July 31, 2009 -- Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer took time out of his busy schedule on Thursday to congratulate the country's UN Ambassador Dr. John W. Ashe on his endorsement by the 33 member States of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) as chairman of the joint Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) for 2010.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Ashe on his endorsement by the GRULAC to chair this important body, which among other things, provides inter-governmental support to and supervision of the activities of these two very important UN organizations," said the Prime Minister.

"I am particularly pleased to note that this is the first time that an OECS country will serve in this important post," he added.

The Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA is responsible for providing inter-governmental support to and supervision of the activities of UNDP and UNFPA in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council, and the responsibilities set out in the United Nations Charter. It must also be responsive to the needs of programme countries. The Board is under the authority of the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

"I am indeed honoured to have been endorsed by my GRULAC colleagues to such an important post," said Ambassador Ashe.

"On behalf of my government, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the activities of these two organizations that are both very active in our subregion, and in the case of UNDP, has a physical presence with an office in Barbados that also serves the OECS countries," he added.

The Executive Board is charged with implementing the policies formulated by the UN General Assembly and the coordination and guidance received from the Economic and Social Council; receiving information from and give guidance to the head of each fund or programme on the work of each organization; ensuring that the activities and operational strategies of each fund or programme are consistent with the overall policy guidance set forth by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, in accordance with their respective responsibility set out in the United Nations Charter; monitoring the performance of the fund or programme; approving programmes, including country programmes (for UNDP: country cooperation frameworks), as appropriate; deciding on administrative and financial plans and budgets; recommending new initiatives to the Economic and Social Council, and through the Council, to the General Assembly, as necessary; encouraging and examining new programme initiatives; and submitting annual reports to the Economic and Social Council, which could include recommendations.

As president, Ambassador Ashe will preside over a bureau and four Vice Presidents that will be responsible for preparing and organizing Board meetings, facilitating transparent decision-making, and promoting dialogue in decision-making. The Bureau also agrees on the composition of the teams participating in Executive Board field visits.

Ambassador Ashe will formally be elected by the Board at its first meeting in January 2010 and will serve as president for the year.