The Consultation Workshop on the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022–2026 Evaluation and Country Analysis - Opening Remarks by Ms. Closing Remarks by Ms. Mariyam Midhfa Naeem, Joint Secretary, MoFA

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Distinguished UN Resident Coordinator, colleagues from government, civil society, development partners, and the UN family – good morning.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes this opportunity to reflect on the UNSDCF evaluation and engage constructively on the Country Analysis that will guide our next framework. 

I thank all that are gathered here today, for your presence and your active participation in the process. 

Two reports lie before us: 

First, we will be looking at the country analysis. This report will pave the basis for the next set of priority areas in the UNSDCF. It will be important to ensure that this aligns with the priorities of the Government. And while the tendency is often to include all areas of importance, it would be prudent to be focused.

The second, is the evaluation of the UNSDCF 2022-2026. This document looks at the results of the current CF, and identifies findings, and makes recommendations for improvement in the next cycle. 

As we embark on this discussion, I would like to offer some overarching suggestions: 

First, as a Small Island Developing State, in addition to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our development priorities are defined in the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS. 

The General Assembly has requested all UN DS entities to contribute to the implementation of, and to integrate the ABAS into their strategic and work plans. The next CF must ensure this. 

Second, data collection remains a fundamental challenge. For reports to serve as a reliable foundation, we must establish rigorous criteria for data selection. We cannot build evidence-based policy on outdated or fragmented datasets. And limited data will result in skewed results. The next framework could therefore prioritize investments in national statistical capacity and real-time data systems that allow us to monitor development progress accurately.

Third, national contexts will always continue to change. Democratic transitions, change in priorities, are part of a vibrant democracy. The CF must have inbuilt mechanisms, and enough flexibility to adapt to these changes. The CF must be a living document, dynamic instead of static. 

Which brings me to a related fourth point on monitoring and adaptation. The evaluation period has taught us that development challenges evolve rapidly through climate shocks and fiscal pressures. And we live in uncertain times. The next CF must embed adaptive management mechanisms that allow us to respond to emerging realities without waiting for midterm reviews. This means regular joint reviews, flexible programming that can pivot based on evidence, and institutionalized feedback loops between government, UN agencies, and beneficiary communities. 

In UN General Assembly resolution 72/279, the Member States of the United Nations envisioned a revitalized, strategic, flexible, and results and action oriented United Nations Development Assistance Framework (now entitled the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework), coordinated and led by a new generation of UN country teams, led by the UN Resident Coordinator. 

The goal – a more coordinated, more targeted, more aligned UN support to programme countries. A UN that delivers as one. 

As we embark on the second cycle of this new generation of UNSDCF, we should be mindful of the progress we have made on this goal, and the work that remains. 

The Cooperation Framework is intended to guide and shape UN engagement with the country. It is a joint endeavour. Based on the shared interests of the UN and the country. Intended to help the country in their development journey. Built on areas where the UN has a comparative advantage and can offer unparalleled leverage. 

But we are as strong as our weakest link. A CF will truly be a cooperation framework, when the parties involved in this framework truly cooperate. When our actions are defined, shaped, and contribute to the priorities identified. 

I would like to reaffirm our commitment to our partnership with the United Nations. We believe in a transparent, evidence-driven partnership grounded in mutual respect, which we hope will be reflected in the finalization of the CF. We hope that our work here today, positions us collectively to deliver transformative results for the people of the Maldives.

Thank you.