Partnerships for Smart Diplomacy
Interagency Policy Seminar
Foreign Service Institute, 12 May 2010
US Department of State
Opening Keynote
Amir Dossal
Executive Director
The UN Office for Partnerships
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Partnerships in the United Nations System
UN system has been partnering with the private sector and civil society for over
60 years.
The last decade has seen a surge in interest from non-state actors to support
UN causes.
Partnerships have:
– Increased in number
– Increased in significance
– Increased in scope
New forms of Partnerships have emerged:
Strategic Partnerships and Smart Partnerships
“Addressing global challenges requires a collective and concerted effort,
involving all actors. Through partnerships and alliances, and by pooling
comparative advantages, we increase our chances of success.”
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon
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Millennium Development Goals
 In September 2000, heads of 189 member states ratified the
Millennium Declaration.
 The Declaration established 8 Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs), which became an agreed blueprint for accelerating
improvements in the lives of the world’s poor by 2015.
 These 8 MDGs directly address social, economic and
environmental dimensions of worldwide development, and
help to prioritize some of our greatest challenges in the 21st
century.
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The Eight MDGs
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The UN Office for Partnerships
 Serves as a gateway for collaboration between the
private sector and foundations, and the United Nations
family.
 Promotes new partnerships and alliances
 Promotes the Millennium Development Goals
 Provides support to new initiatives of the SecretaryGeneral.
 UNOP is comprised of 3 sections:
– United Nations Fund for International Parterships (UNFIP)
– United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)
– Partnership Advisory and Outreach service
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The UN Office for Partnerships
Organizational Structure
UNDEF
Advisory Board
Secretary-General
Partnerships
Advisory Board
Deputy Secretary-General
United Nations Office for Partnerships
United Nations
Fund
for International
Partnerships
Partnership
Advisory and
Outreach Service
United Nations
Democracy
Fund
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The UN Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP)


Established by the
Secretary-General in
March 1998 to serve as
the interface between the
UN system and the UN
Foundation – the public
charity responsible for
administering Ted
Turner’s $1 billion
contribution in support of
UN causes.
To date over US$1 billion
has been programmed for
over 400 projects
implemented by 39 UN
entities in 123 countries
Thematic Contributions by the
UN Foundation through UNFIP
(in US $)
● Peace, Security
and Human Rights
49 985 198
● Other
63 348 023
● Women and
Population
135 993 119
● Environment
162 938 932
● Children’s
Health
619 404 908
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United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)
 The World Summit Outcome declared that Democracy is a
universal value; there is no single model of democracy; it
does not belong to any country or region. The Heads of State
and Government welcomed the establishment of a Democracy
Fund at the United Nations.
 As of today the Fund has allocated more then US$ 78 million for
211 projects in more than 100 countries and territories. It
supports Civil Society Organisations who present actionoriented projects with tangible improvements in democracy and
human rights; projects that focus on gender equality and the
participation of vulnerable groups.
 Democracy Fund supported projects foster democratic dialogue
and support for constitutional processes; civil society
empowerment; civic education, voter registration and political
parties strengthening; citizens access to information;
accountability, transparency and integrity.
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Partnership Advisory Services and Outreach (PASO)
a) Provides advice on appropriate strategies for developing and managing partnerships in
support of United Nations goals and objectives and related operational activities;
b) Provides technical advice to United Nations offices, departments and entities concerning
partnership building, advocacy and resource mobilization strategies with the private sector,
foundation and civil society partners;
c) Provides advice to external entities on United Nations procedures and best practices;
d) Provides advice on strategies for effective outreach;
e) Identifies opportunities for public-private partnerships for advocacy support and for
supporting operational activities of the United Nations, including resource mobilization in
support of United Nations causes;
f) Facilitates the engagement of private sector, civil society and philanthropic leadership in
the work of the United Nations system, including by convening meetings to promote
dialogue and outreach with relevant United Nations entities on partnership opportunities,
strategies and policy issues;
g) Facilitates and brokers engagement and dialogue between companies signatories to the
Global Compact and relevant United Nations system partners, including senior
management, technical experts and the network of private sector focal points, with a view
of converting principles into practice;
h) Assists in the design of programmes and projects;
i) Helps establish and, in some cases, manage global and regional networks, and
partnerships.
In 2009, the Office handled nearly 1,400 enquires
*Source: ST/SGB/2009/14, dated 18 December 2009.
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Key Data on UNOP

UNFIP: By the end of 2008, 455 projects have been implemented by 39
United Nations entities in 123 countries. Total funding reached $1.06
billion in 11 years, 42% of which came from UN Foundation’s allocation,
while the rest was generated via other private and civil society partners.

