High Level Joint Steering Committee of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Holds First Meeting Today

The First High Level Joint Steering Committee of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) was convened virtually today, for a joint consultation between the Government and the UN regarding the UNSDCF. The UNSDCF will be the blueprint for all UN efforts in the Maldives for 2022-2026.

The Joint Steering Committee is co-chaired by Dr. Hala Hameed, Secretary, Multilateral at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government and Ms. Catherine Haswell, United Nations Resident Coordinator, on behalf of the UN.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Hala Hameed, the Government Co-chair stated that the Cooperation Framework is a joint endeavour between the Government and the UN Country Team, to achieve the development goals envisioned in the Government’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP), carrying forward the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In particular, she highlighted the Net-Zero pledge made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, that should be a priority in the pursuance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN Resident Coordinator briefed the Committee on the role of the UNSDCF, the centre of the UN Development System’s collective support to the Maldives. She informed the Committee that it will be developed through extensive consultations with a wide range of partners and in joint collaboration with the Government, to generate a transformative shift in development in the Maldives.

The Government Steering Committee Members actively participated in the discussion, sharing their experiences and lessons learnt from the current UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) cycle, highlighting areas for improving collaboration with UN agencies.

The UNSDCF High Level Steering Committee comprises of members from The President’s Office; Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Economic Development; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services; the Attorney-General’s Office; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The United Nations was represented by the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Labor Organisation (ILO).

ENDS