The UN agencies in The Gambia namely UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA alongside the government of The Gambia recently held a joint high-level engagement on finalising the new country program document at a ceremony held at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.
The documents outline the country specific priorities and strategy focus that aligns with the national development goals and priorities for the next five years.
Besides, the objective of the high level dialogue with the government was also to provide brief for the status of the Country Program Development (CDP), while focusing on the pragmatic approach for the new year.
At the event, Dr. Desta Tiruneh, representative of the World Health Organization, who is also UN Resident Coordinator at interim said the event signifies shared commitment to realising the vision in line with 27 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and all principles enshrine in it.
“This upcoming SDG summit is the central platform for leaders to provide political guidance on the implementation of 27 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. We are alarmed that the progress on most of the State Technical Guide Committee (STGCs) are either moving very slowly or has decreased in 2015. Our country is currently facing numerous crisis, our sustainable development gains have been reversed and the impact of climate change, hunger, malnutrition are becoming more prevalent humanitarian needs, are rising.”
This, he observed, has led to increase in inequality and weakened international solidarity.
“I also remind you that as you are aware of, the UN country team would continue to support the government in the implementation of great recovery focus to national development plan which the UN development cooperation framework and the country programme document is aligned. The UN reforms have issued that CPD’s are not only aligned with the United Nation Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDCF) which is actually derived from this document which is recommend UN commitment towards.”
The UN agencies, he added, are working with UN team to establish the UN sustainable development cooperation base on the cooperation framework with UNICEF, UNFP, UNDP and the government of The Gambia have developed their country program in areas of each agencies.
Dr. Tiruneh thus commended the government of The Gambia for the collaboration, which he said, has strengthened the UN system.
“This will help accelerate the Gambia’s achievement of the SDG’s.”
Habib Jarra, a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acknowledged that the gathering is a tradition between UN system in the country and The Gambia government.
The event, he added, would further ensure that the UN system accompanies the government of The Gambia in pursuit of its development agenda and in this regard, to the preparation and finalisation of the three country development programmes by the UNDP, UNICEF and UNFP.
“The government of The Gambia highly appreciates the partnership as the UN system and the Ministry of Foreign affairs will be always available to accompany this process to facilitate the implementation of the country programs as they relate to our national priority.”
Jarra on behalf of the Foreign Affairs minister also expressed their readiness to ensure that the documents are finalised and ready for implementation.