Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This policy brief analyses the possible convergence of SDG indicators for Colombia. The methodology uses an agent-based model to depict the distribution of public resources for the SDGs within governments, modelling budgeting inertia, interdependency, and spillovers across the 17 SDGs, with the purpose of informing policymakers of the prospective implications of current budgetary policy. Using historical budget and development indicators, we find that (i) at the current pace, only 18 percent of SDG indicators will reach their targets by 2030; (ii) there are structural bottlenecks in close to 65 percent of SDG indicators that do not respond to boosts in resources; and (iii) budget reallocations could have a greater impact on SDG achievement than simply increasing resources. To accelerate SDG achievement, governments need to redesign some of the current programs and implement results-based budgeting anchored by SDG indicators.

Small arms and gender are intrinsically linked. A rich body of research in South-East Europe has documented how gender norms and roles can, in a complex interplay with other factors, fuel demand for small arms and shape patterns of their misuse. Gender also conditions specific risks that women and men face with respect to small arms misuse, in particular the forms and extent of their exposure to armed violence. On the other hand, widespread availability and misuse of small arms exacerbate existing gender inequalities, both in conflict and non-conflict settings, and reinforce power imbalances between women and men, which is most evident in the context of violence against women. These patterns are remarkably stable and, until recently, policy and the operational response have been weak and have mostly failed to adequately address links between gender and small arms. However, institutions in the Western Balkans, with support from UNDP SEESAC, are increasingly making efforts to mainstream the gender perspective across arms control frameworks, providing a blueprint for more gender-responsive policy solutions and contributing to more resilient communities. Elaborating on such experiences, this brief provides an overview of key evidence which has shaped arms control debates in the region and facilitated making a case for mainstreaming gender in small arms control. The brief further outlines practical strategies for gender mainstreaming and highlights the importance of gender analysis in enhancing the gender responsiveness of arms control. Finally, it discusses policy implications of bringing gender perspectives into arms control policies as well as ways forward.

Amidst increasingly protracted and complex crises and ‘development emergencies’, the operational environment for development agencies like UNDP requires programming approaches that can be applied across the humanitarian development-peace nexus. These approaches must integrate interventions from multiple sectors and be truly locally owned. After decades of use in development practice, area-based programming (ABP) still has the potential to meet these simultaneous needs. This paper explores the unique characteristics of ABP and its applicability to complex development and crisis settings. It further proposes new frontiers of practice moving forward.

Настоящая концептуальная записка представляет собой план дальнейших действий. В ней описаны встроенные в культуру рычаги воздействия, составляющие основу наших организационных преобразований, а также «пятерка изменений», которая на них опирается. Несмотря на то, что все направления концепции «ООН 2.0» представлены по отдельности, они взаимосвязаны и взаимно дополняют друг друга. В каждой главе мы наглядно демонстрируем потенциал воздействия, объясняем, почему мы переориентируем подходы, отмечаем, где мы находимся сейчас, излагаем наши цели и описываем, как мы меняемся. В данной концептуальной записке мы закладываем широкую основу для изменений и задаем направление для разработки более подробных стратегий, планов и инициатив. Каждая структура системы ООН будет самостоятельно заниматься реализацией концепции «ООН 2.0», продвигаясь по своему собственному пути. Каждый элемент «пятерки изменений» неповторимым образом отразится на каждой структуре — в зависимости от ее мандата и соответствующих условий.

The present policy brief charts the journey ahead. It describes the cultural levers that form the foundation of our organizational transformation, along with the “quintet of change” that builds on it. While introduced separately, all UN 2.0 areas are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. In each chapter, we illustrate the potential for impact, explain why we shift approaches, highlight where we are now, outline our goals and describe how we are changing. With this policy brief, we provide a broad framework for change and offer direction for more detailed strategies, plans and initiatives. Each United Nations entity will pursue its own journey towards the UN 2.0 vision, progressing along its own path. Every element of the “quintet of change” will have a unique footprint in every entity – tailored to mandate and context.

本政策简报描绘了未来征程，介绍了构成我们组织变革基础的文化杠杆，以及建立在此基础上的 “变革五重奏”。虽然是分别介绍，但联合国2.0 的所有领域都是相互关联、相辅相承的。在每一章中，我们都会说明产生影响的潜力，解释我们为什么要转变方法，介绍我们目前的状况，概述我们的目标，说明我们正在如何转变。通过这份政策简报，我们提供一个广泛的变革框架，并为更详细的战略、计划和倡议指明方向。每个联合国实体都将在实现联合国2.0愿景的征程中，沿着自己的道路不断前进。“变革五重奏” 中的每一个要素都将根据各个实体的任务和背景量身定制，并在每个实体中留下独特的足迹。

Digital trade is increasingly important and comprises both digitally ordered trade in goods and services (cross-border electronic commerce (e-commerce)) and digitally delivered trade (services delivered internationally through the Internet or other networks). However, countries vary greatly in their readiness for digital trade. If the share of developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, in world trade is to increase, as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, actions are needed to strengthen their capacity to benefit from digital trade. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has made this need even more urgent.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the shift toward a more digital world in a way that will have long-lasting effects. Lockdown measures have led to a surge in electronic commerce (e-commerce), as consumers look for alternatives to in-person shopping. Such shifts in global consumer behaviour mean that a robust e-commerce framework is rapidly becoming an essential component of a regionally integrated economy. Moreover, e-commerce and other economic activities enabled by information and communications technology have the potential to accelerate progress towards all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. However, many developing countries face challenges when it comes to the promotion and implementation of e-commerce. Leading these challenges are consumer concerns over the cybersecurity infrastructure that underpins electronic transactions, especially the lack of strong methods of authentication to tackle fraud-related issues. To address such challenges, countries should establish policies that lead to the implementation of a robust national digital identity framework.

Ensuring easy and affordable access by developing countries to appropriate technologies is critical in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Open-source technologies can provide a means of effective technology transfer. Countless open-source designs and technologies are shared by innovators worldwide, yet there is currently no central repository of such technologies and this makes it difficult for producers or consumers in developing countries to locate and access them. The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations recently adopted resolution 2021/30 on open-source technologies for sustainable development. In this policy brief, an explanation of why developing countries need access to such technologies and proposals of ways to move forward in implementing the resolution are provided.

Border closures, restrictions and other measures taken by countries to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have caused large numbers of seafarers – peaking at an estimated 400,000 in September 2020 – to remain stranded at sea, far beyond contract expiration dates and the 11-month maximum period of continuous service on board ships. This has caused a humanitarian crew change crisis and brought working conditions in the shipping sector into the spotlight. Governments and industry should continue to collaborate with all other relevant stakeholders to address the crew change crisis and ensure that seafarers are designated as key workers and are prioritized for vaccinations.