UN Transparency and Accountability Initiative

The initial UN Management reforms authorized by world leaders at the September 2005 Summit have begun to take shape through the introduction of a number of initiatives relating to increased transparency and accountability in the UN Secretariat affairs. Unfortunately, the UN Funds and Programs have lagged far behind in the adoption of any such reform measures

In light of the revelations in late 2006 and early 2007 of abuses by the Government of North Korea (DPRK) involving humanitarian and development activities in the UN's Funds and Programs, and consistent with the demands of world leaders for a more "efficient, effective, transparent and accountable Organization," USUN has crafted an initiative that identifies eight (8) areas where Member States can exercise greater oversight and increase transparency and accountability to ensure that funds are utilized efficiently and effectively for their intended purpose. We have branded the initiative as the “United Nations Transparency and Accountability Initiative,” or UNTAI.

• Availability of internal audits and other reports, e.g. evaluations, investigations, etc. to Member States.
• Public access to all relevant documentation related to operations and activities including budget information and procurement activities.
• "Whistleblower Protection" policies.
• Financial disclosure policies.
• An effective Ethics Office.
• Independence of the respective internal oversight bodies.
• Adoption of IPSAS accounting standards in the Funds and Programs.
• Establishing a cap on administrative overhead costs for the Funds and Programs.

We have received some initial responses from these agencies and will continue to track the status of these reforms. You can view these responses by clicking UNTAI Inquiries and Responses.

Many of these transparency and accountability reforms(Related Resolutions) already exist in some form within the UN Secretariat. UNTAI is therefore a practical effort to begin to establish within the UN Funds and Programs a similar or greater level of transparency and accountability to ensure that the billions in international aid contributions are delivered efficiently and effectively to the world's neediest peoples.