United Nations: Progress on Management Reform Efforts Has Varied

The United Nations (U.N.) Office for Project Services (UNOPS) provides numerous services for its clients, including procurement and project management. Recent audits and investigations of UNOPS have revealed alleged violations of law, weak internal controls, and financial mismanagement. UNOPS officials misused some of the more than $400 million awarded to UNOPS by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2004 through 2008. This report: (1) assessed the extent to which UNOPS has addressed key concerns about its internal controls; and (2) evaluated USAID's oversight of UNOPS-implemented projects. To address these objectives, the report reviewed UNOPS and USAID policies and grant documentation. Illus.

The U.N. headquarters in N.Y. City neither conforms to current bldg. codes nor meets U.N. technology or security requirements. As the U.N.¿s host country and largest contributor, the U.S. has a substantial interest in the success of the Capital Master Plan (CMP), a project to renovate the complex. This report reviews the following areas: renovation, approach, schedule, cost, funding, risk mgmt., project progress, procurement, and oversight. The author reviewed U.N. documents and met with officials from the CMP office and other U.N. depts. He also reviewed U.N. documents and oversight reports and interviewed U.N. officials from the Office of Internal Oversight Services and officials from the U.S. Dept. of State. Includes recommendations. Illus.

The U.S. is the largest financial contributor to U.N. peacekeeping operations -- providing $1.4 billion in 2008 (about 26% of the total U.N. peacekeeping assessed budget) -- and has a strong interest in the efficient and effective mgmt. of these operations. The size and scope of U.N. peacekeeping has significantly increased over the past several years and the U.N. has pursued mgmt. reforms to strengthen its capacity to support operations. This report examines: (1) the status of the current restructuring and strengthening of peacekeeping mgmt. including procurement for the field; (2) the status of reforms to address previously identified problems with peacekeeping procurement; and (3) the U.N. Logistics Base¿s support of peacekeeping operations. Illus.

This book presents an overview of the key debates that took place during the Economic and Social Council meetings at the 2007 High-level Segment, at which ECOSOC organized its first biennial Development Cooperation Forum. The discussions also revolved around the theme of the second Annual Ministerial Review, "Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to sustainable development."--P. 4 of cover.