LIBYA: UN RESREP ASSESSES OPPORTUNITIES FOR BILATERAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TRIPOLI 000527 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/MAG, NEA/MEPI, NEA/RA; AMMAN FOR WHITLESLEY; OES FOR SENSE Y; HHS FOR COURY AND DR. STEIGER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PREF PGOV LY SUBJECT: LIBYA: UN RESREP ASSESSES OPPORTUNITIES FOR BILATERAL COOPERATION ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative Julio Grieco told poloff September 17 that there were opportunities for the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) to expand on activities already underway in Libya that focus on education, financial sector reform, and gender. He urged, however, that MEPI consider expanding its focus to include healthcare, explaining that the public health system in Libya is in very poor condition and urgently needs assistance. Grieco, who concurrently serves as United Nations Resident Coordinator in Libya, also discussed UNDP's role in human rights promotion, including women's empowerment; UNDP's mandate and programs; and other UN agencies in Libya. END SUMMARY. -------------- PLEA TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE REFORM IN LIBYA -------------- ¶2. (U) Grieco explained that the USG can make an immediate impact in Libya by focusing on public health. While explaining that Libya needs better medical resources, professional training, and patient care, he noted a special need for improving the management of the health care system. UNDP's health-related programs, Grieco said, include an HIV-AIDS prevention program; upgrading of the orthopedic workshop and rehabilitation center for the disabled in Benghazi; drug abuse control and treatment; and eradication of the screw-worm. -------------- -------------- UNDP HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) Grieco stressed that UNDP does not address human rights abuses through reporting or lobbying. The UN has an office in Geneva that addresses the human rights situation in Libya, Grieco said, adding that the UN does not take a "negative approach" in Libya, but rather seeks a constructive form of engagement. By cooperatively working with the Government of Libya (GOL) to develop awareness about human rights, Grieco asserted, UNDP balances the alienating impact on the GOL of reports of abuse of those rights. He explained that UNDP contributes to the promotion of respect for human rights through several of its development programs: (1) training judges, prosecutors and academics; (2) women's empowerment training; (3) training government and law enforcement officials to reduce demand for and supply of illicit drugs. Grieco noted that experts believe drug abuse to be the leading cause of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Libya. ¶4. (U) Grieco provided a formal, written report on UNDP's programs in Libya that included a description of its women's empowerment work. According to the report, UNDP has launched a project for "Advocacy and Capacity Building on Women's Empowerment" in Libya. The program draws on the UN's global effort to "mainstream gender into development activities." As part of the program, UNDP held a capacity-building seminar this year aimed at national and local authorities. UNDP organized the seminar in conjunction with the government-run organization Wa'atessemo and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). UNDP has proposed to the GOL the development of four new projects that will, respectively: (1) support women entrepreneurs; (b) compile gender disaggregated statistics; (c) examine the impact on women of Libya's legal framework, and enhance women's participation in the development process; and (d) address the gender dimension of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. -------------- UNDP'S MANDATE AND PROGRAMS -------------- ¶5. (U) UNDP has been in Libya since 1950, has a staff of 17, and receives its funding from the Libyan government, according to Grieco. It focuses on technical assistance to achieve national development goals. In addition to the programs listed above, UNDP has projects that address the following issues: agriculture, education, vocational training, meteorological services, millennium development goals, decentralization and local government, veterinary services, and water resources management. In the near future, UNDP will focus on information and communications technologies, and environmental capacity and strategies. -------------- UN AGENCIES IN LIBYA -------------- ¶6. (U) Since Libya is a net contributing country to the UN, Grieco explained, it funds the UN's work in Libya. The UN agencies, however, Grieco claimed, operate by UN rules and make their own hiring and policy decisions. The following agencies currently operate in Libya (staff size in parentheses): Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (1); United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (12); United Nations Information Centers (UNICs) (4); World Health Organization (WHO) (4); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2). The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) does not have a permanent presence in Libya, Grieco said, but UNESCO officials have visited Libya on several occasions to provide children with vaccinations. UNDP also receives funding from New York, Grieco said, without specifying the percentage of the budget that comes from New York. UNHCR receives all of its funding from Geneva, Grieco said, since it does not serve Libyan citizens. BERRY SIGNATURE BERRY