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TCDC - Basic Documents

CHAPTER - V

HLC Decision on tenth anniversary ofTCDC Decision 6/1 dated September 29, 1989

6.1. Tenth Anniversary of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action

The High-Level Committee

Decides to recommend to the General Assembly the adoption of the following resolution:

The General Assembly

Considering the importance of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries, a/

Concerned that the economic situation of developing countries, which has been aggravated over the past decade, has had an impact generally on international co-operation for development and on the implementation of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action,

Recognizing, however, that developing countries have achieved significant progress in implementing the recommendations contained in the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, and that technical co-operation among developing countries has gradually become a means through which they contribute to development,

  1. Reaffirms the continued validity and importance of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries;
  2. Emphasizes the imperative need to strengthen the implementation of activities and projects for technical co-operation among developing countries through the increased allocation and utilization of financial resources, as appropriate, for the promotion and implementation of projects for technical co-operation among developing countries;
  3. Requests the various parties participating in the promotion and implementation of technical co-operation among developing countries, particularly within the United Nations system, including the United Nations Development Programme, the specialized agencies and the regional commissions, to give the necessary priority for the support, encouragement and implementation of specific activities and projects, so that such co-operation will become a basic component of their policies for development;

    4. a/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries, Buenos Aires, 30 August-12 September 1978 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.78.II.A.11 and corrigendum), chap. I.

  4. Urges the international community, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, to be favourably disposed to the requests for technical and financial support presented to them, in order to implement the specific activities and projects of technical co-operation among developing countries;
  5. Reiterates the need for developed countries and their international co-operation agencies to lend their firm support to technical co-operation among developing countries, in accordance with recommendations 35 and 36 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action and in the context of recommendation 38 thereof. b/

    6. b/ Ibid.

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CHAPTER - VI

UNGA Resolutions on Tenth Anniversary of TCDC

Resolution 44/222 dated December 22, 1989

44/222. Economic and technical co-operation among developing countries

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 33/134 of 19 December 1978, in which it endorsed the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries, and 42/180 of 11 December 1987, as well as other relevant resolutions of the General Assembly,

Emphasizing the important role that technical co-operation among developing countries plays in the growth and development of those countries,

Reaffirming that developing countries have the primary responsibility for promoting technical co-operation among themselves, that developed countries and the United Nations system should assist and support such activities, and that, in addition, the United Nations system should play a prominent role as promoter and catalyst of technical co-operation among developing countries, in accordance with the Buenos Aires Plan of Action,

  1. Reaffirms the continued validity of all the recommendations of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries and the importance of technical co-operation among developing countries;
  2. Reaffirms also the continued importance of the High-Level Committee on the Review of Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries as the principal forum in which representatives of all the Member States of the United Nations and other relevant bodies of the United Nations system review and promote technical co-operation among developing countries;
  3. Endorses the decisions adopted by the High-Level Committee at its sixth session, taking into account the intergovernmental arrangements envisaged in recommendation 37 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action;
  4. Urges all Member States, the United Nations Development Programme and other relevant organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to give high priority in their particular fields of activity to the support and promotion of activities in technical co-operation among developing countries;
  5. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session on the implementation of the present resolution.

85th plenary meeting
22 December 1989

Resolution 44/223 dated December 22, 1989

44/223. Tenth Anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries

The General Assembly,

Considering the importance of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries,

Concerned that the economic situation of developing countries, which has been aggravated over the past decade, has had an impact generally on international co-operation for development and on the implementation of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action.

Recognizing, however, that developing countries have achieved significant progress in implementing the recommendations contained in the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, and that technical co-operation among developing countries has gradually become a means through which they contribute to development,

  1. Reaffirms the continued validity and importance of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries;
  2. Emphasizes the imperative need to strengthen the implementation of activities and projects for technical co-operation among developing countries through the increased allocation and utilization of financial resources, as appropriate, for the promotion and implementation of projects for technical co-operation among developing countries;
  3. Requests the various parties participating in the promotion and implementation of technical co-operation among developing countries, particularly within the United Nations system, including the United Nations Development Programme, the specialized agencies and the regional commissions, to give the necessary priority to the support, encouragement and implementation of specific activities and projects, so that such co-operation will become a basic component of their policies for development;
  4. Urges the international community, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, to be favourably disposed to the requests for technical and financial support presented to them for the implementation of specific activities and projects of technical co-operation among developing countries;
  5. Reiterates the need for developed countries and their international co-operation agencies to lend their firm support to technical co-operation among developing countries, in accordance with recommendations 35 and 36 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action and in the context of recommendation 38 thereof.

