Statement of Objective

The objective is to achieve United Nations common premises in a cost-effective manner at the country level for UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and, as appropriate, WFP, together with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and other United Nations entities (action 10 (c) of A/51/950). This objective will serve to create closer ties among United Nations staff and promote a more unified presence at the country level. The United Nations House definition will help identify those buildings that may be designated United Nations Houses.

Designation of a United Nations House

The name “United Nations House” shall be conferred only by the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General, upon recommendation by the Executive Committee of the United Nations Development Group, may wish to designate a United Nations House where the following minimum conditions exist:

• Common premises housing the office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the offices of all resident Country Directors/ Representatives of the member agencies of the Executive Committee of the United Nations Development Group, i.e. UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and, as appropriate, WFP.The United Nations House is not necessarily a stand-alone building, and it may have satellite premises. There will only be one United Nations House in any given country, appropriately identified as such.
• A commitment to develop a framework for cost-effective, high quality and timely common services.

Optimally, all member organizations of UNDG will house their resident Country Directors/Representatives in the designated United Nations House. Other United Nations entities and the Bretton Woods Institutions are encouraged to join the United Nations House. The Secretary-General’s proposal to integrate UNICs into the Resident Coordinator’s office has been adopted by the General Assembly (A/52/12 of 14/11/1997). UNICs will therefore be an integral component of the United Nations House.