TALKING POINTS

Madame Chair, Excellencies, dear Friends, Members of the Advisory Board and the Programme Consultative Group!

It is my great privilege to participate at this very special and important event. I would like to command the UNIFP for organizing it, and elaborating the documentation in front of us. In the outset, allow me also to express our firm belief that the proposed structure constitutes an excellent basis to get a quick and effective start in the first operational phase.

Madame Chair, in fulfilling your challenging and responsible tasks, you will have the support and full co-operation of the delegation of the Republic of Hungary.

Let me convey a few remarks on the two documents (governance arrangements and programme framework).

With regard to the governance arrangements: Hungary would like to see an effective mechanism to be established between the Advisory Board and the Programme Consultative Group for evaluating the proposed projects to strengthen the Board’s capabilities to making strategic decisions.

With regard to the areas of support: during the course of the first 15 months, Hungary considers essential the diversity of project proposals. Furthermore, we believe that during the first critical period of time the Fund should be given priority for undertakings capable to attract proper public attention and support to the UNDF within the wider membership and the public.

In relation to future programming, governmental and civil society co-operation, Hungary believes that it is fundamental to get a clear balance between them. In order to achieve it, the expertise of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights could be well utilized. 

Driven by the policy objective of promoting democracy all over the world, and  sharing the same aspirations, embodied in the establishment of the UN Democracy Fund, the Government of the Republic of Hungary decided to establish an International Centre for Democratic Transition in Budapest.  We are glad to recognize that he Secretary-General appointed Ms. Angela Kane as his personal representative in the Centre’s Advisory Board. Let me reiterate the eagerness of Hungary to establish an effective co-operation between the two institutions as well.

Thank you for your attention.