United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): Towards Coordinated Action by the EU in Global Development Policy?

BOOK: RESEARCH HANDBOOK ON THE EUROPEAN UNION AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The chapter deals with EU’s engagement with two key development bodies of the UN: the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The approach is twofold. First, the chapter explains the modes of cooperation of the EU and its Member States in these two organizations. It finds that in both instances the choice for the involvement of EU and/or Member State actors depends on the issues at stake and is highly pragmatic. Issues of competence arise rarely, as both bodies function in the area of development – a shared competence of the Union and the Member States. Secondly, the chapter analyzes the influence that the EU has had on UNCTAD and UNDP, and vice versa. With this regard it is found that UNDP appears as a closer partner to the EU, whereas EU actors feel less ownership over UNCTAD. However, both bodies have an important role to play in EU’s development policy.