Managing External Relations - Disaster Management Center ...

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Managing External Relations
The UN System
As the lead agency for refugee issues, UNHCR is ultimately responsible for co-ordination of refugee
operations within the UN system. It is crucial that UNHCR seeks support and assistance from other
UN organisations and other involved groups at the onset of an emergency. Close collaboration with
professionals from these organisations and maintenance of positive contacts can prove invaluable in
the event of a joint emergency response.
There are several UN organisations or bodies that may have an influence on UNHCR operations.
Collaborating agencies with special emergency responsibilities include WFP, UNICEF, UNHCHR, WHO,
UNDP and OCHA. Descriptions of these organisations are in Annex 2. Key UN bodies are:
The General Assembly (GA) is the main deliberative body of the United Nations system.
It is composed of representatives of all Member States, each of which has one vote.
Decisions on important questions require a two-thirds majority. Although most of its
decisions are non-binding recommendations, the Assembly adopts instruments such
as conventions that are legally binding on the signatories. The GA adopts resolutions
on a wide range of matters of international concern. These include refugee issues and
situations, specific complex emergency situations and humanitarian assistance efforts
as well as resolutions on matters regarding UN humanitarian assistance, such as UN
co-ordination mechanisms.
As a subsidiary body of the GA, UNHCR follows policy directives (resolutions) of
the GA. The High Commissioner’s annual report (which provides an overview of the
High Commissioner’s main concerns and activities in the fields of protection, assistance,
relations with other organisations, funding and public information) is presented to the
Third Committee of the GA.
The Security Council (SC) has primary responsibility under the UN Charter for the
maintenance of international peace and security. When a dispute leads to a conflict
between parties, the SC may adopt resolutions on a variety of measures. These
may include demand for cease-fire, dispatch of observers to monitor the cease-fire,
recommendation of other appropriate actions for a peaceful settlement, or sending
UN peacekeeping forces to help reduce tensions while negotiations are taking place.
Failure to comply with the resolutions or decisions of the SC may result in enforcement
measures under the UN Charter such as economic sanctions or even collective military
action. While a UN peacekeeping operation can only be dispatched following adoption of
a SC resolution, this is not the case for UN humanitarian assistance. This assistance can be
initiated by the UN agencies themselves, based on their mandates. Because UNHCR often
operates as a result of, or in a situation of conflict, it is important to understand the
functions of the SC and be informed of its activities.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), composed of 54 member countries
elected for three-year terms, functions under the authority of the General Assembly.
As one of the agencies dealing with social and economic issues, UNHCR reports to the
GA through ECOSOC. Agencies with similar mandatory arrangements include WFP,
UNICEF, UNCTAD, UNDP, and UNEP. ECOSOC serves as a central forum for discussion
and formulation of policy recommendations on issues in the economic and social
spheres. The daily work of ECOSOC is carried out by subsidiary bodies or commissions
or committees that meet at regular intervals.
In recognition of the special experience and technical knowledge of NGOs, over 1,500
NGOs have consultative status with ECOSOC. These NGOs may be represented in the
public meetings of the Council and may make statements relevant to the Council’s work.