This study uses a public management perspective to examine the ways in which UN organizations carry out their multilateral development cooperation individually as well as with other organizations. There is an emphasis on the theoretical topics of governance, and programme management in UN organizations. This study deals in particular with the United Populations Fund (UNFPA) and the United Children's Fund (UNICEF) and their coordinated behaviour in the Joint Consultative Group on Policy (JCGP). It should be of interest to managers in multilateral organizations and academics studying the functioning of these organizations.