85th plenary meeting
22 December 1989

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CHAPTER - VII

LC Decision on criteria for TCDC Projects Decision 2/9 dated June 7, 1981

2/9. Technical co-operation among developing countries and the policies, rules and procedures of the United Nations Development Programme>P> The High Level Committee

Recalling recommendations 33, 34 and 38 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing technical Co-operation among Developing Countries,

Recalling also Committee decision 1/7,

Recalling further decision 80/46 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme,

Bearing in mind the views expressed by delegations at the first and second sessions of the High Level Committee,

  1. Takes note of the report on technical co-operation among developing countries and the policies, rules and procedures of the United Nations Development Programme n/and of the report on the status on the use of the Programme Reserve for financing the promotion of technical co-operation and the recommendation for an additional allocation during the third cycle; o/
  2. Recommends that the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme:
    1. Ensure that for the period of the third programming cycle earmarking from country IPFs for technical co-operation activities for the benefit of other countries does not exceed 10 per cent of the country's IPF or $7.5 million, whichever is smaller;
    2. Lift the present blanket restriction on the reimbursement of local currency costs;
    3. Ensure that the following basic guidelines of technical co-operation among developing countries be used in assessing technical co-operation project proposals:

        4. n/ TCDC/2/17.
        o/ TCDC/2/L.4.

      1. Technical co-operation activities or projects involve the deliberate and voluntary sharing or exchange of technical resources, skills and capabilities between two or more developing countries for their individual or mutual development;
      2. Technical co-operation among developing countries is initiated, organized and managed primarily by developing countries themselves. In such a process Governments of developing countries would normally take the lead or responsibility. Technical co-operation among developing countries could also involve the participation of national public institutions, and within the framework of the policies laid down by Governments of developing countries, private organizations and individuals;
      3. The financing and project inputs, such as expertise, consultancy services, research and training facilities, equipment and supplies in technical co- operation activities, should be the primary responsibility of developing countries themselves and the country IPF should be considered as a catalyst and a supplementary contribution. At its third session, in 1983, the High-level Committee will, on the basis of financial data for the years 1980-1982 submitted by the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, consider guidelines for the share of earmarked IPF funds of total contributions for technical co-operation;
      4. Technical co-operation among developing countries can include all sectors and all kinds of technical co-operation activities of developing countries. It can be bilateral or multilateral in scope, subregional, regional or interregional in character. It should try, whenever possible, innovative approaches, methods and techniques particularly adapted to local needs as well as existing modalities of technical co-operation to the extent that they are considered useful;
    4. Allow that projects conforming to the basic guidelines enumerated in the previous paragraphs may be financed from country IPFs subject to the existing rules and procedures established for the United Nations Development Programme as a whole, with regard to project assessment, approval, implementation and evaluation. Within this framework, expenditure for provision of inputs necessary in the execution of projects should be allowed in the same manner and with the same flexibility as for the rest of the Development Programme;
    5. Allow that advances, current payments and reimbursements from the IPF resources be made by the Programme in the currencies of expenditure on the inputs concerned, and shall be drawn as far as possible from the Programme's holding of such or any other suitable currencies;
    6. Apply the following rules with regard to the reimbursement of certain local costs, associated with services and materials, which the Governments or national public or private institutions of the "IPF country" should primarily bear in accordance with subparagraph 2 (c) (iii) above;
      1. Any part of the salary and allowances of professional staff and any part of the cost of contractual services payable in the home country of the staff or contractor would be reimbursable in the "IPF country" currency only;
      2. The local currency cost of equipment and materials purchased would be reimbursable in the "IPF country" currency only;
    7. Apply regular Development Programme procedures related to approval of its assisted projects, compensation, hiring of national experts, procurement of equipment and services, subcontracting and related matters;
    8. Incorporate the above principles and criteria into the standing guidelines and instructions of the United Nations Development Programme Policies and Procedures Manual;
  3. Recommends that the Governing Council request the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for the purpose of monitoring the guidelines of technical co-operation set out in subparagraph 2 (c), to notify the Committee at its third session on:
    1. The relevant financial costs of projects funded from the country IPFs and the national resources of participating Governments;
    2. The amounts of IPF resources, if any, expended by the Development Programme in implementing the provision of subparagraphs 2 (e) and (f) above;
    3. The breakdown of expertise, equipment and supplies, consultancy services, and training present in these projects;
  4. Recommends that the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme should consider favourably the proposal of the Administrator to use $1 million for the period of 1982-1983 for promotional activities of technical co-operation among developing countries, o/ and that a report containing an assessment on the use of the funds should be submitted by the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to the High-level Committee at its next session;
  5. Requests the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to provide member countries, on request, lists of available experts in developing countries for technical co-operation projects.

