Evaluation of the Ad Hoc Advisory Groups

At its 2004 substantive session, ECOSOC, on the basis of a decision taken in its resolution 2003/50 of 24 July 2003, carried out an assessment of lessons learned from the Ad Hoc Advisory Groups. A report of the Secretary-General on the assessment of the Group was submitted to the Council (E/2004/86). In its resolution 2004/59, the Council  commended the Groups for their innovative and constructive work in support of the countries concerned and made suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of their work. In particular, ECOSOC commended the Groups for:

  • the open, transparent and participatory approach they adopted;
  • their promotion of a comprehensive approach to peace and development;
  • their promotion of an integrated approach to relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development;
  • the collaboration engaged with the UN system and the Bretton Woods Institutions;
  • their advocacy role for long-term support to the countries concerned through a partnership approach between national authorities and international partners.

In addition, the Council urged the Groups, inter alia, to foster the creation of practical recommendations or strategic advice on how to make the transition from relief to development, to enter into closer contacts with African regional and sub-regional organizations, to strengthen their advice on international assistance programmes, including to mobilize additional resources, to ensure their early contribution to donor conferences in order to maximize the impact of their advocacy work, and to promote a further increase between ECOSOC and the Security Council on the situation in the countries concerned, within their respective mandates. The Council decided to undertake a further assessment of lessons learned on the experiences of the Ad Hoc Advisory Groups, including progress made in the implementation of their mandate, during its substantive session of 2006.

At its substantive session in 2006, the Council commended the group for their innovative and constructive work in promoting international assistance to Guinea-Bissau and Burundi through a comprehensive approach to political stability and socio-economic development. The Council also acknowledged the value of the lessons learned from the Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and decided to bring this experience to the attention of relevant UN bodies.

In 2006, a report on “The Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on African Countries Emerging from Conflict: The Silent Avant-Garde” was commissioned by UN-DESA to provide an assessment on the role, performance and practice of these ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Groups.  The report drew some conclusions that were helpful to future efforts of the United Nations in the field of post-conflict. Some of the lessons drawn included: (a) the need to have appropriate mechanisms to mobilize donors and promote the translation of pledges into disbursements; (b) the importance of going beyond immediate problem-solving in the countries considered and defining a vision, from the very beginning, of longer-term rehabilitation and support; (c) the need to stay engaged in favour of the countries concerned by means of concrete development support; (d) making good use of the work of United Nations entities to complement the policy approach of the intergovernmental body by strong support at the technical and operational level; and (e) ensuring good articulation with regional partners of the countries concerned, including regional and subregional organizations, regional development banks and the regional commissions. Find out more on the report…

Reports

Resolutions