VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0469/01 0721546
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131546Z MAR 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8267
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1973

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000469 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EUN KDEM KUNR PHUM
SUBJECT: UN DEMOCRACY FUND: TEXT OF NOTE FROM UN SECRETARY 
GENERAL 
 
REF: USUN 460 
 
 ¶1. (U) Mission received the following diplomatic note from 
the UN Secretary-General regarding the establishment of the 
UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF).  The note outlines the vision and 
basic structure of the Fund and notes the first meeting of 
the Advisory Board that took place on March 6. (Note: Reftel 
reports on Advisory Board meeting. End note.)  Exact text of 
note follows in para 2 below. 
 
¶2. (U) Text of note from UN: 
 
The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his 
compliments to the Permanent Representatives of all missions 
accredited to the United Nations and has the honour to bring 
to their attention the following information concerning the 
United Nations Democracy Fund. 
 
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) was established by 
the Secretary-General in July 2005. It was subsequently 
welcomed by Heads of State and Government at the September 
2005 World Summit, when they reaffirmed that democracy is a 
universal value based on the freely expressed will of the 
people to determine their own political, economic, social and 
cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects 
of their lives. They also reaffirmed that there is no single 
model of democracy, that it does not belong to any country or 
region, and reaffirmed the necessity of due respect for 
sovereignty and the right of self-determination. The Summit 
Outcome stresses that democracy, development and respect for 
all human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent 
and mutually reinforcing. The Heads of State and Government 
also renewed their commitment to support democracy by 
strengthening countries' capacity to implement the principles 
and practices of democracy, and resolved to strengthen the 
capacity of the United Nations to assist Member States upon 
their request. 
 
With the establishment of the Fund, the United Nations 
created a funding mechanism that will support activities to 
promote and strengthen democracy in the world. Member States 
have clearly signaled their willingness to commit financial 
resources, and the Fund already has over $41 million 
committed by countries from various regions of the world. The 
Secretary-General encourages additional contributions to the 
 
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Fund. 
 
The UNDEF will seek to promote democracy worldwide by 
providing assistance to projects aiming at consolidating and 
strengthening democratic institutions and processes. Possible 
areas of support could include: democratic dialogue; 
constitution-review processes; civil society empowerment; 
civic education; citizens' access to information; media 
development; and political parties. 
 
It is envisaged that, in the first year, the Fund will engage 
in a broad consultative process to clearly map out its 
distinct niche of activity. The comparative advantage of the 
Fund is expected to be in supporting the enabling environment 
necessary for already established democratic institutions to 
function more effectively. 
 
While the main focus of the Fund's work will be to support 
country-level initiatives, it is envisaged that a limited 
number of projects may go beyond and above the country level 
to include initiatives to support the intellectual 
understanding of democratization issues and experience and to 
advance normative values and exchanges of practical 
experience. 
 
The UNDEF is located in the United Nations Fund for 
International Partnerships (UNFIP). An Advisory Board, a 
Programme Consultative Group (PCG), and the Office of the UN 
Democracy Fund constitute the three main governing mechanisms 
of UNDEF. 
 
The Secretary-General has established an Advisory Board 
composed of 17 members. It includes representatives from the 
largest Member State contributors to the Fund, as well as 
representatives from Member States selected by the 
Secretary-General to reflect diverse geographical 
 
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representation. It also includes representatives from civil 
society and personal representatives of the 
Secretary-General. The main purpose of the Advisory Board is 
 
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to provide policy guidance for the development of a programme 
framework and funding guidelines, and to recommend funding 
proposals for approval by the Secretary-General. 
 
The PCG consists of seven representatives from different UN 
departments, agencies and programmes. It provides advice to 
the Advisory Board on programme funding criteria and on 
project proposals. 
 
 
 
The core functions of the UNDEF Office include developing 
programme funding criteria, in consultation with the PCG, and 
soliciting innovative proposals. 
 
The first session of the UNDEF Advisory Board will take place 
on 6 March. It will initiate the operations of the Fund and 
signal that it is officially open for work. 
End text. 
BOLTON