India contributes $1 mn to UN Development Partnership Fund

India has contributed additional $1 million to India-UN Development Partnership Fund, earmarked for South-South cooperation. The contribution aims to intensify its partnerships with other developing countries in south.
India has pledged multi-year contribution of $100 million to the fund established in June 2017. India has already provided $6 million within the seven months since launch of fund.

India-UN Development Partnership Fund

The fund was set up on 9 June 2017 on occasion of the World Oceans Day as a partnership between India and United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). It will be utilized to carry out country-level projects that would be catalytic towards achieving 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of 2030 Agenda.
The fund is managed by UNOSSC. It prioritises projects reducing poverty and hunger, improving health, education and equality, and expanding access to clean water and energy and livelihoods. It mainly focuses on transformational sustainable development projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States. The projects under fund are implemented by UN agencies in close collaboration with partnering governments.

Present Status

So far, it has developed an impressive portfolio of projects including in climate resilience, improving maternal health, youth employment, agricultural development, and infrastructure. It is also helping with reconstruction efforts in hurricanes-affected countries. Its first project is Climate Early Warning System for Pacific Island Countries.

United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)

The UNOSSC was established with an objective to promote, coordinate and support South-South and triangular cooperation across world within the UN system. It has its genesis in 1974 when UN General Assembly (UNGA) had endorsed establishment of special unit to promote technical cooperation among developing countries within United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In 2012, the special unit was given name UNOSSC by the UNGA through a resolution. UNOSSC receives policy directives and guidance from the UNGA.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2018