United Nations Development Programme

Democratic Governance

UNDP/PAPP works extensively in this field primarily to develop institutions and processes that are not only reflective of the will of the people, but responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens, particularly the poor. UNDP/PAPP's governance portfolio has managed to establish the right balance between support to the three branches of government - executive, judicial and legislative - while also supporting the private sector, and has worked to encourage the increased participation and inclusion of women in all branches of government.

The year 2008 witnessed the launching of several significant UNDP/PAPP governance portfolios and products. UNDP/PAPP works extensively in this field primarily to facilitate strong and responsive public institutions whilst simultaneously supporting Palestinian citizens to organize and engage in democratic processes. There are several nuances to improved relations between different constituents. Considerable political will and compliance is required on the part of authorities e.g. the PA must be willing to make their budgets transparent and engage in multiple forms of information sharing and interaction. Citizens must be willing to reciprocate through constructive contributions – intellectual, financial, human, etc. – to ensuring that the authorities can meet given development challenges. Therefore, in line with UNDP’s corporate mandate, UNDP/PAPP focused on three key areas: 1) fostering inclusive participation, 2) strengthening accountable and responsive governing institutions, and 3) grounding democratic governance in international principles.

In doing so, UNDP/PAPP has focused on a variety of areas from facilitating participatory exercises leading to regional development plans to strengthening the collection of own-source revenues at local levels to strengthening the rule of law and access to justice. All of these initiatives are underpinned by capacity development, service delivery, and support to civil society. This comprehensive approach, focused on multiple levels of interaction, has led to considerable successes in institutional reform, partnerships, and stronger governance systems.

Capacity Development Initiative: Under its democratic governance interventions, UNDP/PAPP is strengthening the institutional, organizational, and human capacities of central Palestinian institutions, including the Prime Minister’s office, the Ministry of Planning and General Personnel Council, through its capacity development programme, which has been approved by the PA government. UNDP/PAPP has contributed US$ 3.5 million of its resources, over a 3-year period, to the programme.

Palestinian Human Development Report: UNDP/PAPP has commenced the process of preparing for the fifth Palestinian Human Development Report (PHDR). UNDP/PAPP with the 2009 PHDR is assuming stewardship of the production process and is establishing and formalizing a new institutional framework that oversees the PHDR production process from agreement on the theme to the preparation and production, to the launch and the sustained follow-up. The 2009 NHDR is currently titled “Towards a Social Contract for a Future State, From Fragmentation to Cohesion”. It is anticipated that the draft report will be ready in April 2009 with the final report to be published in September 2009.

Peoples Republic of China Trust Fund Agreement: UNDP/PAPP has secured funding from the People’s Republic of China, at a total grant of US$4,160,000, for the construction of a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building in Ramallah. This grant is part of the People’s Republic of China’s programme to support developing countries and is the first of its kind with UNDP/PAPP in the occupied Palestinian territory.

National Campaign for Advocating the UNCAC Provisions in the oPt / “The National Anti-Corruption Campaign”: A National team has been formed upon a cabinet resolution on August 2008 to draft a National Plan of Action for combating corruption (AMAN is member of the national team). The UNCAC self assessment checklist has been filled by the National Team, approved by the prime minister and submitted to the UN Secretary General in Sep 2008. Gaps in local legislations and policies regarding anti-corruption have been identified through a study conducted by AMAN and published in Mar 2008. The NGO’s against Corruption, Parliamentarians against Corruption, Journalists for Integrity and Transparency networks have been involved in all AMAN’s anti-corruption activities including workshops, trainings, preparing reports, participating in events and conferences and reporting on activities.

Jenin Master Plan – Participatory Rural Development and Planning/Promoting Participatory Local Governance: The project aims to promote participatory planning and enhance the relationships and the inter-action between the governorate, Local Government Units LGUs, Joint Councils JCs, Civil Society Organizations CSOs and citizens. It provides a working model on how the disparate but essential responsibilities of each stakeholder group may be better understood and properly carried out in an open and democratic way. 

Supporting Volunteerism: UNDP/PAPP's United Nations volunteers (UNV) and Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) programmes also work to channel the organization's vision of good governance in the oPt. The TOKTEN programme has proved highly successful in encouraging highly skilled, expatriate Palestinians to return to the oPt in order to share their knowledge and expertise with a number of government institutions, private sector organizations and others.

Press Releases

Under the Auspices of President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority, Chinese Government, and UNDP sign Ministry of Foreign Affairs New Office Building Agreement. 04.10.2008