Sub-Regional Resource Facility for Arab States

Democratic Governance

More countries than ever before are working to build democratic governance. Their challenge is to develop institutions and processes that are more effective, accountable and responsive to the needs of citizens, including the poor. UNDP supports the processes for building democratic governance, building partnerships and sharing ways to promote participation, accountability and effectiveness at all levels. We help countries strengthen their electoral and legislative systems, improve access to justice and efficient public administration, decentralize services, strengthen civic participation and civil society organizations, and develop a participatory local development initiative to improve rural and urban living standards.

The critical importance of democratic governance was highlighted at the Millennium Summit, where the world's leaders resolved to "spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development." A consensus was reached which recognized that improving the quality of democratic institutions and processes, and managing the changing roles of the state and civil society in an increasingly globalized world must underpin national efforts to reduce poverty, sustain the environment, and promote human development.
UNDP's work in democratic governance is reinforced by its network of over 166 offices and its global partnerships with democratic governance institutions. No organization has a wider reach.

UNDP's core services to support national processes of democratic transitions, focus on: (1) Policy advice and technical support; (2) Capacity development of institutions and individuals; (3) Advocacy, communications, and public information; (4) Promoting and brokering dialogue; and (5) Knowledge networking and sharing of good practices.
UNDP's work in democratic governance in the Arab states region can be summarized into the following categories:

• Parliamentary Development: Ten UNDP country offices in the Arab states region undertake parliamentary strengthening programs in cooperation with national parliamentary institutions. These programs include infrastructure, especially in conflict countries, strengthening of legislative and oversight functions, promotion of constituency outreach and enhancement of research and information management and ICT infrastructures. UNDP in the Arab states region has created an Arab Parliamentary Initiative with the assistance of the Global Project for Parliamentary Strengthening. UNDP SURF in the Arab region is establishing a community of practice on parliamentary strengthening.

• Electoral Systems and Processes: Ten UNDP country offices in the Arab states region assist Arab governments in the organization of national and local elections, providing technical & logistical assistance, institutional building of electoral management bodies and voter civic education. UNDP in the Arab states region is a trusted partner for policy and technical assistance to promote gender equity and political empowerment.

• Access to Justice and Human Rights: More than ten country offices provide policy and technical assistance to enhance access to justice, especially for the poor, the marginalized and for women. UNDP programs include institutional building and capacity development of the judiciary, police enforcement and training agencies. UNDP programs also include human rights training to judges, court personnel and police forces. UNDP assists in the promotion of legal aid and counseling services to benefit women and the poor. UNDP undertakes technical assistance with public prosecution offices as well encourages legal revisions with an eye for identifying and promoting compatibility between national legislation and international commitments.

• Access to Information: UNDP provides 14 Arab states policy and technical assistance in the areas of ICT infrastructure to enhance the collection and dissemination of information -especially development and MDG related information- in order to promote participation and accountability. UNDP assists with e-governance, e-voting, and promotes computer literacy in schools as well as helps establish information and community centers to increase access to information by the poor and marginalized. UNDP assists with media institutional and capacity development, in conflict and middle income countries.

• Public Administration and Civil Service Reform: UNDP assists Arab states with institutional building and capacity development of various ministries and state agencies, enhancing effectiveness of service delivery, gender sensitive budgeting and participative planning. UNDP assists with civil service reform, especially in Arab conflict countries, providing policy and technical assistance to civil service commissions.

• Local Governance, Decentralization, and Rural/Urban Development: More than fifteen country offices provide policy and technical assistance to support decentralization reforms, improve local governance institutions, build capacity of stakeholders at the sub-national level, improve partnerships at the local level, and improve living standards through local development initiatives in rural and urban areas. UNDP programs include institutional building and capacity development of local government, the civil society and private sector. UNDP programs also support decentralization reforms and local elections. UNDP undertakes technical assistance for local development planning, strategic setting, and local development implementation. the “localization of the MDGs” is piloted in four countries of the Arab region as a means for local development, local strategic prioritization and setting, and improved local living conditions.