Overview
In September 2013, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) launched the “Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) 2020: A Vision for the Future” (in short, Kurdistan Vision 2020) presenting the future vision of KR-I and its policy priorities for the next five-year period (2013-2017). To support the achievement of its Vision, the KRG established the Kurdistan Vision 2020 Joint Programming Facility (hereafter “Facility”), to leverage UN expertise for the achievement Kurdistan Vision 2020 under the leadership of the KRG Ministry of Planning (KRG MoP).
Embodying the principals of Paris Declaration for Aid Effectiveness and Accra Agenda for Action the strategic framework for the Facility is fully aligned with the KRG Vision 2020. The 2020 Vision provides a strategic framework for the KRG to work towards common goals focusing on improving the well-being of the population of the KR-I.
The four strategic pillars of the Kurdistan 2020 Vision are:
- Putting people first through focusing programming that targets the areas of health, education, inclusiveness and the labour market.
- Building the Kurdistan’s regional infrastructure through improved transportation, water and sanitation, electricity, housing and communications.
- Building the economic prosperity for the region through the areas of agriculture, private sector growth and environmental protection.
- Strengthening good governance through continually building an effective and honest Government, budget, and civil service through needed reforms.
The activities of supported by the Facility are equally aligned and consistent with the common priorities of the KRG and UN as outlined in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) reflecting the overall development priorities in Iraq.
The Facility will be the primary financing mechanism between KRG and the UN agencies to achieve the common strategic priorities determined by the Kurdistan Vision 2020 and UNDAF. It is the first co-financing Facility, capitalized primarily from the KRG Investment budget, with UN counterpart contributions contributing to joint programming in the KR-I.
The Facilities overall strategic framework and governance and decision making structures are outlined in the Facility Terms of Reference.
Governance
The Facility governance and operational arrangements are will be outlined in the Facility’s Operation Manual.
Steering Committee
The Facility Steering Committee (SC) is co-chaired by the KRG MoP and the UN Resident Coordinator. Membership shall also include representative from the KRG MoP, KRG Ministry of Finance, the Participating UN Organizations, other KRG ministries as relevant, and donors who have contributed to the Facility. The Steering Committee will provide overall strategic direction and oversight of the operations and programming of the Facility.
Resident Coordinator
The Resident Coordinator will ensure the UN Country Team act in coherent and integrated manner to support the achievement of the priorities of the Facility.
Facility Secretariat
The Facility Secretariat will support the Facility Steering Committee. The Secretariat is based in the KRG MoP and staffed by KRG MoP personnel and international expert(s) to manage the day to day operations of the Facility.
Administrative Agent
The UN Administrative Agent is responsible for the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors and administers such funds received for the Facility, in accordance with the legal provisions of the Facility. In conjunction with the Facility Secretariat, the AA prepares annual and final consolidated narrative and financial statements and reports as set forth in the Facility TOR.
Decision Making
The KRG authorities and Participating UN organizations will jointly develop programmes in their respective priority areas and formulate a programme document with a corresponding work plan and budget for review and approval by the Facility Steering Committee.
Upon the approval of the programme, implementation will be the responsibility of the Participating UN Organizations. During the implementation, Participating UN Organizations and KRG authorities will ensure effective coordination among relevant actors and parties, enhance effective delivery of the activity results in line with the overall programme objectives, identify and resolve operational bottlenecks, and provide regular progress reporting as outlined in the ToR. Details on the programme design, review and approval procedures will be outlined in the Facility Operation Manual.
Implementing Partners
UN organizations that sign the Memorandum of Understanding are eligible to receive funds from the Facility and participate in the Facility. National partners from the KRG line ministries, NGOs and other implementing partners approved by the Steering Committee may also receiving funding and support programme implementation through a Participating UN Organization based on an approved programme document. Eligibility criteria and requirements will be outlined in the Facility Operation Manual.
Mr Sean Chen, Portfolio Associate, E-mail: 