Preparing to Leave UN, Jeffrey Feltman Presents Report on Use of Voluntary Funding, Thanks Donors

The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) unveiled its annual report on activities and initiatives carried out in 2017 and made possible by voluntary contributions from United Nations member States. Such donations make up an important part of DPA’s total budget, funding 46 per cent of the Department’s work last year. Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman, making one of his last public appearances in his UN role, presented the report on 28 March, thanking donor countries for their support.

“The fact that we were able to mobilize resources above our annual target of $27 million continued to demonstrate the confidence that all of you have placed in us, and in what we do as the Department of Political Affairs,” Mr. Feltman said.

Since 2012, the funds mobilized through DPA’s Multi-Year Appeal have grown exponentially. In net terms, the department now receives 85 per cent more in voluntary contributions than it did in 2012. The number of donors has also continued to expand, from 18 in 2012 to a record 34 contributors in 2017.

Donor funding has allowed DPA to become more operational, expand its network of liaison presences around the globe, set up a Rapid Response mechanism to quickly respond to crisis-type demands from a broad array of partners.

“Your support continues to send a message that funding conflict prevention work is ever more pertinent even when the financial environment is constrained for many Member States,” Mr Feltman said. “I request you to continue this invaluable support to DPA and thank you again for making my time at the Department so meaningful.”