In the Outcome Document^[1] of the World Summit 2005, Member States agreed to support stronger system-wide coherence across the various development-related organizations, development and humanitarian agencies, funds and programmes in order to improve the United Nations system with regard to effectiveness, efficiency and coordination. By ensuring that the main policy themes agreed upon in international development goals, including the Millenium Development Goals, are taken into consideration in decision-making throughout the United Nations, the linkages between the normative work and its operational activities are sought to be strengthened.

In February 2006, based on the paragraph 169 of the World Summit Outcome Document, the Secretary-General created a High Level Panel on United Nations System-wide Coherence in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment.^[2] The panel consists of 15 members and is co-chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan, Luisa Dias Diogo of Mozambique and Jens Stoltenberg of Norway. The study undertaken by the High Level Panel intends to lay the groundwork for a fundamental restructuring of the United Nations operational work. Its primary aim is provide recommendations on rationalization on maximizing resources for relief and development programmes while minimizing overhead and administrative costs as well as to reveal duplication and overlap of work within United Nations agencies and to identify comparative advantages.

On November 9^th 2006 the High Level Panel presented to the Member States an advance unedited report^[3]. The document contained recommendations on a variety of thematic areas. Following, some key propositions provided by the panel are summarized:

In the field of Development the High Level Panel suggests the United Nations should pool together all UN programmes and "deliver as one" at country level. The "One UN" country programme is managed by one Resident Coordinator with one budget and, if appropriate, one office. The UN system-wide ownership of the Resident Coordinator system shall be overseen by a UN Sustainable Development Board, which ensures system-wide coherence and coordination as well as performance monitoring. A Global Leader's Forum (L27) should be established within ECOSOC providing leadership and guidance to the international community on development and global public goods issues.

With regard to the Humanitarian Assistance the panel stresses the UN's leading role in humanitarian disasters and seeks to further enhance its importance. In order to avoid fragmented humanitarian assistance, a stronger partnership between the UN, national governments, International Organisations and NGOs is reckoned. The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) should be fully funded as to ensure quicker and more effective flows of funds in response to disasters.

As far as the Environment is concerned, the High Level Panel strives for a more powerful UNEP granting it real authority as the environmental policy pillar of the United Nations system. UN agencies, programmes and funds with responsibilities in the area of the environment should cooperate more effectively on a thematic basis and through partnerships with a respective agency at the centre.

The panel aims to submit a final report during the General Assembly's 61st session for possible implementation in 2007.

[1] A/RES/60/1 World Summit Outcome Document paragraph 169

[2] Formation of the High Level Panel

[3] High Level Panel Report