UN Theme Groups, Taskforces and Teams

Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:12

UN Theme Groups, Teams and Working Groups

All inter-agency theme groups, working groups and teams have agreed-upon terms of reference and have specific work plans to address the needs in each area of cooperation. They report directly to the UN Country Team and are closely monitored, guided and supported by the Resident Coordinator's Office.

Theme groups attempt to consolidate and coordinate United Nations assistance, identify potential areas for collaborative programming and activities, and where necessary, liase with Government, donors, NGOs, private sector and other development partners. Some of the main theme groups and teams are as follows:

1.	External Relations Team Chair: UNIC Members: UNAMA, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, WHO and IOM The group's objectives are to build partnerships with the media, the general public and civil society; develop a public information strategy; organize UN Day celebrations; support UN information/ advocacy campaigns; and mobilize financial support for UN initiatives through fundraising activities.
2.	Theme Group on Gender Chair: UNFPA Members: UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNODC, WFP, WHO and IOM The group aims to promote mainstreaming of gender issues into the programmes and policies of the country by: (a) increasing awareness on gender issues; (b) enhancing capacity to monitor progress in achieving gender related goals in the ICPD and Beijing platforms of action, MDGs and other UN conferences and conventions; and (c) establishing a forum for information sharing, networking and coordination among UN agencies, government and civil society.
3.	Theme Group on HIV/AIDS Chair: UNICEF Members: UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIC, UNODC, WFP and WHO The group facilitates advocacy on selected issues related to HIV/AIDS, as well as an improved co-ordination of HIV/AIDS related activities of the UN System in Iran. It promotes and facilitates the increased application and dissemination of national and international best practices within Iran and coordinates technical support for the integration of HIV/ AIDS education, prevention and care strategies into national programming and projects. » Terms of Reference of the HIV/AIDS Theme Group
4.	Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Risk Management Team Chair: UNHCR Members: FAO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNIC, UNICEF, UNOCHA, UNODC, WFP, WHO and IOM The Team primary responsibility is to achieve UNDAF otucome 4.2 (Disaster Management and Vulnerability Reduction) for Iran, as outlined in the cooperation area of sustainable development, disaster management and energy efficiency. This includes the following objectives: - to achieve a coordinated response to different issues of a humanitarian nature, such as refugees, displaced persons and people affected by natural disasters; - to work closely with the government and other related institution on risk reduction and awareness policies, response coordination and preparedness; - to work closely with other partners including governemnt, civil society and the international community on advocacy, building capacities for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of human and physical assets damaged or destroyed by natural disaster.
5.	Theme Group on Capacity Strengthening MDGs, Human Rights, and Good Governance Chair: WHO Members: UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIC, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNODC, WFP and IOM The group's aim is to increase public and policy makers awareness on issues related to MDGs, and enhanced effectiveness of good governance and human rights discourse and implementation in the country. The foucus of activities is on strenthening national capacities and developing an efficient system capable of gender and regionally disaggregated data collection, analysis, dissemination and utilization for monitoring the MDGs and other relevant indicators derived from international treaties, conventions and conferences.

Theme Group on Energy, Environment, and Disaster Management

Chairs: UNDP
UN Members: FAO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNISDR, UNOCHA, WFP, WHO and IOM

This group is the UN interagency body coordinating efforts of member UN agencies towards the realization of the UNDAF outcomes 4.1 and 4.2. The Theme Group is an integral part of the UNDAF support structure in Iran and has been formed with a focus on the UN system programme management and implementation of UNDAF outcomes. It serves as an important tool in bringing the UN to the forefront of the combined efforts of the development community to support the Government of Iran in achieving the MDGs, in particular MDG 7. it constitutes the joint policy and strategic decision-making bodies for the UN in the latter field of competency. It operates and prioritizes according to the strategic objectives identified in the UNDAF document and ensures that adequate interagency coordination related to sustainable development, disaster management, and energy is established.