over the course of 15 years, though UNFIP has also worked closely with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It is "driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family"...
, the Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
, the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
, the Synergos Institute, and the LTB Foundation, among others. Some of the companies which UNFIP has engaged in partnerships include Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, and Ericsson
Ericsson
Ericsson , one of Sweden's largest companies, is a provider of telecommunication and data communication systems, and related services, covering a range of technologies, including especially mobile networks...
. The partnerships developed and managed by UNFIP all work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. UNFIP is supervised by Ms. Shari Klugman, the Chief Operating Officer.
UNFIP Priorities
Funds mobilized by the UN Foundation are channelled, through UNFIP into the UN system, for implementation of projects to achieve the Millennium Development Goals through investments in:- Children’s Health
- Population and Women
- Environment
- Peace, Security and Human Rights
Since 1998, the UN Foundation has contributed a total of $1.028 billion in grants to the United Nations through UNFIP. The contributions have been provided to fund 413 projects in 123 countries implemented by 39 UN agencies. The UN Foundation is working to leverage another $1 billion for UN causes within the next few years.
UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF)
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), established by then-Secretary-General Kofi AnnanKofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
in July 2005, supports democratization throughout the world by focusing on democratic institutions, promoting human rights, and ensuring the participation of all groups in democratic processes. UNDEF provides assistance to governmental, non-governmental, national, regional, and international organizations, including relevant United Nations departments, offices, funds, programmes and agencies. UNDEF complements current UN efforts to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. UNDEF is overseen by Mr. Roland Rich, the Executive Head.
UNDEF Priorities
- Strengthening democratic dialogue and support for constitutional processes
- Civil society empowerment
- Civic education, voter registration and strengthening of political parties
- Citizen’s access to information
- Human rights and fundamental freedoms
- Accountability, transparency and integrity
As of June 2009, the Democracy Fund had received over US$ 96 million in pledges or contributions from 36 Member States.
UNDEF launched the second round of project applications from November to December 2008 and received over 1,800 applications. In early 2008, UNDEF conducted assessments of these projects with a team of assessors using a score scale, which resulted in a short list of 360 projects. The Programme Consultative Group (PCG) members consist of the UN Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Department of Political Affairs (UNDPA) (with the Peacebuilding Commission as an observer). UN Resident Coordinators participate in a quality control process of reviewing projects and produce a list of 86 projects totaling a project cost of about US$ 25 million. UNDEF held its 7th Advisory Board meeting with the Secretary-General on 28 March 2008. In May, all 86 projects were approved by the Secretary-General and in June 2008, UNDEF forwarded letters to all Permanent Representatives informing them of projects which will take place in their countries. In parallel to this effort, UNDEF initiated negotiation of project documents with implementing agencies of 86 projects. Upon approval by the UN Controller’s Office, UNDEF will initiate disbursements of grants in July and August 2008.
Partnership Advisory Services
UNOP also provides Partnership Advisory Services and Outreach to a variety of entities, including academic institutions, companies, foundations, government agencies and civil society organizations. UNOP encourages investment in high-impact initiatives by advising on UN procedures and best practices; assisting in the design of programmes and projects; helping establish and, in some cases, manage global and regional networks; and advocating use of the MDGs as a framework for action.Outreach
UNOP has worked in close collaboration with the United Nations FoundationUnited Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation started up in 1998 with a $1 billion grant from Ted Turner in order to support the United Nations in executing its programs worldwide. The creation of the Foundation was intended to encourage other donors to also support the UN in its activities...
to further promote and implement partnership advisory services and outreach initiatives, and foster innovative strategies for engaging non-state actors with the UN System. The Office has also brokered and coordinated strategies to strengthen the Organization's expertise and capacity to engage corporations, foundations, and individuals in UN causes and to support the United Nations system in its advocacy and outreach efforts through partnership building.
In the last decade the number of private sector entities who approached the UN seeking advice on how to engage and provide assistance has increased significantly. Different sized companies, producing a wide spectrum of goods and services, have approached the Office to offer help or to seek advice on how to join the UN in finding sustainable solutions to some of the world's most challenging problems.
Although most of the private sector companies and foundations interested in increased engagement with the UN System are based in developed countries, those with origins in developing countries has been increasing steadily. The Office has received strong interest in partnering in United Nations-led poverty reduction, disaster prevention, education, health and environmental programmes, as well as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, in the least developed countries.
See also
- United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)The United Nations Fund for International Partnerships was established in March 1998 by then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan. UNFIP is responsible for administering and developing partnerships between UN agencies, departments, and programmes and the private sector...
- United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
- Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development GoalsThe Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
- UN Secretariat