17th meeting
7 June 1981

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CHAPTER - VIII

HLC Decision on TCDC Focal Points

Decision 1/1 dated June 2, 1980

1/1. Report on the progress made in implementing the tasks entrusted to the United Nations development system by the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing technical Co-operation among Developing Countries

The High-level Meeting,

Recalling recommendation 34 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries a/ entrusting the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme with responsibility to prepare, in collaboration with other organizations of the United Nations development system, a progress report on the implementation of the Plan of Action and to make suggestions to expedite progress through new actions and initiatives,

Expressing its appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the United Nations development system and summarized in the progress report to implement the tasks entrusted to it by the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for promoting and supporting technical co-operation among developing countries,

Recognizing that certain actions in response to recommendations of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action require particular attention and effort on the part of Governments of developing countries, Governments of developed countries and organizations of the United Nations development system, to ensure that successful implementation of technical co-operation among developing countries on a wide scale,

  1. Urges the organizations of the United Nations development system to give sufficient attention, using the country's own language as much as possible in the formulation and development of programmes designed to orient and train their staffs and those in developing countries concerned with national focal points and with technical co-operation, in the programming and implementation of activities of technical co-operation among developing countries;
  2. Invites all Governments of developing countries which have not yet done so to establish national focal points or other appropriate mechanisms for technical co-operation among developing countries in keeping with recommendation 3 of the Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries, a/ to promote technical co-operation among developing countries and to facilitate the co-ordination of technical co-operation among developing countries at the national level; to undertake long-term information and education programmes, including national workshops with the support of the United Nations development system, if necessary, for the purpose of breaking down attitudinal barriers to technical co-operation among developing countries as urged in recommendation 13 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, and in general to actively plan and implement projects of technical co-operation with other developing countries, with the support of the United Nations development system if necessary;
  3. Invites Governments of developing countries and, at their request, with the support of the organizations of the United Nations development system and other international specialized organizations and the Governments of developed countries to give special attention in keeping with recommendation 27 of the Plan of Action, to the potential of technical co-operation among developing countries in controlling the "brain drain" from developing countries and planning and encouraging patterns of voluntary migration among developing countries which are beneficial to their mutual human resources and over-all development requirements;
  4. Invites Governments of developing countries to disseminate information on their special experiences in technical co-operation among developing countries and their needs and capacities, making optimum use of technical information systems at the national, regional and global levels; and to make available, with priority, to the Special Unit on Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries of the United Nations Development Programme and other concerned United Nations bodies, noteworthy case studies, wherever they are considered appropriate, of bilateral and multilateral innovations in technical co-operation among developing countries, actions and modalities for appropriate dissemination and for incorporation in the progress report to be prepared for the next High-level Meeting;
  5. Invites the Governments of developing countries and the organizations of the United Nations development system to give sufficient attention to the important role that can be played by voluntary agencies and the private sector in supporting government actions of technical co-operation among developing countries, as envisaged in recommendations 11 and 12 of the Plan of Action relating to professional and technical organizations;
  6. Invites the Governments of developed countries to make available, on a voluntary basis, to the Special Unit on Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries of the United Nations Development Programme information relating to their progress in implementing the relevant recommendations of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for dissemination and incorporation in the progress report to be prepared for the next High-level Meeting.

10th plenary meeting
2 June 1980

a/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries, Buenos Aires, 30 August-12 September 1978 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.78.II.A.11 and Corrigendum), chap. I.

