Review of the Cluster System of the Regional Consultations Emmanuel Nnadozie Chief, NEPAD Support Unit ECA

Background Resolution 1998/46, the Economic and Social Council –called for the regular holding of regional consultations among United Nations agencies First meetings held in 1999 under the chairmanship of the Deputy Secretary General –Since 2000, the meetings have been convened by the respective Executive Secretaries of the five Regional Commissions 5 clusters created in 2002 at the 4 th RCM 7 clusters in clusters in 2006

ClusterConvener 1. Infrastructure development, water and sanitation, energy, transport and ICTsUNECA 2. GovernanceUNDP 3. Environment, population and urbanization UN- Habitat 4. Human resources development, employment and HIV/AIDSUNICEF 5. Agriculture, food security and rural developmentFAO 6. Science and technologyUNESCO 7. Advocacy and CommunicationsOSAA 8. Peace and security (New Cluster) UNDPA 9. Industry, trade and market access (New Cluster) UNIDO

Where are we today? We have had reviews of the RCM but not necessarily of the Cluster System The 7 th RCM made specific recommendations for revitalizing the clusters

7 th RCM recommended… Mainstreaming gender, youth, and capacity building in Cluster support to the AU and NEPAD Programme and resource alignment with AU and NEPAD priorities Joint planning and joint programming based on NEPAD action plan Dedicating staff to the support AU and NEPAD programmes in UN agencies Mobilizing resources Seconding staff to ECA’s Support Unit Monitoring actions and outcomes

Achievements… UN System continues… –Commit substantial material and financial resources in support of AU and NEPAD –Build institutional and human capacity –Develop policies, strategies and programmes –Build increased coordination and collaboration, and synergies at different levels –Build and strengthen confidence among UN agencies and between the UN, AU Commission and NEPAD Secretariat

Achievements… Likewise…  The creation of the sub-clusters has sharpened the focus of cluster activities for greater relevance and effectiveness  There is a growing number of cluster projects and activities at various stages of implementation  Communication between the NEPAD Secretariat and ECA, as well as with some cluster conveners has been enhanced

Also… ECA SRO’s have a better understanding of the objectives and functioning of the cluster system –They are taking steps to promote sub-regional coordination Continuous communication and advocacy for NEPAD have created increased national, sub- regional, regional and global support

Why cluster review? In spite of the achievements and the 7 th RCM –The performance of the clusters has been rather uneven and unsatisfactory –Meetings are still infrequent –Operational rules and procedures not developed by all clusters –Joint programmes are still rare –Programme alignment with AU and NEPAD remains the exception –Level of involvement of the AU Commission and NEPAD Secretariat still unsatisfactory

Also… No effective or formal mechanism for mutual cooperation and delivery Lack of dialogue and cooperation among the participating organizations Duplication or overlap of activities or initiatives Unpredictability of and inadequate representation at meetings Lack of clarity on the objectives and responsibilities of each cluster The 7 th RCM and SGs and JIU reports call for the cluster system to be reviewed and revitalized for greater efficiency and effectiveness

The review ECA commissioned a review of the UN cluster system in support of NEPAD The external review of the UN System-wide Cluster Support for the implementation of the NEPAD seeks to: –Provide institutional systemic operational and strategic –Strength the support mechanism –Make it more effective and productive In this regard, ECA organized an Ad hoc expert group meeting to examine the review report –Participants: NEPAD Secretariat, RECs, member states, private sector, UN agencies

Findings of the Review Issues relating to: 1.Cluster and subcluster activities Leadership and commitment Structure and system Accountability Coordination and collaboration Linkage with national level mechanisms Resource mobilization Communication, outreach and advocacy 2.Subregional coordination

Cluster and Sub-Cluster activities Commitment/Leadership Main issues Inadequate commitment, leadership and institutional support for effective functioning of the cluster system The dispersed locations of clusters conveners, co- conveners and focal points Recommendations High-profile leadership will provide much needed impetus for the effective functioning of the cluster system The intervention of the Secretary General may be necessary to garner sustained commitment and support

Structural/Systemic Main issues Alignment of programming cycles, preparation of joint plans Gender issues have not been systematically mainstreamed into the activities of the clusters Recommendations should be factored into any strategy designed to ensure the effective functioning of the cluster system It may be necessary to have a dedicated person in each cluster Gender should be adequately mainstreamed in the activities of the clusters and sub-clusters

Accountability Main Issue The non-implementation of existing recommendations is an issue that deserves urgent attention Recommendations The cluster system should institute a mechanism for ensuring accountability, at the cluster and individual agency levels. Recommendations should be revisited

Coordination/Collaboration Main issues The current coordination mechanism is too broad and fluid and does not elicit clear commitments on the part of participating agencies Linkages with AU Commission, NEPAD Secretariat, AfDB and the RECs is still problematic Recommendations Clusters should take into account activities of sectoral ministerial bodies Representatives of AU Commission and NEPAD Secretariat should attend meeting of UN system support to AU and its NEPAD Programme The Cluster system should include other partners and regional actors outside the UN system

National-level linkages Main issue Lack of ownership and leadership at the national level Lack of linkage between regional and national level mechanisms Recommendations A mechanism to link support to NEPAD at the regional and sub regional level. Incorporate NEPAD priorities into their national development priorities

Resource mobilization Main issue Mobilization of Resources is inadequate Recommendation Should prepare an action plan

Communication/Outreach/Advocacy Main issues Weak communication between UN agencies and the NEPAD secretariat. Inadequate communication and advocacy on achievements of the UN support to AU and NEPAD Recommendations Intensify communication and advocacy to create awareness about progress and achievement The communication, advocacy cluster should link with the communication and advocacy networks of AU/RECs, Establish an information sharing and knowledge- networking platform involving all stakeholders

Sub-Regional Coordination Main Issues Gap between regional and national level interventions Inadequate knowledge of the work of UN agencies at the sub regional level Sub-regional coordination may be difficult if regional integration issues are not clearly factored into the cluster system. The multiplicity of RECs and overlapping membership Capacity and financial constraints encountered by RECs limit their ability to attend all meetings

Recommendations Put in place appropriate coordination mechanism Improved information and exchange Address Regional Integration in the Cluster System RECs should be provided with timely information about NEPAD activities Cluster meetings could be held back-to-back with major regional meetings to improve interactions ECA and other UN agencies should intensify efforts to fully implement the recommendation of the seventh RCM on sub regional coordination

Additional Recommendations Prioritisation/ Rationalisation Focus more attention on the rationalisation/prioritisation of overall Programme objective. The UN system should prioritize its areas of support to NEPAD UN support to NEPAD should take into account the role of other regional players The NEPAD secretariat and the UN should consider implementing quick-win projects in key priority sectors

Capacity Building UN support to AU/NEPAD should take into account the Ten-Year Capacity Building Programme for the AU and the RECs Strengthen the capacities of RECs and the Private sector and national implementing organs