Reorganization:
Becoming a More Field-focused Organization

During the second regular session of the Executive Board in 2007, Member States formally approved a new organizational structure for UNFPA, designed to make the Fund an even more field-centred, efficient and strategic partner to the countries it serves.

The reorganization entails significant strengthening of country offices through additional and upgraded posts, staff training and additional resources for technical assistance. It also entails the establishment of regional offices in Bangkok, Bratislava ^[1], Cairo , Johannesburg and Panama City, supported by six subregional offices (see map below). The location of these offices was decided following extensive consultation with other UN agencies to ensure regional alignment, co-location and increased coordination of UN agencies in the field.

The reorganization also entails changes at headquarters, including a new Programme Division and a restructured Technical Division. These changes aim to strengthen UNFPA's capacity to support effective programmes, to ensure UNFPA's leadership in substantive areas, and to facilitate knowledge sharing throughout the organization and with partners.

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By strengthening the capacity of country offices and providing more effective and integrated support to them, the new structure will foster an environment more conducive to national ownership of programmes and to South-Couth cooperation. Also, it will allow for more effective cooperation with regional bodies and regional commissions, as well as better harmonization and coordiantion among agencies, as called for by UN reform.

As UNFPA moves through the complex process of change, it is commited to ensuring a continuity of service to those who need assistance. The Fund's organization units, therefore, are following business continuity plans to ensure constant support to country offices during the transition.

Related links:

• Review of the organizational structure (approved at the Second Regular Session of the Executive Board in 2007 (See also Corrigendum)

¹The question of regional co-location  for the United Nations system in  Eastern Europe and Central Asia is under discussions in the United Nations Development Group (UNDG).