APRC Weekly Highlights 19 January 2012

Global Launch of UNDP Flagship Report on Energy Access in Asia and the Pacific

To cut poverty in Asia and the Pacific, the 'Energy Plus' package is a must, advocates the new UNDP flagship publication released to the press today. Poor people need energy to escape poverty, but energy access alone is not enough. The report calls for an 'Energy Plus' approach – one that combines access to modern energy services with measures that generate cash incomes, and improve health and education. This week UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. His message is simple: "There can be no development without energy". Currently, almost 800 million people in Asia-Pacific have no access to electricity and almost 2 billion rely on the traditional use of biomass for cooking and heating. At the heels of this global campaign come the latest publications from UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre: Towards an 'Energy Plus' approach for the poor: A review of good practices and lessons learned from Asia and the Pacific. The report documents key features of energy services from 17 energy access programmes and projects in the region. Towards an 'Energy Plus' approach for the poor: An Agenda for Action for Asia and the Pacific provides practical advice on designing national energy access programmes. Towards an 'Energy Plus' approach for the poor: 17 case studies identify key characteristics that have helped poor households and communities gain energy access, hence deriving valuable lessons for future energy access activities. Countries covered include Lao PDR, Bhutan, the Philippines, China, Sri Lanka, India, Fiji, Vanuatu, Nepal and Timor-Leste. The overall aim of the publications is to provide practical guidance for policymakers and development practitioners on achieving universal energy access. Given their content, these publications are well-suited to contribute to the success of the UN Global Campaign 'Sustainable Energy for All' and the achievement of the objectives of the Global Initiative 'Sustainable Energy for All'. The publications can be accessed at the UNDP APRC website. Also see the press release and read about our work in energy access.

With special thanks to Thiyagarajan (Rajan) Velumail, Martin Krause, Cherie Hart.

‘Afghanistan in Transition’ a Special Presentation at UN in Bangkok

Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, Minister Advisor to the Afghan President on Home Security and Secretary General of the High Peace Council of Afghanistan, was at the UN in Bangkok to deliver an insightful talk about the latest developments in Afghanistan as they pertain to the country's national priorities, regional cooperation, and the role of the international community in the process of transition in 2014. Addressing an audience of over 80 people from various UN agencies, the government high representative talked frankly about the long road from costly recovery to a brighter future of a politically stable and economically viable Afghanistan. The speaker highlighted his country's strategic priorities: peace, reconciliation and reintegration, ensuring Afghan sovereignty; improving governance, fighting corruption. He also pointed to key sectors that need investment: agriculture, water, mining, energy infrastructure, trade and transit, health and education. "Afghanistan left a turbulent year behind: assassinations of government officials, political and tribal leaders, and spectacular attacks on targets in major cities have eroded public confidence while significantly reducing Taliban popularity, but for the first time since 2005 the trend of insecurity has been reversed", said Stanekzai. He asserted that being in the hearth of Asia, the country needs improved regional cooperation that replaces confrontation. Minister Stanekzai held firm on his vision about a "future shaped with Afghan leadership an international support" and shared his greatest source of hope - young Afghan men and women who are not carrying the baggage of past conflict and divisions. Many questions were raised after the presentation: about negotiations with insurgents, the plight of women and ethnic minorities and the role of the Afghan Diaspora. There is an on-going dialogue between the UN community and Afghan government about the next UN Development Assistance Framework 2014-2018, which should be rolled out in 2012. The meeting with the Afghan representative was a rare opportunity for the UN community to learn firsthand from the government high representative and was made possible thanks to UNDP APRC and Country Office, and UNESCAP.

Institutional Capacity Assessments in Bangladesh: Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF)

Chakma and Mong Circles (CHT traditional leaders) and three Hill District Councils (HDC) conducted capacity self-assessments, with a view to designing multi-year capacity development plans. These plans will be supported through grants, from the EU-funded CHTDF component "Supporting Local Development in the CHT"; and other sources of finance. The institutions will explore other sources for finance as well. The CHTDF Capacity Development Cluster facilitated the self-assessments, following UNDP's corporate capacity development approach. UNDP APRC's Capacity Development team supported CHTDF in the design and piloting of the capacity assessments of the Khagrachari Hill District Council and included training on capacity development for the members of the capacity assessment teams. UNDP's

approach to capacity development emphasizes the importance of a systematic analysis of existing capabilities and future capacities needed to achieve target development outcomes. This process is essential to ensuring that capacity development needs are effectively identified and prioritized. It provides a systematic alternative to the often ad-hoc, training-focused responses in many development programs. The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs (MoCHTA) and the CHT Regional Council (RC) have expressed interest to undergo capacity self-assessments in 2012. MoCHTA, the RC, and the three HDCs have agreed to form a committee to execute the capacity development plans and to monitor their implementation.
Contributed by Ashley Palmer (APRC CD team) and Robert Stoelman (UNDP Bangladesh CHTDF)

The Sound of a Tree Not Falling is Getting Heard

The new UNDP Public Service Announcement on sustainable forestry, produced by the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre, is currently airing on five CNN International broadcast feeds around the world, including CNNI North America. The 30-second commercial, called What is the Sound of a Tree Not Falling, can be viewed on http://asia-pacific.undp.org/PSA/

In the Know

PASIFIKA Focus – the first e-newsletter with stories from UNDP in the Pacific and Papua New Guinea was just released. The newsletter features pictures from the most memorable moments of UNDP's work in 2011, tells about the Pacific Way of a peace building, highlights the knowledge collaboration through the Pacific Solution Exchange Climate Change and Development Community, and shares the story of Nanise Saune. "When she joined UNDP, her first job after graduating from university, little did she know that almost five years on, she would find herself attached as a Programme Associate to the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention & Recovery , Rapid Response Support Unit in New York on a three-month assignment." Want to know her story in full? Read Pacifika Focus.