UNDEF: By 2008, 204 initiatives out of a total of 1,873 applications from
137 countries were approved with a funding of $58.7 million. In 2007,
applications increased by 45%. UNDEF also enlarged the donor base to
35 Member States to boost funding to $91 million.

PASO: In 2009, 1,400 plus external requests came through UNOP for
partnership advisory assistance, a 40% increase over 2008. Out of the
total activities conducted by UNOP, 60% was for advisory services.
(numbers from 2009 Roland Rich)
Focus on Results
Measurable
Reportable
Verifiable
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*Source: Annual Report of the Secretary-General A/64/91, dated 12 August 2009
“Today, the United Nations Foundation is a key
Partner and ally for the United Nations, serving
as an architect of new and innovative alliances to
advance UN goals. We have focused on creating
partnerships that magnify the power that people,
Governments and organizations, public or
private, have - working together - to effect
change and promote a world of good.“
-Ted Turner, Chairman and Founder, UN
Foundation
Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro and Mr. Ted
Turner at an event held 14 May 2007
to launch Microsoft Investment
Strategy in Africa.
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Guiding Principles for United Nations-Business Cooperation
Advance UN Goals: The objective needs to be articulated clearly and
must advance UN goals.
Clear Delineation of Responsibilities and Roles: the partnership
arrangement must be based on a clear understanding of respective
roles and expectations, with accountability and clear division of
responsibility.
Maintain Integrity and Independence: partnership arrangements
should not diminish the UN’s integrity, independence and
impartiality.
No Unfair Advantage: Every member of the business community
should have the opportunity to propose cooperative arrangements,
subject to the applicable guidelines and criteria of the specific UN
agency, fund or programme concerned. Cooperation should not
imply endorsement or preference of a particular business entity or its
products or services.
Transparency: Cooperation with the business sector must be
transparent. Information on the nature and scope of cooperative
arrangements should be available within the Organization or to the
public at large.
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Changing Landscape of Partnerships
UNOP serves as a Catalyst and Facilitator for innovative multi-stakeholders
partnerships, working with governments, private sector, civil society and
international organizations.`
Private Sector
Brand Equity
MDGs
Management Skills
CSR
Resources
Smart
Philanthropy
Technologies
Operating Discipline
Technical
Asistance
Field based
Network and
Outreach
Policies
and Norms
Stronger Interdependencies
Understanding Corporate Cultures
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Types of Partnerships
Investment
Operational/
Social
Advocacy/
Outreach
Partnerships
Policies/
Norms
Management
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Global Partnerships
 Entrepreneurial approach
 Multiple actors involved (government, NGOs, private sector,
foundations, etc.)
 Capacity of partnerships beyond traditional technical
assistance
 Global campaigns
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US Engagement globally
US is the biggest game in town:
 ODA in 2009: US $ 28.67 Billions1
 FDI outflow in 2008: US$ 311.7 Billions2

U.S. charitable giving in 2008: est. $307.65 billion3
Sources
1: OECD Net Official Development Assistance, Data 14 April 2010
2: UNCTAD World Investment Report 2009
3: Giving USA Foundation Giving USA 2009 Annual Report Press Release
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The US view
 Partnerships as a foreign policy tool:
– For public diplomacy and development goals
– For specific policy objectives
 Partnerships for practical problem solving
 Importance of a “partnership-friendly” environment
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Foreign Policy Tool / US approaches to partnership building
“Aid creates dependency,
Investment makes you independent.”
 Encouraging entrepreneurship at a local level
 Incubation facility
 Using advertising dollars for strategic initiatives
 Moving beyond current capabilities
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Challenges in a multilateral environment
 Avoiding overlap
 Delivering as One
 Navigating the bureaucracy
 Need for cohesion
 Replicability
 Smart reporting
 Understanding organizational and cultural differences
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How can Partners get engaged?
1. Leverage know-how, capacity and resources
2. Capitalize enterprise solutions to poverty that are commercially
viable
3. Provide access to needed goods, services, and employment
opportunities
4. Engage in public policy dialogue
5. Serve as an advocate for causes and campaigns
6. Media and communication (Articles, Speeches and Op-Eds)
7. Creative use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
8. Share best practice and lessons learned
9. Help design innovative programs and projects
10. Fund new and/or existing projects
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Some Examples of Social Partnerships


