UNDP’s Strategy for Strengthening Government Centres in Conflict Zones

The UNDP, in collaboration with ODI and SIPRI, highlights the critical role of Centres of Government (CoG) in stabilizing fragile states by enhancing decision-making, crisis management, and policy coordination. The report outlines strategic approaches, case studies, and recommendations for strengthening CoG functions to ensure governance resilience and sustainable development.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), has released a groundbreaking report on strengthening Centres of Government (CoG) in fragile and conflict-affected settings. This study underscores the critical role of the CoG in ensuring governance stability, effective policymaking, and long-term development in countries grappling with political instability, institutional fragility, and ongoing conflict. Housed within the Prime Minister’s Office, the Presidency, or equivalent executive structures, the CoG serves as the central hub of decision-making, policy coordination, and crisis management. In fragile states, where political structures are often weak and fragmented, an efficient CoG is essential for restoring public confidence, overcoming governance instability, and preventing the government from descending into chaos. Without a well-functioning CoG, countries risk disjointed policy implementation, ineffective governance, and a failure to respond adequately to crises.

The Centre of Government as the Backbone of Stability

The report highlights that the CoG plays an essential role in supporting structured decision-making at the highest levels of government. It facilitates the coordination of cabinet-level discussions, ensures policy coherence, and integrates digital governance tools to enhance efficiency. In fragile states, where governance is often unpredictable and erratic, the CoG must provide strategic direction to prevent policy paralysis. Many of these countries operate in highly fragmented governance environments where ministries and agencies often work in silos, leading to inefficiencies. The CoG ensures that different arms of government work collaboratively rather than at cross purposes. Another key function of the CoG is strategic communication. In fragile and conflict-affected settings, public trust in government institutions is often low, and misinformation can quickly escalate tensions. The CoG plays a vital role in ensuring government messaging is clear, transparent, and responsive to public concerns. It not only disseminates government policies but also collects feedback from citizens to shape governance approaches.

Crisis Management and Aid Coordination

One of the most crucial responsibilities of the CoG in fragile states is managing crisis situations. Governments in such settings often face frequent and overlapping crises, from armed conflicts and political upheavals to economic shocks and health emergencies. The CoG must act as a national crisis response center, ensuring that different government agencies collaborate effectively in times of emergency. Without this coordination, governments risk delayed responses, misallocation of resources, and further destabilization. Another significant challenge is aid coordination. Many fragile states depend heavily on international donors, and mismanagement of aid can lead to inefficiencies, duplication of efforts, and corruption. The CoG must oversee the allocation and distribution of aid to ensure alignment with national priorities and transparency in resource utilization. By providing a structured mechanism for aid management, the CoG helps prevent donor fragmentation and ensures that external support contributes to long-term stability rather than exacerbating existing governance challenges.

Barriers to Strengthening the Centre of Government

Despite its critical importance, the CoG in fragile states faces multiple challenges that hinder its effectiveness. One of the primary obstacles is weak political will. Many governments see efforts to strengthen the CoG as bureaucratic rather than essential for governance. Without strong leadership support, reforms often fail to gain traction. Another significant issue is institutional fragmentation. Overlapping mandates, poorly defined roles, and a lack of coordination between ministries create inefficiencies that undermine the effectiveness of the CoG. In many fragile states, there is also a shortage of skilled personnel with the technical expertise needed to manage CoG functions effectively. Capacity gaps in areas such as policy formulation, data analysis, and digital governance prevent the CoG from performing its core functions efficiently. Additionally, fragile states are often characterized by security risks, where ongoing conflicts and political instability disrupt government operations and make long-term governance reforms difficult to implement.

UNDP’s Strategic Approach to CoG Reforms

To address these challenges, the UNDP recommends a phased and politically sensitive approach to CoG strengthening. One key strategy is conducting a Political Economy Analysis (PEA) before implementing reforms. This involves a deep understanding of the political and institutional landscape to identify opportunities and risks associated with governance reforms. By tailoring interventions to the specific context of a country, the UNDP aims to ensure that CoG reforms are both feasible and impactful. Another critical approach is risk assessment and management. Engaging with a CoG in a fragile setting carries potential political and reputational risks, as reforms may be perceived as foreign interference or as favoring certain political factions. The UNDP advises careful risk evaluation to prevent unintended consequences. Functional analysis is another key element of the reform process. The UNDP recommends mapping out existing CoG functions to determine the best entry points for support. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, interventions should be adapted to the governance structures and challenges unique to each country. The report also highlights the transformative potential of digital governance tools. From e-Cabinet systems to data-driven decision-making frameworks, technology can significantly improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the CoG. By incorporating digital solutions, governments can enhance policy coordination, streamline workflows, and improve transparency.

Real-World Success Stories and the Path Forward

The report presents several case studies demonstrating how the UNDP has successfully strengthened CoGs in fragile states. In Liberia, the UNDP supported the establishment of a performance management system within the cabinet, introducing accountability measures and improving policy coordination. In Georgia, the UNDP played a key role in modernizing the State Chancellery, creating an integrated communication network that streamlined decision-making processes. In Nepal, following the devastating 2015 earthquake, the government faced significant challenges in managing international aid. The UNDP assisted in establishing transparent aid management structures, ensuring resources were efficiently allocated and aligned with national recovery efforts. These examples illustrate how a well-supported CoG can enhance governance stability, improve crisis response, and ensure that national priorities remain focused on long-term development.

The UNDP’s report makes a compelling case that strengthening Centres of Government is essential for fragile states to achieve stability, economic growth, and sustainable peace. It provides a roadmap for action, urging governments, donors, and international organizations to invest in CoG development as a cornerstone of governance reform. Without an effective executive function, governments risk inefficiency, instability, and an inability to respond to crises effectively. The study presents a pragmatic approach, grounded in political realism, risk assessment, and strategic capacity-building, to help fragile states establish resilient governance systems. As global conflicts and governance crises continue to rise, strengthening the CoG is not merely an administrative necessity—it is a fundamental requirement for achieving long-term peace and stability.