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Canada’s Commitment
Looking Ahead
As we settle into the 21st century, some key advances have been made in human development: the elimination of smallpox, significant increases in literacy and life expectancy, and food self-sufficiency in countries where famine was once the rule. Such progress has been made possible, in part, by individual developing countries working in partnership with multilateral development institutions of the United Nations. These organizations include, among others, the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Environment Programme. With financial support from donor states like Canada, these organizations carry out a range of development assistance programs in all developing countries, including those in conflict.
The focus on results underpins Canada’s “Responsibilities Agenda,” introduced by the Prime Minister at the 2004 UN General Assembly session. It is aimed at encouraging concrete action. The international community is urged to meet our five most pressing, shared responsibilities: to protect civilians from conflict; to control weapons of mass destruction; to advance human rights; to promote genuine development […]; and to preserve the global commons.
As the only truly global organization, the United Nations has a unique opportunity to take action on these five responsibilities. |
While addressing traditional themes like poverty reduction, the United Nations funds and programmes also tackle sensitive issues such as human rights and good governance. Each country, no matter how small, that is a member of these multilateral institutions has a voice in decision making.
United Nations funds and programmes also advocate on behalf of the poor and marginalized, and create international consensus around key development objectives. For example, as a result of the United Nations Millennium General Assembly, September 2000, the international community committed to a series of clear, measurable, and time-sensitive targets regarding poverty reduction, health, education, and environmental sustainability.
Canada's Commitment
For some time now, Canada and other donor countries have been advocating that greater attention be paid to issues of gender equality, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. This advocacy has helped increase awareness and shape the work of United Nations funds and programmes in countries around the world.
Canada is a strong supporter of multilateral institutions working in the development sector. Through CIDA’s United Nations and Commonwealth Division, Canada provides core financial support. This support builds the capacity of United Nations funds and programmes to work on a large scale; to use an integrated, system-wide approach to address complex issues; and to generate and share critical knowledge that can benefit the global community. Also, as a member of the governing boards of these organizations, Canada contributes by strengthening their strategic orientation and helping them remain leaders in their fields.
Looking Ahead
To improve development effectiveness, Canada supports a more coordinated and cohesive approach among the multilateral development institutions and bilateral donors. CIDA collaborates with other donor agencies to develop joint institutional strategies that coordinate relationships with UN organizations, and engages in multi-donor evaluations such as the Multilateral Organizations Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN) Annual Survey. In dialogue with its partners, CIDA also promotes more joint planning and programming, as well as simplified procedures among United Nations institutions. Canada recognizes the resolutions adopted in the 2005 World Summit outcome document that call for UN reform; and CIDA, though cooperation and collaboration with its UN partners, supports initiatives that will lead to a strengthened, efficient, and effective United Nations development system.
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