Article 13(1) of the UN Charter empowers the UN General Assembly to initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of (a) promoting international cooperation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification; and (b) promoting international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction

Guided by the UN General Assembly within the context of Article 13(1) of the UN Charter, the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, requested an independent study to review the debate among UN Member States and Governing bodies of the UN System on the need to assess the impact of operational activities for development of the UN System in developing countries from a system-wide perspective from which, the findings affirmed the need to strengthen system-wide evaluation of operational activities for development of the UN system in developing countries.

Grounded in Article 13(1) of the UN Charter, driven by the findings of the independent study which affirmed the need to strengthen system-wide evaluation of operational activities for development of the UN System in developing countries and supporting United Nations General Assembly Resolutions including Secretary General’s Note, UNISWEM independently generates evaluation evidence and accountability to inform greater coherence and impact of operational activities for development of the UN system in developing countries by interfacing between the United Nations Development System and UN program countries while primarily delivering development rights to all individuals especially those with the greatest need.