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Decision 5/6 dated May 27, 1987

5/6. National focal points and report of the meeting of TCDC focal points of organizations of the United Nations development system held in New York

The High-level Committee,

Having considered the report of the meeting of TCDC focal points of organizations of the United Nations development system, j/ held in New York on 4 and 5 March 1986,

Noting with appreciation the initiative taken by the United Nations Development Programme to convene the meeting with a view to strengthening technical co-operation among developing countries within the United Nations system,

  1. Urges the organizations of the United Nations development system to adopt and implement the recommendations made at the meeting for strengthening technical co-operation among developing countries within the organizations of the United Nations development system and with respect to the procurement of goods and services from developing countries by organizations of the system; k/
  2. Requests the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to convene meetings of focal points for technical co-operation among developing countries of organizations of the United Nations development system every two years, preferably immediately prior to each session of the High-level Committee, to discuss ways and means of further strengthening technical co-operation among developing countries;
  3. Further requests the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to report to the High-level Committee at its sixth session on the implementation of the present decision;
  4. Invites the United Nations Development Programme, the organs and bodies of the United Nations development system and the developed countries to assist the developing countries to strengthen their focal points for technical co-operation among developing countries in order to enable them to participate effectively in activities for technical co-operation among developing countries.

7th plenary meeting
27 May 1987

j/ TCDC/5/INF/1.
k/ Ibid., annex, sect. E.

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CHAPTER - IX

HLC Decision on TCDC Programming Exercise

Decision 5/8 dated May 27, 1987

5/8. Strengthening and improving intergovernmental programming exercise for technical co-operation among developing countries

The High-level Committee,

Recalling the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries d/ and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the important role of technical co-operation among developing countries in economic development as well as in the reinforcement of individual and collective self-reliance of developing countries,

Taking note with satisfaction of the results of the intergovernmental programming exercises for technical co-operation among developing countries in recent years,

Bearing in mind that these exercises should be guided by the principle of equality and mutual benefit between and among participating developing countries, ensuring the achievements of practical results and the use of resources of technical co-operation among developing countries mainly for the implementation of concrete projects,

Considering that the involvement of developed countries in supporting and financing projects resulting from the intergovernmental programming exercises for technical co-operation among developing countries would be an important element of North-South co-operation,

Considering further that the support and involvement of international financing institutions would further enhance the promotion and implementation of activities for technical co-operation among developing countries,

Recalling in this regard recommendations 35 and 36 of the Buenos Aires Plan of action, in which, inter alia, Governments of developed countries were invited to give full support to technical co-operation among developing countries,

Recalling also recommendation 32 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, in which the United Nations Development Programme was given the responsibility for catalyzing and promoting technical co-operation among developing countries throughout the United Nations system,

Considering the need for further strengthening and improving intergovernmental programming exercises for technical co-operation among developing countries to meet the growing requirements of developing countries in their economic development,

  1. Recognizes that intergovernmental programming exercises for technical co-operation among developing countries between and among participating countries could constitute a useful modality for promoting technical co-operation among developing countries and that such exercises require, for further strengthening and improvement, an adequate evaluation of the concrete execution of the agreed projects and activities;
  2. Recognizes further that these exercises should continue to be closely linked with priorities and planning for national development objectives;
  3. Invites developing countries to support and participate in the intergovernmental programming exercises for technical co-operation among developing countries and to take appropriate follow-up actions in accordance with their own capacities and requirements;
  4. Requests that regional, interregional and global programming exercise, sectoral and/or comprehensive, for technical co-operation among developing countries continue to be held in accordance with the expressed needs of the developing countries and that an adequate evaluation of these exercises be made;
  5. Emphasizes the importance of the catalytic and promotional role of the United Nations Development Programme in these exercises and its role in the execution of projects thereof;
  6. Recommends that the implementation of projects resulting from these exercises be incorporated, whenever possible or appropriate, into the programmes, including country, regional, interregional and global programmes, of the United Nations Development Programme;
  7. Invites other United Nations bodies to participate, whenever appropriate, in these programming exercises for technical co-operation among developing countries and to provide financial support for the execution of projects resulting therefrom;
  8. Invites developed countries to provide support and financing for projects and activities resulting from these exercises;
  9. Encourages and calls upon the international and regional financing institutions to join the efforts of the organs and organizations within the United Nations system to assist developing countries in their activities for technical co-operation among developing countries;
  10. Invites participating countries to share information and experience related to these exercises;
  11. Requests the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to submit to the High-level Committee at its sixth session an analytical report containing an evaluation of these exercises and the state of the implementation of projects resulting therefrom.

