What is the Operational Activities for Development Segment (OAS)?

The Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) operational activities for development segment (OAS) meets annually to provide overall coordination and guidance to the governing bodies of the United Nations development system. General Assembly resolution 72/305 determines that ECOSOC, through its strengthened OAS, shall serve as a platform to ensure accountability for, and acceleration of, system-wide performance and results in relation to the 2030 Agenda and provide guidance to and overall coordination of the United Nations development system.

The segment serves as a key platform for Member States and other stakeholders to reviews progress in the implementation of mandates contained in the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR). It also oversees the implementation of the resolution on the repositioning of the United Nations development system.

The OAS reinforces the linkages between policy and operational functions while continuing to focus on improving the overall impact of operational activities for development of the United Nations system in support of issues relating to national development priorities.

In keeping with the mandates of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR), the guidance provided through the OAS is evidence-based and includes objectives, priorities and strategies in the United Nations system support to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and of the policies formulated by the General Assembly. One of the main inputs provided by the UN Secretariat to the segment is the annual Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of the QCPR and the resolution on the repositioning of the UN development system.