Reforming the UN Development System: Impetus, Agenda, and Chinese Proposals

Over the past few years, the international community has undertaken proactive and extensive efforts to build a cohesive and effective United Nations Development System (UNDS) with more solid institutions and robust leadership. In line with the requirements set out in the UN 2030 Agenda, the United Nations, under the leadership of its secretary-general Antonio Guterres, came up with a reform package that would help contain the further fragmentation of the UNDS. Guided by the principles of extensive consultation, joint action, and shared benefits, China has been extending strong support for the United Nations’ reform efforts while playing an important role in global development cooperation. As the world’s largest developing country, China insists that any development agenda should always focus on development and that poverty eradication should be the top priority of the UN 2030 Agenda. A number of issues must be addressed when planning for future UNDS reform, in particular the targets and viable ways to promote incremental administrative reform, to improve the existing regional coordinator system, to bridge the funding gap and imbalance between core and non-core resources, and to exemplify emerging countries’ best practices.