Tehran, YJC. -- On the occasion of UN Day, the United Nations in Iran is launching the Summary Report of the work completed during 2012-2013 under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for the Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday.
The UNDAF is the overall guiding strategy for the United Nations’ development work in Iran, which was discussed and agreed upon with the Government in 2011.
Covering the period 2012-2016, it addresses five priority areas – poverty reduction, health, environmentally sustainable development, natural disaster management, and drug reduction and control. In terms of numbers of achievements, to date, most of the results have been delivered in the areas of health and the environment. But all areas have shown results.
The UNDAF Summary Report provides a concise, fact-based overview of the work of the UN in Iran during 2012-2013. The Summary Report will give readers a sense of how far the UN has come, and what remains to be done with particular focus on the United Nations development work.
One challenge faced by all UN agencies is that of funding constraints and resource mobilization. The UNDAF budget requirement for 2012-2016 was estimated at around US$160 million. A significant amount of that budget still has to be raised. Of the amount already raised, during the period 2012-2013, some US$44 million – or approximately 30% of the original budget – has been spent.
"This report reflects the diversity and extent of the UNDAF programme,” says Mr. Gary Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, "our achievements so far will guide us towards the completion of the current framework. As we look to the remainder of the UNDAF cycle in 2015 and 2016, the UN in Iran will be working hard to achieve our joint targets. We will build on lessons learned. And as this report demonstrates, there is no doubt that the UN can add value. Working together, we can make a difference where it matters most – in improving the lives of people in Iran.”