Mr Olivier Adam, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, met this week with representatives of the Government of Germany as part of annual partner consultations. These included Mr Martin Jäger, State Secretary of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Ms Antje Leendertse, State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office. Mr Adam thanked Germany for its steadfast political and financial support to UNV in support of its mandate and delivery towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as for its sustained support as host country to the United Nations, and, in particular, the UN Campus in Bonn.
The Government of Germany is a long-standing key partner of UNV, and regular partner consultations take place with the two lead ministries in Bonn and Berlin, and with the German mission to the UN in New York, to assess and advance this multi-faceted partnership: the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Federal Foreign Office. The focus of the recent dialogue was on the current collaboration as well as broader issues related to the UN in Germany and engagement opportunities in 2021.
In Berlin, Executive Coordinator Mr Olivier Adam discussed the partnership between Germany and UNV with Ms Antje Leendertse, State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office. ©UNV, 2020
Germany remains one of the biggest supporters of the UN system, and of UNV. The Federal City of Bonn with its UN Campus is home to 24 UN organizations, programmes and offices, with close to 1,000 members of staff. UNV moved to Bonn in 1996.
We highly acknowledge the work of UNV as a central player in the field of volunteering and civic engagement in the UN and as major contributor to the delivery of the 2030 Agenda. Germany feels particularly committed to supporting UNV as its HQ is based in Bonn. This is not only reflected in our financial contributions but also in our efforts in deploying German UN Volunteers within the UNV programme regularly. --Ms Antje Leendertse, State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office
In 2019, Germany (represented by BMZ) made a total contribution of US $3.8 million, including US $2 million to UNV’s Special Voluntary Fund. For 2020, Germany increased the allocation for SVF to US $3 million. SVF resources enable UNV to quickly take action in emergencies; a current example is UNV’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
We thank Olivier Adam and his staff for their tireless efforts to transform UNV into a fit-for-purpose UN service provider. Together, we have taken important steps towards a more inclusive and digital UN system. Especially during the current crisis, UNV has shown – through their immediate deployment of 1,000 UN Volunteers – that it is at the forefront of the COVID-19 response and ready to pursue the 2030 Agenda in these difficult times. --Mr Martin Jäger, State Secretary of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Over the years, Germany has partnered with UNV on initiatives in peacebuilding, such as the Gender Promotion Initiative, and in support of refugees and youth. Between 2010-2019, Germany also fully funded 243 UN Volunteers, including a pilot initiative supported by the Federal Foreign Office to support peace and stabilization efforts through placement of German UN Volunteers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Colombia.
I am grateful to our host and strong partner Germany, which is among UNV’s top donors. Through the support it provides, the Government of Germany plays a critical role in advancing inclusion, bolstering our digital transformation and improving the lives of vulnerable people across the world. --Olivier Adam, UNV Executive Coordinator
Germany has been a staunch partner in support of UNV’s inclusion agenda to ensure a just and equitable future. Since 2019, Germany contributed to UNV’s support to an inclusive UN system, including the UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities.
UNV has also welcomed additional support from Germany amounting to US $2.98 million for its digital transformation to date.
In a statement at the second regular session of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board, held virtually in early September, Germany praised UNV for its efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda, and commended the organization for engaging more volunteers and achieving gender parity.
Germany also expressed appreciation of the rapid response and support provided by the UNV in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, applauding the UN’s support and the efforts of on-site and online volunteers.