As defined by the General Assembly, the CCA is the common instrument of the United Nations system to analyse the national development situation and identify key development issues. Both a process and a product, the Assessment takes into account national priorities, with a focus on the Millennium Development Goals and the other commitments, goals and targets of the Millennium Declaration and international conferences, summits and conventions.

Through the CCA, the UN and its partners identify areas requiring priority attention, based on a common analysis of key development challenges within the country. The CCA also serves as a stepping-stone towards the formulation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which articulates a common UN system response to a selected number of challenges identified, and sets the foundation for joint programming of UN Agencies in Iran.

UN Common Country Assessment for Iran

CCA/UNDAF Guidelines 2007

The UNDAF is the planning framework for the development operations of the UN at country level. It provides a collective, coherent and integrated United Nations system response to key national priorities and needs, as set out in the CCA, and within the framework of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) and the Millennium Declaration. The Framework consists of common objectives and strategies of co-operation, a programme resources framework and proposals for follow-up, monitoring and evaluation.

Following the finalization of the Common Country Assessment for Iran in July 2003, the UN Country Team and its national partners began work on the country's first UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The process began with the UNDAF Prioritization Retreat held at Gajereh from 25-27 August 2003. More than 50 participants from the Government, national NGOs, and resident and non-resident UN organizations attended the Retreat. The main objective of the meeting was to identify key priority areas for UN collaborative support to the country over the next four years. The meeting also provided a unique opportunity for the Government and the UN to discuss issues of common concern with regard to the country's development.

• Strengthening capacities and capabilities for achieving the MDGs
• Enhancing good governance
• Sustainable development, disaster management and energy efficiency
• Improving economic performance and management, and increasing employment
• Facilitating transfer of science and new technology in all areas of cooperation

» For more information about the UNDAF Prioritization Retreat please see the report.

The UN Country Team and the Government finalized the first United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Iran in September 2004.

UN Development Assistance Framework for Iran