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In 2011, the UN and the EU worked together to support governments and societies in over 110 countries
This report reflects the partnership between the United Nations and the European Union in humanitarian and development cooperation in 2011. The results presented in this report belong to the governments and people of the countries since only their tireless efforts assure development – the EU-UN partnership can but support.
The EU was frequently part of multi-donor arrangements coordinated by the UN in support of country-led efforts. An independent evaluation underlined that by working together, the EU and the UN were able to achieve more than each could working alone. The results in this report do not constitute the entirety of the results achieved in 2011.
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The United Nations Millennium Declaration and Millennium Development Goals agreed in 2000 guide our action:
“...certain fundamental values [are] essential to international relations in the 21st Century: Freedom ... Equality ... Solidarity ... Tolerance ... Respect for nature ... Shared responsibility...”
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The UN-EU partnership is founded upon the UN Charter of 1945
“We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war .... To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights .... To establish conditions upon which justice and respect...for international law can be maintained ... To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.”
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FOREWORD BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL (1/2)
The European Union is a key partner of the United Nations and our joint efforts span all three pillars of the work of the United Nations – peace and security, development and human rights.
This report highlights an array of results from our vibrant cooperation in 2011, both on the ground and at the policy level. Together we saved and improved lives in over 110 countries. We worked to make development more sustainable by enhancing food security, providing humanitarian assistance, promoting decent work and addressing climate change. And in a year that saw many nations undergo dramatic transformations and moves towards democracy, we continued our strong focus on promoting good governance and building of institutions for justice and the rule of law.
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FOREWORD BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL (2/2)
Partnership remains one of the cornerstones for progress. By joining forces with each other and with the private sector, civil society and key stakeholders, the United Nations and the European Union made a real difference in the lives of the most needy and vulnerable and achieved much more than either organization could have on its own. Partnerships will be increasingly critical as the international community seeks to articulate the post-2015 development agenda and sustain the momentum generated by the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development.
I greatly appreciate the EU support that made these achievements possible. I look forward to deepening this partnership in the years to ahead in our shared quest for global peace and prosperity for all.
BAN Ki-moon
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FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION (1/2)
I welcome this seventh report on the main accomplishments of the cooperation between the European Commission and the UN agencies, funds and programmes throughout the world in 2011.
This report shows how, by joining forces, the European Union and the United Nations create added value, improve the lives of people in difficult conditions throughout the developing world and achieve concrete results in the field.
During the last year we have witnessed far-reaching changes across the globe. Many developing countries have made significant progress towards the achievement of the MDGs. At the same time, we have witnessed rising inequalities within countries, and intensifying global challenges related to conflict and countries in transition.
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FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2/2)
All this makes our natural partnership for peace, human rights and development even more relevant. Together with our UN counterparts and partner countries, we are determined to go further to help countries improve their governance; support local farmers and small-holders in needy countries; deliver essential services in health, education and sanitation; and to increase the effectiveness of our cooperation.
The global economic crisis, climate change, higher food and energy prices, and in particular people’s aspirations for democratic change and a better future, especially in the Mediterranean and Middle East, have resulted in a new environment for our organisations. We have deepened our cooperation in response and look forward to continuing this in the years to come. The EU remains entirely committed to living up to its responsibilities as a global actor, not least as the provider of more than half of global development aid.
I wish to thank the United Nations for this report which provides a valuable summary of our operational work in the development and humanitarian fields and adds significant visibility to our cooperation.
José Manuel Durão Barroso
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FOREWORD BY THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY (1/2)
Since I took up office I have made the Union’s partnership with the United Nations a priority. Few problems can today be dealt with by one state or even a small group of states. Whether it is the struggle to vaccine the world’s children or supporting countries in transition, we need the UN to play a crucial role. Close cooperation in maintaining peace grew in 2011 to cover the conflict cycle from prevention to post-conflict peace-building. EU member States contributed 40% of the peacekeeping budget and the further development of the EU’s Common defence capabilities allowed significant EU-UN cooperation off the coast of Somalia, in Kosovo and in Libya.
