UN Resident Coordinator presents draft UNSDCF 2021-2025 to Cabinet

Today, the United Nations Development System in Eswatini presented to the Cabinet the final draft of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2021-2025.

              UNSDCF 2021-2025 represents the collective offer of the United Nations to support the Kingdom of Eswatini in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),implementation of national priorities, as well as attainment of the 2030 Agenda.

The Resident Coordinator of the UN Development System in Eswatini, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh presented the Cooperation Framework virtually via a zoom session with the Cabinet presided over by the Right Honorable Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Ambrose Dlamini. The presentation follows a high-level meeting of the Joint National Steering Committee held on 3 September 2020, which reviewed the achievements and challenges of the previous framework ( UNDAF 2016-2020) as well as the strategic priorities and outcomes of the upcoming UNSDCF 2021-2025.

The Cooperation Framework has been developed through a highly participatory, inclusive and transparent process that includes consultations with the Government, development partners, civil society, the academia, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and community groups between April 2019 and August 2020.

UNSDCF 2021-2025  is substantively based on the 2020 UN Eswatini Common Country Analysis (CCA), which identifies strengths, vulnerabilities and needs of the country; and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly its Prosperity, People, Planet (3 Ps out of 5 Ps) components.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, stated: “The overall goal of the United Nations’ assistance to the people and the Government of Eswatini during the cycle 2021-2015 is to support ‘A prosperous, just and resilient Eswatini where no one is left behind’. Through its Prosperity, People and Planet priority areas, the UNSDCF presents the UN’s offer to the Government of Eswatini for 2021-2025 through key Outcomes that will advance the attainment of sustainable development goals in your majestic nation.”

The Cooperation Framework is evidence-based and guided by  six key principles, namely: (i) Leaving No One Behind; (ii) Human Rights Based Approach; (iii) Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; (iv) Resilience; (v) Sustainability and (vi) Accountability.

In UNSDCF 2021-2025, special attention will be given – amongst others - to: private sector investment; small and medium sized enterprise development; sustainable and smart agriculture; promotion of decent work; food security; strengthening institutional capacities in the health and the education sectors; technical assistance in the health, nutrition, HIV and education programmes; improved access to and use of clean, reliable, and affordable energy for all citizens, especially vulnerable and marginalized communities; support to equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all citizens; integrated approaches targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized communities and groups.

The UNSDCF acts as a partnership and accountability framework between the United Nations Development System and the Government of Eswatini  andis expected to be signed in October 2020.

“The Cooperation Framework is our commitment to the people of Eswatini, particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable ones,” says Ndongo-Seh. “It commits the UN Development System to support the achievement of national development goals and targets with a focus on leaving no one behind and supporting the development of national development frameworks in line with the 2030 Agenda while including vulnerable populations in and across all processes and programmes.”

Today, the United Nations Development System in Eswatini presented to the Cabinet the final draft of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2021-2025.

              UNSDCF 2021-2025 represents the collective offer of the United Nations to support the Kingdom of Eswatini in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),implementation of national priorities, as well as attainment of the 2030 Agenda.

The Resident Coordinator of the UN Development System in Eswatini, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh presented the Cooperation Framework virtually via a zoom session with the Cabinet presided over by the Right Honorable Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Ambrose Dlamini. The presentation follows a high-level meeting of the Joint National Steering Committee held on 3 September 2020, which reviewed the achievements and challenges of the previous framework ( UNDAF 2016-2020) as well as the strategic priorities and outcomes of the upcoming UNSDCF 2021-2025.

The Cooperation Framework has been developed through a highly participatory, inclusive and transparent process that includes consultations with the Government, development partners, civil society, the academia, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and community groups between April 2019 and August 2020.

UNSDCF 2021-2025  is substantively based on the 2020 UN Eswatini Common Country Analysis (CCA), which identifies strengths, vulnerabilities and needs of the country; and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly its Prosperity, People, Planet (3 Ps out of 5 Ps) components.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, stated: “The overall goal of the United Nations’ assistance to the people and the Government of Eswatini during the cycle 2021-2015 is to support ‘A prosperous, just and resilient Eswatini where no one is left behind’. Through its Prosperity, People and Planet priority areas, the UNSDCF presents the UN’s offer to the Government of Eswatini for 2021-2025 through key Outcomes that will advance the attainment of sustainable development goals in your majestic nation.”

The Cooperation Framework is evidence-based and guided by  six key principles, namely: (i) Leaving No One Behind; (ii) Human Rights Based Approach; (iii) Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; (iv) Resilience; (v) Sustainability and (vi) Accountability.

In UNSDCF 2021-2025, special attention will be given – amongst others - to: private sector investment; small and medium sized enterprise development; sustainable and smart agriculture; promotion of decent work; food security; strengthening institutional capacities in the health and the education sectors; technical assistance in the health, nutrition, HIV and education programmes; improved access to and use of clean, reliable, and affordable energy for all citizens, especially vulnerable and marginalized communities; support to equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all citizens; integrated approaches targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized communities and groups.

The UNSDCF acts as a partnership and accountability framework between the United Nations Development System and the Government of Eswatini  andis expected to be signed in October 2020.

“The Cooperation Framework is our commitment to the people of Eswatini, particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable ones,” says Ndongo-Seh. “It commits the UN Development System to support the achievement of national development goals and targets with a focus on leaving no one behind and supporting the development of national development frameworks in line with the 2030 Agenda while including vulnerable populations in and across all processes and programmes.”