Stat​ement​ by Grete F​aremo, Under-Secretary Gener​al and Executive Director of UNOPS, at the​​ second regular se​ssion​​ of the Executive Board​​, 11 September 2017​​​​

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and UNOPS have launched a new partnership to respond to the unprecedented pace of urbanization where cities are now home to more than half of the global population.

The President of the UN General Assembly will convene a two-day high-level meeting to discuss the effective implementation of the New Urban Agenda and to reflect on the positioning of UN-Habitat in that regard. UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo will participate in a panel discussion entitled 'Implementing the New Urban Agenda and the SDGs – the role of the United Nations System.'​

This event, held in connection with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark's annual Ambassador Meeting, will focus on a changing United Nations and the Danish expectations for future UN collaboration. UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo will participate in a debate on the preparedness of the UN to handle current and future challenges.

Arendalsuka is a politically independent annual forum held in Norway. National delegates in politics, society and industry meet each other and the public to debate and develop policies for the present and future. UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo will participate in several panel events at Arendalsuka, including: ​15 August: Panel debate on the circular economy in the process industry. 16 August: Panel of experts will discuss implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals during a working breakfast on development. 17 August: Panel debate on technology as a major driver of change, as well as a panel debate on democracy

Multi-stakeholder initiatives: Is this a time for collective governance?​

This year's World Trade Organization Global Review theme is promoting trade, inclusiveness and connectivity for sustainable development. During this event, stakeholders will look at how Aid for Trade can contribute to the integration of developing countries and least developed countries into the multilateral trading system, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo will participate in a panel discussion during a plenary session entitled 'Aid and inclusive trade: Financing trade connectivity and the Sustainable Development Goals' on 11 July 2017.

“We can and need to do better” – Grete Faremo at UN Ocean Conference

Detailed report analyzes where $17.7 billion was spent on goods and services by the UN in 2016.

Opening remarks by Grete Faremo, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNOPS, at the Swiss IT Leadership Forum, 27 June 2017

The Swiss IT Leadership Forum is an association of leading executives from the Swiss ICT industry. The three-day event will focus on communicating hands-on experience and trends in strategic positioning and the organization of ICT functions. UNOPS Executive Director Grete Faremo is participating in this event. Ms. Faremo will speak about the vision of UNOPS on artificial intelligence.