2001 showed that the EU and the UN are natural partners in the fight against global poverty, with the EU funding a range of UN programmes. Human rights also remained at the core of the EU’s external action; the UN is a central forum for the Union’s promotion of human rights.
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FOREWORD BY THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY (2/2)
In the Middle East, we worked closely together to respond to the aspirations of people for their dignity, freedoms and prosperity. Much remains to be done in the countries undergoing transitions, but together we will strive to provide the support people need.
Where the UN and the EU have worked particularly close in 2011 has been Africa. We have joined together to provide assistance to the new state of South Sudan, increased international engagement in the Sahel, and aided the transition in Cote d’Ivoire.
As the 7th report shows, UN-EU cooperation covers an ever-growing field of work. The UN General Assembly resolution in 2011 on enhancing the EU’s status will only serve to strengthen links further, allowing us jointly to work for a peaceful and prosperous world.
Catherine Ashton
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FOREWORD BY THE UN DIRECTOR IN BRUSSELS
This year, for the 7th edition of our UN-EU Partnership Report, the UN Team in Brussels consolidated the results achieved worldwide thanks to the contribution of the European Union. This report illustrates how the partnership between the United Nations and the European Union made a difference in 2011 in saving many lives which were exposed to extreme vulnerability and improving the lives of millions of people in very different development and crisis contexts. All these efforts are conducted in support of the national endeavors and proved essential to achieve more human security and a more dignified life.
The partnership has the unique feature of ranging from policy formulation to operational activities and emergency operations, within an overall capacity building focus. I am confident that its added value is made evident by the collection of achievements that the report summarizes. Today’s global challenges and local development issues require more than ever that all synergies are explored and put to use when supporting the quest of developing countries for more equity, sustainability and resilience. Therefore, the UN Team in Brussels looks forward to continued, intensified and effective cooperation with the European Union to achieve many more essential development results.
Antonio Vigilante
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“The UN and the EU have been working hand in hand for many years with a common goal: delivering better and more efficient aid to the people and countries in need. As for the future, our work should be built on the following three elements: first, the MDGs are the cornerstone of our actions for the years to come and we should put all our efforts into achieving results; second, in-depth and profound thinking should be done on the best ways to move beyond 2015; and third – we need to put into practice our commitment to better and more targeted development assistance.”
Andris Piebalgs
EU Commissioner for Development -
“The partnership between the EU and the UN has always been strong and is crucial in responding to humanitarian crises around the world, from drought in Africa to earthquakes and tsunamis in Asia. By working together we can save lives and keep the hope of humanity alive. We must all play our part. Together we can make a difference.”
Kristalina Georgieva
EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response -
“The EU-UN cooperation in the European Neighbourhood region was always effective, especially in responding to the challenges following the Arab Spring in the Southern Mediterranean. In Tunisia, we successfully cooperated to reinforce women’s rights. In Libya, we worked closely together after the revolution till the first national elections held in June 2012. Also in the Eastern Neighbourhood our partnership is strong and positive, including confidence building measures in protracted conflicts like in Moldova/Transnistria or on local development projects in Ukraine, not mentioning Integrated Border Management in the South Caucasus.
Together we can achieve a better life for the citizens in our partner countries. Due to our cooperation we respond swiftly and effectively to the challenges of our changing Neighbourhood region.”Štefan Füle
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy -
“The European Parliament shares and promotes UN values and objectives. A delegation of Members of the European Parliament visits the UN General Assembly every year and a working group EU/UN exists in the European Parliament. Additionally, there is an ongoing staff training exchange program between the two institutions. I wish to particularly emphasize the important policy dialogue which has been very active, also in 2011, and look forward to continued engagement.”
Martin Schulz
President of the European Parliament
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