Solidarity of United Nations Development System ‘Human, Immediate and Deeply Felt’, Speaker Says as Economic and Social Council Operational Activities Segment Begins
The solidarity of the United Nations development system is not only institutional, but also “human, immediate and deeply felt”, the Economic and Social Council heard today as it began its Operational Activities for Development Segment.
Speaking during the Segment’s interactive dialogue, its moderator Inga Rhonda King (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) praised the responsiveness of the UN development system, especially in disaster-prone regions. During the 2020 volcanic eruption as well as during last year’s Hurricane Beryl, it became a lifeline for the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. “In one of our darkest hours, the resident coordinator system proved its worth,” she said, noting that it mobilized swiftly and ensured “that our people were not alone”.
The Operational Activities for Development Segment is an annual meeting that provides overall coordination and guidance to the governing bodies of the United Nations development system. This year, it is being held at Headquarters in New York from 20 to 22 May and will feature interactive dialogues and panel discussions as well as high-level dialogues with the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and executive heads of the system.
Supporting the Frontlines of Operational Activities for Development: Messages from the Field
Today’s interactive dialogue featured two panel discussions on “Supporting the frontlines of operational activities for development: Messages from the field”. The first panel focused on how the UN supports national development pathways to eradicate poverty and ensure sustainable development.
Examples of UN Development Cooperation with Paraguay
Marcelo Eliseo Scappini Ricciardi (Paraguay) highlighted examples of this from his country, which has had a UN presence for 50 years. The synergy between Paraguay and the UN is both substantive as well as methodological, he said. The Organization has given Paraguay the tools and guidelines to implement public policies — this has helped the country create national development plans while “keeping as a reference the multilateral instruments which are negotiated in New York as well as other places”, he said.
In all these efforts, Paraguay, with the assistance of the United Nations, is prioritizing a participatory approach that includes farmers, Indigenous Peoples and other vulnerable groups. This approach also involves national authorities at different levels, from the departmental to municipal. “As much as possible, we try to incorporate civil society,” he said, adding that “like other Governments in general, our Government does not always have the full support and the full trust of the civil society.”
He then drew attention to Paraguay’s collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on priority areas including health, food and education. This collaboration also focuses on reducing rural poverty and inequality by strengthening food systems. Also highlighting the country’s cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), he said informed decision-making, based on science, is important. He stressed the need to strengthen and resource the role of the resident coordinator so that there is coordination between the UN agencies in a country.
Resident Coordinators in Lesotho and Indonesia Highlight Partnerships
The panel also heard from two resident coordinators, both speaking virtually. “Lesotho is a nation of remarkable resilience and potential,” Amanda Mukwashi, United Nations Resident Coordinator for that country, said. Yet it continues to face complex development challenges made more acute by changes in trade and reductions in official development assistance (ODA). Over 60 per cent of the population in rural areas remain underserved. Youth unemployment affects at least one in every four young people and the country continues to grapple with climate shocks, food insecurity and gender-based violence. The UN country team’s 2024–2028 Cooperation Framework with Lesotho is built around good governance and social equity, food systems, climate action, environmental sustainability and economic development.
In 2024, following a declared national food emergency, the UN secured $2 million in Central Emergency Response Fund funding, reaching over 350,000 people with life-saving support. Further, a joint high-level mission by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) — invited by King Letsie III — mobilized an additional $5 million to boost climate-resilient agriculture and strengthen food systems. In governance, the UN supports Lesotho’s national reforms process, which addresses seven critical areas: constitutional, parliamentary, judicial, public service, security, media, and socioeconomic reforms. Identifying key lessons from Lesotho’s experience, she stressed the importance of national ownership.
Gita Sabharwal, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Indonesia, said that country’s vision of its national development is closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN is strategically accelerating this development pathway through cutting-edge expertise and science-based solutions. It is also leveraging partnerships and innovative finance, with Government, the private sector and banks. Indonesia has prioritized boosting food and energy security, she said. Highlighting a flagship nutritious meals programme for children and pregnant women, she said the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WFP and WHO are providing coordinated technical assistance on food safety, developing local food value chains using satellite imagery and testing delivery models for remote islands.
The country’s strategy for energy security aims to scale up renewables and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. The UN, through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and UNDP, is investing in the conversion of the country's largest grid into a smart grid, she said. Further, it has helped Indonesia mobilize $11.6 billion in support of sustainable agriculture and other activities through the SDG Joint Fund. She also highlighted the Indonesia-UN Consultative Forum which serves as the coordination platform for voluntary national reviews that provide the analytics needed for this collaboration.
Identifying Performance Gaps and Needs in UN Support for Programme Countries
The second panel discussion today focused on identifying performance gaps and needs in the UN’s support for the programme countries. Speakers included Tesfaye Yilma Sabo (Ethiopia); Richard Howard, Resident Coordinator, Papua New Guinea, speaking virtually; and Parvathy Ramaswami, Resident Coordinator for Tajikistan. Panel discussants included José Alberto Bríz Gutiérrez (Guatemala); Gheorghe Leucă (Republic of Moldova); and Bård Vegar Solhjell, Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. They identified lessons that are transferable to other country settings — particularly in data and digital economies. They also highlighted efforts to enhance joint resource mobilization.
Operational Activities for Development Segment Is ‘Where We Shape our Future’
Prior to the panel discussions, Krzysztof Szczerski (Poland), Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council, delivered opening remarks. He said the Segment is one of the most important platforms for reviewing the effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the United Nations development system. “It is also where we shape its future,” he said, adding that while reforms have strengthened the system, urgent action is still needed to “scale up support, address persistent funding gaps, and ensure impact at country level”.
This year, the Segment will focus on assessing the progress made by the United Nations development system in implementing the mandates of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review. It will also offer Member States an opportunity to examine how the development system functions at the country level, how it cooperates with partners, and what are the main lessons learned.
Highlighting “a concept very dear to my own country — resilience,” he said it is essential to strengthen the resilience of societies and institutions, whether confronting poverty and hunger, climate change, conflicts, pandemic aftershocks, or the cost-of-living crisis. “The task before us is not simply to do more, but to do better, faster, and in ways that are transformative and accountable”, he stressed.
Deputy Secretary-General Highlights Shared Ambition to Build on Progress
Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, also delivered opening remarks, noting that “we will be listening and taking on board” suggestions and guidance from Member States. She expressed appreciation to Member States for “asking us the hard questions and pressing us to go even further”. The Segment is a critical platform for Member States to hold the development system accountable.
Following the “momentous signal of unity” represented by the Pact for the Future, she said, Member States adopted the 2024 quadrennial comprehensive policy review — a landmark resolution that sets the strategic direction for the UN development system over the next four years. The review reflects the shared ambition to build on the progress that has been achieved since the 2018 repositioning of the development system. It “challenged us to deepen transparency and accountability and sought to breathe new life into the [Economic and Social’s Council Operational Activities for Development] Segment,” she said, adding: “We will rise to your challenge and in return we ask that you continue to deepen your engagement in this session.”
She also highlighted upcoming opportunities to scale up multilateral ambition, including the World Social Summit and the thirtieth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In particular, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development will seek to agree on steps that will unlock large-scale SDG investment to put the Goals back on track and to reform the international financial architecture.
Chelsea Antoine, youth delegate from the Caribbean Regional Youth Council, also spoke during the opening segment. Delegates also watched a video on the UN development system.