ECOPER has begun the independent evaluation of UNCTAD’s Subprogramme 1. This subprogramme aims to advance inclusive and sustainable development, sustained growth, full employment and decent work for all through evidence-based policies and strategies at national, regional and international levels. The evaluation aims to help UNCTAD identify key lessons on strategic positioning, portfolio planning, management arrangements and programme implementation in order to inform improvements to the subprogramme. A utilization-focused approach will be used, involving the planning and conducting of evaluation activities in such a way that enhances the likely use of both the findings and the evaluation process to inform decisions and improve performance. To achieve this, a variety of both quantitative and qualitative data gathering techniques will be employed.
The subprogramme’s focus is on identifying specific needs and measures arising from the interdependence among trade, finance, investment, technology and macroeconomic policies, from the perspective of their effects on development through research and analysis, intergovernmental deliberations and technical cooperation. It has five main areas of work: supporting developing countries in the formulation of development strategies and policy options; providing statistics and supporting the development of national statistics systems; promoting stronger cooperation related to development finance strategies, debt sustainability and debt management; undertaking research and analysis; and supporting the Palestinian people in line with Paragraph 55(dd) of UNCTAD’s Nairobi Maafikiano. The subprogramme is aligned with SDGs 8 (decent work), 9 (infrastructure), 10 (inequality), 16 (peace, justice and institutions) and 17 (partnerships).