Haiti Hope Project: This multi-million
dollar project with the support of
Coca-Cola and Inter American
Development Bank aims to double
the incomes of 25,000 fruit farmers in
Haiti and to raise their standard of
living while contributing to the longterm development and revitalization
of Haiti.
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals: The UN Office for Partnerships provides
the company with strategic advice and partnership services to
leverage their business model to help achieve the MDGs. Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals donates medicines in 58 countries around the globe,
supporting their health systems, helping people in distress, and
tackling diseases.
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Some Examples of Social Partnerships
 Dow Chemical: The Dow Chemical
Company started a round-the-world run
(Blue Planet Run) together with Motorola,
Skype and PayPal, to raise attention for over
1 billion people without access to safe
drinking water. Dow is also providing $30
million to support the financing of up to 2,000
community water systems, serving 11 million
people without access to safe drinking water
in rural India.
 Novartis: Novartis works with the UN Office
for Partnerships to develop strategies to
promeote health-related MDGs. Novartis
provides treatment of Malaria in the frame of
the pan-African campaign “United against
Malaria”
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Some Examples of Advocacy Partnerships

G-Star: G-Star raised awareness for the
MDGs during the 2008 New York
Fashion Week through their new series
and exhibitions.

Wal-Mart: Developed a podcast on the
Millennium Development Goals and
broadcasted it to 1.8 million associates.
Wal-Mart also addresses gender-based
violence in their suppliers’ factories

UN-Marvel Partnerships: DPI, the UN
Office for Partnerships is working with
Marvel Entertainment Inc. and
Mr. Romuald Sciora (French
documentary film producer) to create a
comic book. This book will feature some
of Marvel’s super heroes, who support
the UN in achieving the MDGs. The
comoc book will initially be distributed
free to one million U.S. schoolchildren
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Some Examples of Investment Partnerships

Business Advisory Council (BAC) for the Greater Tumen Region: The Office
for Partnerships has been supporting the Greater Tumen Initiative and developed
a BAC to attract new investment to the region. It consists of senior business
leaders from the countries of the Greater Tumen Region (the People’s Republic
of China, Mongolia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea
and Russian Federation) and foreign investors operating in these countries.
(Please also visit the BAC Homepage for more information)

Regional Centre for Partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa in
Qatar (proposed): The Centre will provide a leadership role in facilitating
strategic partnerships at the regional, national, and international levels across all
sectors in support of the MDGs. It will also be a centre of excellence for training
on partnerships to enable various stakeholders to be partnership-ready. The
Centre will contribute to local capacity building and provide employment
opportunities for youth in the region.

Global Business Council: Together with the Commonwealth Business Council,
the UN Office for Partnerships is setting-up a Global Business Council in support
of the MDGs. It will provide leadership in increasing international trade and
investment flows, create new business opportunities, promote good governance
and CSR, reduce the digital divide, and integrate developing countries into the
global market.
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Some Recent Partnerships/Advisory Services
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A Special Thanks to:
 Ambassador Elizabeth Bagley, Special Representative
for Global Partnerships, U.S. Department of State
 Jim Thompson, Regional Director, The Global
Partnership Initiative, U.S. Department of State
 Ed Salazar, Senior Program Officer, Foreign Policy
Institute Leadership Division, U.S. Department of State
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Thank You
For further information, please feel free to contact
the United Nations Office for Partnerships
at
E-mail: partner@un.org
Phone: +1-212-963-1000
Fax: +1-212-963-1486
Please also visit our website:
http://www.un.org/partnerships
Become a Fan of us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: UNpartnerships
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