7th plenary meeting
27 May 1987

Decision 6/5 dated September 29, 1989

6/5. Promotion of programming exercises, including meetings for negotiation with respect to technical co-operation among developing countries

The High-level Committee,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 42/179 of 11 December 1987 on strengthening and improving intergovernmental programming exercises for technical co-operation among developing countries,

Also recalling the fundamental aim of strengthening the concept of collective self-reliance among developing countries through technical co-operation among developing countries,

Expressing its satisfaction over the holding of programming exercises, including meetings for the negotiation of activities and projects for technical co-operation among developing countries,

Stressing the need for programming exercises to facilitate the integration of technical co-operation among developing countries into the mainstream of technical co-operation among developing countries into the United Nations system, and particularly those of the United Nations Development Programme,

  1. Expresses its satisfaction with the recently conducted programming exercises, including meetings for the negotiation of activities and projects for technical co-operation among developing countries;
  2. Requests the United Nations Development Programme to continue offering its firm support to such exercises and meetings, recognizing their catalytic role in promoting technical co-operation among developing countries, and to continue to support the implementation of the activities and projects resulting from such exercises;
  3. Urges the developed countries, agencies and organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations to support such exercises and meetings and to obtain financing for activities and projects for technical co-operation among developing countries that emerge therefrom in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries; a/
  4. Also urges the United Nations Development Programme to include, as appropriate, projects emerging from such exercises and meetings in its regional, interregional and global programming;
  5. Invites subregional, regional and international financial institutions that finance development to participate by offering financial support to technical co-operation among developing countries, in particular projects and activities resulting from the meetings and programming exercises, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries;
  6. Requests the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to carry out an evaluation of the programming exercises already concluded, focusing especially on the planning and follow-up methodology, in order to increase and improve the efficacy of future exercises in the context of strengthening technical co-operation among developing countries;
  7. Invites the developing countries to identify priority themes or sectors that, in accordance with their interests and priorities and their national development plans, could be included within the regional programming of activities for technical co-operation among developing countries, and to that end, invites Governments to transmit information to the regional focal points and instruct them to elaborate a regional programming plan for their consideration, once such information is processed;
  8. Also invites the parties concerned, in particular the United Nations system, to give the necessary attention to the promotion and strengthening of sectoral intergovernmental and other programming exercises of technical co-operation among developing countries, whose choices should be in full consonance with the economic programmes and priorities of the concerned countries.

Decision 7/2 dated June 6, 1991

7/2. Intergovernmental programming exercises for technical cooperation among developing countries

The High-level Committee,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 42/179 of 11 December 1987 and decision 44/450 of 22 December 1989 on further strengthening and improving intergovernmental programming exercises for technical cooperation among developing countries,

Recalling also its decision 6/5 of 29 September 1989 on the promotion of technical cooperation among developing countries programming exercises, including meetings for negotiations with respect to technical cooperation among developing countries,

  1. Takes note of the progress report of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme d/ on strengthening and improving intergovernmental programming for technical cooperation among developing countries, which reviews the exercises and meetings convened during 1989 and 1990;
  2. Notes the fact that the technical cooperation among developing countries programming exercises are being evaluated by independent consultants under the auspices of the Special Unit for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries with the view to increasing and improving the effectiveness of exercises in further strengthening technical cooperation among developing countries;
  3. Encourages Governments of developing countries that have formalized bilateral technical cooperation among developing countries projects and activities through past technical cooperation among developing countries programming exercises, to continue to provide the necessary financial and other resources to facilitate their implementation, including, where necessary, support from their country indicative planning figures;
  4. Calls upon the international community to continue to provide support to supplement the resources of the developing countries in the implementation of projects agreed on in technical cooperation among developing countries programming exercises;
  5. Calls upon the Administrator to ensure the implementation as per the agreed schedule of programming exercises for which memoranda of understanding have been signed with Governments;
  6. Requests the Administrator to undertake follow-up and evaluation of the programming exercise and, at the request of the participating developing countries, mobilize financial support for the projects and proposals agreed upon by the concerned countries;

    d/ TCDC/7/4.

  7. Invites the Governments of developing countries to carry out follow-up and evaluation of technical cooperation among developing countries projects and to communicate their results to the Special Unit for Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries so as to facilitate the adoption of remedial measures;
  8. Also invites the Governments of developing countries to identify ways and means for ensuring that technical cooperation among developing countries projects are consistent with national development plans and objectives;
  9. Stresses the need for the United Nations development system to emphasize the importance of the sectoral approach and technical cooperation among developing countries regional, interregional and global programming exercises;
  10. Requests the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme to report to the Committee at its eighth session on the implementation of the present decision with particular emphasis on the outcome of the evaluation of the exercises.

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