The United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) System aims at improving efficiency and effectiveness of the operational activities of UN agencies, both resident and non-resident. Cooperation with the host governments rests on common platforms regarding developing and supporting implementation of national development policies and programmes. The RC system fosters collaboration with the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international financial institutions. The Resident Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the System's operational activities for development at country level.

UN System Collaboration and Co-ordination in Eritrea:

The United Nations Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator (R/HC) in Eritrea is the designated representative of the Secretary-General and is responsible for coordinating both UN developmental and humanitarian activities in Eritrea. This is achieved through forging unity and coherence of the UN Country Team in support of plans, priorities and strategies of the country. Collaboration with Government in the preparation of reports and key documents on national priorities fosters greater levels of effectiveness and efficiency, while harmonizing and simplifying the work of all UN agencies operating in that country.

In 2000 the UN Country Team together with the Government, donors and civil society partners prepared the Common Country Assessment (CCA), which reviewed and analysed the national development situation and identified key development issues and challenges, which reflect the joint vision of the UN, government and civil society.

The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2007 - 2011) (UNDAF), which provides a common planning framework for development operations of the UN system at country level, emanated from the analytical work of the CCA. The UNDAF was formulated in close consultation with the government and other partners, and represents a collective, coherent and integrated UN System response to the national priorities and needs. In 2005 UNCT Eritrea carried out the UN's harmonized common country programming process: preparation of the second a) Common Country Assessment (CCA) and b) The UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The Government of Eritrea and the United Nations Country Team jointly prepared the 2005 CCA and it is finalized.

As part of the UN harmonization Country Programming Process training on Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to programming and Results Based Management (RBM) were given to Senior Programme Officers from the UNCT and government side.

The UNCT jointly with the Government of the State of Eritrea conducted a three-day strategic planning retreat in October 2005. Based on national priorities and UN system's comparative advantages, the strategic planning retreat agreed that the UN should focus on the following five strategic areas: food security; emergency/recovery; basic social services; capacity development; and gender.

The Annual RC Report highlights the major political, social and economic events that have taken place in the country. It also assesses the level of harmonization of programme cycles and simplification of procedures, employed by the UN agencies at the country level. It contains also reports on the year's activities of the thematic groups and sub-groups.

Thematic Groups provide frameworks for joint planning by the UN agencies. They ensure that inter-agency joint programming opportunities are maximised and that agencies' programme activities in each thematic area are coordinated. Four thematic groups and six sub-groups are established to provide theme-focused follow-up to UNDAF implementation.

At a retreat on Joint Programming, Simplification and Harmonization of Procedures, jointly held by the Government and the UN Country Team in 2003, a commitment was made to start implementing joint programmes. Hence, UNDAF Integrated Work plan (2004 - 2006) was prepared and areas amenable to joint programming were identified. In implementing UNDAF objectives, UN agencies are giving priority to carry out joint programmes, particularly when there is a clear added value. One of the joint programmes involving seven UN agencies assisted the Government in the preparation of the First Millennium Development Goals Report (MDGR) for Eritrea. Currently, five joint programmes are underway, while a similar number is being developed. The UNCT, in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Group Office (UNDGO), has undertaken a "Lessons Learned/Review of three Joint Programmes". A report is prepared and could be a key input to the review of the Guidance Note on Joint Programming, in 2006.

The UN Country Team in Eritrea (UNCT):

The UN Country Team (UNCT) comprises the following heads of UN agencies present in the country under the leadership of the RC:

Mr Macleod Nyirongo, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, UN RC
Mr Azouz Enifer, SRSG, UNMEE
Mr Dirk Jena, Representative, UNFPA
Mr Vedasto Joseph Mwesiga,Representative, UNHCR
Ms Eva jhansson, Representative, UNICEF
Mr Moeketsi Mokati, Representative, FAO
Mr Rahaman Chowadhurry, Representative/Country Director, WFP
Dr Andrew M. Kosia, Representative, WHO
Mr Chris Lovelace, Country Manager, WB
Mr Lebohang Moleko, DSRSG, UNMEE
Mr Stephen Lukudu, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, OCHA

All non-resident UN Agencies are represented by the R/HC. The UNCT holds weekly as well as monthly meetings both for information sharing and decision-making purposes. The UNCT's weekly meeting is chaired by the R/HC and is also attended by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG), and a Senior Political Affairs Officer of the UN (Peacekeeping) Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). The monthly meeting, in which the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) participates, is chaired, on a rotational basis, by one of the Heads of Agencies. For his part, the R/HC is a member of the daily UNMEE Senior Management Meeting (SMM).