The United Nations and the European Union have made a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people worldwide but they can coordinate better how they fund development programmes to ensure a more efficient use of cash, UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told EU officials during her visit to Bonn, Strasbourg and Brussels 12-15 March.
Ms. Migiro, who started her post in February, met with the European Union development ministers in Bonn, addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg and held talks with Louis Michel, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid among others, in Brussels. In her talks she welcomed the EU’s recent policy initiatives in the area of development and humanitarian aid and the strong partnership between the UN and the EU. The tangible results of this cooperation are detailed in a new report “The partnership between the UN and the EU”, which she presented to Commissioner Michel during their meeting.
Tangible difference
“The message is clear: the United Nations and the European Union are engaged in a vital, tremendously complementary partnership,” Ms. Migiro told a press conference after her talks with Mr. Michel.
“The United Nations brings to this relationship its unique global legitimacy and impartiality; its longstanding presence, especially in fragile countries; and its deep expertise in economic and social development. The European Union brings the admirable solidarity of its citizens with the plight of the world’s poor and with the agenda of the United Nations.”
“Together, we have made a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people. Of course, we must always strive to do better, to draw lessons from our setbacks and to strengthen cooperation for tomorrow.”
The Deputy Secretary General is responsible for the UN's relations with the 27-nation bloc, the major world donor.
"I think the challenge we will be facing together is coordination and harmonisation so that we put to good use the resources that we get," Ms. Migiro told reporters.